Shawn Lazar

How Does Grace Transform Giving? For generations, believers have been urged to open their wallets and "give to God" through tithing, with promises of blessings-or even threats of curses-for failing to give enough. But what if this concept, so deeply ingrained in Christian culture, is actually a myth? In The Myth of Tithing and the Joy of Grace Giving, Shawn Lazar unpacks Scripture to reveal the truth about giving. By carefully examining the Biblical texts, he shows that popular teaching about tithing misunderstand the Mosaic Law. He also explains what the New Testament says about giving. Instead of guilt-driven giving, Lazar invites readers to experience the freedom and joy of grace-filled generosity. Here, giving is not about meeting a percentage but responding to God's grace, supporting spiritual needs, and uplifting the poor. Discover how grace transforms giving just as much as it transforms salvation. - Includes discussion questions for small groups.

You might know what you believe ... but do you know that you believe? While many Christians know that they are supposed to believe, they don't know if they actually do believe. Stop wondering if you have false faith, spurious faith, temporary faith, intellectual faith, or head faith instead of heart faith. All such terms are unhelpful and unbiblical, and cause many Christians to wonder if they have truly believed. By reading this book, you will not only discover how faith works, but also how to know that you believe. This book also answers some of your most pressing questions about faith, such as the relationship between faith and works, whether or not God gives the gift of faith, and how it is possible to be certain about your faith. This book also provides explanations for several key Bible passages about faith.

Written partly as a response to John Piper's book, The Justification of God, this book by J. D. Myers provides three keys to understanding Romans 9 before examining Romans 9:10-24 in its context. As a result, the reader discovers the biblical truth about divine election, seeing that it is a beautiful teaching from Scripture which in no way impugns the character of God. Scholars from all perspectives have debated Romans 9, arguing over corporate or individual election, whether or not God truly hates Esau, and how to understand the hardening of Pharaoh's heart. All sides have accused the others of misrepresenting God. In this book, J. D. Myers presents a mediating position. Gleaning from both Calvinistic and Arminian insights into Romans 9, J. D. Myers presents a portrait of God that looks like Jesus, and a view of election that inspires the reader to follow Jesus. This book provides a way to read Romans 9 that allows God to remain sovereign and free, but also allows our theology to avoid the deterministic tendencies which have entrapped certain systems of the past. Read this book and--maybe for the first time--learn to see God the way Paul saw Him.