Christmas and the Incarnation
Christmas : A Candid History by Bruce David Forbes
The Christmas season is upon us and with it the familiar yuletide sights, sounds and traditions. Christmas cards, candy canes, the decorating of Christmas trees, the hanging of stockings and mistletoe, Santa Claus, and classic Christmas stories and music – all signs to us that Christmas is steadily approaching and with it the hustle and bustle of shoppers. But where do all of these Christmas traditions come from, and why is there an ever-present preoccupation with shopping and gift-giving during the Christmas season? More importantly, what do all of these things have to do with the birth of Jesus? In his book, Christmas : A Candid History, Bruce Forbes delves into the history of Christmas, investigating its origins and how it has become the holiday that we celebrate today. Forbes brings new insight to Christmas, addressing important issues like the secularization of Christmas and Christmas for those who are nonreligious. This book is a good read for both those who has become frustrated with Christmas, feeling that it has become a consumer holiday rather than a time for joy and reflection on the birth of Jesus, and for those who just want to know a little more about the history of Christmas and its traditions.
Other Titles:
- Christmas in Calcutta : Anglo-Indian Stories and Essays, Robyn Andrews
- Infancy Gospels : Stories and Identities, Claire Clivaz (ed.)
- The Christmas Encyclopedia, William D. Crump
- Christmas, Ideology and Popular Culture, Sheila Whiteley
Bioethics
Bioethics and the Christian Life by David VanDrunen
With ever-increasing technological advances allowing us to do things that were impossible in the past, we find ourselves faced with more tough ethical questions than ever before. Questions about the ethics of abortion, artificial reproduction, assisted suicide and stem cell research (among others) have gained widespread attention in the media. Some questions, like cloning or stem cell research, do not directly affect us in our day-to-day lives. But what about other issues like contraception, fertility drugs or forgoing medical treatment for serious illnesses? How should a Christian respond to these various ethical questions? In his book, Bioethics and the Christian Life, David VanDrunen aims to help Christians wade through the murky decisions we face about ethical issues that impact our lives. The first part of the book addresses the foundations of bioethics and how it is integrated into the Christian worldview, evaluating Christian virtues and how they affect our decisions about certain ethical issues. The second part of the book addresses issues pertaining to the beginning of life (e.g. abortion, contraception, fertility drugs), and the second part of the book deals with issues pertaining to the end of life (e.g. suicide, euthanasia, forgoing medical treatment). This book is a great read for anyone looking for guidance about deciding how a Christian ought to respond to the various ethical questions we are faced with today.
Other Titles:
- Ethics Without Intention, Ezio Di Nucci
- Disability and the Good Human Life, Jerome Edmund Bickenbach
- The Bioethics of Pain Management : Beyond Opioids, Daniel S. Goldberg
- Making Sense of Intersex : Changing Ethical Perspectives in Biomedicine, Ellen K. Feder
- Global Bioethics and Human Rights : Contemporary Issues, Wanda Teays
- Bioethics, Bruce Jennings
- Contemporary Debates in Bioethics, Arthur L. Caplan
- Autonomy and the Situated Self : A Challenge to Bioethics, Rachel Haliburton
- Human Subjects Research Regulation : Perspectives on the Future, I. Glen Cohen
- Biotechnology, Education and Life Politics : Debating Genetic Futures from School to Society, Padraig Murphy
- Practicing Medicine and Ethics : Integrating Wisdom, Conscience and Goals of Care, Lauris Kaldjian
Pastoral Ministry
Pastors in the Classics : Timeless Lessons on Life and Ministry from World Literature edited by Leland Ryken (et al.)
Throughout history, pastors and preachers have appeared as prominent parts of various works of literature. Pastors in the Classics sets out to examine twelve timeless works of literature in which pastors figure prominently, drawing attention to specific aspects of pastoral ministry and gleaning profound insights into the pastor’s experience. The book evaluates the good and bad ways in which pastors are often portrayed in literature in order to better understand pastoral ministry and its various facets. This book can help pastors to better understand themselves and their calling outside of typical books dealing with pastoral ministry. It also offers unique insights for pastors and enthusiasts of classic literature alike. If you are looking for a fresh, insightful look into pastoral life and ministry, this is the book for you.
Other Titles:
- Shrink : Faithful Ministry in a Church-Growth Culture, Tim Suttle
- Dangerous Calling : Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry, Paul David Tripp
- The Other 80 Percent : Turning Your Church’s Spectators into Active Disciples, Scott Thumma
- Images of Pastoral Care : Classic Readings, Robert C. Dykstra
- People-Pleasing Pastors : Avoiding the Pitfalls of Approval-Motivated Leadership, Charles Stone
- Ministry Is … : How to Serve Jesus with Passion and Confidence, Dave Earley
- A Door of Hope : Spiritual Conflict in Pastoral Ministry, Robert T. Henderson
- Breaking the Missional Code : Your Church Can Become a Missionary in Your Community, Ed Stetzer
- In Living Color : An Intercultural Approach to Pastoral Care and Counseling, Emmanuel Lartey
- Theological Reflection for Human Flourishing : Pastoral Practice and Public Theology, Helen Cameron
- Care of Souls : Revisioning Christian Nurture and Counsel, David G. Benner
- Men and Women in the Household of God : A Contextual Approach to Roles and Ministries in the Pastoral Epistles, Korinna Zamfir
- Secondary Pastoral Care : A Case Study, Video (Teachers TV/UK Department of Education)
Rolfing Unshelved 