Books published by Inter-Varsity Press

"More than any other book of the Bible, Ephesians displays the great purpose and plan of God for the church," Walter Liefeld writes. "It provides a perspective that is unique: God's--and the believer's--view from the 'heavenly realms.'"For those who long to delve into the mind and purposes of God, few books are more helpful than Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Here the apostle paints in broad strokes the great plan of God for his church, centered on its head, Jesus Christ, and living out its calling in praise of God's glory. Beginning with doxology, Paul calls on the church to support its words of praise with deeds to match. Christians today will find here inspiration and insight that will confirm their allegiances and shape their lives.

The Gospel of Mark is widely regarded today as the first Gospel to be written. Until recent decades, its fast-paced, seemingly straightforward presentation led most readers to overlook its subtle theological sophistication.Probing its depths, Ronald Kernaghan invites readers into a fascinating exploration of Mark's Gospel as a parable, an open-ended story that invites us on a lifelong journey of discipleship. Throughout, Kernaghan explains what the gospel meant to its original hearers and its application for us today.

Our Father in heavenHallowed be your name ...'When Jesus' disciples asked him for help with prayer, he gave them a beautifully simple but spiritually profound outline known as the Lord's Prayer. This utterly extraordinary prayer has been cherished by Christians everywhere and always. In it, our Saviour has brilliantly summarized the kinds of requests that God most delights to answer. Jesus knew that, when we struggle to pray, we need, far more than techniques and challenges, a fresh appreciation of God. We need to glimpse his magnificent character and plans. As we see the Father described in Jesus' prayer, we find ourselves lifted in wonder to delight in him. Our cold hearts are warmed and our stifled tongues released to pray. The Lord's Prayer, and so this book, is all about enjoying God. Says the author, 'I find the Lord's Prayer exhilarating. It has been a lifeline from God, dragging my proud heart to him. I couldn't survive without it.'

Jesus came to bring life in all its fullness and yet often Christians behave as if he is only really interested in the so-called 'spiritual' bits, like church, Bible study and evangelism. Everything else - work, leisure, culture and so on - are relegated to second place.>Previously published as 'Glory Days', this second edition has been updated throughout and contains two brand new chapters on glorifying God during dark days and the environment.

Perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about Public Theology. Do you want to understand public theology and its place in modern society? These stimulating analyses will enable readers to come to a clearer view of what Public Theology is, and how we may apply it. What is 'public theology'? Does it mean the arts? Public policy? Party politics? The answer is: probably all of these. In 'A Higher Throne' we are dealing with a rather ill-formed topic, on which there has not been a consistent viewpoint. 'A Higher Throne' is based on the Eleventh Oak Hill Annual School of Theology, and it offers a conversation among those who represent a consistently orthodox evangelicalism, who see public life in relation to the Christian gospel in quite different ways, but who are committed to thinking biblically about the matter and coming to a common mind. Daniel Strange lectures in Public Theology at Oak Hill College. He gives a summary of the state of the debate, with both historical and contemporary viewpoints.

It used to be that a woman's choices were fairly simple: she went to school, got married, stayed married to the same man - for better or worse - and raised children. Standards of conduct and morality were widely accepted, and generally we knew what was expected.This is no longer the case. Today we can have a career, full-time or part-time, at home or away from home, or we can focus our energy and time solely on family and volunteer work. We can get married or stay single, have children - the 'regular way' or through adoption - or not. But choices do not necessarily make life easier - they often make life more difficult, because they produce guilt, self-doubt and stress.With compassion and insight Ruth Haley Barton identifies the pressure exerted on Christian women - by church, culture and from within - and the radical call of Christ to each of us to be free. Exploring eleven freedoms available in Jesus, she shows how Christian women can respond to the genuinely liberating call of Christ on their lives.

Airports are in chaos as a terror plot is uncovered. Suicide bombers bring cities to a standstill. Schoolchildren are massacred in their classrooms.The rules of war are changing. Across the globe, terror strategies strike cold fear into the hearts of ordinary citizens, as innocent people become legitimate targets for bloodshed. George Bush and Tony Blair have launched their counter-attack, but for many the 'war on terror' throws up troubling questions: Crucially, how can God's message of love and reconciliation be heard?Nick Solly Megoran combines an acute political knowledge with a rich appreciation of the Bible and true stories of hope to demonstrate how Christians can live courageously through the war on terror.

An articulation of a vital doctrine for Christianity.

Provides an introduction to Edwards and his relevance to the contemporary church and world.

Includes perspectives on a significant contemporary movement and its leader.

Spirituality' is hot. There are numerous voices telling us how to be spiritual people. But what does it really mean to be spiritual? Who can we trust to show us the way?Here's an opportunity to see what Jesus said about finding true spirituality. This discussion guide is a safe place to explore these and other questions on your own or with a group. You'll take a closer look at Luke's narrative to discover Jesus' principles for the true way to live, and what that may mean for your life.This guide is full of historical information, challenging issues and thought-provoking quotes, but it won't answer all your questions. In fact it may bring up new ones. What it will do is get you started on your journey toward faith.

