Gods Wider Presence

What are we to make of those occasional yet illuminating experiences of God's presence that occur outside both church and Scripture? We may encounter God's revelatory presence as we experience a beautiful sunset, the birth of a child, or a work of art, music, or literature. While theologians have tended to describe such experiences abstractly as mere traces or echoes, those involved often recognize such moments of transcendence as transformative. Here senior theologian Robert Johnston explores how Christians should think theologically about God's wider revelatory presence that is mediated outside the church through creation, conscience, and culture. The book offers a robust, constructive biblical theology of general revelation, rooting its insights in the broader Trinitarian work of the Spirit. Drawing in part from the author's theological engagement with film and the arts, the book helps Christians understand personal moments of experiencing God's transcendence and accounts for revelatory experiences of those outside the believing community. It also shows how God's revelatory presence can impact our interaction with nonbelievers and those of other faiths.

In an age when the church is sometimes viewed as irrelevant and inauthentic, leading Pentecostal theologian Terry Cross calls the people of God to a radical change of structure and mission based on theological principles. Cross, whose work is respected by scholars from across the ecumenical landscape, offers an introduction to ecclesiology that demonstrates how Pentecostals can contribute to and learn from the church catholic. A forthcoming volume by the author, Serving the People of God's Presence, will focus on the role of leadership in the church.

The main aim of this book is to provide an answer to the question: is there a connection between God's people's praise and God's presence? The central argument is that Scripture in both Testaments testifies to a correlation between human praise and divine presence. This hypothesis has been investigated in the light of contemporary Christian worship culture and the ensuing need for further biblical studies, which represents the background for this investigation. The study achieves the above aim by applying biblical theology as a discipline and canonical and intertextual models as a method.

Explores how teachings of the church fathers can be applied today, despite the differences in our intellectual and ecclesial environments.

An essential feature of religious experience across many cultures is the intuitive feeling of God's presence. More than any rituals or doctrines, it is this experience that anchors religious faith, yet it has been largely ignored in the scientific literature on religion.Starting with a vivid narrative account of the life-threatening hike that triggered his own mystical experience, biologist John Wathey takes the reader on a scientific journey to find the sources of religious feeling and the illusion of God's presence. His book delves into the biological origins of this compelling feeling, attributing it to innate neural circuitry that evolved to promote the mother-child bond. Dr. Wathey argues that evolution has programmed the infant brain to expect the presence of a loving being who responds to the child's needs. As the infant grows into adulthood, this innate feeling is eventually transferred to the realm of religion, where it is reactivated through the symbols, imagery, and rituals of worship. The author interprets our various conceptions of God in biological terms as illusory supernormal stimuli that fill an emotional and cognitive vacuum left over from infancy. These insights shed new light on some of the most vexing puzzles of religion, like the popular belief in a god who is judgmental and punishing, yet also unconditionally loving; the extraordinary tenacity of faith; the greater religiosity of women relative to men; religious obsessions with sex; the mysterious compulsion to pray; the seemingly irrepressible feminine attributes of God, even in traditionally patriarchal religions; and the strange allure of cults. Finally, Dr. Wathey considers the hypothesis that religion evolved to foster reproductive success, arguing that, in an age of potentially ruinous overpopulation, magical thinking has become a luxury we can no longer afford, one that distracts us from urgent threats to our planet.Deeply researched yet elegantly written in a jargon-free and accessible style, this book presents a compelling interpretation of the evolutionary origins of spirituality and religion.

This is a revelatory book that Bill Vincent has released to be a help to those who want a deeper hunger for the things of God. Desperate for God's Presence is sure to stir up all who take it and apply it to their lives. Everywhere we look, the Church is in desperate need to get a passion for God's Presence. After writing a five book series on the presence of God, Bill has learned that there is always more. No matter where you are in the things of God you need more of Him. We Pray that this book will cause you to hunger for what God has available in His Presence. As you read this book you will… . • Be changed by God's Presence. • Get revelation of how atmospheres are important in experiencing the Presence of God. • Learn how to have your own encounters. • See Revival impact our lives, churches, families, schools, governments and businesses today! • Understand that obedience is always key to God's Presence and so much more.

Jessicah Krey Duckworth presents the stark differences between the established congregation, which cares for current members and congregational identity, and the disestablished one, which gains purpose and identity in the task of relating to the newcomer. By allowing the questions, insights, and experiences of newcomers to reverberate through the entire congregation, both they and the church are changed. Wide Welcome does far more than point out the faults and weaknesses in current practice. Duckworth intentionally lays out possible designs for newcomer welcome that are local and particular. Book jacket.

Dallas Willard explores what it means to live well now in light of God's kingdom. This book is adapted from the talks given at the February 2013 Dallas Willard Center "Knowing Christ Today" conference. Each chapter is followed with an illuminating dialogue between Dallas Willard and John Ortberg.

Desperate for His Presence will help intercessors, pastors, and leaders tap into God's heart for churches and cities, in order to bring about city-wide revival. As the church rekindles her passion for her first love, Jesus Christ, the book will become a true agent of transformation. From her experiences in Argentina and Guildford, England, Rhonda Hughey, director of City Transformation Ministry at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, relates what happens to cities when churches are radically transformed by the passion of Christ.

This 365-day devotional features two readings for every day--one for morning and one for evening. The unique crafting and blending of words and illustrations will appeal to readers of all ages, applying biblical wisdom to the challenges of today. With imitation leather binding and a ribbon marker, this treasury of meditations is perfect for any gift-giving occasion.