Has the church growth movement failed to stress the social dimensions of the Christian faith? Dr. Peter Wagner, a leading exponent of church growth, argues that Christians can evangelize and churches can grow strongly, while at the same time participating in the global struggle on behalf of the poor and oppressed - for justice and peace, for brotherhood and liberation, and for the alleviation of human suffering.

Childfree, childless ... these are the labels society gives to women who do not bear children, due to choice or genetics. Being Fruitful without Multiplying started as one woman's quest to come to terms with her decision not to bear children. In conversation with Renee and Janice--two close relatives from different generations--Patricia found that they shared another, unexpected bond: each belonged to childless or childfree social networks. All three were weary of questions from well-meaning people who wondered why they had not born children. As they began to reach out to others in earnest, they found that many who belonged to their diverse online communities were eager to share their stories. Some had chosen to be childfree and some were childless because of biological factors but grew to appreciate the advantages. Some of those who chose not to reproduce still decided to become stepparents or adopt. Over sixty women and a few men added their voices to those of the three main authors. The result is this rich and varied anthology, which includes stories from many different countries, cultures and income groups. Gold Medal Winner (Women's Issues) in the 2014 Independent Publisher (IPPY) Book Awards.

In this study, Andrew J. Schmutzer puts his hand to an in-depth study of the Creation Mandate, known within Reformed theology as the Cultural Mandate. His analysis focuses on key texts of God's blessing in Genesis 1-11. In particular, Schmutzer explores the theological significance of Genesis 1:28 using a biblical-theological approach sensitive to the biblical literature. Delving into such issues as the nature of divine blessing, humankind's royal stewardship, and the role of the image of God, this study draws the reader back to the biblical text as the "lead carriage" for foundational questions in contemporary faith. The result is theological "grist," primed to address the related issues of ecological crisis, social oppression, gender studies, and eco-theology. How one understands the Creation Mandate has serious implications. Be Fruitful and Multiply provides a sharp tool to help address these serious issues.

There is no escaping the fact that the Bible is dogmatically pro-child. In fact, it declares unapologetically that the birth of many children is a source of blessing, that a key reason for marriage is to bring forth many children for the glory of God, and that parents should actively seek such blessings. But if this is true, why do so many Christian married couples choose to cut off their seed? What, if any, biblical basis exists for deliberately thwarting the birth of children? Is it ever good stewardship to prevent children on the basis of financial concerns? These and related questions are examined in the light of Scripture in this groundbreaking study guide.

In this groundbreaking and insightful new commentary, one of the world's leading biblical scholars unveils the unity and continuity of the Torah for the modern reader. Richard Elliott Friedman, the bestselling author of Who Wrote the Bible?, integrates the most recent discoveries in biblical archaeology and research with the fruits of years of experience studying and teaching the Bible to illuminate the straightforward meaning of the text -- "to shed new light on the Torah and, more important, to open windows through which it sheds its light on us." While other commentaries are generally collections of comments by a number of scholars, this is a unified commentary on the Torah by a single scholar, the most unified by a Jewish scholar in centuries. It includes the original Hebrew text, a new translation, and an authoritative, accessibly written interpretation and analysis of each passage that remains focused on the meaning of the Torah as a whole, showing how its separate books are united into one cohesive, all-encompassing sacred literary masterpiece. This landmark work is destined to take its place as a classic in the libraries of lay readers and scholars alike, as we seek to understand the significance of the scriptural texts for our lives today, and for years to come.

Reinterpretations of key Bible texts related to sexual orientation, written by a Harvard student, present an accessible case for a modern Christian conservative acceptance of sexual diversity.