Books about Conversantlife from Amazon.com

This compact guide lays out the basics of Intelligent Design, popularly known as ID. William Dembski, the dean of the intelligent–design movement, and Sean McDowell especially target readers whose understanding may have been confused by educational bias and one–sided arguments and attacks.

Commonsense and no–nonsense, with pointed examples, the authors explain

• the central theories of ID, showing why the presence of information and meaningful complexity require the involvement of intelligence
• why ID adheres to the scientific method and is a valid field of scientific inquiry
• why scientific evidence increasingly conflicts with evolutionary theories
• how both evolutionary theory and ID have religious/philosophical underpinnings, and why this causes so much controversy
• how both systems of thought have radical implications for our culture—and what readers can do about it

Clarifying crucial issues, this key resource gives nonspecialists a solid grasp of one of today’s foundational religious–scientific–cultural concepts.

.
Price: $8.98 [Notify me when price goes down.]

“I see more passion for trees in the Sierra Club than I do for Jesus in the church.”

How can Christians revive and sustain their spiritual vitality? International Bible teacher Richard Dahlstrom offers an answer as practical and life–sustaining as oxygen.

People can’t hold their breath forever or continually blow air out, yet many Christians focus either on the inner life or on external service. As a result, their faith eventually becomes lifeless and irrelevant.

Dahlstrom invites readers to “inhale” life as they embrace fresh perspectives on prayer, the word, solitude, and the creation. “Exhaling” continues the cycle of breathing through hospitality, generosity, service, and obedience to Christ’s kingdom vision.

This thoughtful and inspiring description of a healthy life of faith leads to a balanced and holistic spirituality that mirrors Jesus’ life and teaching.

.
Price: $8.98 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Many non–Christians find the behavior of some Christians off–putting rather than inviting Many Christians do too! Now Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz, authors of Knowing the Bible 101, take an unflinchingly honest and often humorous look at some believers’ outlandish behavior. This candid assessment of the church will bridge the communication gap, empowering Christians to share their faith more freely and helping those who don’t yet believe discover the truth about God without being distracted by...

• judgmental attitudes, hypocrisy, and condemnation
• confusing mixtures of politics and the gospel
• defensive positions in the “God vs. science” debate
• extreme teachings about prosperity
• unbalanced fixations on the end times
• uninformed opinions about others’ beliefs
• unprofessional Christian media and entertainment

This refreshing call to authentic Christianity will help Christians and non–Christians get past the peripheral issues and communicate openly and honestly about God.

.
Price: $7.75 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Within Harvest House’s new ConversantLife com line, Five Sacred Crossings presents the Christian worldview’s uniqueness through creative fiction.

Professor Michael Jernigan, a Christian, is teaching a religions course at community college. A local, barely halted act of religious terrorism throws a teeth–on–edge relevancy into the class discussions.

Jernigan teaches from a rare text he obtained while in Cambodia—the Five Crossings. Each “Crossing” unveils a universal spiritual question, which only Christianity can satisfactorily address because it...

1. is testable
2. presents salvation as a free gift
3. paints a picture of the world that matches reality
4. makes a non–compartmentalized life possible
5. has Jesus at the center

Non–Christians will relate to the storytelling context and will see the overarching truth about the God who transcends time and culture. Christians are helped with their doubts and their desire to attractively present Christianity to our multireligious culture. Superb gift for sharing with nonbelievers.

.
Price: $8.61 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Is the Christian community doing a good job of presenting the message of Jesus in a compelling way to men? Women greatly outnumber men in attendance and active participation in American churches. Pastor Mike Erre offers a solution for this imbalance: a thoroughly biblical and engaging theology of manhood that is missing in many churches today.

This call to move past cultural definitions of masculinity goes straight to the heart of the issue:

• Creation—men and women bear the image of God in unique and surprising ways.
• The fall—men cannot experience significance on their own, so their lives often feel meaningless and empty.
• Redemption—God redeems a man’s work, his sexuality, and his relationships.

