BIBLE STUDY RESOURCES AND OTHER AUTHORS

Recommended reading of authors who present

their own perspectives.

Jonathan's Recommendations for 

General Christianity

and Theology:

Hope Beyond Hell Description:

Have you been tormented by the thought of dying? Do you know the anguish of thinking that you or a loved one might suffer in hell forever? You are not alone. Hope Beyond Hell assures us of a Love that never gives up on us no matter how miserably we fail. Gerry Beauchemin and Scott Reichard make a compelling Biblical case affirming all God's judgments have a good and remedial Purpose.

About the Author:

Gerry Beauchemin has been involved in missions since 1986. He has served as a missionary in Mexico, the Philippines, and Senegal, West Africa, with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), The Luke Society, and Philippine Health Care Ministries. Since 2001, he has directed Dental Training For Missions. Gerry trains missionaries in primary dental care. He and his wife, Denise, (of 30 years), have three daughters and six grandchildren. What qualifies Gerry to write on this theme? • For many years he has intensively reflected on the works of others and studied the Scriptures on this theme. He has found solid Biblical evidence for his conclusion of hope. • He has agonized for most of his life over hell and understands the contradictions it creates within the Christian faith and the Scriptures. Gerry asked himself and God, “Who am I to write such a book?” Then he recalled 1Cor. 1:26-29, “...God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise...that no flesh should glory in his presence.” KJV. This, with Mt. 10:27 and 11:25, spurred him on. “Knowing Gerry as a close friend, I can say that he has wrestled with God and his conscience over the issues presented in this book. Hope Beyond Hell is the result of many years of introspection, Bible study, and prayer. Gerry's enthusiasm for what he has discovered is evident on every page. To read this book is to know the author.” Gary A. Fenwick, Missionary, Teacher, Mexico

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Grace Saves All Description:

Grace is amazing. About this all Christians agree. Yet nearly all forms of Christianity put significant limits on grace. Those forms of Christianity which proclaim grace alone actually saves typically don't believe God gives grace to everyone; while those forms of Christianity which proclaim God gives grace to everyone typically don't believe grace alone actually saves. Must grace either be that which saves alone but doesn't go to all, or that which goes to all but doesn't save alone?

In Grace Saves All, David Artman argues that grace saves alone and goes to all. This inclusive approach to Christianity is variously called universal reconciliation, universal salvation, or perhaps most accurately, Christian universalism. He contends that the inclusive/Christian universalist approach is necessary because it offers the only Christian theology which successfully defends the goodness of God. For it logically follows that if God is all-good, all-knowing, and all-powerful, then God must also be all-saving.

Often dismissed as a modern feel-good theology, Christian universalism is an ancient orthodox, and biblical theology which was expounded by early Christians and early church fathers. Artman brings much deserved attention to this wonderful spirituality.

About the Author:

David Artman is an ordained minister in the Christian church (Disciples of Christ). He holds Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth Texas.

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Raising Hell Description:

Have you ever considered the apparent injustices, inconsistencies, and even contradictions of the doctrine of hell? For starters, do earthly parents love their children more than God? Does God ask you to forgive your enemies when He is not willing to do the same? Is being punished forever for sins committed in a short lifetime really "justice"? Does everybody really get the same fair chance to believe in Jesus before they die? If hell is the worst possible fate of mankind, and if God is truly loving, then…

Why did He fail to mention hell in Genesis as the price for sin?

Why doesn’t the Old Testament ever teach about or even mention hell?

Why doesn't Paul, the apostle to the non-Jewish world, ever once mention hell?

Why has orthodox Judaism (to whom Scriptures were given) never believed in any kind of eternal punishment or hell?

Why was hell not the orthodox position of the early Church for five centuries after Christ?

Why can't theologians agree if we are saved by election or free will?

Dare to question. What have you got to lose? If you’ve ever had doubts or questions about the incompatibility of eternal torment with a merciful God, Raising Hell will open your eyes to a radical view of God’s loving purpose for all humanity and what the “Good News” is really about. Picking up where Rob Bell and others leave off, Julie Ferwerda offers compelling evidence historically, philosophically, and scripturally as to why the doctrine of eternal torment is the biggest and most damaging deception of the modern Church.


What people are saying about Raising Hell:

"Such a book as this is seriously needed to liberate people for a loving God!" —Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Author of Falling Upward and Immortal Diamonds

"The traditional view of hell is highly contestable. If you're ready to venture into some new territory, Bible in hand, you'll find Julie Ferwerda to be a wise, patient, and intrepid guide in Raising Hell." —Brian McLaren, Author of A New Kind of Christianity

"Raising Hell is one of the first books I recommend to anyone who has questions about hell." —Kevin Miller, Director of Hellbound?

