October 2023 New Releases
New Books
Below is a list of the new and notable resources releasing this month from Crossway. Titles include Sunday Matters by Paul David Tripp and the ESV Chronological Bible.
Sunday Matters: 52 Devotionals to Prepare Your Heart for Church
In Sunday Matters, Paul David Tripp shares 52 devotions about the beauty and significance of church, helping Christians engage in vibrant gathered worship each week. Each short, accessible meditation highlights an essential spiritual topic, including divine grace, gratitude, our identity in Christ, and dependence on the Lord. Over the course of a year, Sunday Matters will strengthen each believer’s personal relationship with God and fill churches with joyful, engaged, and passionate worshipers.
“The Lord has called the whole family of God to come and sing together to him. This book will help tune our hearts to do that!”
—Keith and Kristyn Getty, hymn writers
You're Not Crazy: Gospel Sanity for Weary Churches
In this practical guide, seasoned pastors Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry help weary leaders renew their love for ministry by equipping them to build a gospel-centered culture into every aspect of their churches. Emphasizing the importance of healthy doctrine, they explain that failing to also nurture a healthy culture can be frustrating, polarizing, and even unbiblical. This encouraging guide features Scripture-focused advice on honesty, honor, preaching, leadership, and mission to support leaders and help them regain a beautiful, Christ-centered vision for their ministries.
“You’re Not Crazy contains an insightful, straightforward path toward seeing gospel culture established in your ministry—a path that travels through the very heart of Christ. Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry’s writing is quintessentially moving, motivating, and practical, as one would expect from two men who have lived their message so wholeheartedly. I wish I had read this fifteen years ago, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.”
—Simon Murphy, Lead Pastor, Redemption Hill Church, Singapore
ESV Chronological Bible
This easy-to-read format combines various prophetic books, Psalms, and letters alongside Scripture’s historical accounts. Each era begins with an introduction, serving to reorient the reader and connect the section to God’s redemptive narrative as a whole. What’s more, this freshly designed layout divides the entire Bible into 365 daily readings—each beginning with a summary and timeline—making it easy to study Scripture over the course of a year.
The Surprising Genius of Jesus: What the Gospels Reveal about the Greatest Teacher
In The Surprising Genius of Jesus, Peter J. Williams examines the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 to show the genius, creativity, and wisdom of Jesus’s teachings. He used simple but powerful stories to confront the Pharisees and scribes of the day, drawing on his knowledge of the Jewish Scriptures to teach his audience through complex layers and themes. Williams challenges those who question whether Jesus really was the source of the parables recorded in the Gospels, pointing readers to the truth of who Jesus is and why that matters for them today.
“In this thought-provoking and compelling book, Peter J. Williams digs under the topsoil of the parables attributed to Jesus in the Gospels and helps us see both how expertly these stories integrate Old Testament allusions and how all the evidence points back to Jesus of Nazareth himself as their Creator.”
—Rebecca McLaughlin, author, Confronting Jesus: 9 Encounters with the Hero of the Gospels
God’s Great Story: A Daily Devotional for Teens
God’s Great Story by Jon Nielson unpacks Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, helping young adults grasp God’s full narrative and form helpful reading habits to keep a strong relationship with the Lord. Designed to be read in a year, each of the 365 daily devotionals includes a summary, a practical application, and a guide for personal prayer and meditation. Readings build off of each other to help readers grasp God’s grand story of redemption and the full saving work of the Son.
“Our teenagers’ valuable attention spans are pulled in different directions, and powerful narratives attempt to explain the world to them. However, there is only one story that deserves their thoughtful consideration and assigns meaning and value to everything they can see and everything they can’t see. Teens need to know this story and the one who wrote it. In a season of life when time seems to stand still, God’s Great Story is a devotional that will help teens get to know the one who stands above time.”
—Gloria Furman, author, Labor with Hope and Missional Motherhood
Does God Care about Gender Identity?
In this concise booklet, Samuel Ferguson carefully and compassionately compares the core beliefs and practices of the transgender movement with fundamental truths expressed in Scripture. Ferguson argues human identity is not determined by the individual but is given to us by our Creator, who designed our bodies and minds with purpose and encourages us to live in Christlikeness—choosing the path of God-given transformation over man-made transition.
