Kirjahaku

These pages guide Bible readers through the sacred text in one Christian Year. They are enabled to read in a way that brings understanding, resources for spiritual growth, and guidance for sharing the good news, whether personal evangelism or pulpit proclamation. Christians believe that the Bible reflects reliably God's will and ways for believers. The actual reading practice of most Christians, however, falls short of this grand goal. Presented here is a fresh reading plan for addressing this hurtful failure. There's no way to be a mature Christian and remain biblically illiterate.

"Many of us have been waiting for this autobiography. Here is an unusually gifted and dedicated man who has done it all-preaching, pastoring, teaching and leading a college and seminary, and writing forty books of Christian theology, history, spirituality, biography, and three novels. With untiring devotion and creativity, Barry has served his university, denomination, congregation, the Wesleyan Theological Society, and Horizon International (ministry to AIDS orphans in Africa). As founding editor of Anderson University Press, Barry has assisted others with their own significant writings. In these pages, he covers the full scope of his personal journey, one that touches the stories of so many other people (see the Index )." Gene W. Newberry, Former Professor and Dean Emeritus of Anderson University School of Theology"The opportunity to see into the life of Barry Callen is a wonderful chance to see how God mightily uses a willing heart and a competent mind. His thoughtful work as a theologian, professor, and writer is an exemplary model of servant leadership. The impact of his life will benefit church leaders and students for generations to come. It is difficult to imagine any serious engagement with the study of church history, holiness, or church unity without his influence. His impact on the establishment of the Wesleyan Holiness Connection and Aldersgate Press has been considerable." Kevin Mannoia, former bishop of the Free Methodist Church and president of the National Association of Evangelicals, now at Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, and president of the Wesleyan/Holiness Connection

Barry Callen offers a way to think again about the meaning of theology for the contemporary world. He calls for a carefully considered faith that entails an enriched reason that is beyond reason. He pleads for contemporary Christians to develop a perspective on how to think and believe again in the highly secularized West. He argues that it is time in the postmodern world for Christianity to show that it reflects a rational foundation in real history and an emotional intelligence that is transrational (not irrational). He argues that it is important to spell out the implications of postmodernism for the Christian gospel so that the new generations can understand. Callen reminds us that the gospel of Jesus Christ has managed to speak to the longings of people in every previous generation, and the demand for thinking and speaking clearly in the postmodern world is a pressing task for Christianity today.

People readily form religious beliefs out of their imaginations, fears, fantasies, and bloated egos. The paranormal is now nearly the norm in the world of popular entertainment, threatening traditional systems of belief. Are today's "walking dead" real zombies? Are the aliens actually here? What's keeping you awake at night? Are masses of overscheduled and frustrated people spiritually deceased even though still breathing? Who's lurking in the shadows, demons of destruction, a loving God seeking our highest well-being, or nothing but our twisted imaginations? How we fragile humans long for safety, ecstacy, community, meaning, and "salvation." We must beware, however. Numerous charlatans have it all for sale By contrast, there still is the man Jesus who has paid the highest of prices and is offering all we need as a free gift. In him, insists the Christian faith, death has died and we've been set free to be "possessed" by the Spirit of Jesus, thus becoming the living dead. Receiving this gift takes faith, of course, but faith not contrary to reason. In fact, it may be the most reasonable and satisfying thing we could ever do.

People readily form religious beliefs out of their imaginations, fears, fantasies, and bloated egos. The paranormal is now nearly the norm in the world of popular entertainment, threatening traditional systems of belief. Are today's "walking dead" real zombies? Are the aliens actually here? What's keeping you awake at night? Are masses of overscheduled and frustrated people spiritually deceased even though still breathing? Who's lurking in the shadows, demons of destruction, a loving God seeking our highest well-being, or nothing but our twisted imaginations? How we fragile humans long for safety, ecstacy, community, meaning, and "salvation." We must beware, however. Numerous charlatans have it all for sale By contrast, there still is the man Jesus who has paid the highest of prices and is offering all we need as a free gift. In him, insists the Christian faith, death has died and we've been set free to be "possessed" by the Spirit of Jesus, thus becoming the living dead. Receiving this gift takes faith, of course, but faith not contrary to reason. In fact, it may be the most reasonable and satisfying thing we could ever do.

These pages are a personal invitation to join a life-changing journey. They will be giving attention to the whole biblical revelation while walking with Rabbi Jesus and listening humbly to his interpreting Spirit. Everyone has been accepted into the School of the Master All costs are pre-paid for the year by the sheer grace of God. The perspective of this journey through the weeks of the year will be from the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. Nothing would be possible without one fundamental fact. God by nature is Self-revealing. We don't actually find the will and ways of God so much as they find us. The possibility of our learning rests on the fact that our Teacher chooses us to be students of the Divine. He is anxious for us to learn, grow, serve, and eventually graduate. We now know that Jesus was more than a poor man horribly crucified. He also was raised from death and now reigns over all forevermore. Our Rabbi was much more than a man. He was God with us Therefore, as we begin our study of the Scriptures and engage the fifty-two lessons from our Rabbi, here's the key to understanding. We must realize and celebrate the Jesus is the last word Saint Paul wrote about the divine brightness that shines in our hearts "to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6).

Kevin Mannoia ventured into the "messy middle" of contemporary Christianity and became one of the most accomplished spiritual contributors to its health and unity worldwide. A visionary leader with a heart for networking relationships, Kevin has been a living testament to the transformative and unifying power of Christian love. Dr. Callen skillfully weaves the threads of Kevin's life and ministry, creating a tapestry of his thought and impact on individuals and Christian organizations across the world. This chronicle of Christian ministry at its best serves as a compelling witness to the redemptive power of a life lived with passion and purpose for Christ. The Mannoia ministry has been deeply anchored in Christian truth and widely reaching in Christian mission. Thousands of outstanding Christian leaders readily acknowledge personal debt to Dr. Mannoia. Several have provided their personal tributes within, including George Barna, Edward L. Foggs, David L. McKenna, Deana L. Porterfield, and Don Thorsen, representing a host of others from multiple denominations, institutions, and countries.