Books published by Resource Publications (CA)

The role of the Torah is poorly understood within the religious communities of both Judaism and Christianity, but with varying causes. Its use in biblical salvation history is much more than the foundational text for Israelite existence, covenant, and stipulation. ""Torah"" is the Hebrew word for instruction, not law, and this sacred document contains, not only the well-known Abrahamic covenant of grace, but two core lessons: the serious nature of sin and the fearful necessity of transforming grace. Torah of Sin and Grace provides a fresh, honest, and careful examination of both the Torah and the relevant prophetic portions of the later Hebrew Bible, which will reveal the fact that the biblical writers themselves had a larger understanding of the role of the Torah, and that this understanding always incorporated the recognition of the failed Israelite covenant, resulting in the core lessons concerning the sinfulness of man and the supernatural grace that rescues him. Much of the book discusses the unfolding of this glorious rescuing grace for both Jew and Gentile, including the ""new things"" revealed by the prophets such as the new covenant, the Suffering Servant, the ingathering of the Gentiles, and the future of Israel and their land.""Michael Tupek has written a book that clarifies the precious gospel that unites the two testaments. God has spoken and sent his messengers, Moses and the prophets, whose ministries anticipate the coming of the Son. Thus, the relation between the two testaments is such that the message of the Old Testament is not abrogated, neither is it conflated with or separated from the New Testament. One God has spoken, and we do well to listen to his message confirmed by the incarnate Word and by his Spirit.""--Willem A. VanGemeren, Professor of Old Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity SchoolMichael Tupek is a self-taught lay theologian, having studied biblical theology, biblical Hebrew and Greek, Jewish studies, philosophy, and history. He resides in New Hampshire with his wife, and works as an IT technician, and is also a professional artist.

""God our Savior desires everyone to be saved"" (1Tim 2:4). Does God get what God wants? ""Yes, but--"" depending on how we read the Bible.The Bible is universal: One God, Sovereign Creator of everything, especially humanity in God's image, God's partner to manage creation. Science and evolution say humanity evolved, gradually acquiring superior capabilities. We have yet to transcend animal nature and acknowledge oneness of creation under God.Humans exploited our semi-divine status, becoming alienated. God chose Israelites/Jews for blessing and reconciling humanity. They exploited chosenness, so God sent the Jew Jesus to reveal God's gracious concern for all people. Roman political and Jewish religious power killed Jesus, but he appeared resurrected to his disciples, who proclaimed him Savior.God gave another Jew, Paul, a vision of Jesus resurrected and appointed him to proclaim God's reconciliation to Gentiles. Paul taught that through the faithfulness of Jesus, Gentiles too become God's people and share Israel's blessings without becoming Jews. All who experience reconciliation share Jesus's partnership with God. ""We toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe"" (1 Tim 4:10).

""For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope."" Jeremiah 29:11How do we know God's plans for us? How do we know God leads and talks to us daily? How do we become more disciplined in our spiritual walk in order to better hear God's voice and guidance in our lives? There are no easy answers to these questions. However, when we are intentional in our times of prayer, Bible study, and reflection, the Holy Spirit opens our hearts to God's love, allowing us to see opportunities for further direction and growth. Discipleship--A Lifelong Spiritual Pilgrimage offers guidance and gives support to those already involved in this pilgrimage plus encouragement to those wanting to do more in developing good discipleship practices.

Supported by the International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors (IAAOC), this annual review addresses innovation, evaluation, and program development efforts in addictions and offender counseling. Experts in the field present peer-reviewed models and recommendations for ensuring best practices in addictions and offender counseling.

The overall problem raised in this book is that the Western culture of modern rationality, power, and economics departs from a rather narrow, secular and ego-centric worldview. Therefore, it does not recognize the identity of traditional cultures and religions nor social, economic, or ecological justice in relation to the rest of the world.Western religion has, over history, often played a legitimating role for political power, and the expansion of institutional structures and has therefore lost much of its prophetic identity to be signs of peace, justice, and unity. The ecumenical and integrative model of stewardship as an ""economy of grace,"" with a deeper ecological philosophy, does, however, offer new visions for a multicultural and multireligious economy.This book is intended for leaders, students, and scholars interested in interdisciplinary studies of politics, religion, economics, and ecology. This will also be of interest to students and researchers in peace studies or conflict management, as well as to leaders who are engaged in the building of peace and justice.

""In these meditations upon Scripture, the author quickly, lightly opens up the sacred text to us in a way that--to my knowledge--has never been attempted in the entire history of the Christian faith. Through irony, pun, parody, spoof, and joke he reads Scripture with tongue in cheek, a rhyme in his pen, and a smile on his face. If you ever wondered what the Bible would sound like if it were written by Ogden Nash (and who hasn't?), here it is, Charlie Barrett's religious rhymes.""--William H. Willimon, acclaimed author and Dean of the Chapel emeritus, Duke University

The letters of John are some of the most simple yet profound texts in the New Testament. The Apostle John wrote three epistles at the close of the first century to counteract the heresy of Gnosticism and to focus on what it meant to know God by walking in His light. He contrasted the Christian life in stark opposites--light and darkness, love and hatred, truth and lies, life and death. In Living in the Light, Derrick McCarson reveals the heart of John's message: salvation is not found in hidden, secret knowledge, but in the fellowship of Christ. Moreover, the evidence of salvation is seen by loving others, abiding in the truth and obedience to God's commands. Living in the Light is a verse-by-verse commentary on the epistles of John. This volume is ideal for believers who are looking to go deeper in their discipleship with Christ. With an emphasis on practical application and precise exposition, this book will enhance the reader's personal Bible study.

