As news reports of the horrific December 2004 tsunami in Asia reached the rest of the world, commentators were quick to seize upon the disaster as proof of either God s power or God s nonexistence, asking over and over, How could a good and loving God if such exists allow such suffering? In The Doors of the Sea David Bentley Hart speaks at once to those skeptical of Christian faith and to those who use their Christian faith to rationalize senseless human suffering. He calls both to recognize in the worst catastrophes not the providential will of God but rather the ongoing struggle between the rebellious powers that enslave the world and the God who loves it wholly.

The ocean dominates the surface of the earth and is in the pages of the Bible too. The Bible offers a view of the sea and the life it supports which affirms its intrinsic value to God as a good, and indeed essential, part of creation. At the same time, it also speaks perceptively of the sea’s vulnerability to damage and change. The Bible’s focus on the sea raises questions about economics and the interconnectedness of communities, whilst further references to the sea raise questions about our human-centredness and spirituality, and about our fear of chaos and disaster. In a unique collaborative project, the oceanographer Meric Srokosz and the biblical scholar Rebecca Watson not only offer environmental insights on the sea, but also connect the ocean with other key issues of broader concern—spirituality, economics, chaos, and our place in the world. Each chapter concludes with ideas for discussion and reflection, and for suggested actions in the light of the issues raised. The book will present a fresh new lens through which to view the Bible and as such inform biblical scholars, students, and preachers alike. Table of Contents: 1. The Sea and Salvation 2. The Sea and Spirituality 3. The God of the Sea and All that Fills It 4. Human Creatures and the Life of the Sea 5. The Sacred Sea 6. Coping with Chaos and Uncertainty: The ‘Chaotic’ Sea 7. The Vast, Vulnerable Sea: A Spacious Sea? 8. Economics, Hubris and Human Community: Travel and Trade on the Sea 9. Blue Planet, Blue God

New York Times bestseller New York Times bestselling author David Platt challenges us to unite around a gospel-centered vision in Radical Together. In Radical, David Platt’s plea for Christians to take back their faith from the American Dream resonated with readers everywhere. Now, he asks how a gospel-centered vision might reshape our priorities as the body of Christ? How might well-intentioned Christians actually prevent God’s people from accomplishing God’s purpose? And, how can we best unleash the people of God in the church to carry out the purpose of God in the world? Writing to everyone who desires to make an impact for God’s glory—whether you are an involved member, a leader, or a pastor—Dr. Platt shares six foundational ideas that fuel radical obedience among Christians in the church. With compelling Bible teaching and inspiring stories from around the world, he will help you apply the revolutionary claims and commands of Christ to your community of faith in fresh, practical ways.

God is radically dedicated to our ongoing growth in spiritual maturity and holiness. This is both glorious and terrifying. It is glorious because the Lord of heaven and earth is for us. But it is terrifying because we are idolaters. This means that when God brings greater redemption into our lives he also brings a death sentence to our fallen desires. In love, God will do whatever it takes - even tearing us to shreds if necessary - to replace our feeble pleasures with lasting desire for himself. Sadly, in our culture two false responses to suffering have become deeply embedded in the Church: deadly dualism and shallow stoicism. Each can effectively hijack God's good purpose in suffering. Torn to Heal equips us to understand and reject these false and self-defeating approaches to suffering, and to embrace God's good purpose in our trials.

The confidence, courage, and resolve in many of the greatest Bible heroes and world-changers are the result of a single, powerful, biblical principle. It's a principle woven into the very foundation of creation that, when applied, has the power to calm chaos, overcome obstacles, and win every battle. The secret? Activating the power of God's spoken Word.

Get ready for life after death. Combining three books that together have sold nearly 1 million copies, Heaven and the Afterlife gives you Erwin Lutzer’s best reflections on eternity and what it means for you today. The trilogyincludes: One Minute After You Die. A simple and moving explanation of what the Bible teaches about death, this book makes you consider a sobering truth: one minute after you die, your life will not be over. Rather, it will be just beginning—in a place of unimaginable bliss or indescribable gloom. Are you ready for that moment? How You Can Be Sure You Will Spend Eternity with Godsummarizes the Bible’s teaching on salvation, answering questions like, “What role do I play in my own salvation? Can I lose my salvation if I commit a serious sin? What if I doubt that I’m saved?” Your Eternal Reward. This book explores the often-overlooked Scriptures about reward and judgment for Christians, answering questions like, “How will believers be judged? Do rewards for faithfulness vary? If heaven is perfect, why do rewards even matter?” Together these books will help you live faithfully today, readying you for that final hour when you meet your Maker.

No man may touch Zaria. Not even her own father. Envy of the other girls, Zaria was born for the sea. Nobody questions her fate as the chosen braenese to marry Keroe, God of the Sea -- least of all her. And even if she did, she has no choice. When Zaria's wedding day finally arrives, she'll become the only islander of her generation permitted to cross into the God Sea. There's nothing more she could possibly want. Until a curious boy washes up on her palm-fringed paradise and Zaria defies sacred law to hide the unconscious stranger. There are only two possibilities with his strange (and strangely handsome) face: he's either a village anomaly or the Sea God himself, in disguise. The alluring boy-creature couldn't have come from anywhere else, because there is no other land in all the ocean. But when the scoundrel awakens, he has the gall to ambush Zaria. As three pageants leading up to her wedding turn unexpectedly deadly, and the enigma of its true purpose looms, Zaria is torn between her long-desired fate as Sea Queen and the infuriating boy who tells her that everything her people know is a lie. ******** Please be advised: In this dystopian series the protagonist grows in a manner similar to characters such as Sansa Stark. She begins as sheltered/ and does not become a strategist until Book II when the story darkens and matures. There is no spice/adult content until Book III. Book I is Mid-Range YA. Book II is Dark/Mature YA better suited to older teen readers. Book III is New Adult and contains mature content. **Winner of Independent Book Review's "The Best Books We Read This Year (2021)"**