Books published by Barnabas Books

If you had to describe the message of the Bible in one word, what word would you choose? Author Will Vaus suggests that "love" is what the Bible is all about; it is a love story between God and human beings. As such, it displays all the characteristics of a human love story: falling in love, jealousy, heartbreak, sacrifice, faithful endurance, separation, and glorious reunion. The message of the Bible is that the greatest need of every human being can be met, and that is the need for love.[p] The Bible has sometimes been called "God's Love Letter," and in a sense that is quite true. The word "love" in various forms appears over five hundred times in the sixty-six books of Holy Scripture. Out of all of those books, love appears more often in one than in any other. That book is the First Letter of John where we see various words for "love" thirty-five times in five brief chapters. This book invites you on a journey of reading and reflection: reading the First Letter of John and reflecting on God's love for us, our love for God, and our love for one another.[p] "In a world which is often devoid of meaning and where loneliness is the deep ache of our hearts, Will Vaus calls us "to turn to the one who promises to give us life and love, meaning and purpose." In this encouraging and accessible volume, Will draws on the expressive thought of his literary mentor, C.S. Lewis, and others, to call us to know the love of God both intellectually and with deep personal knowledge. Read this book and share it with your friends."[p] Larry Linenschmidt, Executive Director, Hill Country Institute

If you ask most people, "What is Advent?" they will probably not be able to give a correct answer. At best, they might tell you that when they were children they opened the doors of an Advent Calendar in the days leading up to Christmas. Similarly, if you asked the average person in the street, "What are the Twelve Days of Christmas?" they might only be able to sing a few lines from the song of the same name. In this book, author Will Vaus seeks to deepen the reader's knowledge of Advent and the Twelve Days of Christmas leading up to Epiphany. However, this book goes even further than that. Readers are provided with devotional thoughts for each day of the Advent and Christmas seasons that help them to experience this part of the Church Year perhaps in a more spiritually enriching way than ever before. "Will Vaus leads our hearts and minds through the story of our Lord's Incarnation with daily readings, seasoned with inspiring, touching, and sometimes humorous illustrations. I found his writing immediately engaging and, the more I read the book, the more I liked it. God has touched my heart by reading OPEN BEFORE CHRISTMAS, and I believe he will touch your heart as well." Rev. David Beckmann, Founder of The C. S. Lewis Society of Chattanooga Will Vaus (M.Div., Princeton Seminary) is the author of several books in¬cluding KEYS TO GROWTH: MEDITATIONS ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES and THE HIDDEN STORY OF NARNIA.

This beginner's guide to the Bible is based on the author's experience teaching the Bible for over 20 years. The persons and incidents in the Old Testament that you must know to understand God's revelation of himself and his will to the people of Israel (and to us) are highlighted. Readers will discover promises God made to his people (despite their faithlessness), fulfilling most of them in Christ Himself. Themes and events in the New Testament are seen in an important light - as reinforcements and enlargements of themes from the Old Testament. Written by an Episcopalian priest but the message is aimed at a broad audience by concentrating on the basics of the Christian faith. ENDORSEMENTS: Father Furrer has provided us with a true handbook - what the ancients called an Enchiridion - of the Christian faith. In the tradition of the apolo¬gists he has anticipated the questions, doubts and confusions which can and do arise in human minds on so many points of doctrine. This is a fine book which will serve well in both parish and private study. Edward F. Duffy Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Fairfield, CT Adjunct Professor of NT Greek at Hartford Seminary Canon Furrer has combined his pastoral and academic knowledge into a simple and practical book for the Christian and non-Christian reader in search of knowing what the Bible is all about and its relevance to the twenty-first century. I recommend it for all who desire to understand the Bible in histori¬cal, social and ethical contexts. The Rt. Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, PhD Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Kaduna, Nigeria In a clear and straightforward style, Furrer lays out the major biblical themes, inserting commentary and scripture quotations so as never to stray far from the actual text. Each chapter ends with useful questions for reflection. This is a book you can give to someone looking for guidance with confidence that they will find the guidance they need. Rev. Christopher Webber Author of A Year with American Saints (and other books) ABOUT THE AUTHOR: The Rev. Canon Tom Furrer has served in parish ministry in the Epis-copal Diocese of Connecticut since 1986. He is currently the Rector of Trinity Church in Tariffville. He is also President of Kateri Medical Services, Inc., a non-profit corporation which funds and facilitates ba¬sic health care for residents of rural villages in Nigeria. All proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the ministry of providing simple, decent and affordable health care for the rural poor in Nigeria.

Called to Serve is the story of one man's dream to be a firefighter. But dreams have a way of taking detours - so Tony became a teacher and eventually a volunteer firefighter. And when God enters the picture, Tony is faced with a choice. Will he give up firefighting to follow another call?This menoir, written with honesty and humor, describes his experiences and struggles. Tony's two callings are finally united - in service as a fire chaplain at Ground Zero after the 9-11 attacks and in many other ways he could not have imagined.

Every living thing or person requires certain ingredients in order to grow, and if a thing or person is not growing, it is dying. What is true in the physical realm is also true in the spiritual arena. In order to grow spiritually, individual Christians, and the whole Church needs certain fundamental ingredients. The Acts of the Apostles is a book that is all about growth. Will Vaus has been preaching on Acts for a number of years. In this volume, he offers the reader forty-one keys from the book of Acts to unlock spiritual growth in everyday life. A rich feast awaits readers to understand how to be effective witnesses to the Good News. From many years of study and preaching, Vaus throws open new windows of insight into the wisdom and truth of Acts. read it! Samuel Hugh Moffett, PhD, Hon LittD, Hon DD Henry Winters Luce Professor of Ecumenism and Mission Emeritus Princeton Theological Seminary Will Vaus combines insight into the development of the early church and the viral spread of the good news about Jesus with stories that move the heart. Take a chapter each day or every other day, let it penetrate your soul, and ask God, "In light of what I have just read, what would you have me do?" Linus Morris Global Training Network Author of The Divine Expedition: Where Are You in the Book of Romans?