How do you envision a triune God carrying out the divine missions? Do you picture the Son and Spirit departing the throne room—lunchboxes in hand—only to return to Heaven in the evening and report to the Father? If so, how might we understand our communion with God or the presence of Jesus in the heart of a believer? To approach this level of contemplation, Jonathan and James welcome Dr. Adonis Vidu. The author and associate professor of theology at Gordon-Conwell Seminary builds on the content of his recent book on inseparable operations to help readers comprehend the divine missions as the presence of God united with a created being, which provides a foretaste of the banquet that is one day to come. 

Wipf and Stock Publishers generously provided two copies of The Divine Missions: An Introduction for a giveaway. Congratulations to Skyler M. from Vancouver, WA and James R. from Winona Lake, IN.

“I’m a Christian, but I don’t need a church. Nature is where I find God.” Whatever the stated reasoning, those who avoid church attendance and membership often do so without understanding why believers need the Church and the Church needs them.   Guest Terry Johnson has written many books and has served in church ministry for over 40 years. In his latest work, Johnson uses key New Testament passages to explain why local church attendance is essential in the life of every believer and how that mutual accountability cannot be replaced by parachurch activity or informal spirituality.    

Christian Focus Publications provided three copies of Who Needs the Church: Why We Need the Church (and Why the Church Needs Us) for a giveaway. Congratulations to our winners: Tony T. from Alderson, WV, Skyler M. from Vancouver, WA, and Kandice T. from Enterprise, AL.

Theology for Ministry Since assuming his first pastorate in 1971, Sinclair Ferguson’s life and Bible teaching have left an indelible mark on the lives and ministries of his parishioners, students, colleagues, and friends. Our guest today edited and contributed to a Festschrift published in Ferguson’s honor—Theology for Ministry: How Doctrine Affects Pastoral Life and Practice. Like Ferguson, Chad VanDixhoorn is a pastor, professor, and author. Along with an impressive list of co-contributors, VanDixhoorn outlines a rich scriptural framework for ministry grounded in key Christian doctrines and the application of the benefits and blessings that come to us through the Spirit in our union with Christ.

Thanks to P&R Publishing, we were able to offer three copies of Theology for Ministry for a giveaway. The winners were David R. from Williamsburg, VA, Cullen B. from Marietta, GA, and Brandt K. from Trevose, PA.

Growing in Grace   As both of our hosts are respected authors and enjoy discussing a great book, it would only follow that sometimes the interviewers would become interviewees. Such is the case today as James Dolezal grills (even fillets!) Jonathan Master, concerning his book Growing in Grace: Becoming More Like Jesus.   It’s an accessible work that deals with the scriptural command for Christians to work diligently at growing in the grace and personal knowledge of the Lord. That includes walking worthy of our calling and enjoying the blessings of our salvation through the gathering together with others in the Church. Dr. Master explains how we’re called to die to sin and be enslaved to righteousness and discusses the roles humility and suffering play in the growth of every believer.  

Banner of Truth graciously provided three copies of Jonathan's book for a giveaway. Congratulations to our winners: Marianne M. from Sterling Heights, MI, Dwayne S. from Cedarburg, WI, and Joe K. from Williams, AZ. 

Zwingli: God’s Armed Prophet In his time, Huldrych Zwingli was a deeply polarizing figure. Though clearly a leader of the Swiss Reformation, contemporaries Martin Luther and John Calvin denied Zwingli's influence,  due in large part to his position on the Lord's Supper. Unlike his more famous critics, Zwingli would die on a battlefield in Zurich engaged in an armed defense of the Reformation in his homeland. Today’s guest Bruce Gordon is the Titus Street Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Yale Divinity School and the author of many books on the Reformation. Dr. Gordon joins Jonathan and James to provide a fresh biography of the warrior prophet and a deeper appreciation of Zwingli's contribution to Reformation thought.

Thanks to Yale Books, we were able to offer a copy of Gordon's book Zwingli: God's Armed Prophet. The winner was Kurt V. from Yuba City, CA.