Patrick Schreiner

"He Descended to the Dead"

Theology

“It would be an understatement to say the descent of Christ is overlooked in the evangelical tradition. Emerson puts our eyes back on this important event and demonstrates how it is biblical, historical, and clarifies and informs other doctrines. Once you see the descent, it is hard to go back to neglecting it. This book shines a helpful light on this derelict doctrine. Tolle lege.”

A Bird's-Eye View of Luke and Acts

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Luke and Acts compose 28 percent of the New Testament. Bird is a reliable guide to the various issues and themes that arise in Luke. He carefully navigates nuanced debates while writing a brief but memorable overview. Students, pastors, and professors will be helped by this overview.”

Becoming a Disciple of the King

Theology

“Jonathan Pennington serves as a skilled and trustworthy guide through the rich gallery of Matthew’s Gospel. Like a seasoned docent, he draws our attention to the artistry and depth of Matthew’s portrait of Jesus. He rightly shows that this Gospel is, above all, a work of Christology—an unveiling of who Jesus is—and that this vision inevitably leads to discipleship. To see Jesus clearly, Matthew insists, is to be drawn into the way of Jesus. Pennington helps readers do just that: to behold the Teacher-Savior-King so that they might become more like him.”

Biblical Theology in the Life of the Early Church

Theology

“Modern hermeneutics has hit a dead end. Too often we focus on methods rather than first asking the more fundamental question of metaphysics. Too often we espouse an abstract system of biblical unity without presuming we are also participants in the narrative. Presley argues that even modern biblical theology needs the tools of retrieval. The early church practiced an ‘ecclesial biblical theology’ that included the catechesis of those within the Christian community. Biblical theology can be rightly practiced only within the community of the church. I resonated so much with this book that I couldn’t stop underlining it. Presley brings clarity to patristic interpretation that only an expert can, and he has produced a gift that will serve the church for years to come.”

Come and See

Christian Living

“I remember sitting in Pennington’s class when he presented three avenues of reading the Scriptures. I had been taught to only read in one way, but I realized this was a more beautiful practice. People throughout church history have naturally read with this approach. Let Pennington guide you to a better reading where knowing God will come to life not only in your mind but in your whole being.”

Conquerors Not Captives

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Dodson and Motl’s book covers the complicated ground of Romans 7 in a winsome and pastoral way, arguing that Christians are not captives but conquerors. This is the best short summary of Romans 7 that I have read. It includes the history of interpretation, the larger context, and careful exegesis of the passage itself. Those who disagree must reckon with the arguments in this book.”

Exiles

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

““Sprinkle does what is necessary in Christian political discourse—he brings us back to the Bible. By situating our story in the larger sweep of the biblical narrative, he demonstrates how politics is not a separate sphere for Christians but at the very core of our discipleship to Jesus. This book challenges party loyalists, and while people might disagree with how he describes ordering our allegiances, I hope it will spur on a new generation of faithful witnesses to the King of Kings.”

Five Views on the Gospel

Theology

“gospel-centered” ministries were listed in one spot, I suppose Microsoft Excel itself couldn’t contain the list. Yet, to the surprise of some, there are different schools of thought on how to briefly describe what precisely the gospel is. The benefit of putting this discussion in a five-views book is that one can see interactions among the diverse outlooks. Readers may enter this book not knowing these discussions are occurring, or they might arrive leaning toward one perspective. Either way, after reading the book, they will have a better understanding of the starting points, why there are differences, and the main areas of emphasis. Possibly something we can all learn from this book is that the gospel is as deep and rich as it is simple and straightforward. Because the gospel is central to what Jesus and the apostles preached, this discussion is worth having, and this book does an admirable job of overviewing some of the different perspectives.”

