Ahead of the 400th anniversary of the first Thanksgiving, a new look at the Plymouth colony’s founding events, told for the first time with Wampanoag people at the heart of the story.

In March 1621, when Plymouth’s survival was hanging in the balance, the Wampanoag sachem (or chief), Ousamequin (Massasoit), and Plymouth’s governor, John Carver, declared their people’s friendship for each other and a commitment to mutual defense. Later that autumn, the English gathered their first successful harvest and lifted the specter of starvation. Ousamequin and 90 of his men then visited Plymouth for the “First Thanksgiving.” The treaty remained operative until King Philip’s War in 1675, when 50 years of uneasy peace between the two parties would come to an end.

400 years after that famous meal, historian David J. Silverman sheds profound new light on the events that led to the creation, and bloody dissolution, of this alliance. Focusing on the Wampanoag Indians, Silverman deepens the narrative to consider tensions that developed well before 1620 and lasted long after the devastating war-tracing the Wampanoags’ ongoing struggle for self-determination up to this very day. 

This unsettling history reveals why some modern Native people hold a Day of Mourning on Thanksgiving, a holiday which celebrates a myth of colonialism and white proprietorship of the United States. This Land is Their Land shows that it is time to rethink how we, as a pluralistic nation, tell the history of Thanksgiving.

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The Pilgrims’ celebration of the first Thanksgiving is a keystone of America’s national and spiritual identity. But is what we’ve been taught about them or their harvest feast what actually happened? And if not, what difference does it make?

Through the captivating story of the birth of this quintessentially American holiday, veteran historian Tracy McKenzie helps us to better understand the tale of America’s origins―and for Christians, to grasp the significance of this story and those like it. McKenzie avoids both idolizing and demonizing the Pilgrims, and calls us to love and learn from our flawed yet fascinating forebears.

The First Thanksgiving is narrative history at its best, and promises to be an indispensable guide to the interplay of historical thinking and Christian reflection on the meaning of the past for the present.

Robert Tracy McKenzie (PhD, Vanderbilt University) is Arthur F. Holmes Chair of Faith and Learning and professor of history at Wheaton College. His most recent research interests center on the ways evangelicals remember their national heritage.

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A Biblical Framework for Intentional, Spirit-Filled Worship. Music can be a source of tension in many churches. Whether driven by preferences for specific styles, popular trends, or traditional practices, corporate worship can feel more divisive than unifying. How can we cultivate worship that honors God and strengthens his church in the midst of these challenges?

Spirit-Filled Singing offers a biblical framework to help believers engage in musical worship with greater intentionality and gospel-centered purpose. Drawing insight from Galatians 5 and Ephesians 5, author Ryanne J. Molinari explores how singing and the fruit of the Spirit share a common purpose―to glorify God and edify his church. Through concise, thoughtful chapters that explore each fruit of the Spirit, this book invites readers to examine their worship practices, assess the condition of their hearts, and grow in Christlikeness through song.

Ryanne J. Molinari (MLitt, University of St Andrews) is a collaborative pianist/organist and worship director based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She is a member of Prairie Bible Church, where her husband is lead pastor. To read more of her writing or inquire about speaking engagements, visit RyanneMolinari.com. 

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King of the Groove by Grammy winner, John JR Robinson brings us the behind-closed-doors stories as he reveals how a five-year-old, small-town boy just knew he would be playing (all over the world) along-side the living legends of the music industry for his entire career. His groove played a part in over 50 Grammy winning songs, over 200 US Billboard Hot 100 songs as well as more than ½ billion units sold, earning him a permanent spot in Rolling Stone Magazine’s, “The Top 100 Drummers of All Time” list.

JR gracefully uses his quick wit with his entertaining personality to share lessons of struggle, triumph and the power of believing in yourself to make your dreams come alive. His musicianship has helped define the pop, R&B and Jazz era for the last half century, making him the most recorded drummer in history. No one will forget JR’s landmark “drum fill” which opens the iconic song, “Rock With You,” (from Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall) which is and will always be an essential piece of pop music lore. From stories of the making of one of the highest grossing songs of all time, “We Are the World”, to the first time he met Quincy Jones, (who provides the foreword), to touring with Peter Frampton, working with Usher, Daft Punk, a heart-breaking story with Barbra Streisand, plus 60 more A-list musicians and producers’ stories. King of the Groove is a highly enlightening book that will delight and inform musicians, music fans and entrepreneurs alike. A tour de force experience from beginning to end.

