Digging Deeper in Ephesians

As a church we’ve been walking through the book of Ephesians. You can catch up on the sermons in this series here. And if you want to dig deeper into the study of Ephesians and related themes, the elders encourage you to check out some of these books:

The Message of Ephesians – John Stott
John Stott expounds Paul’s theme of uniting all things in Christ by uniting his church and breaking down all that separates us from God, one ethnic group from another, husband from wife, parent from child, master from slave. A book for all who want to build the church into the new society God has planned it to be.

Bloodlines: Race, Cross and the Christian – John Piper
Sharing from his own experiences growing up in the segregated South, pastor John Piper thoughtfully exposes the unremitting problem of racism. Learn to pursue ethnic harmony from a biblical perspective, and to relate to real people different from yourself, as you take part in the bloodline of Jesus that is comprised of “every tongue, tribe, and nation.”

Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those Who Are Tired of Taking Sides – Scott Sauls
Scott Sauls, like many of us, is weary of the bickering and is seeking a way of truth and beauty through the conflicts. Jesus Outside the Lines presents Jesus as this way. Scott shows us how the words and actions of Jesus reveal a response that does not perpetuate the destructive fray. Jesus offers us a way forward – away from harshness, caricatures and stereotypes.

Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel – Russell D. Moore
As the culture changes all around us, it is no longer possible for Christians to pretend that we are a moral majority. That may be bad news for America, but it can be good news for the church. Nominal Christianity isn’t working anymore. What’s needed now, in shifting times, is neither a doubling-down on the status quo nor a retreat into isolation. Instead, we need a church that speaks to social and political issues with a bigger vision in mind: that of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

By His Wounds You are Healed: How the Message of Ephesians Transforms a Woman’s Identity – Wendy Horger Alsup
When read in context, Ephesians has much to say to women beyond just the passages traditionally thought to apply to the female gender. The whole book applies, and the extensive good news Paul presents will radically transform how we view ourselves and our daily responsibilities.

Ephesians for You – Richard Coekin
In a world where Christianity seems increasingly sidelined and even irrelevant, we need to grasp the truths of this faith-affirming, life-changing letter. Ephesians For You helps readers see how being in Christ changes everything, our view of ourselves, our world, our future, our church, homes and workplaces.

If you’re interested in any of these books, pick them up in The Nook or consider purchasing them on Amazon. Karis has an Amazon Smile account that gives back 0.5% of purchases to Karis Church.