This provocative study argues that the 'believers' church' should draw on Catholic, Reformed, and Lutheran thought to find a solid basis for Christian political action. The book believes that a 'believers' church' ethic has points of continuity with the quest for social justice in the larger society. Rather than separating discipleship from political life or uncritically baptizing political projects, the believers' church may appeal to natural law as a basis for cooperation with others toward the end of a more just society. The volume draws upon various historical theologians and a variety of contemporary figures to affirm a God-given moral capacity in humans that makes a tolerably just political order possible.

Question: What is the God-given purpose of the local church? Answer: Relational discipleship. DiscipleShift walks you through five key "shifts" that churches must make to refocus on the fundamental biblical mission of discipleship. These intentional changes will attract the world and empower your church members to be salt and light in their communities. Over the last thirty years, many influential church leaders and church planters in America have adopted various models for reaching unchurched people. While many of these approaches have merit, something is still missing, something even more fundamental to the mission of the church: discipleship. Making disciples—helping people to trust and follow Jesus—is the church's God-given mandate. Devoted disciples attract people outside the church because of the change others see in their Christ-like lives. And discipleship empowers Christians to be more like Christ as they intentionally develop relationships with non-believers. Through biblical and professional insights, Jim Putman and Bobby Harrington discuss the transformational effectiveness of making disciples and just how to do so, in practical terms. You’ll learn: The specific roles of a disciple-making pastor. The components of person-to-person discipleship. How each ministry in your church leads to discipleship. How to implement discipleship in your church. Disciple-making leaders will not produce perfect churches, but they will create effective churches.

God created man in his image. In this book, we study that image and come to understand why the first man, created in the image of God, could and did fall from holiness to the state of sin and spiritual death. We explore how the resulting depravity infected the entire human race and what God has done to provide the antidote and make possible the restoration of the primal holiness that characterized the original creation. Inherited depravity can be cured only by God creating a "new heart" to replace the fallen moral and spiritual condition of sin. God dealt patiently with the human race through the rites of the law of Moses, teaching us what sin is, what its consequences are, and what is its remedy. The animal sacrifices God required of the Israelites under the Old Testament illustrated that remedy, foreshadowing the atonement in Christ. The shedding of the blood of Christ as pictured by the animal sacrifices is the only means by which sin and spiritual death are conquered and the new heart realized. Gospel salvation is much more than just the forgiveness of sins; it is the restoration of the holiness God intended for human lives--the new heart. It is the blood of Christ that made atonement for sin, and it is the action of the Holy Spirit in the human heart that produces genuine sanctification and practical holiness. The baptism of the Holy Spirit as a dispensational baptism is explored. What happened on the Day of Pentecost, and what happened to those who experienced the subsequent receiving of the Holy Spirit events in the book of Acts? What did Jesus teach on the baptism of the Holy Spirit? What is entire sanctification? Are we yet carnal? And what is temptation? These are questions on which there are different viewpoints but yet have clear answers in the New Testament.

Like any magnificent work, whether in film, music or drama, a plot is gradually revealed one step at a time, causing intrigue and wonder at what can or will be done. Each scene heightens the intensity until the final revelation when everything becomes clear. The audience can enjoy the resolution of the plot, deliberating over the most intriguing scenes. In the same way, God’s redemptive story is woven throughout the Bible, revealing God's plan for eternal life. Develop a deeper intimacy with the Lord and better fulfill your part of this great plan through this book, Redemption Through the Scriptures. The progression and purpose of redemptive revelation provides careful attention to how the redemption plan is being fulfilled in the lives of His people. Redemption Through the Scriptures highlights the best scenes of the redemptive plan of God revealed fully in Christ’s person and work, and progressively revealed throughout the scriptures.

For far too long, the church has tried to make disciples using a one-size-fits-all approach. Some churches advocate 1-on-1 discipling, others try getting everyone into a small group, while still others training through mission trips or service projects. Yet others focus all their efforts on attracting people to a large group gathering to hear biblical teaching and preaching. But does one size really fit everyone? Based on careful biblical study and years of experience making disciples in the local church, Bobby Harrington and Alex Absalom have identified five key relationships where discipleship happens in our lives. In each relational context we need to understand how discipleship occurs and we need to set appropriate expectations for each context. Discipleship That Fits shows you the five key ways discipleship occurs. It looks at how Jesus made disciples and how disciples were formed in the early church. Each of the contexts is necessary at different times and in different ways as a person grows toward maturity in Christ: Public Relationships: The church gathering corporately for worship Social Relationships: Networks of smaller relationships where we engage in mission and live out our faith in community Personal Relationships: Small groups of six to sixteen people where we challenge and encourage one another on a regular basis Transparent Relationships: Close relationships of three to four where we share intimate details of our lives for accountability The Divine Relationship: Our relationship with Jesus Christ where we grow through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit Filled with examples and stories, Alex and Bobby show you how to develop discipleship practices in each relational context by sharing how Jesus did it, how the early church practiced it, and how churches are discipling people today.