March 2022 New Releases
New Bibles and Books
Below is a list of the new and notable resources released in March from Crossway. Titles include the ESV Psalms, Photography Edition and The Biggest Story Bible Storybook by Kevin DeYoung.
ESV Psalms, Photography Edition
The Psalms invite readers to explore a wide array of metaphors, themes, and emotions through the experiences of God’s people. The ESV Psalms, Photography Edition seeks to capture the beauty of this beloved book of the Bible by featuring the text of each psalm alongside captivating original photography of the Irish landscape. Each passage is displayed on its own page with a photograph tying into the theme of the text, capturing scenery of rolling meadows, flowing streams, and sweeping coastlines. Combining a spacious layout and generous margins with a typesetting free of verse numbers, the ESV Psalms, Photography Edition is a beautiful resource that’s ideal for personal reflection or for giving as a gift.
The Biggest Story Bible Storybook
In The Biggest Story Bible Storybook, pastor Kevin DeYoung shares this grand story with children ages 6–12 through 104 short chapters. Beginning in Genesis and ending with Revelation, DeYoung provides engaging retellings of various Bible stories, explaining how they fit into the overarching storyline. Each reading is coupled with beautiful illustrations by award-winning artist Don Clark and concludes with a reflective prayer. Perfect for bedtime stories or to read together as a family, both children and parents alike will experience afresh the captivating story of the Bible in an easy-to-understand, compelling way.
“Through rich, understandable narratives and striking illustrations, The Biggest Story Bible Storybook captures children with something even more beautiful than this book—the story of redemption. Kids are going to scoot in close to see and hear what’s next in this captivating retelling of Scripture. I know this will bless many families with a deeper understanding of the Bible.”
—Emily Jensen, coauthor, Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments; Cofounder and Content Director, Risen Motherhood
Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution
How did the world arrive at its current, disorienting state of identity politics, and how should the church respond? Historian Carl R. Trueman shows how influences ranging from traditional institutions to technology and pornography moved modern culture toward an era of “expressive individualism.” For fans of Trueman’s The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, Strange New World offers a more concise presentation and application of some of the most critical topics of our day.
“Carl Trueman is one of the truly vital thinkers of our time. In Strange New World, he explains just how the West’s preoccupation with a navel-gazing concern for emotional ‘authenticity’ has crippled our ability to think—and is consequently undermining the future of our civilization. A true must-read.”
—Ben Shapiro, Host, The Ben Shapiro Show; Editor Emeritus, The Daily Wire; author, The Authoritarian Moment
Strange New World: Study Guide
In the Strange New World Study Guide, Trueman walks through each of the book’s 9 chapters, summarizing key points, posing thought-provoking questions, and providing Bible verses for further reading. Focusing specifically on Strange New World’s theological themes, this guide helps individuals and groups study the biblical ideas Trueman presents.
Keeping Your Children’s Ministry on Mission: Practical Strategies for Discipling the Next Generation
While all of the tasks of children’s ministry are important, leaders can get easily distracted with the everyday work of doing ministry and lose sight of the main focus—the gospel. Writing from personal ministry experience, Jared Kennedy shares a four-fold approach for gospel-centered, missional children’s ministry: hospitality, teaching, discipleship, and mission. This practical resource covers a variety of topics ranging from creating child protection policies to putting together lesson plans to catechism, helpful for children’s ministers and volunteers alike as they disciple children with the powerful message of the gospel.
“For years, when students have asked me, ‘What’s the one children’s ministry book that I should read first?’ I couldn’t recommend just one. Instead, I recommended three: one about organization, one about teaching, and one about keeping children safe. Now I can recommend just one to read first because Jared Kennedy has managed to fit all of those essential elements into a single book!”
—Timothy Paul Jones, C. Edwin Gheens Professor of Christian Family Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; author, Family Ministry Field Guide
The Loveliest Place: The Beauty and Glory of the Church
In The Loveliest Place, Dustin Benge urges Christians to see the holy assembly of God’s redeemed people in all its eternal beauty. He explains what makes the church lovely, including the Trinitarian relationship, worship, service, and gospel proclamation. For those who have never learned to view the church as God sees it, or have become disillusioned by its flaws, this book is a reminder that the corporate gathering of believers is a reflection of God’s indescribable beauty.
“Dustin Benge provides us with an absolute gem—a beautiful condensation of all that is good about the local church. With ease of prose, Benge introduces us to the multicolored facets of what the church is and how she functions to grow us into the people of God. A marvelous read.”
—Derek W. H. Thomas, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina; Teaching Fellow, Ligonier Ministries; Chancellor’s Professor, Reformed Theological Seminary
Redeeming Our Thinking about History
How does knowledge of the past shape Christians’ views of God, Christ’s redemption, and humanity as a whole? In his new book, Vern S. Poythress teaches Christians how to study and write about the past by emphasizing God’s own command to remember his works and share them with the next generation. Readers will explore concepts such as providentialism, Christian historiography, divine purpose, and the 4 basic phases of biblical history: creation, fall, redemption, and consummation. By learning how to appropriately study history, believers will begin to recognize God’s lordship over all events and how even minor incidents fit into his overarching plan.
“Vern Poythress has written carefully about how a proper Christian doctrine of providence should (and should not) shape a believer’s understanding of human history. His book is particularly welcome in showing that ‘history’ includes a wide range of possibilities and that most of them can contribute (though in different ways) to Christian study of the past.”
