Free Logos books 2015

[Deacon]

Free for a short time on Vyrso and KIndle

Patched Together [Vyrso LINK] . . . [Kindle LINK]
by Brennan Manning (2010)

Have you ever felt the loneliness that overwhelms the soul—the longing to be loved and truly accepted? In this rich parable, a sad boy named Willie Juan finds belonging in the eyes of the mysterious Man of Sorrows. But as Willie Juan grows into a man, he discovers great success in the world, and loses what matters most.

"In the end, only one thing remains—Abba's love."

More than a charming tale, Patched Together is the parable of a man broken and restored, a man who is healing even as he embraces the beauty of his scars. This is a story in which you will see yourself, see hope in darkness—and see the joyful Man of Sorrows who calls you home.

 

[Deacon]

I probably posted this last year but R.C. Sproul's
20 volume Crucial Questions Series (20 vols.) [LINK]
by Reformation Trust, Ligonier Ministires (2009-2014) is available for free.

Titles include:

• Are These the Last Days?
• Can I Be Sure I’m Saved?
• Can I Have Joy in My Life?
• Can I Know God’s Will?
• Can I Trust the Bible?
• Does God Control Everything?
• Does Prayer Change Things?
• How Can I Develop a Christian Conscience?
• How Should I Live in This World?
• What Can I Do with My Guilt?
• What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?
• What Is Baptism?
• What Is Faith?
• What Is Repentance?
• What Is the Church?
• What Is the Lord’s Supper?
• What Is the Relationship between Church and State?
• What Is the Trinity?
• Who Is Jesus?
• Who Is the Holy Spirit?

A 2 volume free upgrade is in the works.
Orders can be placed now and when it's digitalized it will automatically download to your library.

Crucial Questions Upgrade (2 vols.) [LINK]

The additional titles are:

• What Is the Great Commission? {2015)
• Can I Lose My Salvation? (2015)

 

[Deacon]

Free Vyrso Ebooks for Black Friday Weekend:

Which Bible Translation Should I Use?: A Comparison of 4 Major Recent Versions [VYRSO LINK]
by Andreas J. Köstenberger, David A. Croteau, Joe Stowell (2012)

One of the most frequently asked questions related to the Bible is, “Which Bible translation should I use?” People often wonder what is the all-around best English Bible translation available. In this book, Douglas Moo, Wayne Grudem, Ray Clendenen, and Philip Comfort make a case for the Bible translation he represents: the NIV 2011 (New International Version), the ESV (English Standard Version), the HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible), and the NLT (New Living Translation) respectively.

In each case, the contributors explain the translation philosophy under- lying these major recent versions. They also compare and contrast how specific passages are translated in their version and other translations.

Which Bible Translation Should I Use? is ideal for anyone who is interested in the Bible and wants to know how the major recent English translations compare. After you’ve read this book, you will be able to answer the title question with confidence. You will also learn many other interesting details about specific passages in the Bible from these top experts.



The Tenth Plague [VYRSO LINK]
Fiction by Adam Blumer (2013)

Water turns to blood. Flies and gnats attack the innocent. Marc and Gillian Thayer’s vacation resort becomes a grisly murder scene, with a killer using the ten plagues of Egypt as his playbook for revenge.

When their friend turns up dead, Marc and Gillian put their vacation on hold, enlist the help of a retired homicide detective, and take a closer look at the bizarre plagues as they escalate in intensity. Meanwhile, a stranger is after the Thayers’ newly adopted baby. Will they uncover the truth behind the bitter agenda before the tenth plague, the death of the firstborn son?

 

[Deacon]

Four Free Vyrso ebooks for Cyber Monday

Women of the Bible: Old Testament [LINK]
Many women in the Bible became unexpected heroines and were surprising instruments in God's story. Women of the Bible: Old Testament looks at 11 women in the Bible, featuring women such as Sarah, Hagar, Miriam, Rahab, and Esther. This beautiful bestselling pamphlet presents the women through story and key life events, showing how God used them, plus real-life application for us today. Makes a great women's Bible study or reference.
Women of the Bible: New Testament [LINK]
Jesus reached across cultural norms by befriending and discipling women throughout his life. The bestselling Women of the Bible: New Testament pamphlet presents portraits of 15 women, some who encountered Jesus personally, and some who served in the early Church. Some women are known by name, like Mary and Martha, while others are known by their situation, such as the "Woman at the Well." This beautiful, 14-panel pamphlet presents key events and stories for the women, plus Scripture references, locations and insights from their stories.