To buy the book visit Amazon or https://www.johnjrrobinson.com

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Christians often view Jesus’s miracles simply as proofs of his divinity. However, as prolific author Vern Poythress shows in this new book, they also serve as “signs of redemption,” foreshadowing the salvation that Christ accomplished through his cross and resurrection. This means that the stories of Jesus’s miracles—like the calming of the storm or the feeding of the 5,000—are relevant for both Christians and non-Christians alike, clearly pointing to the gospel. After setting forth a framework for viewing all of Jesus’s miracles through this lens, Poythress then reflects on the meaning and significance of 26 distinct miracles recorded in the Gospel of Matthew—helping modern readers understand and apply them to their own lives today.

Vern S. Poythress (PhD, Harvard University; ThD, University of Stellenbosch) is Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Biblical Interpretation, and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he has taught for four decades. In addition to earning six academic degrees, he is the author of numerous books and articles on biblical interpretation, language, and science.

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Everything in a man’s life hinges on the kind of man he is.
 
Yet, none of us is naturally a godly man. That’s something we have to learn, pursue, and cultivate. We need a manual to help us.
 
This book is a manual for becoming the kind of man God intends for you to be, and leading other men to do the same. Taking ten qualities from the Apostle Paul’s short letter to his mentee Titus, The Titus Ten will help you grow in your understanding of the gospel, your identity, your character, your doctrine, and more. Each chapter includes questions for reflection and discussion, to both process the way the Lord is growing you, and read in a group with other men. As you grow in these areas of your life, you’ll become the kind of man God desires to use in your family, your church, and the world.

J. Josh Smith is the pastor of Prince Avenue Baptist Church in Athens, Georgia. He and his wife Andrea have four daughters and one son.

You can purchase his books at Lifeway https://www.lifeway.com/ or Amazon.

The Titus Ten – Bible Study Book with Video Access includes printed content for 10 sessions, personal study between group sessions, applicable Scripture, “How to Use This Study,” a leader guide, separate leader videos, and tips for leading a group.

Tucked away near the end of the New Testament, you’ll find Paul’s letter to Titus. Scripture provides few details about Titus. But from this 46-verse letter, author Josh Smith has distilled ten foundations upon which to build godly men.

Using his time-tested teaching process, this study can serve as a manual for becoming the kind of man God intends for you to be and leading other men to do the same.

Taking ten qualities from the Apostle Paul’s short letter to his mentee Titus, The Titus Ten will help you grow in your understanding of the gospel, your identity, your character, and more.

Each chapter includes questions for reflection and discussion to process the way the Lord is developing you and to read in a group with other men. As you grow in these areas of your life, you’ll become the kind of man God desires to use in your family, your church, and the world.

Features:

Benefits: 

Session Topics:

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10 Women Who Changed the World is seminary president Daniel L. Akin’s powerful tribute to the transformational work done by some truly inspiring female Christian missionaries. With each profile, he journeys into the heart of that gospel servant’s mission-minded story and makes a compelling connection to a similar account from the Bible. By reading each missionary story, and how each woman embodies a certain passage of Scripture, prepare to be challenged and inspired to follow in their footsteps—because intentionally living on mission isn’t something reserved for heroes of the past. It’s something each one of us can pursue in everyday life!

Women featured in this book: 

Daniel L. Akin is the president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He holds a Ph.D. in Humanities from the University of Texas at Arlington and is the author or editor of numerous books and Bible commentaries including Theology for the Church and the New American Commentary on 1, 2, and 3 John. He is also the author of 10 Who Changed the World and God on Sex, as well as co-author of Pastoral Theology: Theological Foundations for Who a Pastor Is and What He Does.

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How to Make Sense of Jesus’ Divine Claims.