—Mark A. Noll, author, Jesus Christ and the Life of the Mind
Cultural Counterfeits: Confronting 5 Empty Promises of Our Age and How We Were Made for So Much More
In Cultural Counterfeits, Jen Oshman encourages women to reject the empty, destructive promises these idols offer and embrace something much more satisfying. She casts a vision for women to experience real hope and peace in Jesus, calling them to recognize their unshakable and eternal identities in him. This timely and compelling resource will help women find freedom and joy as they explore God’s good design and purpose for their lives.
“In Cultural Counterfeits, Jen Oshman addresses some of the most significant and sensitive issues of our day with a combination of informed integrity, biblical insight, and godly compassion. In these pages you will find a winsome call away from the world’s false promises and toward what is real, true, and beautiful.”
—Nancy Guthrie, Bible teacher; author, Even Better than Eden
Gospel-Centered Discipleship: Revised and Expanded
In this second edition of Gospel-Centered Discipleship, Jonathan Dodson presents an effective, Spirit-led model for sanctification. Reminding readers that real discipleship is imperfect yet transformational, Dodson encourages Christians to engage more authentically with others as they grow in faith. Drawing from his own failures and successes while following Jesus, Dodson defines discipleship, describes the heart of a disciple, and gives practical guidance for mentor and peer-based discipleship as Jesus intended.
“Jonathan Dodson’s Spirit-led, gospel-centered, organically relational, and authentic book is such a rare jewel. Jonathan is a good friend and an even better ally in the gospel. God has used him to teach me much, and I pray the Spirit will use this book to change the way you view and do discipleship.”
—Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor, The Village Church, Dallas, Texas; President, Acts 29 Church Planting Network; author, The Mingling of Souls and The Explicit Gospel
Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy Devotional Journal
The Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy Devotional Journal is an ideal companion for anyone wanting to apply the knowledge they gained about lament from the book and practice it in their own life. The journal features 15 devotions, with each one focused on one psalm of lament. Each devotion includes a quote from Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, guidance for how to outline the passage, space to write a personal lament, and a summary that includes five reflection questions and a brief prayer.
The Emotional Life of Our Lord
In The Emotional Life of Our Lord theologian B. B. Warfield explains how Christ’s complex emotions and personality proved his humanity. It was necessary for Christ to be born in the likeness of mankind to bear their griefs, carry their sorrows, take their infirmities, and ultimately redeem their lives. In this encouraging book, readers learn to see Christ as a compassionate Savior through his sinless expressions of emotions—from righteous anger to abiding love.
“True ‘classics’ are more than timeless; they are works of exceptional insight and power. These beautiful booklets put before us works that fully deserve the label. Wise, Christ-centered, and full of gospel comfort, they are treasures that will enlarge both the mind and the soul of all who heed them.”
—Michael Reeves, President and Professor of Theology, Union School of Theology, UK
Fighting for Holiness
In this addition to the Crossway Short Classics series, Ryle explains why the fight for holiness is one of absolute necessity for Christians. Identifying the three main enemies of every believer—the world, the flesh, and the devil—he emboldens them to “either fight or be lost” in their daily battle and offers biblical and historical examples of notable Christian “soldiers.” Fighting for Holiness is a bold reminder for believers to daily put on the whole armor of God and train their eyes on Christ.
“We followers of Christ are not always good these days at hearing the wisdom of godly voices from the past. This series of historic writings provides an accessible, beautiful way for us to listen. You can read one of these small treasures in an hour—and the benefits will be large. These writers call us to gospel truth and gospel life in Christ. Hearing their voices is good for our souls.”
—Kathleen Nielson, author; speaker
What Do Deacons Do?
Deacons play an essential role in the life of the church. In this booklet, Juan Sanchez addresses topics such as why churches need deacons, how deacons carry out their role, who is eligible to be a deacon, and how diaconal service exemplifies the character of Christ. Valuable for church leaders and members alike, this resource helps readers understand what the Bible has to say about this important church office and why its ministry is indispensable.
“Sincere questions deserve thoughtful answers. If you’re not sure where to start in answering these questions, let this series serve as a diving board into the pool. These minibooks are winsomely to-the-point and great to read together with one friend or one hundred friends.”
—Gloria Furman, author, Alive in Him and Labor with Hope
Can Women Be Pastors?
In this booklet, Greg Gilbert explains God’s design for the office of pastor and elder, examining the structures of authority God established from the very beginning. Focusing on Genesis 1–3 and 1 Timothy 2, he makes a case for why God’s original design for men in church leadership is not arbitrary but part of his good and beautiful plan.
“Where can we Christians find reliable answers to our common questions about life together at church—without having to plow through long, expensive books? The Church Questions booklets meet our need with answers that are biblical, thoughtful, and practical. For pastors, this series will prove a trustworthy resource for guiding church members toward deeper wisdom and stronger unity.”
—Ray Ortlund, President, Renewal Ministries
Does the Gospel Promise Health and Prosperity?
How can believers tell the difference between a false gospel and the true gospel? Writing from personal experience, pastor Sean DeMars lays out four core elements of the prosperity gospel and answers questions such as Is the prosperity gospel biblical? and Does God promise me a prosperous life? This guide will help believers understand the true gospel by pointing to the Bible, showing how the prosperity gospel twists Scripture and leads people astray from a biblical understanding of what it means to follow Jesus.
“Christians are pressed by very real questions. How does Scripture structure a church, order worship, organize ministry, and define biblical leadership? Those are just examples of the questions that are answered clearly, carefully, and winsomely in this new series from 9Marks. I am so thankful for this ministry and for its incredibly healthy and hopeful influence in so many faithful churches. I eagerly commend this series.”
—R. Albert Mohler Jr., President and Centennial Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary