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The Christian Difference is an easy-to-read comparative based on content from experts and from actual sacred texts of the various world religions and global cults/sects. Various writers describe the non-Christian religions respectfully and accurately while making the case that Christianity is uniquely blessed by the one true God and beneficial to humanity. Includes: - Christianity (Protestant/Catholic/Orthodox) - Judaism - Islam - Hinduism - Buddhism - Sikhism - Shintoism - Confucianism and Daoism - Mormonism - Jehovah's Witnesses - Scientology - Atheism/Agnosticism/Skepticism The Christian Difference helps Christians understand other world religions so that Christians can defend their faith and reach out to others with the Gospel.

All educators have stories-stories of standardized tests, distracted students, and late-night grading. But Christian educators have additional stories of teaching creationism, praying in the classroom, and integrating faith into lessons.Using the power of story, the authors invite you to grapple with critical issues in contemporary education. Each chapter sets forth a fictional Christian school setting and real-world example, and then asks open-ended discussion questions for anyone involved in education to consider and apply to their own experience.

The concept of "having enough" is one that is not often experienced. If I only had more money . . . more success . . . more time . . . then I would be fulfilled. Yet even when more is attained, it rarely satisfies. It is not "enough."An eight-lesson women's Bible study, Enough for Now explores the idea of "enough" through the study of Scripture-specifically the parable of the rich fool, personal stories, and practical exercises. Over the course of the lessons, women will discover how to escape the insatiable quest for more by finding their "enough" in God.

We fear death. Dread it. Seek to avoid it.Death wasn't part of God's original design for humanity; it's an unfortunate reality of living in a fallen world. It feels unnatural because it is.But Christ has conquered death; it has no hold over us. In death, Christ becomes our all in all as we live forever in communion with Him. In light of this promise that is sealed in our Baptism, we can live this impermanent life as an act of bold confession, trust, and hope.This six-session Bible study examines the role the physical body plays in life and death, the experience of dying, and the nature of the new creation and our resurrected bodies.

A wellspring of hope, comfort, and encouragement, Luther's Small Catechism has served as a devotional for centuries. Families and individuals have relied on the simple truths presented in it to guide their time spent in the Word and prayer. Devotions on the Small Catechism builds on the Catechism's historical use and enhances its Gospel-centered message. Each section of the Catechism is supplemented with a related quote from Martin Luther, and a short devotion from a contemporary author connects the catechetical writing with daily life.

In this life, we'll never be perfect.We take one step toward perfection and two steps back, losing confidence in ourselves with each movement. We might lose patience with ourselves-can't we just be perfect already!?-but God gently smiles and continues walking with us.While you can't know all that God plans to do with and for you, you can trust in His perfect plan and His will for you in this life. God is slowly but consistently sanctifying you. He is patient with you. He loves you. And He declares you perfect in Christ.

Society has much to say about the value of human life, especially when it comes to topics such as abortion, cloning, and the government's role in such decisions. This voice tends to devalue human life. But the ultimate answer to all such issues comes from God's Word, in which humanity is given great dignity and worth, and embraced by God's grace and love. Grounded in God's Word, a collection of essays from Lutherans for Life, examines Scripture to cut through the confusion, and offers exceptional pro-life commentary that can be used by every Christian involved in every aspect of the pro-life movement.

If you call yourself a "Christian," what does that really mean? Is it simply a name you give yourself, or does it affect how you live your life? In Clearly Christian, author A. Trevor Sutton addresses many common misconceptions surrounding the Christian faith. The book takes on the swarm of misinformation in this age of confusion, helping readers see how being a follower of Jesus means clearly articulating your faith and living as such.

Just five months after Martin Luther published his Ninety-Five Theses, thirteen-year-old Philipp was declared Landgrave of Hesse, ruler of one of the most powerful principalities of the Holy Roman Empire.During his forty- nine-year reign, he proved a divisive leader-he boldly promoted the Reformation but was openly married to two wives at the same time, against the advice of Luther and other theologians. He ruled his land well but ignored sage advice from friends.Some people admired Philipp as a hero. Others despised him as scandalous. However he was viewed, one thing was for sure: God was able to use Philipp's leadership skills to unite the Reformation movement and allow it to grow.This comprehensive look at the life and role of Philipp invites readers to take a deeper look at the intertwining history of the Church, the Reformation, and politics.

When a famine struck Jerusalem, Paul led the entire Gentile mission to take up a collection for starving Christians as a corporate, churchly act. He saw the sharing of one's possessions with the needy in the Body of Christ as a tangible demonstration of unity and love in the Church.Knowledge of this great collection is vital for anyone who desires to get something real done in the Church on behalf of Christ. As we, the Body of Christ, seek to attend to both the physical and spiritual needs of our brothers and sisters, we do well to model our giving after the example of those who have gone before us in the faith.This applicable book with in-depth study questions would serve any church well as a congregational study as they seek to care for the needy in their community.

Many women don't talk about miscarriages. They feel a heavy weight of sadness, shame, and fear. And yet, many women close to them - sisters, mothers, friends, coworkers, neighbors - experience the same silent grief. Author Kathryn Ziegler Weber wants to break the silence about miscarriage. Through vignettes from real women, she and the brave women who shared their stories bring God's Word into reader's unspoken story of grief, providing comfort and reassurance. Answering questions like "What if my baby wasn't baptized?" and "Why doesn't my husband understand?", Never Forsaken wiill give comfort to grieving mothers and understanding to those who haven't experienced miscarriage themselves.

The vast majority of Christian teens know that sex outside of marriage is wrong. But young men and women hear statements every day that slowly convince them that premarital sex isn't a big deal: As long as you use protection, it's okay. Sex is part of growing up. It makes sense financially to live together. Sleeping together is how you know you're compatible before marriage. Parents, pastors, and youth leaders want to address this hot-topic issue, but they often feel nervous, defeated, or embarrassed. Talking about sexual integrity and purity isn't easy - but Sexuality Mentality makes it a little easier. Author Heather Ruesch has years of experience as a pregnancy center advocate and abstinence educator, as well as a parent herself. In this book, she shares her own personal trial and error, leaving readers feeling confident, equipped, and ready to dive into the once difficult and uncomfortable conversations about purity.

There was a time when Simon knew nothing about the Message or what it meant to be a Messenger. Now, he's seen firsthand the cost of preserving the truth and upholding the light in the darkness.Simon's life is in constant danger, and that brings peril to those he loves. He's been beaten, battered, and betrayed. Now, he struggles with knowing whom he can trust. How can he protect others when he's already lost so much?Time is running out, and the end is drawing near. Who will survive the battle to preserve the Message?There's a truth out there that must be revealed. Join Simon and the Messengers as they risk their lives to share it.Book three of The Messengers series.

Drs. Bull and Pingel invite you to travel with them around the world, visiting different Lutheran schools that are growing, innovating, and thriving in a culture that challenges Christian education.Each of the eleven case studies in this book looks at a successful school, delving into its background and history, challenges and opportunities, goals and outcomes. Far from a step-by-step recipe for success, Imagine the Possibilities will expand your awareness of the vast potential in Christian education and provide you with ideas to consider implementing in your school.May these examples inspire you to create your own compelling story of a thriving Lutheran school, wherever God has called you to serve.

The Lutheran Prayer Companion is the first-ever English translation of the German Evangelical-Lutheran Prayer Treasury, featuring prayers written by Luther and other church fathers.Nearly 500 prayers that cover almost any situation, every Sunday in the Church Year, and each day of the weekMore than 100 hymn textsTopical prayer indexWhen you don't have the words to pray, when you feel unsure in your prayers, when you are struggling to pray-turn to these prayers rooted deeply in God's Word. These prayers will certainly enhance your prayer life, draw you closer to your Savior, and inspire your own prayers.

