Outside the Womb: The Ethics of Reproductive Technologies, co-authored by Scott Rae (chair and professor of philosophy of religion and ethics), Moody Publishers, December 2010. The use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is on the rise in our culture as an alternative for couples facing infertility issues and single women desiring to have children. Is it right — morally, ethically, biblically — to engage this new technology? Are there some aspects of ART that are more acceptable than others?
The Facilitator Era: Beyond Pioneer Church Multiplication, by Tom Steffen (professor of intercultural studies), Wipf & Stock, January 2011. Some time ago, Ralph Winter brilliantly identified three eras of modern missions. With all the fast and furious changes swirling around us today in 21st century missions, have we entered a Fourth Era? If so, who are the people primarily involved? How are they selected? How are they trained? How long do they serve?
Head-to-Soul Makeover: Helping Teen Girls Become Real in a Fake World, by Shelley Leith (’80), Zondervan, September 2010. Through the lens of culturally relevant television reality shows and magazine-type self-quizzes, this 10-week small group study will guide teen girls through an upbeat curriculum to transform their lives from head to soul. By exploring eight Christ-like character qualities, the study helps girls put discipleship into practice.
Changed by Faith: Dare to Trust God with Your Broken Pieces … and Watch what Happens, co-authored by Jay Fordice (’02), Tyndale House Publishers, February 2011. How many people do you know who say they believe in God … but you’d never know it from looking at their lives? In Changed by Faith, the authors offer a gritty, up-close look at the broken world around us, the true redemptive power of the gospel — and what it means for your life today.
Think and Live: Challenging Believers to Think and Thinkers to Believe, edited by Paul Hughes (M.A. ’05), foreword by Craig J. Hazen (director of M.A. program in Christian apologetics) and contributions by Harry Edwards (’93, M.A. ’01), Anderson-Noble Publishing, February 2011. Devastation. That is the effect of excessive, singular focus on only one part of a fully orbed Christian life. God wants complete men and women committed to Christ, thinking and living in his Kingdom. Think and Live has and offers a way out of devastation, and a way into love of God and others.
Growing up in America: The Power of Race in the Lives of Teens, co-authored by Brad Christerson (professor of sociology), Stanford University Press, April 2010. People’s experiences of racial inequality in adulthood are well documented, but less attention is given to the racial inequalities that children and adolescents face. Growing Up in America provides a firsthand account of the different social worlds that teens of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds experience. American teens describe conflicts with parents, pressures from other teens, school experiences and religious beliefs that drive their various understandings of the world.
Life’s Biggest Questions: What the Bible Says About the Things that Matter Most, by Erik Thoennes (associate professor of biblical and theological studies), Crossway Books, July 2011. Does God exist? What is God like? How will it all end? Thoennes asks and answers 15 of the most important questions we can ask about God, the Bible, Jesus and the church. Each chapter concludes with a Scripture verse for meditation and memorization, questions for application and discussion, and suggestions for further study.