Many sincere, Bible-believing Christians are Calvinists only by default. Thinking that the only choice is between Calvinism (with its presumed doctrine of eternal security) and Arminianism (with its teaching that salvation can be lost), and confident of Christ's promise to keep eternally those who believe in Him, they therefore consider themselves to be Calvinists. It takes only a few simple questions to discover that most Christians are largely unaware of what John Calvin and his early followers of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries actually believed and practiced. Nor do they fully understand what most of today's leading Calvinists believe. Although there are disputed variations of the Calvinist doctrine, among its chief proponents (whom we quote extensively in context) there is general agreement on certain core beliefs. Many evangelicals who think they are Calvinists will be surprised to learn of Calvin's belief in salvation through infant baptism and of his grossly un-Christian behavior, at times, as the "Protestant Pope" of Geneva, Switzerland. Most shocking of all, however, is Calvinism's misrepresentation of God, who "is love." It is our prayer that this volume will enable readers to examine more carefully the vital issues involved and to follow God's holy Word­--not man's teachings. "The first edition of this book was greeted by fervent opposition and criticism from Calvinists. In this enlarged and revised edition I have endeavored to respond to the critics." --Dave Hunt

A rising star in philosophy examines the cultural, social, and scientific interpretations of love to answer one of our most enduring questions What is love? Aside from being the title of many a popular love song, this is one of life's perennial questions. In What Love Is, philosopher Carrie Jenkins offers a bold new theory on the nature of romantic love that reconciles its humanistic and scientific components. Love can be a social construct (the idea of a perfect fairy tale romance) and a physical manifestation (those anxiety- inducing heart palpitations); we must recognize its complexities and decide for ourselves how to love. Motivated by her own polyamorous relationships, she examines the ways in which our parameters of love have recently changed-to be more accepting of homosexual, interracial, and non-monogamous relationships-and how they will continue to evolve in the future. Full of anecdotal, cultural, and scientific reflections on love, What Love Is is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand what it means to say "I love you." Whether young or old, gay or straight, male or female, polyamorous or monogamous, this book will help each of us decide for ourselves how we choose to love.

The letters of 1, 2, & 3 John were written to encourage followers of Jesus to remain faithful to the truth. Believers are challenged to look at contrasting themes such as walking in the light instead of darkness, truth versus lies and deception, loving God more than loving the world, and the meaning of true fellowship and community rather than shallowness. This study reveals not only the heart of John but also the heart of Jesus. Features: 6 weeks of personal study material Great addition to The Living Room Series that includes recipes and a relational approach Author: Kelly Minter is an author, speaker, songwriter, and singer. She is passionate about women discovering Jesus Christ through the pages of Scripture. So whether it's through a song, study, or spoken word, Kelly's desire is to authentically express Christ to the women of this generation. In a culture where so many are hurting and broken, she loves to share about the healing and strength of Christ through the Bible's truth. Kelly writes extensively and speaks and leads worship at women's conferences, retreats, and events.

You are what you love. But you might not love what you think. In this book, award-winning author James K. A. Smith shows that who and what we worship fundamentally shape our hearts. And while we desire to shape culture, we are not often aware of how culture shapes us. We might not realize the ways our hearts are being taught to love rival gods instead of the One for whom we were made. Smith helps readers recognize the formative power of culture and the transformative possibilities of Christian practices. He explains that worship is the "imagination station" that incubates our loves and longings so that our cultural endeavors are indexed toward God and his kingdom. This is why the church and worshiping in a local community of believers should be the hub and heart of Christian formation and discipleship. Following the publication of his influential work Desiring the Kingdom, Smith received numerous requests from pastors and leaders for a more accessible version of that book's content. No mere abridgment, this new book draws on years of Smith's popular presentations on the ideas in Desiring the Kingdom to offer a fresh, bottom-up rearticulation. The author creatively uses film, literature, and music illustrations to engage readers and includes new material on marriage, family, youth ministry, and faith and work. He also suggests individual and communal practices for shaping the Christian life.

The world saw Carlos Pena and Alexa Vega enjoying the success of their acting careers--Carlos on Nickelodeon's Big Time Rush and Alexa in the Spy Kids movies. But what they didn't see was the question both Carlos and Alexa were asking in the midst of all that fame and fortune: What's the point of it all anyway? Overflowing with both laughter and honest reflections, What If Love Is the Point? shares Carlos and Alexa PenaVegas' incredible story--from the red carpet, Spy Kids movies, and Big Time Rush to Dancing with the Stars to marriage and their greatest adventure, parenthood. Join them as they: Offer an inspiring window into how God builds young faith and strengthens it into lasting love Give insight into how to put God at the center of relationships, family, and career Explore why society's expectations never fulfill our true needs Share ideas for resisting the hustle of today's culture and finding true rest Carlos and Alexa believe that following Jesus was what they were made for--and they believe it's what you were made for too. If you find yourself asking, "Isn't there more to life than this?," lean in to their remarkable story of tender faith, God's persistent work, and learning why love is always the point of it all. Praise for What If Love Is the Point?: "This is more than a book. It's a story of freedom, hope, redemption, and love. Being in the public eye, I understand the struggles they faced (and continue to face), individually and as a couple. I recognize myself in a lot of the stories they share. What If Love Is the Point? helped me heal from life's wounds. It taught me that I'm not alone and I know this book will help so many others grow their faith and live out love. I didn't want it to end." —Sam Acho, author of Let the World See You, analyst at ESPN, and nine-year NFL linebacker

Teach little ones all about love with this sweet board book. Adorable animal characters model patience, kindness, and other qualities of love, based on the "love chapter" from 1 Corinthians 13. As a mama bear and her cub observe the other animals around them, they see them acting with patience, kindness, selflessness, and other attributes of love. A daddy duck waits patiently for his ducklings; a hen selflessly shelters her chicks from the rain; a beaver perseveres to finish the work on a lodge for his family. Through the caring actions of the animals, children will see that love is not just a feeling--it is also something we do. Based on the beloved "love is patient, love is kind . . ." passage from 1 Corinthians 13, this board book from bestselling author Hannah C. Hall is perfect for little ones just learning about loving others. The sweet animals in this book will help them to see that our love is in our actions as well as our hearts, that love is the most important thing of all, and that God loves us unconditionally.

This confessional reminiscence is part autobiography, part self-help therapy, and part meditation on love. It is the heart of a journal over three decades of a tormented life. While searching for love, the author, a failed playwright and a loner, leads a secret double life. Publicly he is an English professor, but privately a dissolute and self-abusing racetrack tout trapped in a love/hate addiction to the horses. Redemption comes, but comes slow and hard. From an editor: Dear Mr. Rosenthal, Many thanks for sending your manuscript, I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS. We publish only plays and musicals for the theater. You will find your manuscript enclosed. I did, however, read your manuscript. The title entranced me. Once I started reading I could not put it down. What a beautiful piece of work. I apologize for keeping it for so long. But I did not want to part with it! Best wishes on your search for a publisher. Sincerely, Donna Cozzaglio Editorial Department I. E. Clark Publications