Alumni Publications – May 2013
David Baggett (1992, M.Div) and Jerry L. Walls co-authored Good God: The Theistic Foundations of Morality. It won the 2012 Christianity Today Book Award for Apologetics/Evangelism. This book aims to reinvigorate discussions of moral arguments for God’s existence. Ultimately, the authors argue, there is principled reason to believe that morality itself provides excellent reasons to look for a transcendent source of its authority and reality, and a source that is more than an abstract principle. Purchase your copy from Amazon.
Bryan Collier (1994, MDiv, 2000, DMin) recently wrote a book for Abingdon Press called The Go-To Church. Gone are the days when churches could simply sit on the corner and attract passers-by. But people still long for the peace and confidence faith in God provides; every church has the potential to grow. How? By taking the church to the people, becoming a” Go-To Church” rather than a “Come-Here Church.” Multi-site church strategy may seem new, but it’s as old as the 1st Century. Jesus’ followers didn’t stay in the Upper Room, waiting for nonbelievers to find them. They struck out and went where God led—throughout the world to all people. They created a multi-site church model. Using the strategies and guidance of this book, you can customize the mission and ministry of your church to connect with people where they are. You will not only grow your church, but enhance God’s Kingdom and accomplish the mission of the Great Commandment. The Go-To Church was featured in an article on Seedbed in April. Purchase your copy at Cokesbury or Amazon.
Rachel Dyer (2008, M.A.P.C.) recently completed her first book entitled 30 Things I’ve Learned in 30 Years. It is written conversationally, so it is a fun and easy read. It is, also, written from a faith based distinctively Christian perspective and reflects solely the authors opinions only. The 30 lessons are all different and cover a wide variety of topics. May the reader be encouraged, challenged, convicted, and have their funny bone tickled a little as well. It is for sale as an ebook here.
Ajith Fernando, (1974, M.Div.) has recently published Reclaiming Love: Radical Relationships in a Complex World. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul places love at the very center of what it means to embrace life in Christ. All other spiritual gifts are worth nothing in comparison. But the love explained in those verses is nothing short of radical. Fernando’s pastoral work—in the midst of the cultural and ethnic tensions of Sri Lanka—often brought up a very real and honest question: ‘Can the biblical teaching about love actually be practiced?’ The answer he discovered is a resounding ‘yes.’ The radical love of God is not only real, but it is the key to experiencing joy in the pain and suffering of this world. Believers must look to the Scriptures for God’s teaching on the true nature of love, its divine origins, and its power for those who trust in Christ. This book offers reflections on the Bible’s consistent teaching on love and shares real-life experiences of learning to love in difficult situations. Reclaiming Love can be purchased at Amazon or Cokesbury.