Synopses & Reviews
LOST
After a plane crash lands, the 48 survivors find themselves on an island of harsh terrain, cruel weather, and dark secrets...
It makes for gripping television--an intense story that grabs our attention and captures our imagination--maybe because, for many of us, it's our worst nightmare. The horror of being lost and alone, stranded in a dark, dangerous place. Not knowing where to go or what to do or who to trust. How would we survive? Like the characters on the show, we'd want ever so desperately to be found... rescued... bsaved.
You know, in a sense, every one of us is living the story of Lost. We're all lost and alone, in an increasingly uncertain, even hostile, world. There is some good, some love, some heroism, some sacrifice. But we also sense the often overwhelming presence of evil both in us and around us. Things happen that we don't understand and can't explain. We struggle to survive--desperately searching for hope and purpose, meaning and direction. All the while, we are feeling more and more lost.
The good news is that the Bible tells us Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). He came to rescue us from the evil around us and the evil in our own hearts, the sin that separates us from God--pride, greed, selfishness, envy, hate. These things have damaged us and the world we live in.
But God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
The Bible says, Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends (John 15:13). That's what Jesus did--he laid down his life for us. He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin--he took the punishment in our place. Jesus made it possible for us to be restored to a right relationship with God.
And it's in that relationship that we find the courage and strength to face the challenges that come our way. It's in that relationship that we find meaning and purpose and direction for this life...and hope for the life to come.
See, after his death on the cross, Jesus didn't stay in the grave. He rose from the dead in power and glory. He triumphed over death. And before he returned to heaven, Jesus promised that he would prepare a place for all who believe in him, so they could join him there someday (John 14:2-3) Home to heaven He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore (Revelation 21:4). No more darkness or fear. Only love and joy and peace--forever
If you realize that you've been lost and you're ready to be found, if you want to be rescued...saved, pray something like this:
Dear God,
I know it's true--I've been lost in sin, wandering further and further from you. Please forgive me. I do believe that Jesus died to take my punishment and keep me from being forever lost. Help me to live my life on this earth with hope and faith and courage, as I look forward to the day you take me home to be with you Amen.
Synopsis
Jonathan Edwards's treatise Religious Affections is widely considered the most important and accurate analysis of religious experience ever written.
Unfortunately, many well-intentioned readers sit down with Religious Affections, only to give up in frustration over Edwards's lofty style and complex argumentation.
For this reason Sam Storms, one of evangelicalism's experts on Edwards, has attempted to bridge the gap between how Edwards said what he did in the eighteenth century and how he might say it today. In Signs of the Spirit he articulates the substance of Edwards's arguments in a more understandable way. The point is not to dumb down Jonathan Edwards but to make his work accessible to a wider audience.
This volume serves those both in and outside the academic realm as valuable preparation for, or as a companion guide to, a reading of Edwards's Religious Affections.
Synopsis
Jonathan Edwards's treatise Religious Affections iswidely considered the most important and accurate analysis ofreligious experience ever written.
Unfortunately, many well-intentioned readers sit down withReligious Affections, only to give up in frustrationover Edwards's lofty style and complex argumentation.
For this reason Sam Storms, one of evangelicalism's experts onEdwards, has attempted to bridge the gap between how Edwards saidwhat he did in the eighteenth century and how he might say ittoday. In Signs of the Spirit he articulates thesubstance of Edwards's arguments in a more understandable way. Thepoint is not to dumb down Jonathan Edwards but to make his workaccessible to a wider audience.
This volume serves those both in and outside the academic realmas valuable preparation for, or as a companion guide to, a readingof Edwards's Religious Affections.
Jonathan Edwards' Religious Affections remains oneof the most discerning works of spiritual psychology published inthe last several centuries. Dr. Samuel Storms' unpacking of thissignificant work reveals once again for a new generation why theold Puritan so much deserves the most careful study today.
Mark A. Noll, Francis A. McAnaney Professor ofHistory, University of Notre Dame
Storms' repackaging of this spiritual classic meets a seriousneed. His essay on Edwards' personal spirituality, introducing thePersonal Narrative, is almost worth the price of the book. Then hisrunning commentary, interspersed with direct selections from theNarrative, are exceedingly helpful.
Gerald R. McDermott, Professor of Religion, Roanoke College
After nearly 300 years, these gems of Edwards' continue tosparkle. Sam Storms has done a superb job interpreting them fortwenty-first-century followers of Jesus. His vivid paraphrases areeasy to read and always edifying.
Douglas A. Sweeney, Associate Professor of ChurchHistory, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
These texts of Jonathan Edwards have nourished the church fornearly three centuries. In Sam Storms' capable hands they'll nowspeak clearly, plainly, and powerfully to the church today and forgenerations to come. If you've ever wanted to tackle Edwards buthave shied away, you no longer have an excuse.
Stephen J. Nichols, author of Heaven onEarth: Capturing Jonathan Edwards's Vision of Living inBetween
In reading through this book, I feel like I am looking over SamStorms' shoulder, reading Edwards together with him. At times, hepauses to interpret Edwards for me; at other times, he placesEdwards' comments in their historical context. At all times, Sam'slove and respect for Edwards shines through clearly.
Glenn Kreider, Professor of Theological Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary