In God, Mystery, and Mystification, Denys Turner presents eight essays covering the major issues of philosophical and practical theology that he has focused on over the fifty years of his academic career. While a somewhat heterogeneous collection, the chapters are loosely linked by a focus on the mystery of God and on distinguishing that mystery from merely idolatrous mystifications. The book covers three main fields: theological epistemology, medieval and early modern mystical theologies, and the relation of Christian belief to natural science and politics. Turner develops the implications of a moderate realist account of theological knowledge as distinct from a fashionable, postmodernist epistemology. This modern realist epistemology is embodied in connections between theoretical, speculative theologies and the practice of the Christian faith in a number of different ways, but mainly as bearing upon the practical, lived connections between faith and reason, between reason and the mystical, between faith and science, and among faith, prayer, and politics. Scholars and advanced students of theology, religious studies, the history of ideas, and medieval thought will be interested in this book.

This book fills a real need for pastors and students. Though there is currently a large body of material on the theological interpretation of Scripture, most of it is highly specific and extremely technical. J. Todd Billings here provides a straightforward entryway for students and pastors to understand why theological interpretation matters and how it can be done. / A solid, constructive theological work, The Word of God for the People of God presents a distinctive Trinitarian, participatory approach toward reading Scripture as the church. Billings's accessible yet substantial argument for a theological hermeneutic is rooted in a historic vision of the practice of scriptural interpretation even as it engages a wide range of contemporary issues and includes several exegetical examples that apply to concrete Christian ministry situations.

God's love mystery is the most precious gift that can be given to mankind. God created within every human heart a basic yearning for an eternal life filled with freedom, joy, peace and love. This desire can only be satisfied by its Creator. In this book you will explore the secrets of God's love mystery. You will learn why the vast majority of mankind has never heard of them. You will see how and why most Christians soon after the first century lost most of their understanding of the secrets of the God's love mystery only to be replaced with self-righteous legalism. In short legalism is "do this in order to get that." With increasing legalism over the centuries the freedom, joy, love, and peace that God's love mystery offers was proportionately lost. Although those who accepted Jesus Christ as their savior gained eternal life, their ability to truly rest in the Lord was increasingly limited. Even today, many Christians live unhappy lives suffering needless guilt, fear, doubt, and many other destructive emotions. Many wonder why this is so and how is it that the apostle Paul was able to say while confined in prison that "I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances" (Phil. 4:11. BSB). The answer lies in the understanding Paul had concerning the secrets of God's love mystery. Today, there are thousands of various Christian denominations around the world. They also have just as many differing doctrines and ideas on how God wants to be worshipped. You will explore in this book the answer to why God would allow His Body to become so confused and divided losing many secrets to "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, [which] will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:7, BSB). It looks at the major factions dividing Christians today and their various beliefs from the full spectrum of ultra-legalism through to Universalism (aka Inclusionism) which teaches everyone is eternally saved with or without Jesus Christ. The secrets of God's love mystery lies in the middle of these two extremes. God said, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6 WEB). Many Christians today suffer needlessly due to a lack of knowledge concerning God's love mystery. For instance, many believe they are saved by the blood of Jesus, yet believe they face the possibility of eternal hell fire for some unrepentant sin if they should die unexpectedly. In this book you will look at the devastation these vain "Christian" beliefs have inflicted on the lives of countless saints over the last two thousand years. God's word says, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love" (1 John 4:18 BSB). God's love mystery can help to finally set you on the right track to begin breaking free from the satanic chains of fear, confusion, doubt, and unhappiness you are experiencing. The more you understand and believe in the secrets of God's love mystery, you will increasingly enjoy the eternal freedom, love, joy, and peace that God put in your heart to desire so deeply.

Provides a sustained account of how the thought of Aquinas may be used in conjunction with contemporary science to deepen our understanding of divine action and address such issues as creation, providence, prayer, and miracles.

Rarely does a new theological position emerge to account well for life in the world, including not only goodness and beauty but also tragedy and randomness. Drawing from Scripture, science, philosophy and various theological traditions, Thomas Jay Oord offers a novel theology of providence—essential kenosis—that emphasizes God's inherently noncoercive love in relation to creation.

