Special Collections
The Christian Bookshelf
Description: Whether you're seeking deeper understanding, inspiring stories, or simply a good read, this collection offers some of Bookshare's most downloaded books about Christianity.
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David Jeremiah Morning and Evening Devotions
by David JeremiahIn a world full of stress and fear, we need the Lord more than ever. Draw near and bask in His promises of faithfulness, peace, and goodness in the new David Jeremiah Morning & Evening Devotions.The wisdom of Dr. Jeremiah permeates each page as he takes you through the year in this devotional. By starting and ending each day in the presence of the Lord, you will experience His promise of sanctuary in a chaotic world.With beautiful writing and a luxe-feeling cover, David Jeremiah Morning & Evening Devotions combines two of Dr. Jeremiah’s best loved devotionals, Sanctuary and Turning Points, to encourage and instruct you in your faith. Cling to the solid foundation of the Word of God and see how He grows you throughout the year.
The Apocrypha
by Edgar J. GoodspeedThe powerful collection of books from the Greek version of the Jewish Bible—the earliest complete version of the Bible we possess—but that were not included in the final, canonical version of the Hebrew Bible.
They were called “Apocrypha,” the hidden or secret books, and while they formed part of the original King James version of 1611, they are no longer included in modern Bibles. Yet they include such important works as The First Book of Maccabees, the Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus, and the stories of Susanna, Tobit, and Judith, and other works of great importance for the history of the Jews in the period between the rebuilding of the Temple and the time of Jesus, and thus for the background of the New Testament. These works have also had a remarkable impact on writers and artists. Beyond this, they are often as powerful as anything in the canonical Bible.
The translation into contemporary English is by Edgar J. Goodspeed.
Redeeming Love
by Francine RiversCan God's Love Save Anyone? Bestselling author Francine Rivers skillfully retells the biblical love story of Gomer and Hosea in a tale set against the exciting backdrop of the California Gold Rush. The heroine, Angel, is a young woman who was sold into prostitution as a child. Michael Hosea is a godly man sent into Angel's life to draw her into the Savior's redeeming love. This remarkable novel has sold over a million copies and is among the top twenty on the ECPA fiction bestsellers list for four years running. A six-part study guide, suitable for individual use or group discussion, is included in this bestselling novel. ALSO AVAILABLE: Now own this beloved classic in the keepsake hardcover edition!California's gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep. Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside. Then she meets Michael Hosea. A man who seeks his Father's heart in everything, Michael Hosea obeys God's call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel's every bitter expectation until, despite her resistance her frozen heart begins to thaw. But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband's pursuing love, terrified of the truth she can no longer deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael Hosea does...the One who will never let her go. A powerful retelling of the book of Hosea, Redeeming Love is a life-changing story of God's unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love. Story Behind the Book"Writing Redeeming Love was a form of worship for me. Through it, I was able to thank God for loving me even when I was defiant, rebellious, contemptuous of what I thought being a Christian meant, and afraid to give my heart away. I had wanted to be my own god and have control of my life the way Eve did in the Garden of Eden. Now I know to be loved by Christ is the ultimate joy and fulfillment. Everything in Redeeming Love was a gift from the Lord: plot, characters, theme. None of it is mine to claim."From the Trade Paperback edition.
The Problem of Pain
by C. S. LewisIn The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis, one of the most renowned Christian authors and thinkers, examines a universally applicable question within the human condition: "If God is good and all-powerful, why does he allow his creatures to suffer pain?" With his signature wealth of compassion and insight, C.S. Lewis offers answers to these crucial questions and shares his hope and wisdom to help heal a world hungering for a true understanding of human nature.
Trial and Triumph
by Richard M. HannulaPresents brief biographies of various Christian men and women who helped to shape the Christian faith and church throughout history.
The History of the Church
by Peter V. ArmenioThe History of The Church is an account of Christian History based solidly on historical fact viewed through the eyes of Faith, by which students will see both her visible and spiritual reality as bearer of divine life. The book delves deeply into the heroic lives of the saints and the tremendous achievements of the Church, and will bring those who read it to a deeper understanding of Christ and his calling for a new evangelization.