Unmasking unhelpful stereotypes of masculinity, this presentation of godly manhood inspires men to more effectively grow in Christ’s image and empowers women to understand and encourage the men in their lives.

.
Price: $8.16 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Christians may be surprised to learn that seekers are increasingly looking to other religions for transformation and meaning Why is this? How do the various world religions address people’s spiritual longings? What is Christianity’s unique contribution? Author, pastor, and counselor Dan Scott reveals the attraction of other religious traditions and provides effective tools Christians can use to reflect the glory of God to those who seek Him.

This engaging dialogue addresses critical issues like these:

• What do other religions show Christians about the way people search for God?
• Do other religions contain elements of truth?
• How can churches be “seeker sensitive” and yet offer the transformation true seekers are looking for?

Spiritual seekers want to know the kind of truth that will change their lives. As readers find out what the world is saying about God, they will discover how to help others on their spiritual journey.

.
Price: $11.19 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Our culture is reeling from divisiveness and strife. People are divided politically (into red and blue states), morally, and spiritually. Successful author and Hollywood filmmaker Craig Detweiler reveals how to be a “purple” Christian—a follower of Christ who finds middle ground, not to compromise but to converse. He empowers readers to build relationships rather than erect barriers so they can more effectively communicate and live out the good news. This relevant and practical guide reveals ways to...

• communicate the gospel with humility
• promote prolife and pro–family positions in a pluralistic society
• love members of the gay community
• relate to people in other faith traditions

The Christian community has become known for what it opposes rather than what it proposes—faith, hope, and love. A Purple State of Mind dismantles unhelpful misrepresentations of Jesus’ life–giving message and presents it in a fresh, contemporary way.

.
Price: $9.09 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Many teenagers leave home for college but don’t take their faith with them. Popular writer and speaker Sean McDowell offers a solution for this problem: a new way of approaching faith that addresses the questions the emerging generation is asking and that incorporates a radically humble and relational approach.

An impressive list of contributors, including Dan Kimball (They Like Jesus but Not the Church) and David Kinnaman (unChristian), show that today’s apologetics must employ...

• a clear connection with everyday life
• an invitation for people to express their doubts and wrestle with tough questions
• a culturally savvy understanding of the way secular people view Christians
• an engaging methodology that captures the imagination before engaging the mind
• a strong emphasis on the resurrection and how it changes everything

This resource is imperative for leaders who are ready to engage a new generation with the claims of Christ.

.
Price: $11.19 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Life is messy. But life is also beautiful. These are the twin themes that author/artist Carolyn Arends (writer of ten Top 10 Christian songs) opens up in her searching exploration of how God meets people in the ordinary moments of life, part of the ConversantLife.com line of books.

This humorous, tender, and passionate collection of personal stories illustrate the mysterious ways that God works to bring people through life’s struggles and discover the amazing power of grace.

• Why the birth of her child and the death of a friend gave her a new perspective
• What a prairie storm and the beauty of a bright red canyon can teach people about God
• How mismatched shoes and Bach oratorios can give readers a glimpse into a deeper mystery

Fans of Don Miller and Anne Lamott will discover a kindred spirit in Carolyn and her transparent and gutsy meditations on life’s unanswered questions and the One who can be found there.

Formerly titled Living the Questions

.
Price: $7.13 [Notify me when price goes down.]

A leading evangelical thinker offers this brand–new way of addressing life’s most important questions: Does God exist, and can we know Him? J.P. Moreland, distinguished professor of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, abandons traditional didactic apologetics and entices skeptics and dissatisfied believers into a conversation about the emptiness and anxiety so many feel today. He invites them to the abundant life Jesus offers but that so few seem to be experiencing.

Moreland shows that people are created by a benevolent God and given a life–enhancing purpose. He empowers readers to...

• overcome obstacles to faith, including questions about science and religion
• embrace an enticing view of Jesus and the kingdom of God
• replace unhelpful images of God with the truth

Readers will find practical and effective ways to experience intimacy with God, an effective life of prayer, and a confident hope in life after death.

.
Price: $11.19 [Notify me when price goes down.]