Embracing Prodigals

Embracing Prodigals PDF Author: John Sanders
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1725264064
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 154

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Book Description
Do you wonder why some people you know hold theological and political views that blow your mind but they find quite reasonable? Today, Christians are at odds over how to understand the Bible, atonement, and salvation of non-Christians. They are also polarized over issues such as same-gender marriage, income inequality, and health care. Two social science models, Nurturant and Authoritative, explain this divide. Values are at the heart of our disagreements. Nurturants prize empathy and cooperation while Authoritatives cherish obedience to law and order. Each group has distinct core values and these lead them to embrace different theological, moral, and political views. This book explains the divide and makes the case that Jesus embodied the Nurturant way of life. He modeled empathy, grace, forgiveness, and care for those beyond his own tribe. The Nurturant and Authoritative approaches have competed for thousands of years but contemporary research shows that the Nurturant way of life produces better mental and spiritual health as well as superior communities in which to live.

Embracing Prodigals

Embracing Prodigals PDF Author: John Sanders
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1725264064
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 154

Get Book Here

Book Description
Do you wonder why some people you know hold theological and political views that blow your mind but they find quite reasonable? Today, Christians are at odds over how to understand the Bible, atonement, and salvation of non-Christians. They are also polarized over issues such as same-gender marriage, income inequality, and health care. Two social science models, Nurturant and Authoritative, explain this divide. Values are at the heart of our disagreements. Nurturants prize empathy and cooperation while Authoritatives cherish obedience to law and order. Each group has distinct core values and these lead them to embrace different theological, moral, and political views. This book explains the divide and makes the case that Jesus embodied the Nurturant way of life. He modeled empathy, grace, forgiveness, and care for those beyond his own tribe. The Nurturant and Authoritative approaches have competed for thousands of years but contemporary research shows that the Nurturant way of life produces better mental and spiritual health as well as superior communities in which to live.

Embraced

Embraced PDF Author: Steve Sherwood
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 149827207X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 154

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Book Description
In a post-modern world leery of abstracted theology, might the answers to the deep question of why Jesus died on the cross be found, not in theology textbooks, but in the stories of the Bible? What if the playing out of one Hebrew word, hesed, tells us who we are, who God is, and what Jesus' life and death were all about? Embraced: Prodigals at the Cross tells the story of hesed, God's steadfast love, as it weaves its way from our creation for relationship, through our rejection of that relationship, to God's centuries-long pursuit of reconciliation. The story ends in embrace, the embrace of a good father who runs to his prodigal son, and a loving God who takes on human flesh to reach out to us on the cross. This book is God's story. This book is our story.

To Unite the Scattered Children of God

To Unite the Scattered Children of God PDF Author: Stephen Finlan
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1666714992
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 161

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Book Description
To Unite the Scattered Children of God is an accessible exploration of hope for the spiritual uniting of humankind, in worship and in other ways, from Isaiah on down to present times. Several prophets shared this hope: “Many nations shall join themselves to the Lord on that day, and shall be my people” (Zech 2:11). To an even greater degree, Jesus set in motion a universalizing power. Jesus and Paul inspired hope for the uniting of Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles into “one fold,” in the “unity of the faith.” The book also builds upon the work of Teilhard de Chardin regarding the convergence of the human race under the spiritual influence of Christ, the omega point of evolution. Insights from pneumatology, process theology, personalism, interfaith discussions, and world peace advocacy add to the discussion.

Generation Ex-Christian

Generation Ex-Christian PDF Author: Drew Dyck
Publisher: Moody Publishers
ISBN: 1575675641
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 202

