John Mark Hicks

At the Blue Hole

History & Biography

“At the Blue Hole is a unique and personal story of the history that formed Churches of Christ into a distinct tradition. Jack Reese assesses both the crises and opportunities these churches now face, a great example of the critical but grateful appropriation of one’s own faith tradition. Jack shares his stories with clarity and passion. His love for Churches of Christ is clear, and that love moves him to contribute to its present and future renewal.”

Creation, Character, and Wisdom

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“The Hebrew sages saw the wonder, order, and agency of God's creation, and this literature is often neglected in environmental discussions. Dave Bland and Sean Patrick Webb draw out the meaning of their insights for contemporary ethics. Using the social and physical sciences as well as the arts, they connect character, justice, and creation to offer a wonderfully shaped and deeply informed Christian environmental ethic.”

Gospel Portraits

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“As an experienced practitioner in local church ministry, Rex Butts explains the significance of missional hermeneutics for the life of the local church as it reads the Bible together. . . . This invitation to read the Bible through the lens of God’s mission provides a hopeful path to renewal in the local church.”

Psalms of Christ

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Standing in the same line as Athanasius and Bonhoeffer, Daniel Fletcher suggests we read the Psalms not only to form, comfort, and express our hearts but, more importantly, to encounter the Christ whose life embodies the life of the Psalter. The story of Jesus recalls and evokes its praises (Ps 148), laments (Ps 88), and even imprecations (Ps 137) because Jesus not only breathed the air of the Psalms and voiced them in his own practices, but those Psalms point to Christ and shape our theological understanding of his person, purpose, and passion. Daniel has recovered the rich Christological story within the Psalms beyond those Psalms that are typically and historically called ‘Messianic.’”

Restoration Appreciation

History & Biography

“These essays, originally oral presentations at Great Lakes Christian College, insightfully explore the claim that at the heart of the Restoration Movement lies a prayer for the unity of disciples through restoring the apostolic witness for the sake of mission. They capture the essence of a ‘new wave of Restorationism’ that serves both the unity of the church and its mission while appreciating past formative leaders and traditions—a healthy invitation to renewal.”

The Fourfold Office of Christ

Theology

“What is the fundamental function and mission of the people of God? How do disciples of Jesus envision their role in the world? Rulers (sharing dominion)? Servants (social change agents)? Prophets (speaking truth to power)? Priests (mediating salvation and praise)? Hybrid (some sort of combination)? Employing a historical, narratival, and Christocentric reading of Scripture, John Nugent explores the promise and peril of each option. Poking the bear at almost every turn, his engagement is worth vigorous discussion in every local church.”

The New Adam

Theology

“Highfield locates atonement theology in the broad Christus Victor tradition but more fully explores the patristic and biblical ideas of recapitulation through representation (the second Adam motif). He attends to the biblical and patristic themes that are more characteristic of Eastern Orthodoxy. In this way, Highfield offers a path forward that blends both Western and Eastern theologies, and by this retains the best of the Western tradition while reorienting atonement theology toward the main thing: theosis through recapitulation. Thus, it is, at once, eminently biblical, fresh, and integrative. This is a compelling theological account of atonement in the context of historic Christian tradition.”

To Rebehold the Stars

Christian Living

“Like one emerging from Dante’s Inferno to ‘rebehold the stars’ and see the world anew, Tiffany Yecke Brooks is a guide for those who seek to renew their relationship with God, others, and themselves. From renaming and reimagining in wonder to revisioning forgiveness and reengaging community, Brooks serves as a spiritual therapist who offers concrete practices, healthy theology, and communal discernment for those who want to wrestle once again with the meaning of faith in God. This is the book I will give to friends and family who find deconstruction empty and want to find God again.”

Valued by God

Women

“Sheri Bradley offers an accessible, credible, and poignant exploration of one of the most important questions the church faces today: will we welcome and empower the voices and leadership of women in our churches? Bradley answers this question through the lens of God’s story in Scripture, recognizing the participation of women in that story, and affirms God’s intent in creation (Gen 1:26–28) and new creation (Gal 3:28). This is both a respectful and hopeful book, and it deserves reading and study.”