William H. Willimon

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“Brooks Harrington has given us an amazing book—at once personal testimony from his significant experiences as an attorney and a pastor to the marginalized, then creative and invigorating biblical interpretation, all cast by a Christian with a passionate commitment to the embrace of justice and mercy. This book will change how you look at our criminal justice system, the parables of Jesus, and the Christian life.”

No!

Theology

“Paul McGlasson's hard-hitting No! has convinced me that reconstructionism--with its mishmash of advocacy for a 'Christian America' characterized by Christian dominion, a mentality of Christian either/or with no compromise politically or culturally--has infected the political right and, worst of all, compromised the Christian gospel. McGlasson is fair but scathing in his biblically based, evangelical, and theologically well-informed critique. This book is a badly needed theological corrective. Reconstructionism? No!”

Not My Own

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“Schlossberg and Achtemeier speak a word that is not often heard in today's mainline Protestant church. Taking the distinctiveness of the church seriously and building upon the classical theological stance that has characterized the Reformed tradition at its best, they help us to think through abortion in a bold, provocative way. Anyone attempting to think through the abortion issue in a faithful way must read this book.”

Nurturing Faith

Discipleship & Christian Education

“This is the book we’ve needed to help us pastors form Christians for the challenges of the present age. Fred Edie and Mark Lamport integrate the insights of theology, psychology, human development, and the church’s liturgy to give us a lively call for the education, nurture, and formation of Christians who are equipped to live as if God matters. Here is the definitive book on Christian education for decades to come.”

One Life to Give

History & Biography

“Fanestil has given us a fascinating look at the Christian roots of the American Revolution. This book is an engaging study of the ways we are formed by the language and practices of our faith... and the promise and peril that lies therein.”

Ordaining Women

Women

“More than a century ago, B.T. Roberts published some courageous, faithful biblical interpretation that made clear the biblical and theological warrants for the ordination of women. His book is not only a turning point in American church history, but also a call to us preachers today to make Roberts our guide in faithful, courageous, biblical interpretation.”

Part-Time Is Plenty

Church Leadership & Ministry

“Increasing numbers of mainline Protestant clergy are becoming part-time pastors. Jeffrey McDonald reframes this phenomenon as more than a financial necessity; it’s a God-given opportunity. Whereas many congregations think of a part-time pastor as a sign of scarcity, McDonald reminds us that the American church’s time of greatest vitality was led by part-time pastors. He gives practical advice for how pastors can move from being the sole source of pastoral care and leadership into the role of the pastoral team leader, uncovering and developing the God-given talents of the laity and leading their churches in a way that doesn’t rob the laity of their baptismal responsibility to be Christ’s church in this time and place. This is a hopeful, helpful book for such a time as this.”

Pilgrim Journey

Discipleship & Christian Education

“We couldn't have a more wise, insightful guide than Curtis Freeman to lead us deeper into the mystery of the God who, in Jesus Christ, has journeyed toward us. In Pilgrim Journey, Curtis celebrates the wonder of Christian discoveries about the God who discovers us. He helps us preachers, who talk about God to others, speak about the wonder of God With Us without taming the mystery. No Christian will come away from an encounter with Pilgrim Journey without being brought closer to Christ. Here are the riches of our faith made available, practical, and fresh by a master teacher of the faith.”

Preaching by Heart

Preaching & Worship

“In this wonderful exploration of the preacher’s task, Pastor Ryan Tinetti deftly draws upon classical rhetoric, the thought of Augustine, communication studies, his own extensive pastoral experience, and the gospel itself to give us an unforgettable, practical way of improving our preaching. Ryan meditates upon the move from the text to our heart to the hearts of our listeners. . . . An encouraging, useful, so helpful book for us preachers.”

Public Intellectuals and the Common Good

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“We're in great need of a Christian public voice amid the ravages of Trumpism. In this collection of compelling, invigorating essays, there is encouragement and modeling for how Christians can speak up in service to the common good. I read these essays amid the double pandemic of COVID-19 and white supremacist backlash. Here's a book needed now more than ever.”

Radical Grace

Theology

“"S T Kimbrough, Jr. has introduced us to Charles Wesley the great lyrical theologian. In this wonderful book, Radical Grace, he introduces us to Wesley the prophetic, poetic friend of the poor and the dispossessed. Here, in the genius of Wesley, we see poetry in service to a just and loving God. This book sings, and the song it sings is justice for the poor!”

Reading Augustine

Theology

“Augustine's 'Confessions' are a glorious exploration of a living, gracious God. We could have no better guide through Augustine than one of his great friends, Jason Byasee. For anyone who has longed for the living God, for anyone who wants to explore the depth and breadth of the human soul, Byassee opens up new dimensions of this classic of the Christian faith.”

Recovering Mother Kirk

Preaching & Worship

“Liturgical Presbyterians? No, this is not an oxymoron. D. G. Hart has written a lively polemic against the well-intentioned dumbing-down of worship by advocates of church growth. This book is going to make some people very mad, and it will make others very glad. Those who have thrown away the theological substance of the great Reformed tradition of Christian worship ought to be mad. Hart shames them. And yet, for those whose privilege it is to praise and serve God in a church that enjoys the Reformed way of worship in all its depth, glory, and joy, this book is a great summons to faithfulness in our time.”

Reflections on Grace

Theology

Foreword

“Who better to teach us grace than one who so genially embodied, personified, and incarnated grace? . . . [Langford] taught Christian grace in the manner of the great classical philosophers whom he so admired by embodying in his life that which he professed in his books, in the classroom, and in the pulpit. How appropriate that this manuscript was lying upon his desk when he died. What grace that we have it now. Grace, pure grace.”

Rehearsing Scripture

Bible Studies & Devotionals

“Into this lively book Anna Carter Florence pours her experience as an outstanding preacher and teacher of preachers. Scripture is known in its performance. The test of my preaching is in its enactment in the lives of my congregation. Florence’s love of and deep engagement with Scripture are infectious. Fresh insights are found here on every page.”

Remissioning Church

Church Leadership & Ministry

“Here's the book that is needed by about 90 percent of all churches and 100 percent of all clergy in North America. Josh Hayden's book is an enthusiastic invitation to today's congregations to refit themselves for vital participation in Christ's mission. Practical, proven, biblical, and very wise, Remissioning Church is destined to help scores of churches find their way into the future.”

Sacramental Sermons

Preaching & Worship

“Gary Tyra gives us preachers an engaging, encouraging look at preaching as a wonderfully Holy Spirit–induced, sacramental endeavor. Calling in a host of witnesses like Karl Barth, Phoebe Palmer, Augustine, and even me, Tyra shows how preaching is the unique work of Christ loving his people through the frail, human but Spirit-empowered words of us preachers.”

Seasons of Faith and Conscience

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“Here is a book which reclaims the Christian faith in all of its stunning, radical beauty. . . . Of particular interest for pastors [are the] sermons at the end of the book in which he articulates, in a clear, evocative, and thoroughly applicable way, this theology of radical discipleship.”