In 1937, on the threshold of Nazi Germany's war on the world, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote what turned out to be one of the most influential books of the century, "The Cost of Discipleship." In it, he challenged the faulty faith and compromises of German Christians, famously writing, "When Christ calls a man he bids him come and die." Now, eighty-two years after the book was first published, Charles Craig Lantz writes on Dietrich Bonhoeffer's doctrine of Grace. Lantz examines Bonhoeffer's doctrine of grace in his academic works, books, and life. Bonhoeffer complained that the Nazi German Church had proclaimed a "cheap grace." The Church in 2019 is not much different. Bonhoeffer spoke as prophet in his times and prophetically denounced the Church for preaching "cheap grace." If Bonhoeffer were alive today, he would say the same thing about the condition of the Church in 2019 Grace is a foundational doctrine for Christians, yet it is one of the most misunderstood. Bonhoeffer watched as many used the doctrine of grace as an excuse to do whatever they wanted, and in response, he wrote his classic work on what it truly means to follow Jesus. We cheapen grace, he declared, when we use it to compromise our behavior or to lower the standards of God's Word. In this examination of Bonhoeffer's doctrine of grace, Lantz explains what Bonhoeffer meant when he taught that grace is free but will cost us everything. Therefore, grace is not cheap.
It is imperative in the day and age in which we live (2024) that Christian leaders understand the law as it relates to Pastors, Churches, and non-profit religious organizations. Christian Leaders must have an understanding of the laws affecting Pastors, and why they are important for Church boards and ministers to know. Craig Lantz, PhD uses court cases to help define and explain the legal distinction of ministerial status and its implications for Pastors and Church boards. This brief and concise handbook on Church Law addresses clergy employment contracts, compensation, termination, legal privileges and conditions of ministers, and the legal authority of ministers on behalf of the Church. Also, the more common theories of clergy legal liability are examined. The laws of today are more complex than they ever have been, and lawyers are in the business of making "BIG BUCKS." They do this because, unfortunately, many Pastors and Church leaders are ignorant about the law. There are NOW more legal problems and lawsuits against Churches than in any period of history. Therefore, it is imperative that ministers and leaders are aware of legal issues, and potential problems that can come their way if they are not careful in handling Church members, non-members, and counseling situations, in particular. Church leaders must become aware of the potential legal problems that can result from relationships with parishioners, as well as legal problems with employees. Pastor, beware of the dangers that are lurking in the world of Lawyers, Politicians, Judges, local county and state governments, as some have been corrupted. Every Pastor, Full-Time Church Leader, and Christian Minister needs to purchase a copy of this concise handbook on Church Law.
Christian Apologetics is just that: 'Christian.' It is about defending the essential 'Christian beliefs' that both Jews and Gentiles have held dear and bet their lives upon--the revelation of God through Jesus Christ. In case you have not noticed, the faith is under attack. God is raising up believers to be equipped to give an answer intelligently for their faith. You see, the days have long been gone where you can tell your skeptical non-believing friends "the Bible tells me so." That's no longer sufficient to convince them to place their faith in a book that is ancient and challenges their lifestyles. Yes, my friend, those days are long gone. We are living in the post-Christian world where anything goes, and IF you're going to stand up for the TRUTH you better be able to speak intelligently OR you're going to get laughed out of the room. Now a word on apologetics. The word is from the Greek word "apologia" which means speaking in defense of. Have you ever been picked on as a kid in grade school and about to get the snot beat out of you, but your best friend stepped in and helped you beat their butts? That best friend that stepped to your aid so that you would not get disgraced and beat up is what apologetics is for the Christian. Christian Apologetics will come to your aid intellectually and will teach you how to defend our Lord and His Word Too many Christians on college and university campuses are getting 'bloody noses' because they got into a battle with a non-believer who was able to pick apart their belief in God, Jesus, and the Bible. Secular humanists have become very good at debunking the belief in God and universities are full of professors that will pick on the Christians in the lecture class, make fun and humiliate Christians, and make them look like stupid idiots for believing in Jesus and the Bible. In light of this, Christian Apologetics is going to become your new 'best friend.' Apologetics is going to be the friend that shows up to assist you so that you don't get creamed by your opponent. As Christians, it is imperative that we are able to defend our faith and even expose the foolishness of the nonbeliever. This book will systematically deliver to you lectures on Christian Apologetics to equip you so that you can properly defend your belief in God.
This handbook on Christian Apologetics is intended to be put into the hands of those who are unfamiliar with the subject. Apologetics is derived from the Greek word apologia which means "speaking in defense." When discussing the subject of Apologetics Christians are not APOLOGIZING for their faith. Rather, Christians are called to give a defense for what they believe. I Peter 3:15-16 states, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed" (NKJV). This book contains 3 essays for beginners and will explore the basic foundations of Apologetics. As Christians, it is imperative that we are prepared to be able to defend our faith rationally and intelligently to a post-Christian culture that is in need of intelligent answers for WHY Christians believe WHAT they believe. This handbook will provide the necessary tools to equip you to be able to know and defend your belief in GOD as the creator, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the authenticity of the Scriptures, and will examine philosophically WHY it is more reasonable to believe than to be a skeptic.
This clear and concise handbook on the historical development of Christian doctrine and theology will be brief concise and get to the "heart" of the important people and events that have shaped the history of the Church. This historical sketch will give you a snap shot of 2000 years exploring all of the leaders, events, and main churches that have emerged as a result of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of His people. The book is 35 chapters long, however, the author has written a short version that is a little more than a 100 pages. An easy read in a couple of sittings. "The church has unfolded in many forms, and no one single external form stands alone as the CORRECT visible expression. As the church settled in various geographical areas and as it penetrated through a variety of cultures, it found expression in multifaceted forms. Thus, the insistence that the church must exist in a single form is a denial not only of the richness of creation, but also of the complexities of the human response." ― Robert Webber, Common Roots. "Church History is the record of God's gracious, wonderful and mighty deeds, showing how by his Spirit and Word he rules his Church and conquers the world." ― Nils Forsander, Life Pictures
This concise handbook is called PRACTICAL APOLOGETICS because it will give you a TOOLBOX of practical tools to use as you live your life, and seek to reach others for Christ and share your faith. We all the know the slogan "Knowledge Is Power" this has become a cultural truism. Here is another slogan that is true: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." Both of these slogans are true. Knowledge is power but it has to applied at the right time, in the right setting, and with the right people, in terms of using apologetics to advance the Kingdom of God in the lives of those who do not share the same Christian worldview that you have. This 200 page book is filled with facts, truths, principles, and wisdom that has come for having effectively worked with college and university students for over 20 years primarily at Michigan State University (1984-2004). Apologetics will only be a useful tool if you know "when" to get that tool out of your toolbox and apply your tool in the right situation. This takes skill and wisdom and you must have the proper heart towards people that you are practicing your apologetic "tools" with. This handbook is a MUST read for anyone who is serious about sharing their faith with others.
