New Releases: June 25, 2009

Knowing Christ Today
Dallas Willard
Harper Collins, June 2009
In the tradition of Mere Christianity, author and Renovare staff member Dallas Willard, presents a rational case for the Christian faith in our day. In Knowing Christ Today, he argues that spiritual truths are as a reliable body of knowledge as philosophy or science and form a trustworthy source of wisdom. Each chapter includes discussion questions for group study.



Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions
Mark Driscoll
Crossway Books, June 2009
After 343,203 online votes on the Mars Hill Church website, nine questions for Pastor Mark Driscoll emerged as the ones most urgently calling for answers. Inspired by 1 Corinthians, in which Paul answers a series of questions posed by the people in the Corinthian church, Pastor Mark Driscoll set out to determine the most controversial questions among visitors to the Mars Hill Church website. In the end, 893 questions were asked and 343,203 votes were cast. The top nine questions are now each answered in a chapter of Religion Saves. After an introductory chapter devoted to the misconception that religion is what saves us, Driscoll tackles nine issues: birth control, humor, predestination, grace, sexual sin, faith and works, dating, the emerging church, and the regulative principle. Because the purpose of this book is to address commonly asked questions, all readers will find relevant, engaging material, written in Driscoll's distinctively edgy, yet theologically sound style.


What Bothers Me Most About Christianity
Ed Gungor
Simon and Schuster, May 2009
A Provocative Discussion on the Messiness of Faith. It may seem odd that an avowed Christ follower would write a whole book on the bothersome aspects of Christianity. But if we're honest, we can't ignore the fact that some things about Christianity are just plain messy. Without fear or hesitation, Ed Gungor joins the discussion generated by the multitude of atheistic books, as he explores the most difficult aspects of the Christian faith, including...

Why doesn't God just show Himself?

Why does a loving God allow evil in His world?

If the Christian faith is so good, why are some Christians so bad?

Why was God so harsh during Old Testament times?

Why is the Christian faith so exclusive?

Maintaining that faith is not intellectual suicide and that mystery is an essential quality of the Christian belief, Gungor speaks with reason, candor, and a touch of humor to thinking people on both sides of the debate.


What's Happening to My Teen?
Mark Gregston
Harvest House Publishers, May 2009
More often than not, teens who behave inappropriately are not rebelling; they’re just responding the best way they know how to life’s challenges. In What’s Happening to My Teen?, youth specialist Mark Gregston contends that all too often parents spend so much time correcting their teen that they forget the teen’s greater need for connection. If parents spent more time trying to understand rather than trying to change behavior, they would see a transformation in their teen’s attitudes and actions. What’s Happening to My Teen? offers wise counsel that will help parents of teens succeed at one of the most difficult tasks they’ve ever encountered. As they draw from Gregston’s expertise, parents will become better equipped to:

• respond constructively to the inevitable conflict
• recognize when their teen’s behavior is rebellion and when it’s not
• avoid words and actions that provoke their teen
• create a safe environment that promotes truth and open communication

For parents concerned about their teen’s behavior, this book provides the scriptural insight and the skills they need to see their family thrive during those challenging teen years.

Life is Beautiful
Press Play
EMI Records, May 2009
Weaving strands of pop, rock, and worship styles, the debut from Press Play bursts with energy, excitement, and devotion to the Lord. Life Is Beautiful features guest spots from Darlene Zschech and Lil iROCC. Audio clips from this product are available to listen to before you purchase - just click on the track title to play the clip.


Take Two
Karen Kingsbury
Zondervan, June 2009
The second book in the Above the Line series finds independent filmmakers Chase Ryan and Keith Ellison at the center of Hollywood wheeling and dealing. The two friends discover that all that glitters is not gold—and that success in Tinsel Town could cost them everything—their relationships as well as their ideals. Filmmakers Chase Ryan and Keith Ellison have completed their first feature film, and Hollywood is buzzing with the news. In the wake of that excitement, the producers acquire rights to a novel that has all the ingredients they want for their next project. At the same time they cross paths with a well-connected player who introduces them to the right people, and suddenly every studio in town wants to talk to Chase and Keith. The producers’ dreams are on the verge of coming true, but Chase’s marriage is strained and Keith’s daughter — Andi Ellison — is making questionable choices in her quest for stardom. The producers are gaining respect and are on the verge of truly changing culture through the power of film — but is the change worth the cost?