April 2020 New Releases
New Books and Bibles
Below is a list of the new and notable resources releasing from Crossway this month. Titles include Coronavirus and Christ by John Piper, Gentle and Lowly by Dane C. Ortlund, and the ESV Single Column Legacy Bible.
Coronavirus and Christ
On January 11, 2020, a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) reportedly claimed its first victim in the Hubei province of China. By March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization had declared a global pandemic. In the midst of this fear and uncertainty, it is natural to wonder what God is doing.
In Coronavirus and Christ, John Piper invites readers around the world to stand on the solid Rock, who is Jesus Christ, in whom our souls can be sustained by the sovereign God who ordains, governs, and reigns over all things to accomplish his wise and good purposes for those who trust in him. What is God doing through the coronavirus? Piper offers six biblical answers to that question, showing us that God is at work in this moment in history.
Meeting with Jesus: A Daily Bible Reading Plan for Kids
Following up his popular book Exploring the Bible, a plan for children ages 6–12 to read through the whole Bible, David Murray has written a new reading plan for children that focuses on Jesus Christ. This volume walks kids through the 4 New Testament Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) over the course of a year. Each of the 52 "meetings with Jesus" teaches a new truth about Jesus through 6 days of Bible reading and includes interactive reflection questions, space for prayer and application, memory verses, and lines for sermon notes. In less than 5 minutes a day, children will get to know Jesus and his offer of abundant life.
“Pastor David Murray is our most trusted source for biblical material for children, material that respects the integrity of even the smallest infant in the covenant family. Meeting with Jesus is a gem, offering children accessible questions and gentle guidance that can lead to a lifetime of good practices, while at the same time providing parents and grandparents a clear and daily way to put the hand of a child into the hand of the Savior.”
—Rosaria Butterfield, Former Professor of English, Syracuse University; author, The Gospel Comes with a House Key
One Assembly: Rethinking the Multisite and Multiservice Church Models
Maybe you have been there: you’re running late to church, and you know it will be hard to find an empty seat. This is an all-too-frequent experience in a growing church. For churches experiencing this dilemma, a common solution is to add another service or location. This seems like a cost-effective fix. Besides, no one wants to turn away non-Christians. But is it the best option?
Jonathan Leeman presents a series of biblical, theological, and pastoral arguments to help reorient our minds to a scriptural definition of church. He makes the case that maintaining a single assembly best follows the Bible, fulfills the Great Commission, and furthers our partnership with other churches.
“Evangelical churches that are multisite or multiservice are like that for good-intentioned, pragmatic reasons. Jonathan Leeman challenges us to think exegetically and theologically about a popular practice that may not be as strategic as so many assume.”
—Andy Naselli, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament, Bethlehem College & Seminary
Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers
Christians know that God loves them, but can easily feel that he is perpetually disappointed and frustrated, maybe even close to giving up on them. As a result, they focus a lot—and rightly so—on what Jesus has done to appease God’s wrath for sin. But how does Jesus Christ actually feel about his people amid all their sins and failures? This book draws us to Matthew 11, where Jesus describes himself as “gentle and lowly in heart,” longing for his people to find rest in him. The gospel flows from God’s deepest heart for his people, a heart of tender love for the sinful and suffering. These chapters take us into the depths of Christ’s very heart for sinners, diving deep into Bible passages that speak of who Christ is and encouraging readers with the affections of Christ for his people. His longing heart for sinners comforts and sustains readers in their up-and-down lives.
“Gentle and Lowly comes from the pen of someone who has not just profited from reading the Puritans—but who, more importantly, has read the Bible under their tutelage. One short book can never be enough to convey all the glory of the character of Christ, but this book deftly unpacks something we often overlook: Christ is meek and lowly in heart and gives rest to those who labor and are burdened. Written with pastoral gentleness and quiet beauty, it teases out what twenty biblical texts contribute to this portrait of the heart of Christ, all of it brought together to bring comfort, strength, and rest to believers.”
—D. A. Carson, Emeritus Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Cofounder, the Gospel Coalition
When Pain Is Real and God Seems Silent
Are you feeling despondent, depressed, or discouraged? When we encounter severe trials and suffering, we are often tempted to think that our situation is somehow out of God’s hands. In these dark times, God seems silent, and we feel isolated, confused, and alone. Everyone experiences suffering; even the biblical writers expressed anguish at times. This emotion is clearly captured in the Psalms. Through these brief meditations on Psalms 88 and 89, Ligon Duncan shows us how to respond to our own suffering with the assurance of our heavenly Father’s mercy, which sustains us even in the darkest circumstances.
“The Bible is strikingly candid about human suffering, including the vexing reality that God’s own people suffer—and often suffer excruciatingly and lastingly. Where do we find help? Ligon Duncan, one of the most faithful Christian teachers of our time, takes us deeply into the Psalms in a book that will be of great encouragement to all believers. I am so thankful for Ligon Duncan’s devotion to God’s word and the care of souls. Read this book, and you will understand why.”
