September 2022 New Releases
New Books and Bibles
Below is a list of new and notable resources releasing this month from Crossway. Titles include the ESV Scripture Journal: New Testament Set (Artwork by Ruth Chou Simons) and Confronting Jesus by Rebecca McLaughlin.
ESV Scripture Journal: New Testament Set (Artwork by Ruth Chou Simons)
The ESV Scripture Journal: New Testament Set includes nineteen journals featuring artwork by Ruth Chou Simons. Each journal contains the entirety of an individual book of the New Testament with lightly lined blank pages opposite each page of Bible text.
Bible readers can take extended notes or record insights and prayers directly beside corresponding passages of Scripture. These thin and portable notebooks are great for personal Bible reading and reflection, small-group study, or taking notes through a sermon series.
Confronting Jesus: 9 Encounters with the Hero of the Gospels
In Confronting Jesus, Rebecca McLaughlin shares important biblical context to help all readers see why the Gospels should be taken seriously as historical documents. Exploring eyewitness testimony about Jesus, McLaughlin points to him as a first-century Jewish man who is the Son of God, King of the Jews, mighty healer, greatest teacher, lover of sinners, suffering servant, perfect sacrifice, and universal Lord. This follow-up to her first book, Confronting Christianity, helps readers understand the message of the Gospels and explore who Jesus really is.
“Who is Jesus, really, and why does he matter? That’s the question Rebecca tackles in this insightful exploration of the life of Jesus, using his four authorized biographies—the Gospels. For the last two thousand years, those who have studied Jesus have found him simple enough for a child to understand yet profound enough to confound the philosophers. Whether you’re exploring who Jesus really is for the first time or just want to learn more about the beauty of our Savior, Confronting Jesus is a must read.”
—J. D. Greear, Pastor, The Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; author, Just Ask
Confronting Jesus Study Guide
In Confronting Jesus, Rebecca McLaughlin gives an accessible introduction to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, explaining what each book reveals about Jesus and how it is relevant to life today. This companion study guide sparks further discussion about the historical and biblical facts in each chapter, helping readers better understand the Gospels. The Confronting Jesus Study Guide—ideal for individuals, small groups, and churches—is an engaging invitation to learn more about the person and work of Christ.
Workers for Your Joy: The Call of Christ on Christian Leaders
What is the nature, calling, and work of local church leadership? Pastor and seminary professor David Mathis considers the elder qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 not only as prerequisites but as daily necessities to carry out joyfully. This accessible guide aims to serve current and aspiring pastors and elders, as well as church members who want to know the expectations for their leaders and how to pray for them. From the words of Christ to Peter and Paul and Hebrews, the New Testament casts a vision for church leaders that is good news to churches and leaders alike: joyful workers for the joy of their people.
“David Mathis is right that two thousand years later, the biblical qualifications for elders ‘continue to pulse with relevancy to the everyday work of Christian leadership.’ What a great help this book would have been forty years ago when I was trying to build church-wide consensus around how the local church is to be led. What makes this book unique is the way pastoral joy, patient exposition, and personal application are woven into the fabric of Christian leadership. May God use Workers for Your Joy to raise up thousands of leaders who do not lord it over their people’s faith, but ‘work with you for your joy’ (2 Cor. 1:24).”
—John Piper, Leader, Teacher, and Founder, desiringGod.org
What Should I Look for in a Church?
Looking for a new church can feel overwhelming, and it’s often difficult to know what aspects to prioritize. In this addition to the Church Questions series, Alex Duke provides criteria on what to look for in a healthy local church.
Using personal experiences and biblical principles, Duke identifies important elements within the church—the gospel, the Bible, and the community—as well as specific questions to ask. He also reminds believers that they should not be looking for a perfect church, but a biblical and faithful one. This booklet is perfect for those who are looking for a new church and unsure where to begin.
“Sincere questions deserve thoughtful answers. If you’re not sure where to start in answering these questions, let this series serve as a diving board into the pool. These minibooks are winsomely to-the-point and great to read together with one friend or one hundred friends.”
—Gloria Furman, author, Alive in Him and Labor with Hope
Is Hell Real?
When individuals talk about an afterlife, they often talk about heaven and avoid any mention of hell. The idea of hell is uncomfortable and most people prefer to not discuss it. Given this reality, our society lacks an understanding of what hell is, why it exists, and how people can avoid it.
Pastor Dane Ortlund has written this Church Questions booklet to educate readers on the reality of hell and the hope found in Jesus Christ. Using a variety of biblical passages, Ortlund explains that God is just, righteous, and deals perfectly with humanity. In light of God’s holiness and our sin, we fall woefully short of heaven. Humanity deserves hell, but heaven is offered to believers through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“Where can we Christians find reliable answers to our common questions about life together at church—without having to plow through long, expensive books? The Church Questions booklets meet our need with answers that are biblical, thoughtful, and practical. For pastors, this series will prove a trustworthy resource for guiding church members toward deeper wisdom and stronger unity.”
—Ray Ortlund, President, Renewal Ministries
La Santa Biblia RVR, Tamaño Delgado
The La Santa Biblia RVR is a beautiful and practical edition for Spanish readers of God’s Word. It features the complete Reina Valera 1960 (RVR) text with a brand new, attractive interior for a better reading experience. The portable format and durable TruTone cover make this Bible perfect for daily reading and study.
ESV Expository Commentary: Psalms–Song of Solomon (Volume 5) and ESV Expository Commentary: Isaiah–Ezekiel (Volume 6)
Designed to strengthen the global church with a widely accessible, theologically sound, and pastorally wise resource for understanding and applying the overarching storyline of the Bible, the ESV Expository Commentary features the full text of the ESV Bible passage by passage, with crisp and theologically rich exposition and application. Editors Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton, and Jay Sklar have gathered a team of experienced pastor-theologians to provide a new generation of pastors and other teachers of the Bible around the world with a globally minded commentary rich in biblical theology and broadly Reformed doctrine, making the message of redemption found in all of Scripture clear and available to all.
“The ESV Expository Commentary will be a welcome addition to the toolbox of those who are committed to expounding the inerrant and infallible Word of God. It is biblically sound, theologically faithful, and practically helpful. I look forward to using it in my own preaching and teaching ministry.”
—Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary