October 2020 New Releases
New Books and Bibles
Below is a list of the new and notable resources releasing from Crossway this month. Titles include Covenant Theology: Biblical, Theological, and Historical Perspectives edited by Guy Prentiss Waters, J. Nicholas Reid, and John R. Muether; How Can Our Church Find a Faithful Pastor? by Mark Dever; and 40 Days of Grace and 40 Days of Faith by Paul David Tripp.
40 Days of Grace
New from popular author and speaker Paul David Tripp, this series of short devotionals encourages Christians to experience the life-giving message of the gospel every day. Each book contains 40 daily readings curated from the best-selling devotional New Morning Mercies and is focused on a particular theme essential to the Christian life. Short enough to read in 5 minutes or less, each meditation will encourage readers to treasure the life-changing truths of God’s word more fully.
There is nothing anyone can do to earn God’s favor—it is his gift of grace. In this addition to the series, Tripp explores the role grace plays in a Christian’s everyday life. Through 40 daily meditations, Tripp reminds readers that God, in his infinite mercy, can radically transform even the weakest people by the life-changing power of his grace.
40 Days of Faith
New from popular author and speaker Paul David Tripp, this series of short devotionals encourages Christians to experience the life-giving message of the gospel every day. Each book contains 40 daily readings curated from the best-selling devotional New Morning Mercies and is focused on a particular theme essential to the Christian life. Short enough to read in 5 minutes or less, each meditation will encourage readers to treasure the life-changing truths of God’s word more fully.
Faith is a gift from God. In this addition to the series, Tripp explores how this deep-seated trust in God and his word radically alters not only the way Christians think, but also the way they live. Through 40 daily meditations, Tripp urges readers not to rely on their own wisdom, experience, and strength—but to ask God to transform them into people who live by faith with a radical, God-centered perspective
Covenant Theology: Biblical, Theological, and Historical Perspectives
Guy Prentiss Waters, J. Nicholas Reid and John R. Muether.
This book forms an overview of the biblical teaching on covenant as well as the practical significance of covenant for the Christian life. A host of 26 scholars shows how covenant is not only clearly taught from Scripture, but also that it lays the foundation for other key doctrines of salvation. The contributors, who engage variously in biblical, systematic, and historical theology, present covenant theology not as a theological abstract imposed on the Bible but as a doctrine that is organically presented throughout the biblical narrative. As students, pastors, and church leaders come to see the centrality of covenant to the Christian faith, the more the church will be strengthened with faith in the covenant-keeping God and encouraged in their understanding of the joy of covenant life.
“It has been said that Reformed theology is covenant theology, for covenant is not merely a doctrine or theme in the Bible but is the principle that structures all its revelation. Robert Rollock said, ‘God speaks nothing to man without the covenant.’ Therefore, it is a delight to see this amazing scholarly collaboration by the faculty of Reformed Theological Seminary, which will surely prove to be a sourcebook for future studies of Reformed covenant theology. Here is a gold mine of biblical and historical studies by trusted pastor-theologians of Christ’s church.”
—Joel R. Beeke, President and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary; author, Reformed Preaching; coauthor, Reformed Systematic Theology
The Trinity: An Introduction
The Trinity is one of the most essential doctrines of the Christian faith, as it reveals a magnificent truth about God—that he is one God eternally existing as three distinct persons. While Christians often struggle to find the right words to describe the union of Father, Son, and Spirit, the Bible gives clarity concerning the triune God’s activity in nature (creation), grace (redemption), and glory (reward). In the second installment of the Short Studies in Systematic Theology series, theologian Scott Swain examines the Trinity, presenting its biblical foundations, systematic–theological structure, and practical relevance for the church today.
“What a powerful instrument this little book is, meeting the need of our moment for clear and precise teaching on this most important subject. Would you rather read a book on the Trinity that invites you into the worship of God and gives profound insight into his ways, or a book that is guaranteed to provide safe, reliable, responsible instruction? There is no need to choose: this book does it all, and in admirably brief compass.”
—Fred Sanders, Professor of Theology, Torrey Honors Institute, Biola University; author, The Deep Things of God
God's Design for the Church: A Guide for African Pastors and Ministry Leaders
The church in Africa is growing rapidly, but its growth has come at the expense of depth and maturity. Because of this, there is a dire need for a biblical understanding of what the church should be. Drawing from over 30 years of pastoral experience in Lusaka, Zambia, Conrad Mbewe details what a biblical church looks like in a way that is relatable to African contexts, by focusing on relevant topics such as family and tribal ties, the influence of African traditional religion, and more. Mbewe uses African illustrations to bring home vital truths touching on some of the most pressing issues facing the church in Africa.
“This book is Conrad Mbewe’s equivalent of Paul’s pastoral letters. It is the wisdom of the Scriptures steeped in decades of personal experience. It is delivered in fresh African illustrations and applications that help even this North American pastor understand God’s Word better. Having known Mbewe for a quarter of a century, having been in his church and he in mine, I could not think of a better person to write such a volume. This book well reflects the teaching of the Bible in ways that both encourage and challenge today’s readers. Mbewe’s writing is clear and simple, elegant and gospel-celebrating. This book is delightful. Enjoy and be edified. The last chapter is gold.”
—Mark Dever, Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC
Divine Blessing and the Fullness of Life in the Presence of God
The concept of blessing pervades the everyday life of Christians—from testimonies recounting God’s provision, to praise songs, to wishing someone well. In fact, the term has been so integrated into Christian language that it is rarely considered thoughtfully. In the pages of Scripture, blessing seems to be either physical or spiritual, but a fuller biblical-theological approach reveals that God’s blessing has always been both spiritual and physical.