When people meet Jesus Christ exciting things happen. In these Bible discussions we see Jesus encounter a powerful Roman military officer and a poor widow. We see him relate to a righteous religious leader alongside a former prostitute. We hear the conversations that unfolded and discover how surprising and powerful it is to meet Christ.This discussion guide is a safe place to explore what it would mean for us to encounter Christ as well. If you have already done some study of Scripture with others, then these discussions in Luke and John offer an opportunity to go deeper in responding to Jesus. Although it is full of historical information, challenging issues and thought-provoking quotes, this guide won't answer all your questions. In fact it may bring up new ones. What it will do is move you along on your journey toward faith.

Offers helpful insights into the debates surrounding this central Christian doctrine.

Perceiving within evangelical studies the lack of a robust canonical biblical-theological treatment of the book of Daniel, James Hamilton explores how it contributes to the Bible's unfolding redemptive-historical storyline. First, he shows how the book's literary structure contributes to its meaning, and then addresses key questions and issues. He argues that the four kingdoms prophesied by Daniel are both historical and symbolic; that the 'one like a son of man' seen by Daniel is identified with, and distinguished from, the Ancient of Days in a way that would be mysterious until Jesus came as both the son of David and God incarnate; that the interpretations of Daniel in early Jewish literature attest to strategies similar to those employed by New Testament authors; that those authors provide a Spirit-inspired interpretation of Daniel that was learned from Jesus; and that the book of Revelation uses Daniel's language, imitates his structure, points to the fulfilment of his prophecies and clarifies the meaning of his 'seventieth week'. Hamilton concludes by examining typological patterns.

Working daily with Muslims in central London, Rob Scott has discovered that many have a hunger for debate and an openness to talking about matters of faith. In this thoughtful and respectful book, he explores good answers to common questions his Muslim friends have discussed with him over the years. He equips ordinary Christians to tackle conversations about faith with their Muslim friends, with confidence and competence.

Is Christianity reasonable?Is it more reasonable to believe that a god exists than not? Is it plausible that such a god would choose to create and communicate with humanity? Can we trust the alleged eyewitness testimony to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus?Mark Lanier, one of America's top trial lawyers, brings a legal eye to examine the plausibility of the Christian faith. Explaining the rules that courts follow to determine the likelihood of truth, he interrogates key witnesses from throughout history to explore whether it makes sense to accept the Christian world-view or not.We must choose what is worthy of belief and what is not. Weigh the arguments and decide for yourself.

From the Bible speaks today series this exposition explores the connection between worship and celebrating the trinity

A wide-ranging biblical theology of the Holy Spirit's ministry, which always keeps in view the live issues of contemporary debate.

How can we present the truth about Jesus to a world that no longer believes in truth? Can we find ways to engage in meaningful conversation with those who reject all claims to absolutes? Can we talk about our convictions without appearing arrogant or manipulative?Curtis Chang has found vital resources for addressing these issues in the lives of Augustine bishop of Hippo (AD 413) and Dominican priest Thomas Aquinas (AD1259). These two apologists grounded their response to the shifting cultural sands of their time on Christ's own ministry of transforming love. Through a careful study of Augustine's City of God and Aquinas's Summa Contra Gentiles, Chang has discerned a valuable rhetorical strategy for engaging unbelief in cultural contexts where Christian faith seems less and less plausible.Building on the contemporary cultural analysis of Alasdair MacIntyre, Christopher Lasch, James Davison Hunter and John Milbank as well as insights gleaned from Lesslie Newbigin and Stanley Hauerwas, Chang puts forth his own bold recommendation. We should confront challengers not with legal or moral coercion, much less violence, but by meeting and speaking with them within their own thought and language worlds. This approach will involve (1) entering the challengers' stories, (2) retelling the stories and (3) capturing those retold stories within the gospel's larger story. With theological as well as practical insights drawn from Augustine and Aquinas, Chang completes the book by offering concrete suggestions for more faithfully taking up our evangelistic and apologetic task today.

This work considers a range of Paul's writing and investigates the oral nature of the rhetorical patterns found there. The identification of these rhetorical forms can assist interpreters in identifying the overall structure of Paul's Epistles as well as the aspects that Paul intended to emphasise.

The development of information technology in the last twenty years has raised ethical questions. Is the technology itself morally neutral, or is it value-laden? Are the uses to which we put it right just because they are possible? And what ethical principles should govern our approach to technology, including our behaviour in virtual worlds?

This text provides the historical background for understanding the philosophical issue that lies at the heart of our current civilizational crisis - the basis of values in fact. Even philosophers, when they discuss this issue, do not usually know all the data; the details of the past conversation on this issue.

This introduction describes the attempts to interpret and explain the reality of religious plurality, and uncovers the assumptions which have shaped these attempts. It also assesses approaches to religions, such as the historical, the phenomenological and the social, and concludes with a discussion of such issues as authority and mysticism.

Rethinking apologetics in a changing world, where there are new needs and new opportunities, and where out approach has to be person-centred. A resource for evangelism and mission.

Features six Bible studies focusing on Jesus' various roles.

Features six Bible studies focusing on Jesus' various roles.