How can a loving God send people to hell? Isn''t it arrogant to believe Jesus is the only way to God? What is up with holy war in the Old Testament?Many of us fear God has some skeletons in the closet. Hell, judgment, and holy war are hot topics for the Christian faith that have a way of igniting fierce debate far and wide.  These hard questions leave many wondering whether God is really good and can truly be trusted.The Skeletons in God''s Closet confronts our popular caricatures of these difficult topics with the beauty and power of the real thing. Josh Butler reveals that these subjects are consistent with, rather than contradictory to, the goodness of God. He explores Scripture to reveal the plotlines that make sense of these tough topics in light of God''s goodness. From fresh angles, Josh deals powerfully with such difficult passages as:- The Lake of Fire- Lazarus and the Rich Man- The Slaughter of Canaanites in the Old TestamentUltimately, The Skeletons in God''s Close uses our toughest questions to provoke paradigm shifts in how we understand our faith as a whole. It pulls the "skeletons out of God''s closet" to reveal they were never really skeletons at all.

How can a loving God send people to hell? Isn’t it arrogant to believe Jesus is the only way to God? What is up with holy war in the Old Testament?Many of us fear God has some skeletons in the closet. Hell, judgment, and holy war are hot topics for the Christian faith that have a way of igniting fierce debate far and wide.  These hard questions leave many wondering whether God is really good and can truly be trusted.The Skeletons in God's Closet confronts our popular caricatures of these difficult topics with the beauty and power of the real thing. Josh Butler reveals that these subjects are consistent with, rather than contradictory to, the goodness of God. He explores Scripture to reveal the plotlines that make sense of these tough topics in light of God’s goodness. From fresh angles, Josh deals powerfully with such difficult passages as: The Lake of FireLazarus and the Rich ManThe Slaughter of Canaanites in the Old Testament Ultimately, The Skeletons in God's Close uses our toughest questions to provoke paradigm shifts in how we understand our faith as a whole. It pulls the “skeletons out of God’s closet” to reveal they were never really skeletons at all.

Is God lost?Many of us feel that way. It''s as if God''s gone missing, out in the universe somewhere—and we must pick up the hunt, following any trail of breadcrumbs he may have left to go out and find him. We speak of "searching for God," "exploring spirituality," and "finding faith."But what if we have it backward? What if God is the one pursuing us? What if our job is not to go out and find God, but simply to stop running and hiding? Not to earn God''s love, but to receive it? Not to turn on the light, but to step out of the shadows? Jesus reveals a God on the prowl, pursuing us, hunting down his world for reconciliation. And the question we''re left with is not whether we''ve pursued hard enough, searched long enough, or jumped high enough . . .The question is, "Do we want to be found?"

The influential pastor and author of The Skeletons in God’s Closet invites those trapped in doubt, shame, or disappointment to discover afresh the life-transforming truth that God is always looking out for you.Do you ever question whether God is on your side? It’s easy to believe he is when life is going well. It’s harder to believe when you’re reeling from rejection or betrayal, wrestling with depression or a terminal diagnosis, grappling with loneliness, or grieving broken dreams. Jesus reveals a God who is more on your side than you ever dared to dream. In this study on the gospel of John, you’ll discover the Creator who enters your side of creation, the Savior who fights for you on the cross, and the Redeemer who works through you with meaning and purpose. You’ll discover• how God is closer than you think—guiding, guarding, and loving you• how the Old Testament brings John’s gospel to life in fresh ways• simple, practical ways to experience God’s love every dayYou don’t have to win God’s love. God has come to win yours. Even in your darkest moments, he pursues you to shape you and hold you close. Come encounter the hope-filled radiant love of the God who is always on your side.

A practical, illuminating companion guide to God Is on Your Side, Joshua Ryan Butler’s encouraging exploration of the goodness of God in a confusing worldWhen life is far from what you dreamed, you might wonder, Does God care about me at all? This companion guide to Joshua Ryan Butler’s transformative book God Is on Your Side is a welcoming place to wrestle with your doubts about God’s goodness and step boldly into a life of responding to God’s love.Each of the seven sessions covers two chapters in God Is on Your Side, giving you the opportunity to explore key concepts of the book more deeply. An invitation to encounter God in a new way, this guide includes• rich Bible study with key insights from the gospel of John• reflective exercises to stir your heart and renew your faith• thought-provoking questions and soul-deep prayer prompts • a flexible reading schedule for individuals or groupsAs you journey through imaginative exercises, guided reflections, and application ideas, you’ll come to comprehend at a heart-and-soul level how even when it feels like God has left the building, he is closer than you can imagine.

In this insightful, nonpartisan roadmap toward faithful political engagement and ultimate allegiance to Jesus, pastor Joshua Ryan Butler diagnoses the roots of political conflict tearing apart the church and prescribes a practical and prophetic way forward.“A must-read for any and all who seek the way of Jesus.”—Jay Kim, pastor and author of Analog ChristianHave you noticed a deeper level of political division in your community or church? If so, you’re not alone. This powerful, accessible book exposes the religious nature of modern political movements and how they compete with faithfulness to Christ.Rather than retreat from the political realm, The Party Crasher will help you understand the politics of our age and equip you with the wisdom to faithfully navigate them. Key takeaways include:• How to develop a Christian posture for political life and promote unity in the church.• When to be bold.• How to identify and repent from our political idols.• How the way we worship can help us avoid division.This is not a book about putting politics aside, it’s a book about putting politics in their place so that we might be better disciples of Jesus in whichever party or place we find ourselves.

