November and December 2022 New Releases
New Books and Bibles
Below is a list of the new and notable resources released this month and last from Crossway. Titles include the ESV Church History Study Bible and Fight for Your Pastor by Peter Orr.
ESV Church History Study Bible
Edited by Stephen J. Nichols, Gerald Bray, and Keith A. Mathison, this Bible features 20,000+ study notes from historical figures including Athanasius of Alexandria, John Chrysostom, Martin Luther, John Bunyan, Jonathan Edwards, and Charles Spurgeon. This study Bible also includes articles by trusted scholars on major aspects of church history, a glossary of historical figures, and “This Passage in History” callouts. Created for serious readers, students, and teachers of God’s Word, the ESV Church History Study Bible highlights voices from the past offering wisdom for the present.
“Without detracting from the importance of being able to ‘read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest’ the Word of God itself, readers are invited to sit down with some of the greatest and most spiritually tuned minds of the ages and engage in Bible study together with them. They may not be ‘all the saints’ but they are certainly ones you would choose to help you in Bible study! The ESV Church History Study Bible promises to be a long-lasting gift to every Christian home and will provide a lifetime of help and encouragement.”
—Sinclair B. Ferguson, Chancellor’s Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary; Teaching Fellow, Ligonier Ministries
Pour Out Your Heart Prayer Journal
In this beautiful prayer journal, women are encouraged to find their own rhythm for consistent prayer and Bible study. Designed to be used over many years, this durable hardcover journal features a unique method that guides readers toward an intentional, Scripture-focused prayer life.
The layout includes 4 customizable main sections: Daily Gospel Truth, Promises, Prayers, and Provisions. There are lined pages for women to record their prayers, and they can use the journal as often as they want—daily, weekly, or even a few times a year. It also includes instructions for setting up and personalizing the journal; suggested Scriptures and hymns; and more. The Pour Out Your Heart Prayer Journal helps women find joy through prayer over decades of their lives.
“The Pour Out Your Heart Prayer Journal is a beautiful tool designed to train believers to thoughtfully cultivate a prayer life that is both Scripture-shaped and deeply personal. Lois Krogh’s approach is not heavy-handed, and yet she holds our hands just enough to guide us to develop rhythms for a lifetime of communing with the Lord.”
—Caroline Saunders, author, The Story of Water and The Story of Home
Reaching Your Muslim Neighbor with the Gospel
In Reaching Your Muslim Neighbor with the Gospel, A. S. Ibrahim seeks to provide readers with insight and practical tips to engage and share the gospel with Muslim friends and neighbors. Ibrahim divides the book into two sections: (1) a Christian understanding of the strands of Islam and the diversity of Muslims, and (2) practical ways for Christians to connect with Muslims and effectively communicate the gospel. This book also incorporates true stories about Muslims coming to Christ and answers common questions.
“A. S. Ibrahim is a gift to the body of Christ and a writing machine! This book, Reaching Your Muslim Neighbor with the Gospel, so well combines his comprehensive understanding of the Islamic faith with his pastoral heart for reaching Muslims with the life-changing gospel message. I highly recommend this work.”
—Adam W. Greenway, President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Fight for Your Pastor
Peter Orr has written Fight for Your Pastor as an exhortation for church members to stand behind their pastors through the difficulties of ministry. Orr specifies ways in which congregations can be intentional in caring for church leaders, including prayer, encouragement, generosity, and forgiveness. Featuring stories from current pastors about their struggles, this book is perfect for thoughtful church members eager to understand the weight of their pastors’ positions and support leaders in their important ministry.
“As a pastor’s wife, I see how prayerfully and methodically my husband fights for the spiritual vitality of those we love and serve. I praise God when a man or woman in our church encourages him, prays for him, gently questions him, and thanks him, because each time it is a cup of cold water to a thirsty soul. My husband always says, ‘No one is suffering from too much encouragement.’ Least of all our pastors. This book, if read and practiced, will not only be a blessing to your pastor (and his wife!), but will strengthen your entire church and community.”
—Christine Hoover, author, How to Thrive as a Pastor’s Wife; host, The Ministry Wives Podcast
Meg Is Not Alone
Megan Hill
Illustrated by Samara Hardy
In this picture book, Meg’s parents accidentally leave her at church after the morning service, which makes her feel scared. But Meg is not alone. Various people in the church stay with her until her dad returns. These church friends care for her by giving her things like tissues, cookies, and storybooks, and she learns how to be a church friend to others. With easy-to-understand language and colorful illustrations, this children’s book highlights Jesus’s command to “love one another,” showing kids ages 3–7 that God has provided the local church to be their loving community. A TGC Kids book.
“One of the biggest blessings of the church for my children is not just the other kids but the other adults. They get to watch many examples of godliness and aren’t restricted to me and their mom. ‘Kids, look at what Christlike love can look like in her and her, and in him and him.’ This is the story of Megan Hill’s tender and sweet book.”
—Jonathan Leeman, Editorial Director, 9Marks; author, Rediscover Church and One Assembly
The Dawning of Redemption
In this accessible book, Ian J. Vaillancourt offers readers a helpful introduction to the Pentateuch as the essential first act in the Bible’s grand story of redemption. The chapters cover the whole of Genesis through Deuteronomy, examining themes such as creation, salvation, genealogies, and biblical covenants. Each chapter concludes with discussion questions, making this book a useful resource for individuals or groups who are looking to dive deeper into biblical study.
“The Pentateuch seems forbidding and alien to many believers. But, Ian Vaillancourt has written a user-friendly introduction to the theology of the Pentateuch that will enable readers to get a big picture of the theology of the first five books of the Bible. He also shows in each chapter how the Pentateuch points forward to and is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Readers will see more clearly how the entire Bible fits together in this fine work.”
—Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
The Heart in Pilgrimage
Christians throughout the ages have written devotionals as a way to bend their souls toward God and teach about him, communicating rich truths and encouraging readers to grow in grace and godliness. In this collection of 50 devotionals and creeds by figures such as Augustine, John Calvin, and Nathaniel Hawthorne, literary expert Leland Ryken introduces readers to insightful selections of their classic writings. Each entry contains a devotional passage from a historical figure, analysis by Ryken, and a concluding Bible passage that sums up the devotional passage and its analysis. Literary-inclined readers and first-time devotional readers alike will relish this one-of-a-kind anthology carefully compiled to help them encounter God in fresh ways.
“This collection gives the gift of informed access to a great mixed chorus of voices with often surprising words that prick our imaginations and our hearts of faith. Even as we read and celebrate a glorious heritage of devotional expression, we are drawn ultimately to worship the glorious Lord God of the Scriptures who created us human beings and redeemed us through his Son.”
—Kathleen Nielson, author; speaker
From the Manger to the Throne
In this addition to the New Testament Theology series, Benjamin L. Gladd explains the dominant biblical-theological themes in the Gospel of Luke, including the defeat of evil, peace in heaven and earth, the incorporation of the nations, and the kingdom of God. This resource is perfect for those looking to dig deeper into studying the interconnectedness of Scripture.
“If you love Luke’s Gospel, which exalts Jesus and shows him as the fulfillment of the Old Testament, you will love this treatment of Luke’s message. Full of insight and sensitive to Luke’s own hermeneutic of the wider message of Scripture, this book is a treasure.”
—Craig S. Keener, F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary
The Holy Spirit—The Helper
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 7, The Holy Spirit—The Helper, includes the treatises “The Reason of Faith” and “The Causes, Ways, and Means of Understanding the Mind of God as Revealed in His Word.” Exploring the topics of illumination and biblical interpretation, it features 50 pages of helpful introductions by editor Andrew Ballitch, along with outlines, footnotes, and other supporting resources. Released over a 6-year span, The Complete Works of John Owen will inspire a new generation of Bible readers and scholars to deeper faith.
“Owen ranks at the top of the classic Reformed writers whose reading of Scripture have most shaped my own faith and practice. He discloses points that I often miss, and he does so in a heart-igniting way that makes truth both enjoyable and edifying. Until now, trudging through the outdated format of Owen’s work has been a daunting task. I am thrilled to see this new edition of his complete works. If you want a faith that is as much for the heart as the mind, then read Owen!”
—Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California