Both are by Benjamin Galan


When Worlds Collide [LINK]
by MIke and Daniel Blackaby
The media-driven world places enormous pressure on people to conform to its secular point of view—and young people are especially susceptible to this ploy. Writing to a student audience, authors Mike and Daniel Blackaby (the grandsons of Experiencing God author Henry Blackaby) explain how Christians typically respond to this pressure in one of three ways, assigning names for each group:
"Cave-Ins" are Christians who accept the world's values and compromise their faith or abandon it altogether. "Cave-Dwellers" are believers who fear the world and seek to insulate themselves from it and its influence as much as possible. "Colliders" are the Christians who remain true to their faith yet effectively engage the world and are used by God to change peoples' lives.


Pierced: How the Words You Speak Transform the Life You Live [LINK]
by Nelson Searcy and Jennifer Dykes Henson
Words. They can seem tiny and insignificant, but they have tremendous power. They create our atmosphere, ignite psychological connections, shape our thinking, determine our actions, and ultimately construct our reality. Our words can strengthen relationships or tear people down, lead to success or ruin a lifetime’s legacy. Words can truly change our world. It’s up to you to determine whether that change will be for better or for worse.

The words you allow to flow from your mouth will shape your circumstances. This practical guide will show you how to choose your words wisely in order to create the life you want.

Includes the “30-Day No Cursing Challenge.”

 

[Deacon]

The Last Logos Bible Software Free Book of the Month for 2015

The New Testament Library Series: Ephesians [LINK]

By Stephen E. Fowl (2012)

Even though it was written some two millennia ago, Ephesians still speaks to Christians today in themes quite familiar to the modern reader. In a context where the church had become overwhelmingly, if not exclusively, Gentile, the Christian community needed to be reminded of the priority of Israel and the astonishing work of reconciliation that God willed to accomplish in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This new volume in the highly acclaimed New Testament Library series reveals the great theological promises of Ephesians while discussing issues of context, authorship, and style.

 

[Deacon]

Here's another free book offered for Advent
Agree or disagree with N.T. Wright, this is one you should read!

Scripture and the Authority of God [LINK]
by N. T. Wright (2005)

In this provocative book, N. T. Wright approaches the debate on the authority of Scripture from a different angle. It is, after all, God himself who possesses all authority and that authority is primarily about his sovereign, saving purposes being accomplished through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. What does it mean for the Bible to be a channel for that powerful authority?
This question brings up new angles on many other issues: the relation of Scripture, tradition and reason; the place of experience; the many-sided problems of the use and abuse of the Bible in relation to personal and public life. N. T. Wright’s contribution to this intense debate will bring fresh clarity to many puzzling questions.

 

[Deacon]

AWAIT THE WONDER

FaithLife is doing something different for Christmas this year.

Every day from now through Christmas Eve, they'll give you a new free book.

Each book will remain free from the time it’s revealed on the Advent calendar until Christmas Eve.

Check this thread periodically, or better yet, go directly to the 24 Days of Advent site [LINK]

Today's free book:
Calvin’s Calvinism (2 vols.) [LINK]
by John Calvin
Wertheim and Macintosh Publishers 1856–1857

No theologian has been so widely acclaimed and assailed as John Calvin. His teachings have spawned movements and sparked controversy throughout the centuries. Wars have been fought both to defend and to destroy what has become known as Calvinism, a system of thought that Calvin’s followers used as a foundation for political and theological revolutions in Western Europe and America. The breadth and depth of the global engagement with Calvin’s works since they first appeared four centuries ago—and their continuous publication since then—testify to Calvin’s importance and lasting value for the church today.

This bundle contains a translated version of Calvin’s treatise on predestination, clearly outlining his teaching and defense of the sovereignty of God in predestination and providence, as well as 14 further articles regarding predestination.