Hurting people ask heart-felt questions about God and suffering. Some "answers" they receive appeal to mystery: “God’s ways are not our ways”. Some answers say God allows evil for a greater purpose. Some say evil is God's punishment. The usual answers fail. They don't support the truth that God loves everyone all the time. God Can't gives a believable answer to why a good and powerful God doesn't prevent evil. Author Thomas Jay Oord says God’s love is inherently uncontrolling. God loves everyone and everything, so God can't control anyone or anything. This means God cannot prevent evil singlehandedly. God can’t stop evildoers, whether human, animal, organism, or inanimate objects and forces. In God Can't, Oord gives a plausible reason why some are healed, but many others are not. God always works to heal everyone, but sometimes our bodies, organisms, or other creatures do not cooperate with God's healing work. Or the conditions of creation are not right for the healing God wants to do. Some people think God causes or allows suffering to teach us lessons or build our character. God Can't disagrees. Oord says God squeezes good from the evil God didn’t want in the first place. God uses pain and suffering without willing or even allowing it. Most people think God can overcome evil singlehandedly. In God Can't, Oord says God needs cooperation for love to reign now and later. This leads to a better view of the afterlife called “relentless love.” It rejects traditional ideas of heaven, hell, and annihilation. Relentless love holds to the possibility all creatures and all creation will respond to God’s love. God Can't is written in understandable language. As a world-renown theologian, Thomas Jay Oord brings credibility to the book’s radical ideas. He explains these ideas through true stories, illustrations, and scripture. God Can't is for those who want answers to tragedy, abuse, and other evils that make sense! What They're Saying... “If conventional notions of God make less and less sense to you, you’ll find Thomas Jay Oord’s new book a breath of fresh air. Simply put, “God Can’t” presents an understanding of God that thoughtful, ethical people can believe in.” -- Brian D. McLaren, author of The Great Spiritual Migration "I did not want this book to end. I wish Dr. Oord had written it 100 years ago, or 1000 years ago... To find your understanding of life and your love for God renewed, read this book." -- Dr. Karen Strand Winslow, Ph.D., Biblical and Jewish Studies Professor of Bible, Azusa Pacific University "As a clinical psychologist working with people in trauma, I owe Thomas Jay Oord an enormous debt of gratitude for recasting the so-called problem of evil in terms that are conceptually satisfying, theologically consistent, and pastorally liberating.” -- Dr Roger Bretherton- Principal Lecturer at the University of Lincoln (UK), Chair of the British Association of Christians in Psychology “Victims of trauma sometimes hear theological responses that imply their suffering is somehow “God’s will." A more careful theological reflection on the nature of the power of a God who is love can help. Oord gives us a clear and compelling alternative in this profoundly insightful and admirably concrete and accessible book.” -- Dr. Anna Case-Winters, Professor of Theology at McCormick Theological Seminary “I know of no book that speaks to suffering with the depth of theological sophistication and psychological sensitivity as God Can’t. This book is a rare combination of depth and accessibility, truly written for the wounded. I recommend it to my students, parishioners, and therapy clients.” -- Dr. Brad D. Strawn, Professor of the Integration of Psychology and Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary

In this classic book, John Stott shows that Christian mission must encompass both evangelism and social action. He offers careful definitions of five key terms- mission, evangelism, dialogue, salvation and conversion. Through a thorough biblical exploration of these concepts, Stott provides a model for ministry to people's spiritual and physical needs alike. Ultimately, Stott points to the example of Jesus, who modeled both the Great Commission of proclamation and the Great Commandment of love and service. This balanced, holistic approach to mission points the way forward for the work of the church in the world. Market/Audience Church Leaders Pastors Students Those interested in Evangelism Endorsements 'A short but exceedingly powerful book. Packer shows that rather than precluding evangelism, God's sovereignty provides the most powerful incentive and support for it . . . Contains impressive depth and contains a thorough and satisfying treatment of the subject.' - DiscerningReader.com 'I've often recommended this book to faithful Christians who are confused about how they are to think about prayer, missions, giving-any area in which our efforts could be wrongly pitted against God's own necessary action. Packer introduces us to clear truths, handles Scripture with exemplary care, and supplies us with just the right amount of illustrations and application.' - From the foreword by Mark Dever, senior pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, D.C. Features and Benefits New mass market edition of a classic InterVarsity Press work on divine sovereignty and human responsibility Challenges extreme views on both sides of the issue Outlines a proper incentive and support for evangelism Over 100,000 copies in print