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Internationally recognized psychologist Diane Langberg has come face to face with the crushing trauma of sexual abuse, trafficking, domestic abuse, and rape--and its cover-up.Even more tragic, she has encountered it all within Christian communities and the church.As a highly respected trauma scholar and psychologist working in the United States and around the world for more than 50 years, she envisions a better way.In When the Church Harms God's People, Langberg unveils what she has learned about how churches cause harm and why Christian communities often foster unhealthy leaders who end up hurting rather than protecting God's people. She also offers hope for the future, describing how churches can reflect Christ not just in what they teach but also in how they care for themselves and others.This book is an invaluable tool for leaders and laypeople alike who want to help the church resist abuses of power and become a safe place for survivors.

What does it mean to be the Body of Christ in a healthy and holy way?When news outlets reveal church scandals or we hear stories about people leaving the church, it can seem as though we are in a bit of a crisis as the Body of Christ. In Being a Sanctuary, Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez--who has experienced abuse, trauma, and racism within the church--takes us on an honest, biblical, and reflective journey as she examines the state of the church and offers us a hopeful path forward.Perreaux-Dominguez focuses on three aspects of God's vision for the church: that it would be sacred (biblically based), soft (trauma-informed), and safe (justice-centered). Each section of the book explores what these mean for the church using biblical teaching, practical instruction, and stories from her own experiences. She unpacks practical steps the body of Christ can take to realize this vision and cultivate a lifestyle of being a sanctuary, including repenting, pursuing sanctification, showing Christ's compassion, healing injustices, choosing unity over uniformity, and being advocates. This book is for anyone ready to be both challenged and encouraged on how we, as the Body of Christ, can collectively return to God's foundational call to be radicals who choose the path of being sacred, soft, and safe--just like Jesus is.

These days, society tells women they can buy self-care in a store or cross it off a to-do list.In this 40-day devotional, Tiffany Bluhm invites women into a deeper, more meaningful understanding of self-care that includes faith, rest, joy, lament, collaboration, and empowerment. Bluhm shows how self-care is critical to women's spiritual growth and empowerment to make a difference in the world.The Women We've Been Waiting For weaves together Scripture, liturgies, and stories of historical figures to show women that caring for themselves is the first step toward renewing their own souls and tackling the social problems they care most about. Bluhm draws from her own writing as well as guest contributions from a diverse group of clergywomen, authors, and activists. Each devotion invites readers to learn from women who have managed tension, survived the seemingly impossible, and embodied a resilient faith.Readers will emerge from their 40-day journey with a more vibrant spirituality to fuel them in their everyday lives.

Come to the movies with two celebrated spirituality writers--American poet and author Kathleen Norris and Irish storyteller and peace activist Gareth Higgins.In A Whole Life in Twelve Movies, Norris and Higgins invite readers along as they discuss acclaimed movies that can help us better understand our lives--from before birth to death and beyond.Featuring 12 films, including 2001: A Space Odyssey, Malcolm X, and Babette's Feast, this book is perfect for individuals or groups to watch and discuss movies over the course of a year. Each chapter recommends additional films and includes discussion questions ideally suited for churches, small groups, and book clubs.As readers watch and read, they will journey through the human life cycle and explore themes of existence, goodness, belonging, vocation, identity, success, generosity, dealing with conflict, and what it means to be human. The book outlines a cinematic path toward a deeper spirituality and a more meaningful life for believers across the faith spectrum and seekers alike. It includes a foreword by James Martin, SJ.

The American church faces a discipleship crisis. Instead of following the values of Jesus, many Christians are chasing after what our culture prizes: power, money, and political influence.In Your Jesus Is Too American, Baptist pastor Steve Bezner invites Christians to rediscover what Jesus treasured and incorporate those kingdom values into the church's witness.With a pastoral voice, Bezner shares the lessons he has been teaching in his church community for 11 years--humble service rather than worldly success, healing relationships across religious and ethnic divides, repairing harm against marginalized groups, giving generously, and providing a political witness rooted in the local church. Bezner shows that Jesus's vision of discipleship points the way toward a different way of being in the world.The book offers a welcome perspective for church leaders and congregants alike who are frustrated with the way many churches pursue values that are not in line with Jesus's teachings and are worried about the American church's credibility crisis. It includes a foreword by Beth Moore.

When author and Episcopal priest Erin Jean Warde quit drinking, she heard from many others in a similar situation seeking support. In Sober Spirituality, she combines personal storytelling with theological reflection to offer encouragement, wisdom, and practical insight for readers who want to reexamine their relationship with alcohol.Warde explores the way our culture promotes alcohol consumption and shows how we can choose to change our perception of alcohol in our spiritual communities. She names not only the challenges of sobriety and spirituality but also the tremendous gifts and blessings that come through quitting drinking or being more mindful about alcohol use.Readers will emerge with a deeper understanding of how their faith informs daily habits and choices. Sober Spirituality also calls the church to a better understanding of how it can ally with recovery communities. Ultimately, this book declares we are all worthy of an abundant and joyful life in mind, body, and soul.

The Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible advances the assumption that the Nicene creedal tradition, in all its diversity, provides the proper basis for the interpretation of the Bible as Christian scripture. The series encourages readers to extend the vital roots of the ancient Christian tradition to our day.In this addition to the acclaimed series, renowned scholar Christopher Seitz offers a theological exegesis of Colossians, bringing his expertise in canonical reading to bear on his interpretation of this Pauline letter. As with other volumes in the series, the book is ideal for those called to ministry.

A Hopeful Calvinist's Quest for Common GroundRichard Mouw, one of the most influential evangelical voices in America, has been on a lifelong "quest for commonness"--engaging with others in a positive manner and advocating for a "convicted civility" when conversing with those with whom we disagree. Through nearly half a century of scholarship, leadership, and ministry, Mouw has sought to learn from non-Christian scholars and other faith traditions and to cultivate a civility that is compatible with his Calvinist convictions.In Adventures in Evangelical Civility, Mouw reflects on his almost fifty years of Christian public life, which provides a unique lens for understanding twentieth-century evangelicalism. He explores themes such as common grace, the imago Dei, and interfaith dialogue, offering a critical assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of what he has accomplished as a spokesperson for evangelical and Reformed perspectives.

In this addition to the well-received Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible, Paul Griffiths offers theological exegesis of the Song of Songs. This commentary, like each in the series, is designed to serve the church--providing a rich resource for preachers, teachers, students, and study groups--and demonstrate the continuing intellectual and practical viability of theological interpretation of the Bible.Praise for the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible"The Brazos Theological Commentary offers just the right level of light to make illuminating the Word the joy it was meant to be."--Calvin Miller, author of A Hunger for the Holy and Loving God Up Close