 

[Deacon]

Logos Advent 2015 - Day 3

I'm surprised at the number of up-to-date commentaries offered for free - here's another one!

Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Hebrews [LINK]
by Linda L Belleville, Jon C. Laansma and J. Ramsey Michaels
Tyndale House Publishers (2009)
792 pages

"A treasure house of insight into the biblical text. Written by some of the best scholars working today, it is an essential tool for pastors, students, church leadesr, and lay people who want to understand the text and how how it relates to our lives today. Like the NLT text it uses as its base, this commentary series is extemely readable."
—Tremper Longman III

 

[Rippon]

No theologian has been so widely acclaimed and assailed as John Calvin. His teachings have spawned movements and sparked controversy throughout the centuries. Wars have been fought both to defend and to destroy what has become known as Calvinism, a system of thought that Calvin’s followers used as a foundation for political and theological revolutions in Western Europe and America. The breadth and depth of the global engagement with Calvin’s works since they first appeared four centuries ago—and their continuous publication since then—testify to Calvin’s importance and lasting value for the church today.

The above bears repeating.

 

[Deacon]

Free for a limited time on Vyrso and Kindle:

The Best Is Yet to Be: Moving Mountains in Midlife [VYRSO] . . . [KINDLE]
by Bruce Peppin (2015)

No one needs to tell you that the crises of midlife are real. In fact, they can loom like mountains blocking your path. Kids grow up, parents grow old, spouses grow apart. Finances get strained and regrets are relentless—just when it should be getting easier! At this stage of life, it's easy to feel that our best years are behind us and somehow we've missed it.

But, as you'll discover in this book, your later years can be your greatest years—by holding steady and following the Bible's principles for finishing well. You can enjoy an inspiring second half and pass on an enduring legacy utilizing the practical guidance found in The Best Is Yet to Be.

 

[Deacon]

Unapologetically Reformed in their viewpoint, today's Advent offering is:

Tabletalk Magazine Bundle: Christian History (11 issues) [LINK]
by Ligonier Ministries

The issues contained in the bundle are:

September 2012: The 12th Century
May 2011: The 11th Century: Conflict, Crusades, and the New Christendom
August 2010: The Tenth Century: Progress and Regress
April 2009: The Church in the 9th Century
July 2008: The 8th Century
November 2007: The English Reformation
August 2006: The History of the Church in the Sixth Century
August 2004: A Defining Era: The History of the Church in the Fourth Century
July 2002: The Church Takes Shape: The Acts of Christ in the Second Century
October 2000: Saint Anselm of Canterbury
June 1996: Augustine of Hippo

 

[Deacon]

Advent Day 5,
From the International Critical Commentary Series, edited by Samuel Rolles Driver, Alfred Plummer, and Charles Augustus Briggs:

A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Esther [LINK]
by Lewis Bayles Paton (1908)

An older technical commentary on the book of Esther. Paton takes the position that the book is not a historical account of events. He excels in comparing the numerous ancient Greek translations of Esther. Used in conjunction with more modern, evangelical commentaries, this is a worthy addition to any collection.

 

[Deacon]

First Sunday of Advent - Day 6
All previous Advent books are still live


The Life of Faith [LINK]

by Arthur Pink

This publication entitled The Life of Faith is a selection drawn from published books and magazine articles. The intention is to stress Pink’s main emphases, beginning with what God has done for his people and then focusing on certain aspects of the Christian life.

Chapter 1 shows the design of God in purposing the death of Christ on behalf of his people. Chapter 2 unfolds the work of the Spirit in the Christian Dispensation; while chapter 3, clearly states the nature of Christian assurance.

The remaining chapters concentrate on different aspects of the Christian life. Chapter 4 stresses the need for spiritual development, and Pink makes interesting observations on the meaning of progressive sanctification. In Chapter 5, Pink brings together two important individual spiritual disciplines, Bible reading and prayer. Chapter 6 outlines the believer’s relationship to God’s moral law, summarized in the Ten Commandments.

