Outreach Resources of the Year: Theology and Biblical Studies
Now in its 17th year, the 2020 Outreach Resources of the Year honors the past year’s best books that emphasize outreach-oriented ideas and ministries.
The theology and biblical studies category was evaluated by Scot McKnight, author or editor of some 60 books and the Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Lombard, Illinois.
RESOURCE OF THE YEAR
Paul and the Language of Faith by Nijay K. Gupta (Eerdmans)
Everything about outreach is rooted in what one thinks the proper response to the gospel is. Recent years have shown that a simplistic, perfunctory “I receive” does not square with Jesus’ calls to discipleship or the apostolic summons to follow Christ in the context of the early house church movement. “Faith,” as explained carefully and clearly by Gupta, is more than reception. The term—Christianity’s most important term of response to God’s revelation in Christ—falls between believing faith, where it is cognitive and mental assent, and obeying faith, where it is volitional, practical and even social and thus can mean embodied allegiance and loyalty. Anyone sharing the gospel will benefit from a careful consideration of this important new book.
ALSO RECOMMENDED
For the Life of the World: Theology That Makes a Difference by Miroslav Volf and Matthew Croasmun (Brazos/Baker)
A wonderful, accessible explanation of the value of theology, not just for thinking, but also for living.
The Mosaic of Atonement: An Integrated Approach to Christ’s Work by Joshua M. McNall (Zondervan)
The gospel we preach is rooted in the atonement we believe, and this book offers a readable, up-to-date integrated approach that avoids the pitfalls of reducing atonement to one theory.
Justification: Two-Volume Set by Michael Horton (Zondervan)
The battle continues in this systematician’s robust recitation of the Reformed theory of justification.
Additional theology and biblical studies resources are available at outreachmagazine.com/theology.