When Helping Hurts:
How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor...and Yourself

by Brian Fikkert & Steve Corbett

Churches and individual Christians typically have faulty assumptions about the causes of poverty, resulting in the use of strategies that do considerable harm to poor people and themselves. When Helping Hurts provides foundational concepts, clearly articulated general principles and relevant applications. The result is an effective and holistic ministry to the poor, not a truncated gospel.

A situation is assessed for whether relief, rehabilitation, or development is the best response to a situation. Efforts are characterized by an "assest based" approach rather than a "needs based" approach. Short term mission efforts are addressed and microenterprise development (MED) is explored.

Often times when we believe we are doing good, we are in fact doing harm. When this happens we may all stand back and shout "I was only trying to help!" but the damage is done, and often cannot be reversed. Such is the case with many of the ways local congregations have contributed through their ... Read More

Counterfeit Gods:
The False Promises of Money, Power, and Sex--and the Only Hope That Matters

by Timothy Keller

Have you ever thought money, power, or love would bring you happiness? Discover how only God can wholly satisfy our cravings! Keller explores Scripture to demonstrate how our hearts can turn good, wholesome things into idols that drive us. Using classic Bible stories, he reveals the key to understanding our society and transforming our own minds.

The Bible tells us that the human heart is an "idol- factory," taking good things and making them into idols that drive us. In "Counterfeit Gods", Keller applies his trademark approach to show us how a proper understanding of the Bible reveals < the unvarnished truth about societal ideals and our own hearts. This powerful message will cement Keller’s reputation as a critical thinker and pastor, and comes at a crucial time -for both the faithful and the skeptical.

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A Sweet and Bitter Providence:
Sex, Race, and the Sovereignty of God

by Piper, John

The sovereignty of God, the sexual nature of humanity, mercy for the undeserving---Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz struggled with these issues 3,000 years ago, and we're still dealing with them today. Piper examines the Book of Ruth's themes and issues a warning---Ruth and Boaz's relationship could inspire you to take great risks for love's sake. 160 pages, hardcover from Crossway. ... Read More

Our Secure Salvation
Preservation And Apostasy

by Robert Peterson

What marks the difference between assurance, and license? The church seems to be populated by people who either don't seem to care about sanctification or look at it and fear for their salvation. How can we tread the pathway between being confident in our preservation without falling into apostasy? Peterson shows us how to understand this vital doctrine through investigating 4 key elements. ... Read More

Voices from the Past:
Puritan Devotional Readings

by Richard Rushing

TEN YEARS IN THE MAKING! This work has long been anticipated. Glean from the wisdom and spiritual depth of the Puritans during 2010 through these 365 daily readings. Over the past fifty years there has been a great resurgence of interest in the writings of the Puritans. The reading of their works has brought great benefit to the people of God in many lands. Christians from many different backgrounds and cultures owe a great debt of gratitude to those faithful pastors and preachers who continue to speak through their writings even though they have long since entered into their heavenly reward. The Puritans really knew how to teach and apply God’s Word in the Spirit’s power!

Richard Rushing has compiled this book of daily devotional readings from his favourite Puritan authors because of the great help he has gained from their Works. ‘How thrilling it has been for me to read the ... Read More

God versus Socialism
A Biblical Critique of the New Social Gospel

by Joel McDurmon

God owns everything. That is is the biblical view: “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it” (Ps. 24:1). God delegated ownership and dominion of property to his Image, man (Gen 1:26–28). God sanctioned the protection of private property in His law—the Ten Commandments—including a prohibition of theft (Ex. 20:15). Jesus (Matt. 19:18) and the Apostles (Acts 5; Eph. 4:28) upheld this law.

The biblical witness is clear: God believes in private property, and He not only desires us but commands us to live by that rule as well. Socialism is the belief that private property is a bad idea. Socialists believe that governments should own most or all property and distribute it as government experts, scientists, politicians, or occasionally voters see fit. Under socialism, the State puts itself in the place of God and says, “The earth is the State’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who ... Read More

ESV Study Bible (Hardcover)
Hardcover with Jacket

by editors J.I. Packer & Wayne Grudem

The ESV Study Bible was created to help people understand the Bible in a deeper way--to understand the timeless truth of God's Word as a powerful, compelling, life-changing reality. To accomplish this, the ESV Study Bible combines the best and most recent evangelical Christian scholarship with the highly regarded ESV Bible text. The result is the most comprehensive study Bible ever published--with 2,752 pages of extensive, accessible Bible resources. ... Read More