Books

New & Noteworthy Books

Chosen by Matt Reynolds.

The Biblical Trinity: Encountering the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Scripture

Brandon D. Smith (Lexham Press)

God’s triune nature is a foundational Christian doctrine, yet the term Trinity appears nowhere in Scripture. Cedarville University theology professor Brandon Smith works to resolve this apparent tension in The Biblical Trinity, reflecting on a series of New Testament passages and showing how they build on the witness of the Old Testament to reveal a God who exists in three persons.

Urban Apologetics: Cults and Cultural Ideologies: Biblical and Theological Challenges Facing Christians

Edited by Eric Mason (Zondervan)

Urban Apologetics, a 2021 volume edited by Philadelphia pastor Eric Mason, took aim at various “Black conscious” movements that promote the distorted readings of history meant to portray Christianity as an ally of white supremacy. This follow-up book, as Mason explains in its introduction, tackles “cults, errant beliefs, and cultural ideologies that are pervasive in our world,” many of which “are brushing up against our faith commitments every day.” Some essays analyze contemporary conversations on critical race theory, Black liberation theology, white nationalism, and sexuality and gender, while others look to counter the sectarian influences of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventists, and prosperity preachers.

Creating the Canon: Composition, Controversy, and the Authority of the New Testament

Benjamin P. Laird (IVP Academic)

How did the New Testament come into being and cement its standing as sacred Scripture? Despite archaeological discoveries and other scholarly advances, much uncertainty remains. According to Benjamin Laird, author of Creating the Canon, “Greater clarity and insight is needed with respect to our understanding of the process that led to the composition and formation of the canonical writings.” Laird, a professor at Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity, gives an accessible overview of the questions and debates preoccupying scholars and curious laypeople today.

Also in this issue

Our cover story this month explores the question, Does it matter if Christians declare their personal pronouns or use those given by others? Also in this issue: the changing face of atheism, reclaiming Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Dream,” how churches in Appalachia are responding to the opioids crisis, and a closer look at repentance in the Gospel of Luke.

Cover Story

Should I Offer My Pronouns?

15 Percent of Churches Laid Off Staff in COVID-19. Many Are Still Looking for Work.

Reclaiming MLK Jr.’s ‘Dream’ 60 Years Later

With Eyes to See Addiction, Appalachian Churches Respond to the Opioids Crisis

Christians Could Change Adoption Laws in the Middle East. Will They?

Lawsuit Seeks Information about Missing Malaysian Pastor

At Indigenous Seminary, Students Learn the Power of Faith Embedded in Identity

A Russian Pastor Spoke Out Against Putin’s Invasion. It Cost Him His Church.

Your Mind Is on God’s Mind

Paul Put His Own Stamp on the Ancient Pattern of Opening and Closing Letters

Testimony

Jesus Met Me on the Morning of My Funeral

Repentance Is Both Vertical and Horizontal

Excerpt

Some of My Social Justice Allies Are Terrifying, and I Value Them for It

A Washington Church Grows Great Commission Wheat

Mormons Expect More of the Next Generation. Why Don’t We?

A Righteous Cry

A Chorus of Replies about Church Worship

Jesus Loves Opioid Addicts

New Atheism Is Dead. What’s the New New Atheism?

Western Theologians Need Non-Western Theologians—and Vice Versa

Review

Since When Did Pleasing God Become an Unattainable Ideal?

Review

Repairing the Evangelical House Means Renewing the Evangelical Imagination

View issue

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