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Book Description
Young people aren’t walking away from the church—they’re sprinting. According to a recent study by Ranier Research, 70 percent of youth leave church by the time they are 22 years old. Barna Group estimates that 80 percent of those reared in the church will be “disengaged” by the time they are 29 years old. Unlike earlier generations of church dropouts, these “leavers” are unlikely to seek out alternative forms of Christian community such as home churches and small groups. When they leave church, many leave the faith as well. Drawing on recent research and in-depth interviews with young leavers, Generation Ex-Christian will shine a light on this crisis and propose effective responses that go beyond slick services or edgy outreach. But it won’t be easy. Christianity is regarded with suspicion by the younger generation. Those who leave the faith are often downright cynical. To make matters worse, parents generally react poorly when their children go astray. Many sink into a defensive crouch or go on the attack, delivering homespun fire-and-brimstone sermons that further distance their grown children. Others give up completely or take up the spiritual-sounding “all we can do is pray” mantra without truly exploring creative ways to engage their children on matters of faith. Some turn to their churches for help, only to find that they frequently lack adequate resources to guide them. This is where Generation Ex-Christian will lend a hand. It will equip and inspire parents, church leaders, and everyday Christians to reawaken the prodigal's desire for God and set him or her back on the road to a dynamic faith. The heart of the book will be the raw profiles of real-world, young ex-Christians. No two leavers are identical, but upon close observation some categories emerge. The book will identify seven different kinds of leavers (the postmodern skeptic, the drifter, the neopagan, etc.) and offer practical advice for how to connect with each type. Shrewd tips will also intersperse the chapters alerting readers to opportunities for engagement, and to hidden landmines they must sidestep to effectively reach leavers.

Praying for Your Prodigal

Praying for Your Prodigal PDF Author: Kyle Idleman
Publisher: David C Cook
ISBN: 1434707962
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 98

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Book Description
A book for parents and family members of those who are far from God, Praying for Your Prodigal draws on insights from AHA to help readers pray—and hope—for their prodigal. In this hope-filled, honest book Kyle Idleman offers stories about prodigals specifically for parents and grandparents of prodigals, as well as a series of prayers for readers to work through as they offer their prodigals to God.

Engaging Today's Prodigal SAMPLER

Engaging Today's Prodigal SAMPLER PDF Author: Carol Barnier
Publisher: Moody Publishers
ISBN: 0802486266
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 29

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Book Description
Enjoy these SAMPLE pages from Engaging Today's Prodigal- Many families today experience the profound guilt and shame filled pain of seeing a child walk away from their faith and values. Churches and parents feel powerless to change the relationship and engage the prodigal in positive ways. Carol Barnier has the insight to help. She left the faith of her pastor father, became an active atheist, debated Christians, and explored a variety of worldviews before she found the truth in a relationship with Jesus. But far more than her personal story, Engaging Today's Prodigal equips readers with a better understanding of a prodigal's motivation, useful responses that won't prevent reconciliation, clear boundaries to protect themselves and other children, actions to take when you know you have contributed to the problem, and the value of realistic expectations. With effective wit and humor, Carol provides material relevant for churches, parents and even the prodigals themselves. Can your family or church interact with a prodigal in ways that build a relationship bridge that can provide a way back home when they are ready? Let Engaging Today's Prodigal equip you with clear, specific actions that can overcome the shame, hurt, and loss to bring real hope for the future.

Peace and Justice Shall Embrace

Peace and Justice Shall Embrace PDF Author: A. Companion
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 0595176542
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 174

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Book Description
This is a penetrating critique of our criminal justice and penal systems from the unique, firsthand experiences of its priest-prisoner author. His conclusion is that they are “sick, broken, rudderless systems that neither correct nor rehabilitate offenders, nor help or heal victims.” A compelling case is made—from practical, biblical and humane arguments—for moving from retributive-punishment models of seeking justice to restorative-rehabilitative ones. Restorative justice actively involves victims, offenders and the community in a joint process of working toward healing, restitution, rehabilitation and reconciliation. Incarceration becomes only one option, rather than the foregone conclusion. Specific proposals are made for reforming the justice, prison and parole systems. Examples of working models are presented. Evaluation tools and discussion guides are provided. Christians will find rich meditative material and spiritual challenges, as the author plumbs the scriptures and Catholic social justice teachings for personal moral answers and principled civic policies. One chapter offers examples of what individuals, parishes and dioceses can and are doing to promote restorative justice. A cross-reference is included to the November 2000 document on criminal justice by the U.S. Catholic bishops. Topics covered include: the relationship of poverty, race, mental illness and drug addiction to incarceration; capital punishment; the consequences of three-strikes and minimum-mandatory sentencing; the effects of politics on policy; inadequate legal representation for the poor.