How can a loving God send people to hell? Isn''t it arrogant to believe Jesus is the only way to God? What is up with holy war in the Old Testament?Many of us fear God has some skeletons in the closet. Hell, judgment, and holy war are hot topics for the Christian faith that have a way of igniting fierce debate far and wide.  These hard questions leave many wondering whether God is really good and can truly be trusted.The Skeletons in God''s Closet confronts our popular caricatures of these difficult topics with the beauty and power of the real thing. Josh Butler reveals that these subjects are consistent with, rather than contradictory to, the goodness of God. He explores Scripture to reveal the plotlines that make sense of these tough topics in light of God''s goodness. From fresh angles, Josh deals powerfully with such difficult passages as:- The Lake of Fire- Lazarus and the Rich Man- The Slaughter of Canaanites in the Old TestamentUltimately, The Skeletons in God''s Close uses our toughest questions to provoke paradigm shifts in how we understand our faith as a whole. It pulls the "skeletons out of God''s closet" to reveal they were never really skeletons at all.

How can a loving God send people to hell? Isn’t it arrogant to believe Jesus is the only way to God? What is up with holy war in the Old Testament?Many of us fear God has some skeletons in the closet. Hell, judgment, and holy war are hot topics for the Christian faith that have a way of igniting fierce debate far and wide.  These hard questions leave many wondering whether God is really good and can truly be trusted.The Skeletons in God's Closet confronts our popular caricatures of these difficult topics with the beauty and power of the real thing. Josh Butler reveals that these subjects are consistent with, rather than contradictory to, the goodness of God. He explores Scripture to reveal the plotlines that make sense of these tough topics in light of God’s goodness. From fresh angles, Josh deals powerfully with such difficult passages as: The Lake of FireLazarus and the Rich ManThe Slaughter of Canaanites in the Old Testament Ultimately, The Skeletons in God's Close uses our toughest questions to provoke paradigm shifts in how we understand our faith as a whole. It pulls the “skeletons out of God’s closet” to reveal they were never really skeletons at all.

Is God lost?Many of us feel that way. It''s as if God''s gone missing, out in the universe somewhere—and we must pick up the hunt, following any trail of breadcrumbs he may have left to go out and find him. We speak of "searching for God," "exploring spirituality," and "finding faith."But what if we have it backward? What if God is the one pursuing us? What if our job is not to go out and find God, but simply to stop running and hiding? Not to earn God''s love, but to receive it? Not to turn on the light, but to step out of the shadows? Jesus reveals a God on the prowl, pursuing us, hunting down his world for reconciliation. And the question we''re left with is not whether we''ve pursued hard enough, searched long enough, or jumped high enough . . .The question is, "Do we want to be found?"

The influential pastor and author of The Skeletons in God’s Closet invites those trapped in doubt, shame, or disappointment to discover afresh the life-transforming truth that God is always looking out for you.Do you ever question whether God is on your side? It’s easy to believe he is when life is going well. It’s harder to believe when you’re reeling from rejection or betrayal, wrestling with depression or a terminal diagnosis, grappling with loneliness, or grieving broken dreams. Jesus reveals a God who is more on your side than you ever dared to dream. In this study on the gospel of John, you’ll discover the Creator who enters your side of creation, the Savior who fights for you on the cross, and the Redeemer who works through you with meaning and purpose. You’ll discover• how God is closer than you think—guiding, guarding, and loving you• how the Old Testament brings John’s gospel to life in fresh ways• simple, practical ways to experience God’s love every dayYou don’t have to win God’s love. God has come to win yours. Even in your darkest moments, he pursues you to shape you and hold you close. Come encounter the hope-filled radiant love of the God who is always on your side.

A practical, illuminating companion guide to God Is on Your Side, Joshua Ryan Butler’s encouraging exploration of the goodness of God in a confusing worldWhen life is far from what you dreamed, you might wonder, Does God care about me at all? This companion guide to Joshua Ryan Butler’s transformative book God Is on Your Side is a welcoming place to wrestle with your doubts about God’s goodness and step boldly into a life of responding to God’s love.Each of the seven sessions covers two chapters in God Is on Your Side, giving you the opportunity to explore key concepts of the book more deeply. An invitation to encounter God in a new way, this guide includes• rich Bible study with key insights from the gospel of John• reflective exercises to stir your heart and renew your faith• thought-provoking questions and soul-deep prayer prompts • a flexible reading schedule for individuals or groupsAs you journey through imaginative exercises, guided reflections, and application ideas, you’ll come to comprehend at a heart-and-soul level how even when it feels like God has left the building, he is closer than you can imagine.

In this insightful, nonpartisan roadmap toward faithful political engagement and ultimate allegiance to Jesus, pastor Joshua Ryan Butler diagnoses the roots of political conflict tearing apart the church and prescribes a practical and prophetic way forward.“A must-read for any and all who seek the way of Jesus.”—Jay Kim, pastor and author of Analog ChristianHave you noticed a deeper level of political division in your community or church? If so, you’re not alone. This powerful, accessible book exposes the religious nature of modern political movements and how they compete with faithfulness to Christ.Rather than retreat from the political realm, The Party Crasher will help you understand the politics of our age and equip you with the wisdom to faithfully navigate them. Key takeaways include:• How to develop a Christian posture for political life and promote unity in the church.• When to be bold.• How to identify and repent from our political idols.• How the way we worship can help us avoid division.This is not a book about putting politics aside, it’s a book about putting politics in their place so that we might be better disciples of Jesus in whichever party or place we find ourselves.