Darrell L. Bock

Orthodoxy and Heresy in Early Christian Contexts

History & Biography

“Orthodoxy and Heresy in Early Christian Contexts brings up to date a long-existing debate about those other gospels and early Christianity. Covering issues tied to the Apostolic Fathers, Irenaeus, Gnosticism, and the rule of faith, here is a solid compendium of essays that issues a significant challenge to the thesis of Walter Bauer--that orthodoxy emerged late from a largely sociological battle over the origin of the Jesus movement. It shows how orthodoxy's roots are far older than claims of other options from the second century and beyond. This is simply profitable reading.”

Peter as Apostolic Bedrock

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Usually when one hears the term apostolic, one thinks of the historical and doctrinal roots of the faith, especially when combined with the image of bedrock. Hans Bayer gives us a fresh look at doctrine and history by pointing to these elements in Scripture's presentation of Peter. He shows how the themes Peter raises contribute to and even aim at character, identity, and spiritual development. What a refreshing new take on these themes. When biblical teaching, identity, and ethics come together, it makes for powerful teaching.”

Preaching and Teaching the Last Things

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“What can we know about eschatology from Scripture, especially the Old Testament? Walter Kaiser's Preaching and Teaching the Last Things shows us that we can know quite a lot. This is a helpful work for those who wonder how to preach or teach about the end with balance and clarity.”

Proverbs

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Getting a story is about more than merely enjoying it. It means hearing it, understanding it, and above all, being impacted by it. This commentary series hopes that its readers not only hear and understand the story, but are impacted by it to live in as Christian a way as possible. The editors and contributors set that table very well and open up the biblical story in ways that move us to act with sensitivity and understanding. That makes hearing the story as these authors tell it well worth the time. Well done.”

Read Me Like a Book

Counseling, Grief & Mental Health

“What do interpreting a book and counseling have in common? A lot according to Jason Cusick's Read Me Like a Book. With tons of practical advice, Cusick uses the metaphor of reading a book to think about counseling while helping a person understand what they are struggling with when they come for counseling. The result is a book filled with solid practical advice for pastors who counsel. Learning how to read people like a book will help you become a more sensitive counselor. So read on and become better equipped to shepherd others who are hurting.”

Reading the Gospels Wisely

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Reading the Gospels can be tricky, but it is important to read them with a full appreciation of their theology. Jonathan Pennington's study helps you get there--and get there well, as well as wisely.”

Right Parables, Wrong Perspectives

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Right Parables, Wrong Perspectives does what parables are designed to do: Tell a story and get you to think. With care for culture and context, Tsang's book takes you on a trip through Luke's many parables. . . . Read it, learn, and enjoy.”

Road to Renewal

Prayer & Spiritual Formation

“Prayer is about far more than making requests or checking in with God. It is about spending time with the Father and when combined with reflection on scripture, getting a good look in a mirror. Road to Renewal gets one started on deepening what prayer can and should be. It truly gives one an opportunity to be renewed.”

Romans

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Getting a story is about more than merely enjoying it. It means hearing it, understanding it, and above all, being impacted by it. This commentary series hopes that its readers not only hear and understand the story, but are impacted by it to live in as Christian a way as possible. The editors and contributors set that table very well and open up the biblical story in ways that move us to act with sensitivity and understanding. That makes hearing the story as these authors tell it well worth the time. Well done.”

Romans and the Mission of God

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Romans is probably the most influential of Paul’s letters. It is an epistle dripping with deep theological perspective. Romans and the Mission of God gives us a solid biblical-theological look at its many themes tied to the church’s mission. There is much to appreciate and ponder in this important study of the many angles this precious epistle gives to the church.”

Salt, Light, and a City, Second Edition

Theology

“Salt, Light, and a City is a global tour and an expounded select bibliography all in one package. Dealing with key traditions and themes, the book considers what can be said about mission and the church through key voices in the conversation. An array of angles and perspectives opens up the terrain. A helpful study indeed.”

Sharpening the Focus of the Church

Church Leadership & Ministry

“Gene Getz has given his life to serve the church and has poured that rich experience into this book, filled with examples, wisdom, and, above all, biblical roots. Distinguishing form from function is a key focus, but even more than that is sorting out what is cultural from what is transcultural. Sharpening the Focus sorts out those differences well and illustrates them repeatedly. After fifty years of serving churches, the author has given this important book new life in this reworked form.”

Slaves, Women & Homosexuals

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

Foreword

“This book successfully walks the reader through the hermeneutical maze that accompanies the treatment of each of these areas. The goal is not only to discuss how these groups are to be seen in light of Scripture but to make a case for a specific hermeneutical approach to reading these texts. Slaves, Women Homosexuals not only advances a discussion of the topics beyond current literature, it takes a markedly new direction toward establishing common ground where possible, potentially breaking down certain walls of hostility within the evangelical community.”

Stepping Stones to Christianity

Apologetics

“Stepping Stones is exactly that, a look at the credibility of Christian claims about Jesus one step at a time in a world that does not know what to do with him. Whether we think about the world we live in, its design, or what we can know about Jesus, the world portrays much uncertainty about who we are, where we came from, and why we are here. This book helps to point us in a solid direction for all those key questions.”

Stories with Intent

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Bravo! Stories with Intent is the culmination of Klyne Snodgrass’s lifetime of reflection on the parables. . . . Here is a book with intent, and it succeeds exceptionally well in opening up a key dimension of Jesus’ ministry and teaching.”

The Anxiety Field Guide

Counseling, Grief & Mental Health

“Anxiety can be debilitating. Liberation from it can be hard—and often takes time. The Anxiety Field Guide is a focused and practical discussion on how to get away from anxiety that recognizes it versus ending it. It teaches you how to cope with anxiety in healthy ways, including how faith can help you along the way. Take time with this book and it will help you be less anxious with the Lord at your side.”

The Baker Compact Dictionary of Biblical Studies

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“The Baker Compact Dictionary of Biblical Studies is exactly that—a nice, handy, quick reference to technical terms, literary concepts, key people, and important topics tied to biblical studies. These categories of discussion often float in the underbrush of interpretation. This dictionary makes those elements accessible to those who want to know about them. This is a great supplement and starting place for giving depth to the historical and interpretive backdrop to your study of the Bible.”

The Economics of Neighborly Love

Work, Money & Leadership

“Money, spirituality, and responsibility are rarely put together side by side in a balanced way. The Economics of Neighborly Love takes you there in a way that will encourage the practical understanding and development of resources, leading to flourishing. I highly commend this book.”

The Ethnic-Religious Identity of the Ethiopian in Acts 8:26–40

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Jongmun Jung’s careful study of Acts 8:26–40 looks at the disputes tied to this text from an array of angles and argues cogently for a solution that makes the most sense of all the cultural factors raised. It helps us to appreciate one element in how the church expanded in its earliest years as the church began to carry out the call to reach people who previously had not been fully appreciated.”

The First Days of Jesus

Theology

“The First Days of Jesus is a revealing look at the earliest days of Jesus in Matthew, Luke, and John set against some of the skeptical takes on these passages. Add to this a taste of Jewish messianic expectation and you have a nice overview of the start of Jesus’s career and where it fits in God’s plan. Solid yet devotional, it is a great introduction to the first days of our Lord.”