Timothy Paul Jones

"What good does it do to say that the words of the Bible] are inspired by God if most people have absolutely no access to these words, but only to more or less clumsy renderings of these words into a language? . . . How does it help us to say that the Bible is the inerrant word of God if in fact we don't have the words that God inerrantly inspired? . . . We have only error-ridden copies, and the vast majority of these are centuries removed from the originals." So contends Bart D. Ehrman in his bestselling Misquoting Jesus. If altogether true, we have little reason to put our confidence in Scripture. Add to this Ehrman's contention that what we read in the New Testament represents the winners' version of events, twisted to suit their own purposes and not at all a faithful recounting of what really happened, and the case for skepticism and unbelief gives every appearance of being on solid footing. But are things really so bad off? Were the New Testament documents widely distorted by copyists? Can we in fact have no idea what was in the originals? Do we have no hope of knowing what eyewitnesses said and thought? Are other documents left out of the New Testament better sources for understanding early Christianity? While readily conceding that Ehrman has many of his facts straight, pastor and researcher Timothy Paul Jones argues that Ehrman is far too quick to jump to false and unnecessary conclusions. In clear, straightforward prose, Jones explores and explains the ins and outs of copying the New Testament, why lost Christianities were lost, and why the Christian message still rings true today.

Examine the roots and practicality of biblical and modern apologetics with the guidance of five experts and learn to apply their best practices to your own journey. God has called Christians to be prepared to defend their hope in Christ, but what's the best method for making this defense? In this book, five expert apologists set out together to determine which approach to apologetics is the most faithful to Scripture and the most useful in a secular age. In this fast-paced, and thorough exploration, enjoy learning: Solid, scriptural defenses for the use of apologeticsFive different approaches to apologetics (and how to employ them)And much moreUnderstanding Apologetics presents in counterpoint form five popular approaches to the defense of the Christian faith that have developed throughout history―from the early days of Christianity through to our practices today. Apologetics philosophies explored here include: Cultural ApologeticsPresuppositional ApologeticsEvidential ApologeticsClassical ApologeticsEcclesial ApologeticsAbout the Contributors: These defenses are much more than academic. Each contributor is a scholar who also practices apologetics daily. The result is a thorough yet fast-paced and practical guide to defending your faith. Melissa Cain Travis (PhD, Faulkner University) argues that classical apologetics is still vital and relevant today. Sean McDowell (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) contends that evidential apologetics is better suited than other methods when it comes to answering people's doubts about the Christian faith. James N. Anderson (PhD, University of Edinburgh) focuses on epistemology and makes the case for presuppositional apologetics. D. A. Horton (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) suggests the other perspectives are incomplete until they include cultural apologetics. Timothy Paul Jones (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) retrieves the apologetics methods of the early church and recontextualizes these ancient arguments to meet the challenges of a secular age.

A Concise Look at the Evidence for Christ’s Resurrection The entire Christian faith depends on the belief that Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead. If there was no empty tomb, Christians have an empty faith. But how can we be confident the resurrection really happened? In this concise booklet, author Timothy Paul Jones addresses the doubts and questions that arise from Jesus’s resurrection as recorded in the New Testament. Jones argues this story is not a mere repetition of old pagan tales or a fabrication to fulfill Jewish expectations. Instead, it was a historical event that is supported by compelling evidence, including accounts of men and women who were willing to die for what they believed they had seen. Skeptics are correct to assume that such claims should not be taken lightly. But what happens if Jesus really did rise from the dead? What would it mean for me and you? Written for Skeptics: A respectful appeal to those who doubt Jesus’s story that provides convincing evidence for his resurrection Short, Accessible Format: A concise exploration of the resurrection of Jesus and why it matters for believers today Part of the TGC Hard Questions Series: Equips readers with answers to difficult questions facing today’s church

Heaven is multiethnic. Are you ready for that? The Bible tells us that the congregation gathered around God's heavenly throne will be "a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language," all singing the praises of the Lamb. God's intention has always been to delight for all eternity in a redeemed community of ethnic diversity. But this diverse community shouldn't have to wait until eternity to begin! It can be a reality in our own local churches here and now. Patterned after a worship service, In Church as It Is in Heaven gives biblical warrant for such a community and shows how multiethnic churches provide a unique apologetic for the gospel. Along the way, the authors tell the story of their own church—a majority-white congregation which is being transformed into a family that reflects the diversity of heaven. The multiethnic kingdom is not just a nice idea, or an abstract theory. It's a reality—one we can enter into today.

The Bible is a cobbled–together selection of ancient writings that have been changed so many times by so many people over hundreds of years that surely the text can no longer be trusted – right? Certainly, there are plenty of people who take this view. Timothy Paul Jones here addresses the fact that the Bible is a difficult book to believe. It is full of incidents that seem highly improbable, if not impossible. Written for people who are sceptical of its accuracy, and of its authority, this book takes a reasonable look at the claims made about the Bible.

It’s time to open your eyes to the freeing power of authentic grace—grace that releases us from trying to earn God's favor, grace that enables us to rest in the finished work of Christ, grace that liberates from the tyranny of trying to please others. That's what the theology of Martin Luther and John Calvin did in their own day for the people around them. Time magazine recently dubbed Calvinism as one of the top ten ideas changing the world right now. And yet most of these discussions center on the issue of predestination or on whether particular people agree with the five points of Calvinism. Daniel Montgomery and Timothy Paul Jones think it's time to rescue the theology of the Reformers from such stale scholasticizing and to declare anew the dangerous and intoxicating joy of the gospel that theyproclaimed. PROOF stands for planned grace, resurrecting grace, outrageous grace, overcoming grace, and forever grace. The authors offer proof of God’s grace upon which people can stand against the attacks of legalism that have led many of God's people to lose sight of the freedom and joy of the gospel. And this proof is intoxicating—it’s like a 200-proof drink that will leave you spiritually staggering at its effect on your life. God’s grace not only declares us “not guilty!” in his presence, it changes our relationship with God—forever.?