Books published by Earthen Vessel Publishing

"In the Wrong Body? addresses transgender issues from a Biblical point of view with compassion for those who are confused or even harmed by the pressures coming from many camps to comply with certain standards, especially from the Woke community, but also from fundamental traditionalists. Presented here is a wealth of background information that includes quotes from LBGTQ regulars and clear Biblical references. This comes from the pastoral heart"--

"One never knows what one might find at a church worship service. Some may be structured in traditional liturgical format with written bulletins and a choir singing to a piano or organ, and the preaching pulpit is front and center. Others put the band front and center and focus on reaching a good feeling when the Holy Spirit supposedly "shows up" after a long period of playing repetitive choruses that may or may not contain the name of Jesus. When this second example moves further along on the continuum of spiritual highs into ecstasy as the goal rather than actual worship, it starts to mirror shamanistic religions rather than biblical Christianity and becomes dangerous. The Philpotts present lamentable personal history and expose specific groups and their methods as examples of this danger. They then give the biblical basis for worship that is honoring to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit"--

What should the Christian know about Islam? Islamic Studies, 2nd Edition (60% more material) prepares students in group, class settings, or privately to know all the essentials of Islam's theology, history, rituals, tendencies, and culture for adequate interaction with Muslims. Knowing the differences between Islam and Christianity is crucial for effective witness. The reader will gain an understanding of what causes radicalization and what ex-Muslims say about the need for reform. Original material included a general outline of Islamic theology, an overview of the Quran, commentary on books by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Reza Aslan, and Bilal Philips, a short biography of Muhammad's life, an overview of the Hadith and the Sira, other religions related to Islam, an explanation of the Crescent and Star symbol, several opinion essays, and an extensive glossary and bibliography. Additional material in this edition: a condensed study of Sharia Law, both Shia and Sunni versions; a comparison of Islamic and Christian notions of hygiene; "Ultimate Intentions of Islam," "Who Is Gabriel?" "Debating with Muslims;" and "25 Ways to Enter Paradise." This sharply cuts research time for the Christian who is serious about learning about Islam. This is what you need to know in one volume!

God, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, defies man's ability to fully comprehend Him who creates the universe in an instant from nothing, creates humans in His image, allows evil into His creation, then comes to die, live again, ascend back to heaven, then promises to collect those whom He elects into his presence.

The purpose of this little book is to show the biblical understanding of evangelical and Christianity. This is not a call to awakening, which is only possible by the work of the Holy Spirit. It is a call for Christians to engage in bold proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"If God Wills" is an expression that comes to us from the Muslim world ("enshallah" in Arabic, meaning "If Allah Wills") and connotes the hope that God is in control of our lives and world events. Pastor Kent Philpott has been studying Islam for fifteen years while maintaining his own deep Christian faith. This book is written for the Muslim reader to consider various aspects of his/her religion as found in the Qur'an and other traditional texts and cultural norms and compare them to what Jesus brings as found in the Bible and Christian history. Philpott does not condemn Muslims or attack the tenets of Islam or the prophet Muhammad but reaches out with care and concern with an offer of the love and grace of Jesus. This book is an excellent resource for Christian evangelists and apologists.

Kent Philpott tells of going to the hippies in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco in early 1967 and the unusual outpouring of the Holy Spirit with signs and wonders that was the Jesus People Movement. The 1967 Summer of Love gave way to the 1968 summer of hell, invaded by hard drugs and predators, and no one wore flowers in their hair anymore. Yet this was when the flames of the awakening burned most brightly. It was also when the media began to take notice. Memoirs of a Jesus Freak, 2nd Edition: 50 chapters, 46 biographies, with many new photos becomes a primary source document for researchers on the Jesus People Movement, an American awakening from 1967 to 1972.

God''s providence is a key concept biblically, yet increasingly Christians do not comprehend this doctrine. Many in the church today are practical deists; they believe in God the creator, but consider him distant and largely uninvolved in the day to day events of their own lives.The life narrative of Joseph as found in the book of Genesis shows us clearly that God is involved in every event of our lives, just as he was in the life of Joseph. This involvement in Joseph''s life and in our own is through God''s providence. The Anglican theologian, J. I. Packer, tell us that "providence is a continual exercise of that same energy [the universe creating energy] where by the Creator...involves Himself in all events and directs all things to their appointed end. ...Christians are never in the grip of blind forces; all that happens to them is divinely planned." What this means is that God was involved and in control not only of Joseph''s rise to power in Egypt but also in the hard events of betrayal, slavery, false accusation and abandonment. These terrible events took Joseph by surprise but not his God. God''s providence brought suffering into the life of Joseph, but that suffering had a purpose. The results of the bitter drink of suffering ultimately saved many, including the young Hebrew nation. Joseph''s life shines a spotlight on the truth that God utilizes our afflictions to work his purposes in our lives and in the lives of others. We need this perspective that Joseph developed about his life. Joseph saw the hand of God, and because he did, he responded to his brother''s betrayal with forgiveness and grace, not vengeance. Forgiveness and grace is the way of the cross; it is the path we are called to walk as Christians.

Especially for those who are curious about Christianity or for new followers of Jesus trying to make sense of it all. Why I Am A Christian-Volume 2 looks at critical issues for a living faith in a refreshing and sometimes blunt style: conversion, the doctrine of election, homosexuality, heaven and hell, hypocrisy, the devil, fundamentalism, organized religion, creation and evolution, and the presence of evil are among the topics. Inside: What troubled me was the question, "How could a loving god condemn one of his creatures to a horrible place forever?" Prior to my conversion, I knew that Christians were hypocrites; in fact, I used it as an excuse to reject Christian claims. Many are gambling that the grave is the end, the absolute end of life. "You're a fundamentalist, aren't you?" I didn't want to answer. "How did it happen, Francisco, that you gave up?" I asked. He replied, "I just don't care anymore. What di_ erence does it make anyway? As hard as I try, I keep ending up back here in prison." If it's organized religion, it must be bad. What else would you expect? The mystic, shaman, santero or santera, wiccan, medium, channeler, psychic, or yogi all rely on the "soul journey" while in trance. Why all the fuss about hell? Hell is probably not as bad as they say. Hell is the preferred destination for many; few prefer heaven.