“This small book is big on wisdom. Yes, God does care about gender identity, and Sam Ferguson explains why. More importantly, he helps readers go deep in understanding why the God who created us wants us to flourish as the creatures we are, and he equips readers to accompany those who struggle with this life-giving truth.”
—Ryan T. Anderson, President, Ethics and Public Policy Center; author, When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment
Is Christianity Good for the World?
In this concise booklet, author Sharon James shows that through history and across the globe, true followers of Christ have challenged injustice and abuse, and provided care for the needy. This has had a beneficial and widespread impact on all areas of human life. Without the moral ideals given to us by God, humans would lack the ability and desire to pursue justice, freedom, and compassion altogether. When Christians follow the biblical worldview with integrity and align their actions with their self-giving God, that results in sacrificial service to others.
“Brief, insightful, well-researched, and extremely timely. This deserves wide circulation.”
—Peter J. Williams, Principal, Tyndale House, Cambridge
Why Do We Feel Lonely at Church?
In this concise booklet, author and pastor Jeremy Linneman encourages readers to pursue a life of fellowship through 5 practices: taking initiative in hospitality, being patient in building friendships, maintaining relational stability, persisting through conflict, and praying together. By understanding the human need for belonging and reflecting on Jesus’s lifestyle of mission, ministry, and care, readers will be better equipped to build fruitful communities that bear witness to Christ’s glory and purposes alone.
“There is no denying the perennial problems of loneliness, isolation, and lack of meaningful community in the local church. Jeremy Linneman has identified these problems and digs deeply into the root causes and, better still, a cure. If you are among the many who have been wounded by the church or have abandoned it altogether because you never felt genuinely connected, this short book is for you. It may well prove to be your first step back into the spiritual life of the body of Christ, the only place where meaningful community can be found.”
—Sam Storms, Founder and President, Enjoying God Ministries
The Gospel and the Modern World: A Theologial Vision for the World
D. A. Carson
Edited by Brian J. Tabb
The Gospel and the Modern World features 34 of Carson’s essays from Themelios on a wide range of topics, including his vision for the evangelical church, the authoritative word of God, Christ and culture, and Christian discipleship. It also includes articles from editor Brian J. Tabb, Andrew David Naselli, and Collin Hansen. Celebrating an illustrious, Christ-exalting career, this collection imparts years of experience and Christian scholarship to a new generation of readers.
“There is no denying the perennial problems of loneliness, isolation, and lack of meaningful community in the local church. Jeremy Linneman has identified these problems and digs deeply into the root causes and, better still, a cure. If you are among the many who have been wounded by the church or have abandoned it altogether because you never felt genuinely connected, this short book is for you. It may well prove to be your first step back into the spiritual life of the body of Christ, the only place where meaningful community can be found.”
—Sam Storms, Founder and President, Enjoying God Ministries
The Holy Spirit: An Introduction
New believers and seasoned saints alike will learn about the Holy Spirit’s work in the cosmos, salvation history, and God’s plans for the future. To accomplish this, Sanders explains the doctrine of the Holy Spirit in relation to the Trinity, the Old Testament, and the New Testament. In this short introduction readers will gain a better theological grasp of the Holy Spirit and instruction on why he matters for the Christian life.
“How do we think about someone who is not merely ‘out there’ but also in, with, and through us? Fred Sanders has set out to do just such thinking. The result is a study on the Holy Spirit that comes like a breath of fresh air where familiar terms and images take on new and unexpected significances.”
—Simon Chan, Former Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity Theological College, Singapore; Editor, Asia Journal of Theology
Ministry in the New Realm: A Theology of 2 Corinthians
In this volume of the New Testament Theology series, bestselling author Dane Ortlund explores 2 Corinthians to reveal the core arguments presented by Paul. Through clear and engaging theological examinations, Ortlund expounds two predominant themes—inaugurated eschatology and strength through weakness—and connects various other motifs traced throughout this epistle. Readers will learn how Christ’s resurrection ushered in the new realm—one where life and ministry are flipped upside down, and God’s power is intertwined with human weakness.
“I have twice worked through 2 Corinthians with Dane Ortlund’s marvelous commentary and benefited enormously. Now this volume distills the insights of that exegetical work. Weakness, deprivation, loss, exclusion—things the world sees as curses—will, if met with faith in Christ, turn out to be blessings. God’s power generally comes to us through our weakness. Ortlund unfolds the implications of this radical, counterintuitive, and countercultural message in ways that are deeply provocative but also profoundly comforting.”