Do you ever wonder if Jesus really claimed to be God? Maybe you’ve heard people say, “Jesus never said he was God,” or you’ve been asked, “Why believe Jesus is divine if he never claimed it?” These challenges aren’t just from non-Christians—they show up in church, too. Even if you’re not coming from a place of skepticism, you might still question how well church teachings about Jesus match up with what he actually said. So, did the historical Jesus really claim to be divine?

This book is here to give you confidence in the historicity of Jesus’ claim to divinity. It’s designed to help you explain your faith in a world that increasingly doubts the Bible’s portrayal of Jesus. Instead of focusing on what Jesus’ followers believed, this book takes a different approach—it looks at what Jesus’ enemies thought. How did they interpret his words and actions? Their perspective can help you understand the historical validity of Jesus’ divine claim.

In this book, biblical scholar Mikel Del Rosario

If you’re a Christian, this book will equip you to defend your faith against theories that suggest Jesus only claimed human authority, not divine. If you’re someone who sees Christianity differently, this book offers a serious investigation into the claims of the historical Jesus, providing evidence that any theory of his identity must address. Whether you’re searching for answers to your own questions or trying to share about Jesus with others, this book will help you communicate Jesus’ divine claim with clarity and confidence.

Visit Dr. Del Rosario’s website https://apologeticsguy.com and buy the book today!

Mikel Del Rosario (PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary) is professor of Bible and theology at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. He has coauthored thirty-one journal articles on apologetics and cultural engagement in Bibliotheca Sacra with his mentor, Darrell L. Bock. A member of the Evangelical Theological Society, Del Rosario is host of The Apologetics Guy Show, a podcast on YouTube and the Christianity Today Network. He previously hosted Dallas Theological Seminary’s cultural engagement podcast, The Table. He enjoys living with his wife in Chicago.

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A Pastor Looks at Physical Exercise and Its Potential to Serve Spiritual Life and Joy.

We live in an age dominated by screens. For many, life is sedentary, and it’s become increasingly difficult to prioritize physical activity. Quietly conformed to this new normal, they feel sluggish and unmotivated. Others, however, have become entangled in a fitness culture that prioritizes the self, fuels pride, and coddles idolatry. Is it possible to make exercise holy?

A Little Theology of Exercise explores how stewarding our bodies can serve the soul, honor God, and bless others. Combining biblical texts with practical guidance, pastor and author David Mathis encourages readers to embrace modest exercise as a way to deepen their knowledge and enjoyment of Christ and then reflect his love in the world. By placing Christ at the center of physical training, readers will discover a greater joy in exercise and an even deeper joy in their relationship with God.

David is senior teacher and executive editor of desiringGod.org, pastor at Cities Church (Saint Paul), and adjunct professor for Bethlehem College & Seminary (Minneapolis). He is author of ‘Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines.’ His articles and messages are available online at desiringGod.org/mathis. He is married to Megan and father of four children.

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David Bentley Hart’s translation of the New Testament, first published in 2017, was hailed as a “remarkable feat” and as a “strange, disconcerting, radical version of a strange, disconcerting manifesto of profoundly radical values.” In this second edition, which includes a powerful new preface and more than a thousand changes to the text, Hart’s purpose remains the same: to render the original Greek texts faithfully, free of doctrine and theology, awakening readers to the uncanniness that often lies hidden beneath doctrinal layers.

Through his startling translation, with its raw, unfinished quality, Hart reveals a world conceptually quite unlike our own. “It was a world,” he writes, “in which the heavens above were occupied by celestial spiritual potentates of questionable character, in which angels ruled the nations of the earth as local gods, in which demons prowled the empty places, . . . and in which the entire cosmos was for many an eternal divine order and for many others a darkened prison house.” He challenges readers to imagine it anew: a God who reigned on high, appearing in the form of a slave and dying as a criminal, only then to be raised up and revealed as the Lord of all things.

David Bentley Hart is an Orthodox Christian philosophical theologian and cultural commentator. He is presently a collaborative researcher at the University of Notre Dame and his research focuses on the philosophy of mind, the metaphysics of the soul, Asian literature, ontology, and classical and continental philosophy. He received his PhD from the University of Virginia and has written several books including The Experience of God: Being, Consciousness, Bliss and The Beauty of the Infinite: The Aesthetics of Christian Truth.

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