Heaven is for real
by Lynn Vincent and Todd BurpoColton was nearly 4 years old when he had an emergency appendectomy. What his parents didn't expect was the story that emerged in the months that followed. Colton told his parents that he left his body and visited heaven. He relayed stories told to him by people he met and that had occured before he was born. Reotld by his father and using Colton's words, he offers a glimpse of the wolrd that awaits us.
St. Augustine's Confessions
by Saint Augustine and Henry ChadwickIn his own day the dominant personality of the Western Church, Augustine of Hippo today stands as perhaps the greatest thinker of Christian antiquity, and his Confessions is one of the great works of Western literature. In this intensely personal narrative, Augustine relates his rare ascent from a humble Algerian farm to the edge of the corridors of power at the imperial court in Milan, his struggle against the domination of his sexual nature, his renunciation of secular ambition and marriage, and the recovery of the faith his mother Monica had taught him during his childhood. Now, Henry Chadwick, an eminent scholar of early Christianity, has given us the first new English translation in thirty years of this classic spiritual journey. Chadwick renders the details of Augustine's conversion in clear, modern English. We witness the future saint's fascination with astrology and with the Manichees, and then follow him through scepticism and disillusion with pagan myths until he finally reaches Christian faith. There are brilliant philosophical musings about Platonism and the nature of God, and touching portraits of Augustine's beloved mother, of St. Ambrose of Milan, and of other early Christians like Victorinus, who gave up a distinguished career as a rhetorician to adopt the orthodox faith. Augustine's concerns are often strikingly contemporary, yet his work contains many references and allusions that are easily understood only with background information about the ancient social and intellectual setting. To make The Confessions accessible to contemporary readers, Chadwick provides the most complete and informative notes of any recent translation, and includes an introduction to establish the context. The religious and philosophical value of The Confessions is unquestionable--now modern readers will have easier access to St. Augustine's deeply personal meditations. Chadwick's lucid translation and helpful introduction clear the way for a new experience of this classic. About the Series:For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
The Reason for God
by Timothy KellerA New York Times bestseller people can believe in—by "a pioneer of the new urban Christians" (Christianity Today) and the "C.S. Lewis for the 21st century" (Newsweek). Timothy Keller, the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, addresses the frequent doubts that skeptics, and even ardent believers, have about religion. Using literature, philosophy, real-life conversations, and potent reasoning, Keller explains how the belief in a Christian God is, in fact, a sound and rational one. To true believers he offers a solid platform on which to stand their ground against the backlash to religion created by the Age of Skepticism. And to skeptics, atheists, and agnostics, he provides a challenging argument for pursuing the reason for God.Look out for Timothy Keller's latest book, The Songs of Jesus. From the Trade Paperback edition.
Holy Bible, KJV (Red Letter Edition)
by ZondervanEnjoy the beauty and poetry of the King James Version Bible in this intuitive, searchable eBook edition. The font is crisp and clear, and readability is great on both E-Ink® screens and color screens. With fast page turns and a numbered footnoting system that allows you to easily jump from Bible text to footnote and back again, as well as a “How to Use This Bible” page, navigating the King James Version Bible has never been easier. Read the Bible on your device just as if you were reading a physical book. Make the King James Version eBook one of your favorite reads today.
