A Reasonable Response: Answers to Tough Questions on God, Christianity and the Bible, by William Lane Craig (research professor of philosophy), and Joseph E. Gorra (M.A. ’05), Moody, August 2013. A Reasonable Response offers dozens of examples of how some of the most common challenges to Christian thought can be addressed, including “why does God allow evil?” and “how can I be sure God exists?” Utilizing real questions submitted to his popular website ReasonableFaith.org, Craig models well-reasoned, skillful and biblically informed interaction with his inquirers.

Formed for the Glory of God: Learning from the Spiritual Practices of Jonathan Edwards, by Kyle Strobel (M.A. ’05), IVP, June 2013. Jesus said we should focus our minds and hearts on God above all else. No small task! Is there someone we can turn to for help? In Jonathan Edwards, the 18th-century Puritan pastor and theologian, we find deep thought balanced with deep passion. Strobel explores the writings and practices of Edwards, who provides us with the tools — the “means of grace” — that make us receptive to God’s work in our lives as we learn to abide in Christ.

Doing the Right Thing: Making Moral Choices in a World Full of Options, by Scott B. Rae, (professor of philosophy of religion and ethics), Zondervan, November 2013. Our culture is in an ethical mess because we’ve neglected moral training and education. Rae proposes that there is such a thing as moral truth, that it can be known and that it can be put into practice. Informed by Scripture and calling for a renewed understanding of the importance of the Christian faith in moral training, Doing the Right Thing issues a call for cultivated virtue that can bring about both better lives and a better society.

The Princess in the Opal Mask, by Jenny Lundquist (’98), Running Press Kids, October 2013. Orphaned as a child in the crumbling village of Tulan, Elara is determined to learn her true identity, even if it means wielding a dagger. Meanwhile, in Galandria’s royal capital, Princess Wilha stands out
as someone to either worship or fear. Though no one knows why the king has always made her conceal her face — including Wilha herself. When an assassination attempt threatens the peace of neighboring kingdoms, Elara and Wilha are brought face to face … with a chance at claiming new identities.

Grieving the Loss of a Loved One, by H. Norman Wright (research professor of Christian education), Regal, June 2013. Everyone experiences the death of significant people in their lives. Wright, a certified trauma specialist, has written Grieving the Loss of a Loved One to help people handle a traumatic loss in their lives and move forward through the painful journey of grief. Readers will learn that they are not alone in their experience of loss and grief. They will learn what to expect and how to manage grief through topics such as: steps to take in moving through grief; preparing for death and anticipatory grief; and handling sudden death and its aftermath.

Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs: Teach the Text Commentary Series, by Edward M. Curtis (professor of Old Testament and biblical studies), Baker, October 2013. Curtis’ volume on Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs provides carefully organized guidance for interpreting, teaching and illustrating these books. By keeping the discussion of each carefully selected preaching unit to six pages of focused commentary, the volumes in this series allow pastors to quickly grasp the big idea and key themes of each passage of Scripture. Each unit of the commentary includes the big idea and key themes of the passage; sections dedicated to understanding, teaching and illustrating the text; and full-color illustrations, maps
and photos.

How to Talk to a Skeptic by Donald J. Johnson (M.A. ’01), Bethany House, October 2013. Johnson assures readers that they do not need to have all the right answers before sharing their faith with family and friends. Instead, he suggests readers need to have good questions and need to be willing to listen as they engage in dialogue with skeptics. How to Talk to a Skeptic takes a practical approach to engaging skeptics and teaches readers how to ask questions without being defensive, how to respond to misunderstandings about God and how to tell God’s story of the world in an easily understandable way.