In Chapter 7 Pink examines a common feature of Christian experience—backsliding and restoration as seen in the life of David. Chapter 8 also looks at an individual, Elisha, to see the way believers, and in particular, ministers can be tested by God. Christian submission is the theme of chapter 9—an attitude to be worked out in all relationships of life. The final selection, Grace Preparing For Glory, is an exhortation to live appropriately in the light of tile Second Coming of Jesus.

Excerpt:
Here, then, is the root of spiritual growth: the communication to the soul of spiritual life. Here is what makes possible Christian progress: a person’s becoming a Christian, first by the Spirit’s anointing and then by his own choice. This twofold signification of the term “Christian” is the principal key which opens to us the subject of Christian progress or spiritual growth, for it ever needs to be contemplated from both the Divine and human sides. It requires to be viewed both from the angle of God’s operations and from that of the discharge of our responsibilities. The twofold meaning of the title “Christian” must also be borne in mind under the present aspect of our subject, for on the one hand progress is neither necessary nor possible, while in another very real sense it is both desirable and requisite. God’s “anointing” is not susceptible of improvement, being perfect; but our “discipleship” is to become more intelligent and productive of good works. Much confusion has resulted from ignoring this distinction, and we shall devote the first half of this chapter to the negative side, pointing out those respects in which progress or growth does not obtain. [chapter 4]

 

[Deacon]

7th day of Advent

The Pulpit Commentary: St. Luke (Vol. 1 and 2) [LINK]

by H. D. M. Spence (1908)

Far more than just a simple commentary, it provides an unrivalled range of homiletic helps that go a long way toward presenting the biblical text in a Sunday school lesson, sermon, or Bible study.

The Pulpit Commentary covers St. Luke in two volumes, with at least three treatments of every verse:

Exposition
Commentary on the passage, with exegetical, interpretive, theological, historical, and geographical observations. Written by the author of that volume.

Homiletics
A guide for preaching or teaching through the passage, with personal application, devotional insights, and observations about the rhetorical structure of the passage. Written by the author of that volume.

Homilies
Actual sermons from various contributors, covering a couple of verses or a pericope. Typically, a brief introduction followed by 2-5 "points" with a number of references to other passages that provide biblical context.

 

[Deacon]

Short time Freebie

Hope for the Brokenhearted: God’s Voice of Comfort in the Midst of Grief and Loss [VYRSO LINK] . . . [KINDLE]
by John Luke Terveen (2013)

This book grew out of Dr. John Luke Terveen's own experience with grief and loss resulting from his fourteen-year-old daughter's death. he scoured books looking for comfort but found the Bible itself to be his greatest source of hope, comfort, wise counsel, and encouragement.

After reviewing more than 200 books on grief and loss, he discovered that none investigated biblical passages discussing grief and loss. He set out to fill the huge, unmet need for a book that helps Christians embrace relevant Scriptures more fully and seriously in the midst of their mourning.

The biblical selections deal with the hard questions, honest passions, and divine hope that only one who has walked down the path of sorrow could write about. Topics such as resurrection, the second coming, heaven, the resurrection body, doubt, anger, guilt, and dashed dreams are covered with great care to minister to the hearts of those who are grieving.

 

[Deacon]

8th Day of Advent

Here's another provocative author, and a book that will be on my reading list for 2016.

Church Dogmatics, Volume 2: The Doctrine of God, Part 1 [LINK]
by Karl Barth

Excerpt:
As a theological discipline dogmatics is the scientific self-examination of the Christian Church with respect to the content of its distinctive talk about God.

Ah! The language of the church needs to be examined, and it is the task of theology so to examine it! The language of the church is sometimes better, sometimes worse. What the church says about God and his Christ is sometimes more faithful, sometimes less faithful. All sermons, all creeds, all pronouncements needed to be criticized, and it is the duty of theology so to do. And there are standards by which such examination is to be conducted.

We are not free in the church to say anything just because we like it. We are not free to preach in any old way we want. We are not free to fashion God and his Christ in our own image. We are not free to invent the gospel. Instead, we are bound to the Word of God. It is our duty to frame our proclamation in conformity with it.