The Amplified Study Bible
by ZondervanGrasp the full meaning behind the original Greek and Hebrew texts with the first-of-its-kind Amplified® Study Bible, featuring verse by verse study notes and the text of the newly revised Amplified translation.The Amplified® translation was created to deliver enhanced understanding of the rich nuances and shades of meaning of the original Bible languages. For this kind of study, no working knowledge of Greek or Hebrew is required—just a desire to know more about what God says in his Word. Now the updated Amplified translation is even easier to read and better than ever to study and understand. It includes more amplification in the Old Testament and refined amplification in the New Testament. Additionally, the Bible text has been improved to read smoothly with or without amplifications, so that the text may be read either way. It&’s the same study material that Amplified readers love, now with even clearer wording for deeper understanding.A unique system of punctuation, italics, references, and synonyms to unlock subtle shades of meaning as found in the original languagesMore than 5000 concise study notes provide helpful, practical, application-oriented comments on passages of Scripture and open the Word for readers to apply it to life330 practical theological notes draw attention to important doctrinal content in the Bible and explain how to apply it every dayBook introductions give background information about each of the Bible&’s 66 BooksA topical index provides an alphabetical listing of key words and study topics and their related passages10.5-point type size
NRSVue, Holy Bible
by ZondervanA Beautiful Bible for a Beautiful Faith.This edition of the NRSVue Holy Bible invites you to explore the depth and beauty of Scripture. Continuing the legacy of the NRSV, the NRSVue aims to faithfully serve the church in personal spiritual formation, in the liturgy, and in the academy. With revisions based on new textual evidence, historical insights, and linguistic precision, this updated edition delivers a translation of Scripture based on meticulous care for accuracy and readability.Features:The text of the New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition (66-book Protestant canon), vetted by an ecumenical group of Christian scholars
1 and 2 Timothy and Titus
by Dr. David JeremiahThe apostle Paul founded many churches in the Roman Empire, but it is clear he did not do this work alone. Rather, he relied on trusted companions such as Timothy and Titus to support the ongoing work in these communities. As Paul neared the end of his life, he wrote personal letters to these men to encourage them in their ministry and provide final guidelines for how live and lead for Christ. In particular, we find him urging these coworkers to maintain purity in the church, faithfully endure for the gospel, preach sound doctrine, pursue godliness, and maintain order as they built up other leaders. Paul's words compel believers today to also pursue their calling in the church . . . even when that means dealing with hardheaded and unruly fellow believers!David Jeremiah is the founder of Turning Point, an international ministry committed to providing Christians with sound Bible teaching through radio and television, the Internet, live events, and resource materials and books. He is the author of more than fifty books, including A Life Beyond Amazing, Overcomer, and The Book of Signs. Dr. Jeremiah serves as the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego, California, where he resides with his wife, Donna. They have four grown children and twelve grandchildren.
The Story of Christianity, Volume I
by Justo L. GonzálezIn this fully revised and updated edition, the lauded church historian Justo González tells the story of Christianity from its fragile infancy to its pervasive dominance at the dawn of the Protestant Reformation. The Story of Christianity, volume 1, relates the dramatic events, the colorful characters, and the revolutionary ideas that shaped the first fifteen centuries of the church's life and thought.
From Jesus's faithful apostles to the early reformist John Wycliffe, González skillfully weaves details from the lives of prominent figures tracing core theological issues and developments within the various traditions of the church. The Story of Christianity demonstrates at each point what new challenges and opportunities faced the church and how Christians struggled with the various options open to them, thereby shaping the future direction of the church.
This new edition of The Story of Christianity incorporates recent archaeological discoveries to give us a better view of the early Christian communities. Among these are advances in the recovery of Gnostic texts that have revealed a richer diversity of "Christianities" in the first century. González also includes important research done in the past twenty-five years revealing the significant role of women throughout the history of the church.
With lively storytelling incorporating the latest research, The Story of Christianity provides a fascinating introduction to the panoramic history of Christianity.
Exploring World History Part 1
by Ray Notgrass"This curriculum provides credit in three high school subjects: world history, English, and Bible. The 150 lessons are divided into thirty units of five lessons each. Since a typical school year has thirty-six weeks, you have some flexibility in completing the course. You can take two weeks to complete a unit when you find a topic particularly interesting or when your schedule is especially busy. Families are free to choose how they want to schedule the course, but many families choose to begin a unit on Monday and finish it on Friday. On the first day of a unit, you and a parent should read the unit introduction. Here you will find a brief overview of the unit; a list of lessons for that unit; a Bible passage to memorize; a list of books used with that unit; choices for a project for that unit; and, when a literature title is begun, an introduction to that book. After reading the introduction, choose a project to complete by the end of the unit and make a schedule for how to complete it. Find the memory work for the week in the Bible translation of your choice. "
The HarperCollins Study Bible (Revised Edition)
by Harold W. AttridgeThe landmark general reference Bible that offers the full text of the New Revised Standard Version, now completely revised and updated by leading biblical scholars, including new introductions and notes--25% revised or new material.
