May 2023 New Releases
New Books and Bibles
Below is a list of the new and notable resources releasing this month from Crossway. Titles include Do Not Be True to Yourself by Kevin DeYoung and the ESV Teen Study Bible.
Do Not Be True to Yourself: Countercultural Advice for the Rest of Your Life
In this collection of inspiring sermons and graduation speeches, Kevin DeYoung delivers a motivational, biblical call to young people: serve God faithfully—and if necessary, counter-culturally—in the next season of your life. Do Not Be True to Yourself includes practical advice for cultivating a Christ-centered worldview in every area of adult life, including relationships, work, church participation, and spiritual growth, making it a transformational resource for mentoring students.
“Kevin DeYoung writes with inspiring clarity and pastoral love as he summons a generation of Christians to courage and nerve. As he puts it, ‘The choice that matters most is actually a lifetime of choices.’ This will be the book to give to your graduating high school and college students. But please don’t pigeonhole this book. Do Not Be True to Yourself is a brilliant and succinct call to all Christians to reject the spirit of the age in favor of the courageous Christian faith.”
—Rosaria Butterfield, Former Professor of English, Syracuse University; author, Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age
Worthy: Living in Light of the Gospel
In this short, accessible guide, theologian Sinclair Ferguson explains the importance of living worthy of the gospel, why the principle is often forgotten, and how it’s cultivated. Clarifying the difference between biblical obedience and legalism, Ferguson exhorts believers to pursue Christlikeness, offering practical examples from Scripture. The second book of the Growing Gospel Integrity series, Worthy helps Christians, students, pastors, and those preparing for ministry to live as citizens of heaven rather than citizens of the world.
“God delights to turn things upside down. Most think a ‘worthy’ person must be someone great. Sinclair Ferguson shows that the people ‘worthy of the gospel’ are those humbled by their sins, transformed by Christ’s cross, and obsessed with knowing the Lord. Nothing less is fitting for the gospel. Highly recommended!”
—Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Short of Glory: A Biblical and Theological Exploration of the Fall
In this book, pastor and professor Mitchell Chase argues that in order to understand the fall and recognize its profound impact on later Scripture and the world today, Christians must first understand Genesis 3. Chase identifies themes found in Genesis 3—temptation, shame, messianic hope, and more—and shows how they reverberate throughout the rest of the storyline of Scripture. Understanding Adam and Eve’s fall is crucial to understanding the world as it currently is and the need for redemption through Jesus.
“Short of Glory is an exceptional introduction to the way the events of Genesis 3 are woven through the biblical witness. Mitchell Chase’s theological acumen and exegetical sophistication are front and center as he carefully elucidates the far-reaching implications of sin and the even farther-reaching implications of God’s grace to his people. Highly recommended as an example of theology and exegesis in service of the good news.”
—Brandon D. Smith, Assistant Professor of Theology and New Testament, Cedarville University; Cofounder, Center for Baptist Renewal
Knowing God’s Truth: An Introduction to Systematic Theology
Pastor Jon Nielson has written Knowing God’s Truth, a part of the Theology Basics suite, to make systematic theology clear, meaningful, and practical for those looking for a highly accessible guide to studying God. In this introduction, Nielson defines systematic theology as “theological study done in a highly organized, topical way” and covers the 12 basic categories—Scripture, man, sin, church, and more. He also helps readers learn to apply theology in their everyday lives by integrating invitations to pray and meditate on what they’ve learned.
“This compendium of systematic theology has all the hallmarks of Jon Nielson’s dynamic pastoral ministry: biblical fidelity, theological clarity, and a passion for the practical application of Christian doctrine. Ideal for classrooms and study groups, as well as for personal use, Knowing God’s Truth includes frequent prompts for spiritual practices that will help readers know, love, and celebrate evangelical theology.”
—Philip Graham Ryken, President, Wheaton College
Knowing God's Truth Workbook
The Knowing God’s Truth Workbook provides readers an opportunity to further interact with the text through Scripture passages, discussion questions, and quotes from the book, inviting them to pray, meditate on, and apply what they have learned. Designed to be used in conjunction with the book, this workbook is perfect for individual meditation or group study.
“There’s a good reason why theology seems off-putting to many. Although it’s the study of God, sometimes it’s presented in a dry and dreary way. But in this book, Jon Nielson treats theology as a prayerful, joyful, sometimes challenging but always stimulating encounter with the self-revealing triune God. Knowing God’s Truth not only informs but transforms.”
—Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California
Lost in the Caverns
Twelve-year-old dream keeper Lily McKinley is grieving the death of Prince Pax when, in an instant, he appears by his tomb with a message for her: “Whomever you meet, tell them about what you have seen and heard in this valley. Tell them about what I gave for them, and won for them.” Though she feels her powers weakening, she must embark on a dangerous journey through the Desert of the Forgotten to regain her ability to dream and spread Pax’s message.
This exciting novel, the third book of the Dream Keeper Saga by Kathryn Butler, mixes fantasy with Christian themes, taking middle-grade readers on an adventure steeped in magic, mystery, and glimmers of hope.
“I want to know Pax. With each book he becomes more compelling, and with him, the whole saga. Some series begin with their best tale, then try to muster up sequels. The Dream Keeper Saga gets better with each book. Kathryn Butler wins our trust with her characters, engaging turns, and deeply Christian themes. I’m excited to add the Dream Keeper Saga to our family canon.”
—David Mathis, Senior Teacher and Executive Editor, desiringGod.org; Pastor, Cities Church, Saint Paul, Minnesota; author, Habits of Grace
The Holy Spirit—the Comforter
John Owen
Edited by Andrew S. Ballitch
Regarded as one of the greatest theologians in history, 17th-century pastor John Owen remains influential among those interested in Puritan and Reformed theology. The Complete Works of John Owen brings together all of Owen’s original theological writing, including never-before-published work, reformatted for modern readers in 40 user-friendly volumes.
Volume 8, The Holy Spirit—The Comforter, includes the treatises “The Work of the Holy Spirit in Prayer,” “The Holy Spirit as a Comforter,” and “A Discourse of Spiritual Gifts.” Each treatise has been edited by Puritan scholar Andrew Ballitch.
“Over the last seventy years, one of the most exciting trends in historical theology and in evangelical church life has been the renewed interest in John Owen. Crossway’s landmark edition of Owen makes his work and the scholarly interpretation of it as accessible as possible to new readers. This is a project of outstanding ambition and importance.”
—Crawford Gribben, Professor of History, Queen’s University, Belfast; author, John Owen and English Puritanism and An Introduction to John Owen
Is God Really Sovereign?
In this addition to the Church Questions series, pastor Conrad Mbewe explains the Bible’s teaching on God’s sovereignty and addresses the common questions that it raises. He shows how it affects one’s outlook on salvation, suffering, prayer, and worship in the Christian life. This short and accessible work is ideal for anyone currently struggling with the sovereignty of God or for new Christians wanting to learn more about God’s sovereignty.
“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
The Compelling Community Study Guide
This companion study guide covers all 12 chapters of The Compelling Community, featuring the main idea of each chapter, a Bible passage to study, prayer prompts, and suggestions for further reading. With questions for reflection and discussion, The Compelling Community Study Guide will help spark conversation and encourage readers to reflect on biblical truth about authentic fellowship within the local church.
“If you are ready to be refreshed as well as challenged, read this book. It is biblical and practical. Its clarity is powerful and very compelling. Thank you, Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop, for loving the church of Jesus Christ!”
—Ronnie Floyd, Former President, The Southern Baptist Convention; Senior Pastor, Cross Church, Springdale, Arkansas
ESV Teen Study Bible
Edited by pastor Jon Nielson, the ESV Teen Study Bible features numerous study and resource materials—including 12,000 accessible study notes adapted from the ESV Concise Study Bible, 365 devotions adapted from God's Great Story by Jon Nielson, and 200 sidebars defining key doctrines and helping teens apply Scripture to their own lives. It also has full-page introductions for each biblical book, more than 150 maps and illustrations, an extensive glossary and concordance, and over a dozen topical articles. These features help facilitate deep engagement with the Scriptures, impacting the minds, hearts, and lives of teen followers of Christ.
“I love the ESV Teen Study Bible’s holistic approach to studying God’s Word. This resource helps teens understand biblical texts in their historical, literary, and whole-Bible contexts, while also instructing in doctrine and applying it to everyday life. Various reflections and articles address critical topics related to following Jesus in our modern world. I wish I had this when I was younger!”
—Drew Hunter, Teaching Pastor, Zionsville Fellowship, Zionsville, Indiana; author, Unfolding Grace and Made for Friendship
ESV Journaling Study Bible
The ESV Journaling Study Bible pairs the content of a robust study Bible with extra-large, 2-inch margins that are perfect for writing observations, prayers, and more as you study God’s Word. Featuring more than 12,000 study notes adapted from the ESV Study Bible, this journaling Bible also includes nearly 900 special facts, 120 Bible character profiles, 10 topical articles, a glossary of key terms, more than 80 maps and illustrations, and 80,000 cross-references. These and many other features make it the most comprehensive and content-rich journaling Bible available today