God After Deconstruction

God After Deconstruction PDF Author: Thomas Jay Oord
Publisher: SacraSage Press
ISBN: 1958670286
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 206

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Book Description
Deconstruction is hard! Bad views of God and harmful experiences lead many of us to deconstruct. But we’re right to run from the nonsense we’ve been taught and from those who hurt us. God After Deconstruction will not be welcomed by traditionalists. It’s not a book for people who want the status quo or who think conventional theology works. It isn’t for people who just want to tweak a bit what they’ve been taught. Thomas Jay Oord and Tripp Fuller offer an open and relational vision of God. This vision makes sense; it fits our experience; it’s livable. The open and relational view aligns with our deep intuitions about love and freedom. God After Deconstruction is for those deconstructing and those wanting help after deconstruction. It’s for people in the fire and those with scars. God After Deconstruction is an adventure for lovers in tumultuous times! Buy this book. Six-Word Endorsements for God After Deconstruction “When everything goes, only God remains.” -- Simon Cross, chair of the Progressive Christianity Network (Britain) "Helpful companion on your deconstruction journey.” -- EDJ, author of Deconstructing Religious Sexual Trauma: A Memoir “A faith beyond deconstruction is possible.” -- Kathy Escobar, author of Faith Shift and Practicing “A relational way to think about purpose.” -- Jonathan J. Foster, author of indigo: the color of grief "This is a really great book." -- Keith Giles, author of the 7-part "Jesus Un" book series“ A God-centric approach to deconstruction.” -- David Hayward, aka NakedPastor “A compassionate primer on our deconstruction.” -- Angela Herrington, author of Deconstructing Your Faith Without Losing Yourself “A thoughtful third way - highly recommended.” -- Olivia Jackson, author of (Un)Certain “Life-giving for doubters, deconstructors, wonderers.” -- Mark Karris, author of The Diabolical Trinity “Powerful, essential, required reading for everyone.” -- Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Madang Podcast and author of Invisible “Adventure guide to life after deconstruction.” -- Brian D. McLaren, author of Do I Stay Christian? "I've always believed in this God!" -- Mason Mennenga, A People's Theology podcast "A deconstruction journey worth taking!" -- Sherri Pallas, author of We Have Ruined God "An exvangelical deconstruction guide to God." -- Jim Palmer, author of Inner Anarchy “A haven for the hard questions.” -- Elizabeth Petters, the Deconstructing Mamas podcast “Faces the hard questions without blinking.” -- Janet Kellogg Ray, The God of Monkey Science “The God you need right now!” -- Gary Alan Taylor, the Sophia Society “Everyone deconstructing should read this book.” -- Tim Whitaker, creator of The New Evangelicals “The God of Love always triumphs!” -- John Williamson, The Deconstructionists Podcast

When You Love a Prodigal

When You Love a Prodigal PDF Author: Judy Douglass
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 1493420089
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 240

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Book Description
Loving a prodigal is a long and desperate journey, filled with fear, worry, anger, self- recrimination. You wait for the phone call--will it be from jail or the hospital? You plead with your loved one. You search for help. You feel the shame. You cry out to God, "How long, Lord?" Author Judy Douglass knows these lovers of prodigals well. She is one herself and has created a large and growing community with others. When You Love a Prodigal is a collection of 90 essays--90 days of perspective on what God offers to you as you love your prodigal. At the end of each brief essay, response questions will help you process how God intends to use the wilderness journey to mold your spiritual life. You can work through it day by day, or you can read it straight through. Judy has traveled this road with her own prodigal--reading, learning, praying, and seeking God. Over and over he continued to give her wisdom, he sustained her, he covered her with grace, and he filled her with hope. May you, too, be strengthened and filled with hope as together you discover how God will take you through your own valley.

Prodigals

Prodigals PDF Author: Greg Ross Taylor
Publisher: ACU Press
ISBN: 1684268753
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 192

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Book Description
The most famous story of Jesus retold Prodigals digs deeply into each line from Jesus’s famous parable about the prodigal son, inviting all readers―those down on their luck or high on their horse―to identify as prodigals. A prodigal is anyone who accepts they have a sinful human nature and turns toward the love of home, the place where we find a deeper relationship with God. Rather than divide the world into prodigals and nonprodigals, Taylor invites readers to find themselves in the teaching of Jesus as either younger or elder siblings. The life-changing power of the book comes when readers begin to identify with the characters in the story and join in the prayers and calls for transformation that conclude the chapters. -Proceeds from the book benefit 1256movement.org. -The author has lived and traveled internationally and relates the greatest parable Jesus ever told to his experiences across the United States and countries such as Israel, Uganda, the Netherlands, and Honduras. -The author has set up an email account to receive prodigal stories from readers for possible inclusion in future editions of Prodigals: [email protected].