Just Once
by Karen KingsburyThe #1 New York Times bestselling author &“known for her deeply heartfelt novels&” (Woman&’s World) writes a sweeping World War II love story about a young woman torn between two brothers.In 1941, beautiful Irvel Holland is too focused on her secret to take much notice of the war raging overseas. She&’s dating Sam but in love with his younger brother, Hank—her longtime best friend—and Irvel has no idea how to break the news. Then the unthinkable happens—Pearl Harbor is attacked. With their lives turned upside down overnight, Sam is drafted and convinces Hank to remain in Indiana, where he and Irvel take up the battle on the home front. While Sam fights in Europe, an undeniable chemistry builds between Irvel and Hank but neither would dare cross that line. Then, two military leaders pay Irvel a visit at the classroom where she teaches. The men have plans for her, a proposition to join a new spy network. One catch: She can tell no one. With Irvel caught between two brothers thousands of miles apart, can love find a way, even from the ashes of the greatest heartbreak?
Adventure Bible, NIV
by Lawrence O. RichardsReady for Adventure? Embark on a fun, exciting journey through God’s Word with the 2013 NIV Adventure Bible. Along the way you’ll meet all types of people, see all sorts of places, and learn all kinds of things about the Bible. Most importantly you’ll grow closer in your relationship with God. Recommended by more Christian schools and churches than any other Bible for kids. Features include: new timelines added to the book intros; new additions to the “People in Bible Times;” new additions to the “Life in Bible Times;” Bible book names appear on page edges to help the reader locate verses; full color; increased content in book introductions; revised tip ins; and QR codes link to additional content online.
Living God's Word, Second Edition
by J. Daniel Hays and J. Scott DuvallLiving God's Word is your pathway to read the Bible as it was meant to be read: as God's Great Story. Many Christians resolve to study the Bible more fervently, but often struggle to grasp the progression of Scripture as a whole. They encounter various passages each week through unrelated readings, studies, and sermons and it all feels disconnected. But once they see the Bible as God's Great Story, they begin to understand how it all fits together and they start see how their own lives fit into what God has done and is doing in the world.In Living God's Word, Second Edition, New Testament scholar J. Scott Duvall and Old Testament expert J. Daniel Hays help Christians consider how their lives can be integrated into the story of the Bible, thus enabling them to live faithfully in deep and important ways. Living God's Word explores the entire Bible through broad themes that trace the progression of God's redemptive plan. Each section deals with a certain portion of Scripture's story and includes:Reading/listening preparationExplanationSummaryObservations about theological significanceConnections to the Great StoryWritten assignments for further studyThese features--combined with the authors' engaging style--make Living God's Word an ideal book for those who want to understand the Bible better, for introductory college courses, Sunday school electives, or small group study. Readers can further enhance their learning experience with the Living God's Word WORKBOOK (sold separately) which contains additional questions and exercises to help them reflect on what they are reading in Living God's Word.
The Everyday Life Bible
by Joyce MeyerFor years audiences have watched Joyce Meyer deliver powerful messages of hope and encouragement while holding the source of her inspiration, the Bible. Through the pages of THE EVERYDAY LIFE BIBLE, readers will experience the study of Scripture as if Joyce was sitting next to them, chapter by chapter and precept by precept. Not only will they learn more, they will easily be able to share this new understanding of the Bible with family and friends in a practical and down-to-earth way.Unique features include:Book Introductions--Joyce's thoughts on why each book is important and how it relates to practical living.Everyday Life Articles--Highlights of Joyce's teachings to help you apply specific biblical truths to your life.Life Points--Short quotes and comments from Joyce offering you encouragement and wisdom during challenging times.Putting the Word to Work--Questions that enable you to evaluate your life in light of biblical truth and instruction.Speak the Word--Verses adapted to be first-person confessions or prayers, bringing biblical promises to a new and personal level.