Packed full of ideas on how elders can become effective and caring representatives of their churches, The Caring Elder serves a dual purpose: A training tool in elder meetingsA reference guide for elders to use in personal studyElders need more than a handshake to welcome them into their roles. The Caring Elder provides clear directions for the proper training of elders, and easy-to-follow instructions for effectively extending their ministry.The book offers 200 Bible readings, prayers, personal diary pages, and devotions on the role of the elder.

Explore the social, economic, and religious life of the early Lutherans of Perry County, Missouri. The author describes formative events and people such as the founding of Concordia Seminary and the leadership of C. F. W. Walther. Making use of rare manuscripts, Walther O. Forster paints a vivid picture of the lives of men and women who sacrificed much to preserve their rich Lutheran heritage.

The history of the Church-and in particular, the Reformation of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries-is a fascinating subject of study. While individuals such as Martin Luther and John Calvin stand out, there are certainly other, though perhaps lesser-known, characters who left their own significant marks on history.John Frederick the Magnanimous was one such character.This biography of the Saxon elector who ruled from 1532 to 1547 is the first-ever English translation of Georg Mentz's original biography of John Frederick. Featuring abundant coverage of the elector's life and the political issues he faced, this biography also provides useful background for the study of Luther's later years, as well as a description of the Smalcald War following Luther's death.

We live in a godless culture. What are we to do when the faith of the next generation is threatened and challenged? We respond by embracing godly character.Embracing godly character means exploring how to center our lives on God's Word and promises. It means learning how the Christian community of old responded to similar cultural challenges. And it means being rooted in the identity God has given us through Christ.Parents and other faith leaders within the Christian community are essential to raising godly families, and that begins with starting a conversation about the role that character formation plays in equipping the next generation to stand firm in the faith-for now and for generations to come.

The distinction between the Law and the Gospel is an often-overlooked necessity when comprehending Scripture. Law and Gospel are not meant to be balanced or coordinated; rather, they should be rightly distinguished. This distinction is not a theoretical abstraction but a functional necessity for preaching and pastoral care lest sinners be left with their own attempts at righteousness, which can lead only to arrogance or despair.The thirteen exploratory essays in The Necessary Distinction work through the implications of this distinction for preaching, pastoral care, liturgy, mission, and Christian living. Each essay will draw readers into a deep look at the Holy Scriptures so that Christ Jesus is preached with greater clarity and broken sinners are given the full consolation of the forgiveness of sins.

The Church is no longer the darling of the culture. Those who have the courage to confess the Bible's truths are labeled haters, enemies of culture, and hurtful to the state. The adversarial relationship between our culture and Christians is not unlike the one faced by our fathers in the earliest days of the Church.But the Bible was written in a cultural situation far worse than the one we face today. When we begin to fear that Satan is triumphing, we must hear our Lord tell us that He will build His Church, "and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). So even though it seems like Satan is winning, Christ promises that the devil will not prevail.Each sermon and essay in this volume testifies to the power of Christ's promise to defend His Church. The Word of God does what it says, and the gates of hell will never prevail against the kingdom of Christ, the Church. Christ promises.

Technology influences every part of society-it shapes the way we think, speak, and act. In our increasingly technology-centered world, we must realize the impact of technology and make deliberate, intentional choices about how we use it.As Christians, we will always face challenges and opportunities in this digital age. At the intersection of faith and life, we must seek a biblical perspective about technology-for today and for tomorrow.

The faithful practice of closed Communion is challenged in our day both culturally and ecclesiastically. As Western culture careens down a path of individualism and autonomy, the privatization of faith leads many to regard participation in the Sacrament as a matter of personal entitlement.But the issue of admission to the Lord's Supper is neither a matter of personal entitlement nor based on notions of being a welcoming and affirming church. Rather, it entails questions regarding both the nature of the Sacrament and of the character of the Church.The essays brought together in Closed Communion? Admission to the Lord's Supper in Biblical Lutheran Perspective are both old and new. Taken together, they bear testimony to a common Lutheran conviction and serve to assist both pastors and laity in understanding the biblical and confessional basis for closed Communion.