"Julie has devoted a great deal of time and energy to producing such a well-researched and well-written book—probably hundreds of hours! She is right on target in saying that we really need to understand the intent behind the Hebrew Scriptures in order to be able to properly interpret them." —Boyd C. Purcell, Ph.D., Author of Spiritual Terrorism: Spiritual Abuse from the Womb to the Tomb

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Love Wins Description:

In Love Wins, bestselling author, international teacher, and speaker Rob Bell (Velvet Elvis, Drops Like Stars) addresses one of the most controversial issues of faith—hell and the afterlife—arguing, would a loving God send people to eternal torment forever?

Rob Bell is an electrifying, unconventional pastor whom Time magazine calls “a singular rock star in the church world,” with millions viewing his NOOMA videos.

With searing insight, Bell puts hell on trial with a hopeful message—eternal life doesn’t start when we die; it starts right now. And ultimately, Love Wins.

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Velvet Elvis Description:

Velvet Elvis is the first book from Rob Bell, the New York Times bestselling author of Love Wins.  Selected as one of 2011’s most influential people by Time Magazine, pastor Bell offers original and refreshingly personal perspectives on what Christianity is truly all about in Velvet Elvis.  A vibrant voice for a new generation of Christians—the most recognizable Christian leader among young adults—Rob Bell inspires readers to take a fresh look at traditional questions of faith.

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What We Talk About When We Talk About God Description:

New York Times bestselling author Rob Bell, whom The New Yorker describes as “one of the most influential Christian leaders in the country,” does for the concept of God what he did for heaven and hell in his book Love Wins: He shows how traditional ideas have grown stale and dysfunctional and how to return vitality and vibrancy to lives of faith today.

Pastor Rob Bell explains why both culture and the church resist talking about God, and shows how we can reconnect with the God who is pulling us forward into a better future. Bell uses his characteristic evocative storytelling to challenge everything you think you know about God. What We Talk About When We Talk About God tackles the misconceptions about God and reveals how God is with us, for us, ahead of us, and how understanding this could change the entire course of our lives.

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Great Eagle Rising Description:

Not a "Missionary" type . . . The word missionary comes with much baggage. It intimidates many people. It puts the missionaries on a spiritual echelon above normal people. I don't appreciate being a missionary sometimes. Remember how God made Balaam's donkey talk? God cannot make people become missionaries because free will is involved. I believe most of those who became missionaries became that because God is irresistible and not because they think they are so holy. I probably have more than a couple of hundred confessions in this book without saying "I confess" I just want you to know that we are only human.

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The Great Eagle Calling Description:

This is a simple but an amazing story of the journey of a woman and her family into the world of Native America, living amongst the Hopi. It tells of her joys, struggles, griefs and fears. It tells of many spiritual trials which she has come to terms with. It is a story which tells of the unsurpassing love of the Great One, who came to bring hope and dignity to the Native peoples of North America and beyond. This is a story about CALLING forth the original peoples of the land to rise up and be the Creator's royal priesthood. All of her personal stories are to draw you into the cry of her heart, that we may all see the fulfillment of the Creator's heart for the Native Americans. Her life in Hopi became an Odyssey of knowing that the Great and mighty One is faithful and good; He has been her constant companion and comfort. He has been her great and exceeding joy! A Memoir of a Modern Day Missionary Amongst the Hopi & the Native Americans by Millie Camille Eehn-Toms

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Our Loving Savior Jesus Christ Description:

This biblical study book is based solely on scriptures from the bible. Included in the text are teachings by the author, in addition to factual and informative reference books that include the definitions of Greek words translated from the original Greek texts.

To Order, Email:  mark@christianreconciliation.net

Eager To Love Description:

Francis of Assisi is one of the most beloved of all saints. Both traditional and entirely revolutionary, he was a paradox. He was at once down to earth and reaching toward heaven, grounded in the rich history of the Church while moving toward a new understanding of the world beyond.
 
Globally recognized as an ecumenical teacher, Richard Rohr started out—and remains—a Franciscan friar. The loving, inclusive life and preaching of Francis of Assisi make him a recognizable and beloved saint across many faith traditions. He was, as Rohr notes, “a master of ‘making room for it’ and letting go of that which was tired or empty.”
 
Francis found an “alternative way” to follow Jesus, one that disregarded power and privilege and held fast to the narrow path of the Gospel. Rohr helps us look beyond the birdbath image of the saint to remind us of the long tradition founded on his revolutionary, radical, and life-changing embrace of the teachings of Jesus.
 
Rohr draws on Scripture, insights from psychology, and literary and artistic references, to weave together an understanding of the tradition as first practiced by St. Francis. Rohr shows how his own innovative theology is firmly grounded in the life and teaching of this great saint and provides a perspective on how his alternative path to the divine can deepen and enrich our spiritual lives.

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MORE of Jonathan's Recommendations for 

General Christianity and Theology:

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