In Divine Blessing and the Fullness of Life in the Presence of God, William Osborne traces the theme of blessing throughout Scripture as he guides readers into a deeper understanding of how God’s gracious benevolence impacts the everyday lives of Christians.
“Osborne takes up the word blessing, which is often misunderstood and applied in shallow ways, and sets it in its biblical-theological context. Through his study we are treated to a broad understanding of blessing so that we comprehend the richness and fullness of the term in its biblical context. I am delighted with this fresh and accessible contribution to biblical theology.”
—Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Encouragement for the Depressed
For those who are struggling in their daily walk with God, or living in the dark of night waiting for the light of day, there is hope. Encouragement for the Depressed, by esteemed 19th-century pastor Charles Spurgeon, is a gracious reminder that little faith is still saving faith. Spurgeon himself was not unfamiliar with depression, having dealt with it for most of his life. With personal experience and pastoral care, Spurgeon encourages both the new believer struggling to grasp the tenets of the faith and the experienced Christian struggling to enjoy the truths they once cherished to hold fast, for God is faithful.
The Expulsive Power of a New Affection
Thomas Chalmers was a Scottish Presbyterian minister who served most of his life at St. John’s parish in Glasgow—a congregation that was both the largest and the poorest congregation in the city. Known for his extensive charitable work in caring for the poor and downtrodden, Chalmers was also an astute theologian. One of his most notable works is The Expulsive Power of a New Affection, in which Chalmers inspires his readers to remove the tangles of sin through the expulsive power of a new affection—desiring God. As a result of the fall, human feelings of love are often misplaced on the creation rather than the Creator. This classic work of the faith reorients our affections toward him.
Heaven Is a World of Love
Of the many good gifts the Lord has given his church on earth, none exceeds that of his love. The things of this earth are temporary, but “love never ends” (1 Cor. 13:8)—it is a present taste of future glory, made available through communion with the Holy Spirit. In this classic work, Heaven Is a World of Love, New England pastor Jonathan Edwards encourages Christians struggling through the imperfect life here on earth to experience the perfect love of God through an exposition of the biblical foundations for the cause of God’s love, the objects of God’s love, the enjoyment of God’s love, and the fruits of God’s love. Each page of pastoral insight will leave readers hungry to experience more of God.
How Can Our Church Find a Faithful Pastor?
Many new believers have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church, and pastors are looking for resources to pass along to their congregations to help them think biblically about the Christian life. Church Questions is a series by 9Marks that seeks to provide Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each booklet offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment.
Each volume offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment. In this concise booklet, best-selling author Mark Dever offers clear biblical insight to churches in search of new leadership by providing 6 characteristics to look for in a new pastor, along with 11 suggestions of strategies to implement during the process.
Is It Loving to Practice Church Discipline?
In this concise booklet, Jonathan Leeman presents succinct biblical answers to various questions posited about the nature and application of church discipline, conveying that Scripture presents church discipline as both loving and necessary for yielding life, health, holiness, and growth in the local church body.
“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 mini-books are winsomely to-the-point and great to read together with one friend or one hundred friends.”
—Gloria Furman, author, Missional Motherhood and The Pastor’s Wife
Why Should I Be Baptized?
This booklet unpacks Scripture’s teaching on the importance of baptism in the local church by responding to 7 reasons that baptism is often neglected as well as answering 3 common questions about baptism.
“As a pastor, I get asked lots of questions. I’m approached by unbelievers seeking to understand the gospel, new believers unsure about next steps, and maturing believers wanting help answering questions from their Christian family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers. It’s in these moments that I wish I had a book to give them that was brief, answered their questions, and pointed them in the right direction for further study. Church Questions is a series that provides just that. Each booklet tackles one question in a biblical, brief, and practical manner. The series may be called Church Questions, but it could be called ‘Church Answers.’ I intend to pick these up by the dozens and give them away regularly. You should too.”
—Juan R. Sanchez, Senior Pastor, High Pointe Baptist Church, Austin, Texas
ESV Illuminated Bible, Art Journaling Edition (Cloth over Board, Eggplant)
The ESV Illuminated Bible places the full ESV text alongside over 500 elegantly hand-lettered gold ink illustrations by renowned artist Dana Tanamachi. Printed on thick cream-colored paper, the Bible's single-column text setting and wide margins provide generous space for additional notes, prayers, and designs—inviting readers to creatively engage with and reflect on the beauty of God's Word.
ESV Study Bible (TruTone, Olive, Celtic Cross Design, Indexed and TruTone, Burgundy/Red, Timeless Design, Indexed)
The ESV Study Bible was designed to help you understand the Bible in a deeper way. Created by a diverse team of 95 leading Bible scholars and teachers—from 9 countries, nearly 20 denominations, and 50 seminaries, colleges, and universities—the ESV Study Bible features a wide array of study tools, making it a valuable resource for serious readers, students, and teachers of God’s word.
ESV Bible with Creeds and Confessions (TruTone, Burgundy)
Creeds and confessions have been used throughout Christian history to summarize the Bible's teaching, distilling the key truths of Scripture into concise and succinct propositions. The ESV Bible with Creeds and Confessions contains 13 important creeds and confessions from church history placed after the complete ESV text, including the Apostles’ Creed, the Belgic Confession, and the Heidelberg Catechism. Introductions written by theologian Chad Van Dixhoorn explain the history and original purpose of each—helping modern Christians see how these historic documents were designed to faithfully teach the truths of Scripture—truths aimed at shaping and motivating the lives of all who follow Christ.