September 2021 New Releases
New Books
Below is a list of the new and notable resources releasing from Crossway this month. Titles include The Death of Porn by Ray Ortlund and Good News of Great Joy by John Piper.
The Death of Porn: Men of Integrity Building a World of Nobility
Pornography may seem inescapable, but God can free us from its destructive power. The gospel replaces the dehumanizing lies of pornography with this surprising truth: God created us as royalty. How then can we reclaim our God-given identity to take a stand against—and ultimately starve—the predatory porn industry?
In The Death of Porn, Ray Ortlund writes six personal letters, as from a father to his son. Ideal for individuals and small groups, it will give hope to men who have been misled by porn into devaluing themselves and others. Through Scripture and personal stories, Ortlund assures readers that God loves them the most tenderly in their moments of deepest shame. The Death of Porn inspires men to come together in new ways to fight the injustice of porn and build a world of nobility for every man and woman—for the sake of future generations.
“The subject of pornography tends to be embarrassing and can evoke feelings of helplessness and shame. Ray Ortlund refuses to pile onto that shame, and he wants you to know you’re not helpless. Like a loving and compassionate father, he calls us to freedom, to a better life, and to the death of porn’s grip on our imaginations that robs us of the true and beautiful intimacy our souls desperately hunger for.”
—Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor, The Village Church, Dallas, Texas; President, Acts 29 Church Planting Network; author, The Mingling of Souls and The Explicit Gospel
Good News of Great Joy: 25 Devotional Readings for Advent
Come, let us adore him. This beloved Advent refrain captures the heart of the season. Advent is for adoring Jesus. It is a season of preparation to ready our hearts for the glory of Christmas Day as we celebrate the coming of the eternal God in our frail humanity. These twenty-five short devotional readings from John Piper aim to help you keep Christ at the center of the Advent season.
“Good News of Great Joy brings within our reach a fresh discovery of the glory of Christmas. What a relief, for busy people like every one of us, to sit down for 10 minutes each day in Advent and think about Jesus our Savior—and rest, rejoice, revive!”
—Ray Ortlund, Pastor to Pastors, Immanuel Church, Nashville, Tennessee
Deeper: Real Change for Real Sinners
How do Christians grow? Few question the call of the Bible to grow in godliness, but the answer to exactly how this happens is often elusive.
In this book, Dane Ortlund points believers to Christ, making the case that sanctification does not happen by doing more or becoming better, but by going deeper into the wondrous gospel truths that washed over them when they were first united to him.
Drawing on wisdom from figures throughout church history, Ortlund encourages readers to fix their gaze on Jesus in the battle against sin, casting themselves upon his grace and living out their invincible identity in Christ.
“This lovely, easy-to-read primer by Dane Ortlund grounds our discipleship in the glowing center of Christianity—our Lord Jesus. It’s easy to think that as we grow as Christians, we move on to ‘higher things’ (whatever that means!), when in fact we simply need to learn the beauty and depth of Jesus and all that he’s done for us. That’s what Ortlund helps us do here. This book will bless you!”
—Paul E. Miller, author, A Praying Life and J-Curve: Dying and Rising with Jesus in Everyday Life
How Does God Change Us?
As followers of Christ, we long to grow in godliness, but we often find ourselves stuck. Sin runs deep, we continue to fail, and we are easily tempted to give up. It doesn’t have to be that way.
In How Does God Change Us?, Dane Ortlund explains how those united to Jesus Christ do not need to look anywhere but to Christ himself for real growth. We change by going deeper into the same truths that saved us in the first place. With timeless counsel from historical Christian figures, Ortlund shows you how to get traction in your spiritual walk, experience real change, and live out your invincible identity in Christ.
Jesus said that our greatest ‘work’ is to believe. As much as any living author, Dane Ortlund has helped me to believe again by reacquainting me with the stunning tenderness and beauty of Jesus. As I read his words, I can sense my heart growing in trust, devotion, and godly affections, grounded in the Savior’s love for me. In this incredibly helpful, pastoral book, Dane works out the implications of that vision of Jesus for personal growth, showing us how the key to going further with Jesus is going deeper in his finished work.”
—J. D. Greear, Lead Pastor, The Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
When Words Matter Most
Cheryl Marshall and Caroline Newheister
You may sense your loved ones need to hear biblical encouragement or advice but, feeling inadequate for the task, you might simply commiserate or say nothing. God calls you to something more.
In When Words Matter Most, Cheryl Marshall and Caroline Newheiser help you discern spiritual needs and give biblical, heartfelt guidance. Through real-life stories and carefully chosen Scripture passages, they model what to say to those who are worried, weary, wayward, or weeping. You’ll learn how to speak truth to others in your sphere of influence and strengthen the body of Christ as a whole.
“When Words Matter Most is a thoroughly practical and biblical book to help you speak the truth in love to others caught up in a variety of struggles. This book is engaging and very helpful. I highly recommend it.”
—Martha Peace, biblical counselor; author, The Excellent Wife
ESV Expository Commentary: Deuteronomy–Ruth (Volume 2)
Series edited by Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton, Jr., and Jay Sklar
Designed to strengthen the global church with a widely accessible, theologically sound, and pastorally wise resource for understanding and applying the overarching storyline of the Bible, this commentary series features the full text of the ESV Bible passage by passage, with crisp and theologically rich exposition and application. Editors Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton, and Jay Sklar have gathered a team of experienced pastor-theologians to provide a new generation of pastors and other teachers of the Bible around the world with a globally-minded commentary series rich in biblical theology and broadly Reformed doctrine, making the message of redemption found in all of Scripture clear and available to all.
With contributions from a team of pastors and scholars, this commentary’s contributors include:
August H. Konkel (Deuteronomy)
David Reimer (Joshua)
Miles V. Van Pelt (Judges)
Mary Willson Hannah (Ruth)
“The ESV Expository Commentary will be a welcome addition to the toolbox of those who are committed to expounding the inerrant and infallible Word of God. It is biblically sound, theologically faithful, and practically helpful. I look forward to using it in my own preaching and teaching ministry.”
—Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
ESV Expository Commentary: Matthew–Luke (Volume 8)
Series edited by Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton, Jr., and Jay Sklar
Contributors to this volume include:
Dan Doriani (Matthew)
Hans F. Bayer (Mark)
Thomas R. Schreiner (Luke)
“The ESV Expository Commentary is one of the best, most useful building blocks for a Bible teacher’s basic library. Readily accessible to lay readers and at the same time sufficiently learned to assist experienced expositors, this twelve-volume set seems destined to become a standard Bible reference tool for serious students of Scripture around the world.”
—Philip Graham Ryken, President, Wheaton College