New Books
Below is a list of the new and notable resources releasing this month from Crossway. Titles include Good News at Rock Bottom by Ray Ortlund and the The Biggest Story Bible Storybook Videos.
Good News at Rock Bottom: Finding God When the Pain Goes Deep and Hope Seems Lost
We all long for a life worth living. So when we receive news of a frightening diagnosis, suffer heartbreaking loss in our family life, or get trapped in a cycle of our own sin, we might wonder about God. Where is he when we need him most? With wisdom from Isaiah 57:15, Good News at Rock Bottom helps readers discover that Jesus is hard to find in the comfortable lives we prefer. Instead, he meets us at rock bottom—where he is waiting for us with open arms. With grace and empathy, author Ray Ortlund opens a door for readers to go deeper with God and get closer to faithful friends when life is hard to bear. You will discover that, at rock bottom, Jesus is more satisfying than any comfortable life without him.
“I know pain, inside and out. I live intimately with its brutal assault, and at times it almost convinces me that all hope is lost. That’s when I reach out for the kind of rock-solid hope that is able to survive the worst of times. Honestly, it’s there. It’s available. And it’s meant for you. Ray Ortlund tenderly explains how to find and embrace it in his excellent book Good News at Rock Bottom. I love Ray’s style of writing—always accessible, believable, and gentle on the heart. The book you hold in your hands is extraordinary, and I envision that, by the last page, you will find the hope-filled release and relief you are yearning for.”
—Joni Eareckson Tada, Founder and CEO, Joni and Friends International Disability Center
Did the Resurrection Really Happen?
In this concise booklet, author Timothy Paul Jones addresses the doubts and questions that arise from Jesus’s resurrection as recorded in the New Testament. Jones argues this story is not a mere repetition of old pagan tales or a fabrication to fulfill Jewish expectations. Instead, it was a historical event that is supported by compelling evidence, including accounts of men and women who were willing to die for what they believed they had seen. Skeptics are correct to assume that such claims should not be taken lightly. But what happens if Jesus really did rise from the dead? What would it mean for me and you?
“The Christian faith is more than a philosophy of life. It is rooted in concrete historical events. Timothy Paul Jones demonstrates that Jesus’s resurrection isn’t a myth but is grounded in history. The early Christians didn’t invent the bodily resurrection of Jesus to comfort themselves. They were confronted with the reality of the risen Christ. Jones’s book is a powerful reminder that Jesus is truly risen, and this changes everything about our lives today. A book for the young and the old. Indeed, a book for everyone.”
—Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Where Is God in a World with So Much Evil?
In the face of evil and suffering, many people question God’s goodness. Even faithful Christians may struggle to see God’s justice when they experience the heartache, pain, and tragedies of our broken world. Why does God seem to remain silent when we need him the most?
Collin Hansen’s short and accessible guide answers suffering peoples’ questions about God’s character by exploring the stories of Job, Jesus, and the Jewish people during the horrific events of the Holocaust. Ideal for both skeptics and Christians who want to help others in their pain, this booklet reminds us that God speaks through the cries of his people and offers us the gift of his Son—a suffering servant who makes all things new.
“The problem of evil is the biggest challenge to Christian faith in every generation. Collin Hansen’s short, wise, and thoughtful book is a superb resource for thinking deeply about it and responding with compassion and clarity.”
—Andrew Wilson, Teaching Pastor, King’s Church London
Return from Exile and the Renewal of God’s People
In this addition to the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series, Nicholas G. Piotrowski traces the theme of exile throughout Scripture, giving readers a renewed appreciation for redemptive history and atonement in Christ. Sharing from his 15 years of study, Piotrowski connects the journeys of Abraham, Joseph, and Jesus with tabernacle imagery and other types to illustrate recurring themes of exile from Genesis until the new creation. This accessible volume helps believers understand their own exile and rejoice with the hope that they will one day worship in God’s holy presence.
“Nicholas Piotrowski masterfully shows how the themes of exile and exodus, death and resurrection pervade the Scriptures and develop the biblical storyline climaxing in Christ and his church. Come read of the one whose tribulation and triumph were foreshadowed from the earliest pages of Scripture and whose story culminates in his people’s renewal in the garden-city of God.”
—Jason S. DeRouchie, Research Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Theology, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
ESV Prayer Journal: 30 Days on Faith
Erika Allen
Illustrated by Ruth Chou Simmons
ESV Prayer Journals guide your study of a foundational Scripture topic over 30 days and create space for writing and prayer—turning your quiet time into a meditation on God’s Word. Each week opens with an overview related to that week’s passage, followed by 5 days of teaching and prayer prompts. Each journal also includes space for writing, clear definitions of biblical terms, and artwork by Ruth Chou Simons. This ESV Prayer Journal helps readers rightly understand their call to evangelism and prepares them to share their faith with assurance, boldness, and joy.
Romans
Why is Romans considered the greatest letter ever written? In this New Testament epistle, the apostle Paul provides the clearest explanation of the gospel and the eternal hope for a humanity marred by sin and death. Through King Jesus, God reveals his righteousness, redeems his people from their sins, and unlocks the floodgates of his mercy. In this 10-week Bible study for women, Lydia Brownback examines Romans verse by verse to explore how God works through his Son and in the hearts of his people. Written for individuals or groups, each lesson helps women understand important doctrines of the faith, such as justification, propitiation, and redemption, on a practical and accessible level.
“The brilliant and beautiful mix of sound teaching, helpful charts, lists, sidebars, and appealing graphics—as well as insightful questions that get the reader into the text of Scripture—make these studies that women will want to invest time in and will look back on as time well spent.”
—Nancy Guthrie, author; Bible teacher
Awe: Why It Matters for Everything We Think, Say, and Do (with Study Questions)
Helping us kindle an ever-growing passion for God’s glory, this book by popular author Paul David Tripp reminds us of the importance of awe for shaping everything we choose, decide, think, desire, say, and do. Reflecting on how awe for God impacts our approach to spiritual warfare, ministry, material things, and more, Tripp will energize readers’ love for God by opening their eyes afresh to the glory of his love, grace, and power. This edition includes a section of engaging study questions for every chapter, helping individuals and groups reflect on each topic in greater depth.
“Paul Tripp has a way of helping us to get beyond the surface. It is clear that Paul has thought through this subject deeply. Read this book and find yourself challenged and encouraged to stand in awe of the reality of God and to take him seriously because of it!”
—Eric M. Mason, Lead Pastor, Epiphany Fellowship, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; President, Thriving; author, Manhood Restored
The Biggest Story Bible Storybook (Audio)
Beginning in Genesis and ending with Revelation, DeYoung provides engaging retellings of various Bible stories, explaining how they fit into the overarching storyline of Scripture. This audiobook enhances each story with music, sound design, and narration by Michael Reeves, giving kids a fun, compelling way to experience the Bible.
The Biggest Story Bible Storybook Videos
Exploring the way God created the world, acted in history, and continues to act in the present, The Biggest Story Bible Storybook Videos are designed to accompany lessons in The Biggest Story Curriculum or stand alone. Parents and children can watch the videos at home during family Bible study, before bedtime, or as part of a homeschool program. Churches can use them with other Biggest Story resources during their children’s ministry or Sunday school classes. Bringing Bible stories to life, this collection is a fun, approachable way to teach children about 104 key events in Scripture and how they all fit together to tell God’s big story.
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