Meditate on these things . . .The discipline of meditating day and night in the Book of the Lord (Joshua 1; Psalm 1) is a costly art, hard won in any age--perhaps even more so in today's stressful times of multi-tasking ministry and cut-and-paste computing.First hand-written in black-and-red notebooks from scraps of paper, using only a King James Bible and a Strong's Concordance, The House of God records the spiritual exercise of a working pastor and itinerant preacher over eighteen months, the last six spent confined to hospital with injured legs.For pastors and students of the Gospel ministry, the book furnishes a three-year course for weekly private worship, complete with original hymns, select Bible readings, and intense devotional meditations on Paul's First Epistle to Timothy.The author prayerfully aims to nourish ""the inner man of the heart"" and to encourage the practice of Scripture meditation. May it prompt King Jesus' servants to heed their life and doctrine as people of God called to ""the house of God, the Church of the living God, the ground and pillar of the truth.""

Traveling in New Mexico in 1971, Will George converts to Bhakti Dharma, a new religious movement influenced by Hinduism and Sikh tradition. Returning to his home in Minnesota, he renounces his previous life, provoking a crisis for everyone in his family. Peter, Will's older brother, is a graduate student at the University of Chicago who studies early Christian asceticism partly to understand his brother's devotion. He gains insight into kundalini yoga, gender roles in the ashram, the guru's charisma, and events such as Jonestown and controversies about Hare Krishna. In Thailand Peter has a profound encounter during a Buddhist meditation retreat. Meanwhile, Will's religious search continues in India, where he dies in suspicious circumstances. Peter retraces his brother's steps to investigate his death and wrestles with what it means to be his brother's keeper. The developing relationship between the two brothers dramatizes the theme of renunciation, as expressed both in explicit religious vows and in other choices they make. Acts of renunciation reveal a longing for sacrifice and self-transcendence, and sometimes also a dangerous and destructive urge. This novel explores how family relationships and religious commitments conflict, intertwine, and shape each other.

Life is not fair. What does this reality imply about the nature of God and the destiny of human beings? In this engaging book, Thompson asserts that "fairness" is not an expectation of the faithful within the Judeo-Christian Scriptures. Biblical narrative discloses the mystery of a paradoxical deity that indwells with the suffering of creation and thereby provides a mercy that exceeds the evasive goal of fairness. The process of healing and redemption of this cracked creation occurs through the tears and suffering of the biblical God whose authentic power is revealed within divine vulnerability and weakness. The Jesus of history truly manifested the fullness of this paradoxical God, for he disclosed the richness of the divine Being by emptying himself and taking the form of a redemptive servant. When the church grasps for power and control, avoids compassionate and costly ministries among the poor and powerless, and renders primary focus upon gaining heavenly rewards, it rejects its Christ-centered mission, relinquishes its paradoxical purpose, and ceases to strive toward becoming an extension of the incarnation. Thompson explores various paradoxical facets of each person of the Trinity and richly illustrates with stories from his vast experience as a parish theologian.

Everyone Has a Unique Pathway to Faith. Take the First Step!- Perhaps you are open to the Christian faith, but in no way convinced. You have legitimate questions or lingering doubts. - Perhaps you seek a spiritual rooting--that comes from deep beliefs. - Perhaps you hope to experience the living God--in a way that's real and sticks. - Perhaps you are searching for something compelling--a vision for your life! If you are willing, simply, to take the first exploring step, this booklet charts the way forward. It fulfills Jesus's promise that ""those who seek will find."" Welcome to a discovery-path of unlimited potential. It can bless you--beyond measure! Vignettes Inside: The First Step - A Tale of Two Operators - Jesus: Poser or Pedigree? - Something Has Gone Really Wrong! - Jesus Came to Fix What We Can't - The Meaning of the Cross - The Sign of the Resurrection - What's Unique about Christianity - Miscues in Approaching Faith - Faith & Flying - Navigating Forward - Rear View Mirror - Stepping Up - What Surfers Know To pursue your questions, curiosity, and longings, Steps to Faith can be read personally, with a Christian friend, or by a class/group at church.

Our lives move along with ups and downs, and we cope with them the best we can. But underneath there is a hunger for something more. There are times of stress such as when a loved one dies, a job is lost, a child is on a dangerous path, a difficult situation goes on and on. There are many other stressors that we all encounter.This book offers quotations from ancient and modern authors and poems and reflections that give a thought or image that seeps through the cracks that the stresses have made, and a deeper level is reached. There a new insight occurs, a new reality is discovered, or faith and hope are renewed. William Lancaster said: ""Reading these poems . . . I feel planted, secure, that all is right with the world. I put my head down on the desk like a school kid and felt that the hand of God was on my shoulder. This God said, 'Bill, I am your God. You are my child, all of you.'""If you want a deeper and stronger faith in the God who loves you, this book can impact your life.

Can Christians be spiritual and religious? Do they even know the difference between the two? Through a guide for guardian angels entering into basic training for service to ""womankind,"" Bound, an Earth Walker's handbook overhauls Western Christianity with integrity and clarity. Tackling subjects such as hypocrisy, racial prejudice, and misogyny, Bound cuts traditional religion back to its healthy roots: love, rigorous honesty, and fellowship. It then draws from contemporary sources, modern science, and an intriguing third-party perspective to graft openness, inclusiveness, and diversity, yielding an authentic way to be Christian today. Written for the layperson by a layperson, readers will appreciate Charles S. Stone's use of fantasy, humor, and novelty to capture insights that evoke that gratifying sense of ""aha!"" about good and evil, humanity, and salvation--ultimately seeking to answer life's most basic questions: What is God? Who are we? How should we live?