There are times when you just know, as if by instinct, and often before you're able to say exactly why, that an argument you're hearing is fatally flawed; it gives off something like the hollow thunk of cheap glass. But then there are those rare and precious times when you read a book or an article and -- ping! -- there's no mistaking: This is the real thing. At the banquet table of apologetics, James Akin's The Salvation Controversy is the finest of fine crystal. Questions relating to salvation -- especially faith versus works, but also penance, purgatory, indulgences, and free cooperation with God's grace -- have been sore points in the dialogue between Catholics and Protestants. Mr. Akin knows and respects the Protestant tradition in which he was raised and the Catholicism he has come to embrace. He is not about to falsify either or to pretend that crucial differences do not exist. But he is also unwilling to allow theological slogans (such as "faith alone") to distract us from significant points of agreement. His method is to follow Scripture and Tradition wherever they lead -- and he is formidably equipped for the task -- with honesty, clarity of mind, and an abundance of logical skill. Book jacket.

Where Will You Spend Eternity? The drama of salvation involves every man, woman, and child on earth. In this life, all of us are suspended between heaven and hell. Few people understand what Jesus did or how it affects us. Worse yet, there are endless squabbles between Christians of different persuasions, leading to confusion on a massive scale. In this book, Jimmy Akin uses his expertise in Scripture and Church teaching to cut through the confusion and provide clear answers on important issues like: What we need to do to be saved Whether salvation is a one-time event or a process Whether penance is part of God's plan What indulgences are How faith and works relate What the Church teaches about justification How far apart Protestants and Catholics are on this question Whether you have to be a Catholic (or a Christian) to be saved No other book takes on these questions with the clarity and precision that Akin brings to them and the answer will affect you and those you love . . . forever.

The Great Controversy is a work by Ellen G. White, a founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, considered a prophetess or messenger of God among Seventh-day Adventist members. The book tells about the ever-persistent controversy between the good and the bad, represented by the opposition of Christ and Satan and the forces of angels that accompany them.

What is the role of the will in believing the good news of the gospel? Why is there so much controversy over free will throughout church history? R. C. Sproul finds that Christians have often been influenced by pagan views of the human will that deny the effects of Adam's fall. In Willing to Believe, Sproul traces the free-will controversy from its formal beginning in the fifth century, with the writings of Augustine and Pelagius, to the present. Readers will gain understanding into the nuances separating the views of Protestants and Catholics, Calvinists and Arminians, and Reformed and Dispensationalists. This book, like Sproul's Faith Alone, is a major work on an essential evangelical tenet.

The apostles understood the Gospel as they learned from and personally lived alongside Jesus, and these lessons became the heart of their message to an unsaved world. But what does their perspective mean for modern Christians, and how can we read the Bible through their unique lens today? Following the release of his bestselling book The Gospel According to Jesus, Dr. MacArthur noticed that Christians were looking for practical advice, spiritual counsel, and accessible explanations of the Bible. And, most of all, they wanted help understanding their experiences within Christianity. Dr. MacArthur realized that by examining scripture from the perspective of the apostles themselves, even more Christians could come to know the Gospel as Jesus' earliest followers did. In his characteristic compelling style, Dr. MacArthur examines some of the key passages from the Epistles and Acts that reveal how the apostles first shared the gospel and how they unfolded the truths of salvation to the early church. Dr. MacArthur doesn't shy away from answering some of the difficult questions that he's been asked over the years, including: What is cheap grace? Have some Christians adopted a "no-lordship" theology? What must a person do to be considered righteous by God? How should we call people to faith? Do our works have any effect on our salvation? The Gospel According to the Apostles is a book for every Christian who wants to experience, understand, and fall in love with the same gospel that Jesus preached.

"The Lord has shown me that Satan was once an honored angel in heaven, next to Jesus Christ. His countenance was mild, expressive of happiness like the other angels. His forehead was high and broad, and showed great intelligence. His form was perfect. He had noble, majestic bearing. And I saw that when God said to his Son, Let us make man in our image, Satan was jealous of Jesus. He wished to be consulted concerning the formation of man. He was filled with envy, jealousy and hatred. He wished to be the highest in heaven, next to God, and receive the highest honors. Until this time all heaven was in order, harmony and perfect subjection to the government of God."-Ellen G White

A powerfully biblical and thorough answer to the Lordship Salvation controversy. There is no more important issue than how to become a Christian. Lordship Salvation is a view that has confused many people about the nature of the gospel itself. Based on a Ph.D. dissertation, this is an academic and biblical response to the Lordship view. - The crucial issues of faith, repentance, lordship, and discipleship - Over 65 important passages explained - A helpful Scripture index - Can be used as a textbook - Retains its original academic form and content You will find out how Lordship Salvation undermines the assurance of Christians as you gain a new confidence in the gospel of God's sure salvation. Read it, use it as a Bible study reference, or teach from it; it is a valuable resource in a critical and controversial issue. Charles C. Bing obtained his Ph.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary. As founder and president of GraceLife Ministries he is active as an author, conference speaker, and adjunct professor.