John S. Hammett

A Multi-Intentioned View of the Extent of the Atonement

Theology

“This work by Gary Shultz is a much-needed contribution to a long-standing debate. . . . I have been greatly benefited and stimulated by this excellent work. I highly commend it.”

Baptists and the Emerging Church Movement

Theology

“David Rathel's work on four themes in emerging church ecclesiology is a valuable contribution to contemporary ecclesiological discussion. He helpfully recognizes the breadth and diversity of the writers who wrote under that banner and evaluates their contributions, both positive and negative, on the important topics of community, worship and preaching, missional ministry, and church leadership in an irenic and insightful manner. His critique will resonate most completely among those who share his Baptistic ecclesiology, but all will find him a faithful guide into the discussions on these topics that are continuing, even if no longer exclusively among those identified as emerging.”

Cross-Cultural Missional Partnership

Evangelism & Missions

“This book reflects the practical wisdom of a missionary practitioner and the thoughtful analysis of a missionary theologian. Bowman recognizes the tensions that arise in cross-cultural missionary partnerships and gives a thoughtful strategy for mediating them, along with a theological basis for such partnerships. This is a book highly recommended for those who plan to engage or who are currently engaged in cross-cultural ministry.”

Deacons

Church Leadership & Ministry

“There have been many helpful books on almost every area of church life, ministry, and polity. The one missing area has been a full-length book addressing deacons. This book fills that gap. Smethurst doesn’t just explain the biblical teaching; he fleshes it out with numerous practical examples and illustrations.”

Distinguishing the Church

Theology

“The central reason for this book is simply the lack of anything like it. I have dozens of books on ecclesiology on my shelves, but none that give thoughtful reflection on the Reformation marks of the church. I especially appreciate the inclusion of the mark of discipline and the often-overlooked mark of suffering.”

Jonathan Edwards on Worship

Theology

“The time is ripe for a book on Jonathan Edwards on worship, especially such a book as Ted Rivera provides. Many younger Christians, tired of modern and even postmodern novelties, are increasingly looking back for roots in Christian life, practice, and worship. Edwards was one of the foremost exemplars of Puritan worship . . . . [A]n entire chapter on self-examination, a practice at the heart of Edwards's preaching and personal devotional life . . . is reason enough for those interested in a deep Christian life to read, purchase, and 'go and do likewise.'”

Perichoretic Salvation

Theology

“James Gifford has rendered scholars and pastors a service that should result in a richer understanding of the nature of union with Christ that they should then pass on to the larger Christian community. Finding an appropriate word to describe what it means to be 'in Christ' has been a struggle for biblical interpreters for years. Perichoresis is a word largely unknown outside of a very limited circle of scholars, but Gifford argues persuasively that its meaning accurately describes the type of union a believer enjoys with Christ. As he unfolds that meaning, believers will have more adequate words to understand and describe the relationship they enjoy. I commend a careful consideration of this important book.”

Sojourners and Strangers

Theology

“Writing an evangelical ecclesiology is a difficult task, due to the fact that evangelicals differ on many aspects of ecclesiology. All will not agree with the positions taken by Gregg Allison in Sojourners and Strangers, but all will profit from his detailed study. He is especially thorough in his treatment of polity and the ordinances, and goes down some seldom-explored paths in his opening sections. At points, his arguments require careful reading, but often open up new perspectives. I commend it to students of ecclesiology.”

Who Can Take the Lord’s Supper?

Theology

“This book makes two important contributions. First, it gives the arguments for open, close, closed, and ecumenical communion. . . . The second is Vandiver’s unique contribution, an argument for close communion by drawing ‘a principle of analogy (continuity) from the necessity of circumcision before Passover.’ . . . One does not have to agree with all Vandiver’s conclusions to profit greatly from his discussion. I commend it, especially to students of ecclesiology and Baptist history and theology.”