Title: What We Believe and Why
Description: This book is for individuals, small groups and congregations seeking deeper knowledge of the faith and greater maturity in Christ. Includes an exhaustive "Glossary Plus" of Christian and Jewish terms, an extensive Bibliography, a detailed Index, and a little Humor in the back. The Christian faith -- the basics and much more. In this sweeping and careful account of the essentials and non-essentials of the faith, Dr. George Koch lays out the foundation of what Christians believe, why they believe it, and how the Bible calls them to live with each other and the world. This begins with understanding "being saved," through learning to live and love like Jesus (it's hard!), and the content of eternal life with Him. The profound Jewish roots of the faith are revealed and explained, along with the deep meaning of the Hebrew and Greek behind the words of the Old and New Testaments. The true purpose of prayer is explored in some surprising ways, across denominations and history. Then the nature of God's love is looked at -- with its ability to burst open prisons of the heart and mind. And obedience: What does God expect from us, and how can we fulfill it? Next is covenant -- the very way of God with Abraham, Moses, Jesus and us -- like a marriage: intimate, caring, protected. Then on through issues of the Holy Spirit, peace, mercy, heresy (it's probably not what you think!), the Trinity, and Bible authority. Koch then examines how competing religious concepts arose in the Church, and how these are often used -- against the explicit commands of Jesus -- to drive apart believers. He sets forth several specific and biblical steps that opposing Christian groups and individuals can take to begin to embody the unity that Jesus desired of His followers -- to find true reconciliation with God and with each other. The journey of this book is a challenging one, but can help Christians learn to refocus on the love of God, neighbor and enemy that Jesus taught, rather than differences over concepts about God and the Church. The true purpose of the Christian life is not merely to know more about God, but to know God more. - Publisher.