Simply Christian
by N. T. WrightWhy do we expect justice? Why do we crave spirituality? Why are we attracted to beauty? Why are relationships often so painful? And how will the world be made right? These are not simply perennial questions all generations must struggle with, but, according to N. T. Wright, are the very echoes of a voice we dimly perceive but deeply long to hear. In fact, these questions take us to the heart of who God is and what He wants from us. For two thousand years, Christianity has claimed to solve these mysteries, and this renowned biblical scholar and Anglican bishop shows that it still can today. Not since C. S. Lewis's classic summary of the faith, Mere Christianity, has such a wise and thorough scholar taken the time to explain to anyone who wants to know what Christianity really is and how it is practiced. Wright makes the case for Christian faith from the ground up, assuming that the reader has no knowledge of (and perhaps even some aversion to) religion in general and Christianity in particular. Simply Christian walks the reader through the Christian faith step by step and question by question. With simple yet exciting and accessible prose, Wright challenges skeptics by offering explanations for even the toughest doubt-filled dilemmas, leaving believers with a reason for renewed faith. For anyone who wants to travel beyond the controversies that can obscure what the Christian faith really stands for, this simple book is the perfect vehicle for that journey.
NRSV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, eBook
by ZondervanCONTEXT CHANGES EVERYTHINGYou’ve heard many Bible stories hundreds of times, but how many behind-the-scenes details are you missing? Sometimes a little context is all you need to discover the rich meaning behind the stories of Scripture.For the first time available in the New Revised Standard Version, the award-winning Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, with notes from Dr. John H. Walton (Wheaton College) and Dr. Craig S. Keener (Asbury Theological Seminary), is packed with expert insight into the customs, culture, and literature of the ancient world.Discover new dimensions of insight to even the most familiar Bible passages as you take a behind-the-scenes tour into the world of the Bible.Expertly designed for the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) text, Comfort Print® delivers a smooth reading experience that complements the foremost Bible translation vetted by Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, Evangelical, and Jewish scholars. Renowned for its beautiful balance of scholarship and readability, the NRSV faithfully serves the church in personal spiritual formation, in the liturgy, and in the academy.FeaturesThe text of the New Revised Standard Version (Protestant canon), vetted by an ecumenical pool of Christian academics and renowned for its beautiful balance of scholarship and readabilityExclusive Zondervan NRSV Comfort Print® typefaceTargeted book introductions explain the context in which each book of the Bible was writtenInsightful and informative verse-by-verse study notes reveal new dimensions of insight to even the most familiar passagesKey Old Testament (Hebrew) and New Testament terms are explained and expanded upon in two helpful reference featuresOver 300 in-depth articles on key contextual topics375 full-color photos, illustrations, and images from around the worldDozens of charts, maps, and diagrams in vivid colorAdditional study Bible tools: cross references, NRSV Authorized Concise Glossary and Concordance, indexes, and other helps
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness
by Andrew PetersonOnce, in a cottage above the cliffs on the Dark Sea of Darkness, there lived three children and their trusty dog Nugget. Janner Igiby, his brother Tink, their crippled sister Leeli are gifted children as all children are, loved well by a noble mother and ex-pirate grandfather. But they will need all their gifts and all that love to survive the evil pursuit of the venomous Fangs of Dang who have crossed the dark sea to rule the land with malice and pursue the Igibys who hold the secret to the lost legen...
Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV)
by Thomas NelsonCommissioned in 1975 by Thomas Nelson Publishers, 130 respected Bible scholars, church leaders, and lay Christians worked for seven years to create a completely modern edition of the King James Version that would continue the classic tradition of the original King James. With unyielding faithfulness to the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic texts, the translators applied the most recent research in archaeology, linguistics, and textual studies. The resulting work provides today's Bible reader with an accurate and modern translation of the Scriptures with the stylistic beauty and memorable quality of the King James. Features: Enhanced eBook Navigation NEW! Verse Style Layout (All Bible verses left-justified) 66 Bible Book Introductions Parallel Passages Full A-Z Concordance New King James Translator's Notes Explanatory Notes Textual Notes Cross-References Bible Section Introductions: The Pentateuch The Historical Books Poetical and Wisdom Books The Prophets The Gospels The Acts of the Apostles The Letters of Paul The General Epistles and Revelation