—R. Albert Mohler Jr., President, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Saints and Scoundrels in the Story of Jesus
The story of Jesus in the Gospels includes all kinds of interesting people—some who claimed to be saints but proved to be scoundrels, as well as scoundrels who were transformed into saints. In Saints and Scoundrels in the Story of Jesus, Nancy Guthrie provides a fresh look into what shaped and motivated people such as John the Baptist, Peter, the Pharisees, Zacchaeus, Judas, Caiaphas, Barabbas, Stephen, and Paul. Join her as she reintroduces us to these biblical characters, helping us to see more clearly the ways in which they reveal the generous grace of Jesus toward sinners.
“Like a mirror, this book beckons the reader to behold herself in the reflected light of how real people interacted with the real and the resurrected Jesus. The exposure from this reflection would be awful if Nancy was not such a faithful guide, reminding us at every turn that repentance is the way forward and that what humbles you can never hurt you. Saints and Scoundrels is convicting and comforting at once, reminding all true believers that God’s family is rough around the edges and held together by grace and blood and faith and the King of kings and Lord of lords who makes himself lowly and gentle for the salvation of his people.”
—Rosaria Butterfield, Former Professor of English, Syracuse University; author, The Gospel Comes with a House Key
Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage
In theology, just as in battle, some hills are worth dying on and others are not. But how do we know which ones? When should doctrine divide, and when should unity prevail? Just as a medic on a battlefield treats the severely wounded first and then moves on to the less serious injuries, we must prioritize doctrine in order of importance. Pastor Gavin Ortlund implores us to cultivate humility as we prioritize doctrine into four ranks—essential, urgent, important, and unimportant—so that we will be as effective as possible at advancing the gospel in our time.
“Gavin Ortlund is a scholar and leader who both wields the sword of the Spirit and exhibits the fruit of the Spirit. He not only stands up for Jesus but also stands with him in love, holiness, and mission. In a sadly contentious time, this book shows us how to love each other and stay on mission together even when we see some nonessential doctrines in different ways. This is a wise and needed book.”
—Russell Moore, President, The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention
What the Bible Says about Abortion, Euthanasia, and End-of-Life Medical Care
Abortion and euthanasia are hot-button issues in our world today, accompanied by many differing views, deeply held convictions, and personal experiences related to privacy, sexual behavior, personal desires and responsibility, pregnancy, and children—but deeper than all these is the nature of human life itself. In this timely book, adapted from his larger work Christian Ethics, Wayne Grudem argues that human life is rooted in God’s image, and it is therefore morally wrong to put an innocent human to death, whether at the beginning or end of life. He offers a biblical guide to these topics, defining his terms clearly, exploring science and politics, and weighing opposing arguments—answering questions about the protection of an unborn child, abortion in the case of rape or danger to the mother’s life, and when to stop medical treatment at the end of someone’s life. This short book will help all who seek to understand what the Bible teaches about these important issues that deal with human life.
“Wayne Grudem has faithfully offered a biblical-theological groundwork for making some of the most difficult decisions at the edges of life—its beginning and end. How does one who is committed to the sanctity of every human life approach questions about abortion, euthanasia, and other end-of-life issues? Digest this book to find out.”
—C. Ben Mitchell, Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy, Union University
What the Bible Says about How to Know God’s Will
Every Christian at one time or another has probably asked, What is God’s will for me in this situation? In this accessible booklet, Wayne Grudem offers practical guidance on how to make biblically informed decisions through the guidance of the Holy Spirit in accordance with God’s word.
“Besides its straightforwardness, clarity, and grounding in Scripture, what I like most about this book is its practicality. By following its counsel and being led by the Holy Spirit, Christians will be well equipped to discern and commit to God’s will for their lives!”
—Gregg R. Allison, Professor of Christian Theology, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; author, Sojourners and Strangers; Roman Catholic Theology and Practice; and Historical Theology
ESV Heirloom Single Column Legacy Bible
The ESV Heirloom Single Column Legacy Bible is a special edition based on the Renaissance ideal of a perfect page—featuring a simple, clear layout with generous margins.
As with Crossway’s other Heirloom Bibles, the Heirloom Single Column Legacy Bible is printed in the Netherlands on high-quality European Bible paper and features art gilding, four ribbon markers, and an extra-smooth sewn binding. It is available in black and brown goatskin covers. The Heirloom Single Column Legacy Bible is a fine edition that combines elegant design with the best production materials available.
ESV Single Column Legacy Bible
The ESV Single Column Legacy Bible is designed to reflect the beauty of God’s word. The layout of the text and margins are based on the Renaissance ideal of a perfect page—what Renaissance thinkers considered perfect proportions. It features wide margins with plenty of white space, line-matched text to minimize show-through from page to page, and section headings in the margins to reduce visual clutter. The result is a clean, simple reading experience that allows the Scriptures to speak for themselves.