—Tim Keller, Founding Pastor, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City; Cofounder, Redeemer City to City
Hidden with Christ in God: A Theology of Colossians and Philemon
In this volume of the New Testament Theology series, author Kevin W. McFadden focuses on the specific teachings of Paul to examine the theology and themes of Colossians and Philemon. While reading this comprehensive yet concise study, believers will learn what it means to live a Christ-centered life as they explore Christ as hope, our knowledge of God, and our life above in heaven and here on earth.
“In this volume, Kevin McFadden has made an invaluable contribution to work on Colossians and Philemon. It’s written clear enough for everyone to benefit and substantial enough to satisfy scholars and students of New Testament theology. More importantly, McFadden not only lays out interpretive options but also makes persuasive cases on some exegetically difficult passages—all thoughtfully presented. This book is already helping me understand Paul better in these two letters, and for that, I am grateful.”
—Robert S. Kinney, Director of Ministries, Charles Simeon Trust; Priest, Christ Church, Vienna, Austria
Foundations for Lifelong Learning: Education in Serious Joy
In Foundations for Lifelong Learning, longtime pastor John Piper casts Christian education as the process of growing in our ability to navigate God’s word and world. Piper introduces readers to 6 vital habits—observe accurately, understand clearly, evaluate fairly, feel appropriately, apply wisely, and express compellingly. Ultimately readers will be encouraged to find Christ in and above all things—seriously and joyfully glorifying God, no matter their vocational calling.
“In this book we have a first-class mind openly considering how the mind works. But John Piper is also a deeply committed Christian who does his best to explain the right operations of the Christian mind. Preacher, pastor, theologian—John Piper is also an educator. Don’t miss the opportunity here to learn from a master thinker.”
—R. Albert Mohler Jr., President and Centennial Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Knowing the Bible: Ten Commandments: A 12-Week Study
In The Ten Commandments, Michael LeFebvre leads a deep, engaging study of the Decalogue, exploring the importance of God’s commandments in church history, the overarching story of the Bible, and daily discipleship. Over the course of 12 weeks, readers will explore the practical implications of the Ten Commandments and be encouraged by God’s grace to renounce sin and live out godly love.
“This Knowing the Bible series is a tremendous resource for those wanting to study and teach the Bible with an understanding of how the gospel is woven throughout Scripture. Here are gospel-minded pastors and scholars doing gospel business from all the Scriptures—this is a biblical and theological feast preparing God’s people to apply the entire Bible to all of life with heart and mind wholly committed to Christ’s priorities.”
—Bryan Chapell, Stated Clerk, Presbyterian Church in America
Knowing the Bible: Sermon on the Mount: A 12-Week Study
In The Sermon on the Mount, Drew Hunter examines the biblical event that led to some of Jesus’s most well-known statements, including the Beatitudes. Guiding readers through Matthew 5–7 passage by passage, this guide demonstrates that the Sermon on the Mount is not a disorganized collection of sayings, but a series of naturally progressing sections.
“Knowing the Bible brings together a gifted team of Bible teachers to produce a high quality series of study guides. The coordinated focus of these materials is unique: biblical content, provocative questions, systematic theology, practical application, and the gospel story of God’s grace presented all the way through Scripture.”
—Philip Graham Ryken, President, Wheaton College
Knowing the Bible: Parables of Jesus: A 12-Week Study
In The Parables of Jesus, Douglas Sean O'Donnell helps readers study some of Jesus's most famous narrative parables—including the good Samaritan, the prodigal son, and the rich fool—and understand their place in the storyline of Scripture.
“What a gift to earnest, Bible-loving, Bible-searching believers! The organization and structure of the Bible study format presented through the Knowing the Bible series is so well conceived. Students of the Word are led to understand the content of passages through perceptive, guided questions, and they are given rich insights and application along the way in the brief but illuminating sections that conclude each study. What potential growth in depth and breadth of understanding these studies offer. One can only pray that vast numbers of believers will discover more of God and the beauty of his Word through these rich studies.”
—Bruce A. Ware, T. Rupert and Lucille Coleman Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary