Accidental Pharisees: Avoiding Pride, Exclusivity, and the Other Dangers of Overzealous Faith, by Larry Osborne (’74, M.A. ’78, D.Min. ’86), Zondervan, October 2012. While recent calls for radical Christians have challenged many to be more passionate about their faith, the downside can be a budding arrogance and self-righteousness that “accidentally” sneaks into our outlook. In Accidental Pharisees, Osborne diagnoses nine of the most common traps that can ensnare Christians on the road to a deeper life of faith and shows readers how to avoid the temptations of pride, exclusivity, legalism and hypocrisy.

Dreaming of More for the Next Generation: Lifetime Faith Ignited by Family Ministry, by Michelle Anthony (’89, M.A. ’01), David C. Cook, June 2012. With a fresh approach to spiritual formation, Anthony invites children’s and family pas- tors and volunteers to take a new look at what is most important in the lives of those they shepherd. The book includes practical examples of how to create an environment that allows the Holy Spirit to work and how to empower parents to partner with the church in faith formation.

A Jigsaw Guide to Making Sense of the World, by Alex McLellan (M.A. ’02), IVP Books, Decem- ber 2012. Figuring out life is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle. You don’t have to have every piece in place before you start to see the big picture. You just need enough important pieces to fit together. In Jigsaw, McLellan explores com- peting views of truth and belief and examines the nature of doubt, ultimately concluding that Christianity is reasonable because it resonates with how we see and experience the world.

Just a Minute: In the Heart of a Child, One Moment ... Can Last Forever, by Wess Stafford (’75), Moody Publishers, January 2012. For good or for ill, individual moments in a young person’s life can make all the difference in their future. Most of us want to help encourage and build into this next generation, but we just have no idea where to begin. Wess Stafford shares stories and experiences to introduce you to the difference you can actually make anywhere on the spectrum of child development.

Living Witness: Explorations in Missional Ethics, co-edited by Andy Draycott (assistant professor of biblical and theological studies), contribution by Matt Jenson (associate professor of theology), InterVarsity Press, May 2012. Because God calls his people to be a living witness to him, morality is mission. Conversely, immorality is “anti-mission,” a failure to give true testimony or witness. The whole life of the people of God, not just verbal proclamation, testifies to the church’s faith — or lack of faith — in her Lord. Intended primarily for pastors and church leaders, this volume encourages reflection and conversation that will feed the life of the body of Christ.

Charity and Its Fruits: Living in the Light of God’s Love, edited by Kyle Strobel (M.A. ’05), Crossway Books, June 2012. Jonathan Edwards took great pains to illustrate how love must be lived out when he exposited 1 Corinthians 13. Offered here is the only accessible edition of Charity and Its Fruits based on the most authoritative transcription of the original manuscripts. Edwards scholar Kyle Strobel goes to great lengths to help readers understand this classic work by providing a detailed introduction, explanatory notes addressing difficult points throughout the text, definitions of arcane terminology and a conclusion showing how to appropriate Edwards’ work.

There’s Hope for Your Church: First Steps to Restoring Health and Growth, by Gary L. McIntosh (professor of Christian ministry and leadership), Baker Books, May 2012. A startling 85 percent of churches in the U.S. are plateaued or declining, a trend that has been building for the past 50 years. In the face of shrinking attendance and lagging spiritual growth, pastors and church leaders are understandably discouraged and demoralized. But the first step to turning things around is hope. Church health expert Gary McIntosh offers this hope by showing church leaders the first things they need to do to make a new start for their church.