How to Study the Bible's Use of the Bible

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Schnittjer and Harmon have provided a valuable resource on the Bible’s use of the Bible. They expand the discussion past the New Testament’s use of the Old to include the use of the Old in the Old. They don’t try to force one system but allow the text to drive their conclusions. This allows for a nuanced and non-reactive survey of current debates that will be a help to pastors, students, and scholars for many years to come.”

In Church as It Is in Heaven

Church Leadership & Ministry

“What I love about this book is how Jamaal Williams and Timothy Paul Jones encourage a communal solution to a communal problem. So many treatments on this topic ask what people can do individually and don't seek larger transformation. Framing the book around liturgy and the habits that form us was a compelling contribution. I encourage all who long for unity instead of division to pick this book up. May it be in the church as it is in heaven.”

Jesus and the Powers

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“Wright and Bird help us situate where the church sits between presidents and principalities. Keeping politics out of Christianity is impossible, for Christianity is inherently political. Too many books on politics shortchange the biblical text. This book brings you back to the first century and then back again to the twenty-first century with tools pertaining to our public witness.”

Mere Christian Hermeneutics

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Vanhoozer is my favorite modern writer on hermeneutics, and this is my favorite book of his on the topic. Not only does he tackle the toughest questions, but he does so in a way that is both grounded in the literal sense and extends this literality to a transfigural theological reading. Employing the transfiguration, he shows us why we must interpret not only grammatically and historically but theologically and eschatologically. While theological interpretation has suffered from lack of clarity, this book shows why we must read theologically and how we ought to do so. My hope is that evangelical hermeneutics will be transfigured by this important and timely work.”

Putting on Christ

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

Foreword

(wrote the foreword)

Rooted Leadership

Work, Money & Leadership

“Leadership and theology. Typically it is assumed these are two separate fields. However, into the storm of leadership material, Johnson offers a book that roots leadership in God himself. God defines leadership. I’m thankful for a leadership book that leans so heavily into the doctrine of God, Christ, and his Word.”

Saved Personal Bible Study

Christian Living

“Salvation is a favorite term of Luke’s. Nancy Guthrie faithfully and skillfully walks through Acts, showing that God’s heart is for all people to be rescued from their greatest enemies: sin and death. Even though Jesus has ascended to the heavens, the life-giving presence of Jesus continues to spread. This is a must-have book as you work through the narrative.”

Savoring Scripture

Bible Studies & Devotionals

“We desperately need books that help people in the church read the Bible more faithfully. Andrew Abernethy provides an engaging guide to readers who want to more competently understand this book that has been changing lives for centuries.”

Sharing Christ in Joy and Sorrow

Theology

“Philippians is known for many things—citizenship, joy, suffering, partnership, the church, and Christ’s own example. Chris Bruno skillfully integrates these realities and shows that they find their commonality ‘in Christ,’ whose joy and sorrow form the logic of the letter. From Christology flows ecclesiology, ethics, mission, and eschatology. This is a great introduction to the letter to the Philippians.”

Short of Glory

Theology

“Understanding what went wrong is essential for understanding how it can be made right, and by whom. Mitchell Chase expertly guides readers not only through Genesis 3 but also through the reverberations of Genesis 3 in the rest of the Scriptures. The tentacles of the fall can be felt on every page of the Bible. Not paying attention to these themes might mean missing what the good news is all about.”

Sing Loud, Die Happy

Preaching & Worship

“As the saying goes, ‘Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.’ Usually this applies to something you don’t want to see, but this is also true in biblical interpretation. Sometimes someone has to point out a theme in the Bible and then you start seeing it everywhere. Jim does this with singing. I love that he deals with everything down to our emotions and application today. This resource will help you sing to our triune God.”

Songs of the Son

Theology

“We are to be instructed by the New Testament in how to read the Old Testament. Stevens shows us that Hebrews views the Psalms as the songs of the eternally begotten Son, Jesus Christ. He is not only the subject of the Psalms but often the speaker of the Psalms. Read this book and be equipped to read the whole Bible as a compass pointing to Christ.”