Think what non-sense and worse in the church could be avoided by paying attention to this one sentence summary!

Barth. The Task of Dogmatics I.1, 3

 

[Deacon]

The latest issue of Themelious from the Gospel Coalition is now avaliable.

Themelios. an international journal for students and religious studies [LINK]
Volume 40 issue 3
December 2015 / 194 pages

Check the column on the right of the linked page to see other issues that still may be offered for free.

 

[Deacon]

Advent day 9

From Warren Wiersbie's Devotional Commentary "Be" Series

Be Comforted (Isaiah) [LINK]
by Warren Wiersbie (1996)

At a time when empires were rising and falling and his nation was in peril, it was Isaiah who wrote, "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength" (Is. 30:15, NKJV). This major book in the Old Testament provides God's people with comfort, but not in the sense that we often view comfort today. When Isaiah says "Be comforted!" his words are not intended for pity but for power and strength.

Be Comforted details the lives of Isaiah and many powerful rulers of his day. This powerful resource guides the reader through the turbulent years of Isaiah's life and shows that while he trusted God and lived out his faith, the prophet pointed to another who would be the ultimate embodiment of service: Jesus Christ.

 

[Deacon]

Tenth day of Advent

The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles [LINK]
by R. C. H. Lenski (1961)

Thorough as a student of Greek, R. C. H. Lenski interprets the Acts of the Apostles with meticulous exegetical research while providing an original, literal translation of the text. With his conservative Lutheran perspective, he is unwavering in his high view of Scriptural authority, probing deeply and passionately—arguing his conclusions masterfully. Beyond exegesis, he provides linguistic and textual analysis, historical background such as information on the author, date, time of writings, authorial intent, chief themes, and much more. Often addressing difficult text, evading nothing, Lenski evaluates multiple interpretations before choosing one in particular. The Lenski Commentary, therefore, will introduce you to a range of interpretations and viewpoints, allowing you to see how other interpretations relate to one another, and will provide the context as to why he has settled on a particular viewpoint.

My favorite New Testament commentary is that of R.C.H. Lenski. I smile whenever this scholar stabbed the “chiliasts” or those who reject infant baptism; yet I profit greatly from his sane and spiritually sensitive exposition. You do not have to be a Greek scholar to benefit from Lenski.
—Warren W. Wiersbe, A Basic Library for Bible Students​

 

[Deacon]

Eleventh Day of Advent

Books Baptist People Need to Read Biggrin

Spurgeon Commentary: Philippians [LINK]
by Charles H. Spurgeon Lexham Press (2014)

The Spurgeon Commentary: Philippians makes Spurgeon’s content accessible—there’s no longer a need to comb through many volumes looking for one nugget of wisdom. Spurgeon’s writings are now curated in a format that is tied directly to the biblical text.

The commentary directs you to places where Spurgeon explicitly cites or alludes to a verse, using specialized, technology-based research to offer you the best of Spurgeon. It highlights illustration content: illustrations accompany the commentary and are tagged with preaching themes, so the preacher looking for an illustration relating to either a topic or a verse will be able to find one easily. It highlights application content: each section of Scripture includes at least one application from Spurgeon based on those verses. It saves time: reading Spurgeon for pleasure is wonderful, but preachers and teachers working under deadlines need ways to streamline their sermon preparation process. This commentary does all this by trimming the excess out of Spurgeon’s sermon archive and increasing functionality, usability, and readability. Outdated language has even been updated, making Spurgeon’s writing easier than ever to understand.

Benefit from the incredible wisdom of Charles Spurgeon, passage by passage. Spurgeon’s writings on the Bible fill dozens of volumes; his thoughts on particular passages are scattered across numerous books and sermons. This volume collects his thoughts on Philippians in a commentary format, with illustrations and applications culled from his sermons and writings.

Use Spurgeon’s application-oriented content in your sermons—it’s clearly labeled. Find great illustrations with this hand-edited and hand-curated Logos Bible Software edition, which tags illustrations with preaching themes to make them searchable in Logos’ Sermon Starter Guide. Take advantage of Charles Spurgeon’s in-depth research to better understand, apply, and illustrate the Bible.