Blue Like Jazz: Book Summary & Reviews, by Donald Miller
Blue Like Jazz: Book Summary & Reviews Blue Like Jazz is the gripping autobiography of Donald Miller as he navigates his way through a spiritual journey, trying to find his place in the world. The book is divided into short essays which chronicle Donald's experiences, ranging from his rural upbringing in Texas, to his [...]
The Five Love Languages: Book Summary & Reviews, by Gary Chapman
The Five Love Languages: A Hilariously Witty Breakdown Do you ever feel like you're speaking a completely different language than your partner? Like you're saying "I love you" and they're hearing "I tolerate you"? Well, you're not alone. That's where The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman comes in. This book explores the different [...]
The Knowledge of the Holy: Book Summary & Reviews, by A.W. Tozer
The Knowledge of the Holy: A Review of A.W. Tozer's Masterpiece If you are looking for a book that will challenge your entire concept of who God is, then The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer is the book for you. This masterpiece of spiritual literature, originally published in 1961, has stood the test [...]
Wild at Heart: Book Summary & Reviews, by John Eldredge
Wild at Heart: Book Summary & Reviews, by John Eldredge If you're a man, you might have asked yourself this question at least once in your life: "What does it mean to be a man?" It's a valid question, and one that John Eldredge tries to answer in his book, Wild at Heart published [...]
The Hiding Place: Book Summary & Reviews, by Corrie ten Boom
The Hiding Place: Book Summary & Reviews The Hiding Place is a powerful and inspiring autobiography written by Corrie ten Boom. The book tells the story of Corrie ten Boom and her family, who were Dutch Christians who saved Jewish lives during World War II. The family hid Jewish people in their home, which [...]
The Pilgrim’s Progress: Book Summary & Reviews, by John Bunyan
The Pilgrim's Progress: Book Summary & Reviews, by John Bunyan The Pilgrim's Progress, written by John Bunyan, is a classic tale of Christian allegory. This book is an allegory of a Pilgrim who is traveling from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. The book is divided into two parts; in the first [...]
The Case for Christ: Book Summary & Reviews, by Lee Strobel
The Case for Christ: Book Summary & Reviews The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel examines the historical evidence for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The book begins with Strobel's personal journey from atheism to Christianity, sparked by his wife's conversion. As an investigative journalist, he uses his skills to examine [...]
The Imitation of Christ: Book Summary & Reviews, by Thomas à Kempis
The Imitation of Christ: Book Summary & Reviews, by Thomas à Kempis The Imitation of Christ is a Christian devotional book written by Thomas à Kempis in the 15th century. The book is divided into four parts, each focusing on a different aspect of Christian life. The first part deals with the importance of [...]
The Purpose Driven Life: Book Summary & Reviews, by Rick Warren
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren Summary of the Book The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren is a book about discovering and living out your purpose in life. It is based on the Bible and is broken down into forty days of reflection and growth. Warren outlines five purposes for life that [...]
The Screwtape Letters: Book Summary & Reviews, by C.S. Lewis
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis: An Exploration Summary of the Book The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis is a satirical take on Christian theology and morality. It follows the story of a senior demon named Screwtape who is writing letters to his nephew Wormwood, a junior demon, in order to provide guidance on [...]
Mere Christianity: Book Summary & Reviews, by C.S. Lewis
Summary of the Book Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is a book that explores the core teachings of Christianity, without reference to any one denomination. Focusing on the common beliefs shared among all Christians, Lewis brings a unique perspective to the religion, offering clear and concise explanations of the faith. The book is split [...]
Common Christological Heresies
Introduction At the center of Mark, Jesus posed this climatic question to Peter: “Who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29). This is a question for every generation -- maybe for every believer and nonbeliever. Unlike Peter, however, believers and nonbelievers today can say, without much thought or urgency, time-honored answers: [...]
Will There Actually be a Global Rapture Event? Viewpoints Explained
Summary: Some early theologians, like Origen, saw the rapture as a purely spiritual event Rufinus viewed biblical references to a rapture as a statement about the nature of the afterlife Other early theologians, like Augustine and Chrysostom, did associate a physical rapture event with the Final Judgement Many modern depictions of the rapture [...]
What is Vocation, and How Do I Find Out What Mine is? Four Theologians’ Perspectives on Career and Vocation
SUMMARY The question of vocation--what it is, and how we should pursue it--crops up all the time in the Christian life. Though countless theologians have studied it, there are four whose perspectives are particularly helpful: Martin Luther, Karl Barth, Simone Weil, and Andrew Davison. These four thinkers, presented in chronological order, can help [...]
Why is God “He”? Views on Gender and God
How should we use gender to talk about God? Summary: Three main approaches to using gender to talk about God: progressive/feminist, gender neutral, traditional masculine approach. Progressive/feminist argues that we need to expand our vocabulary beyond the Bible’s male-centered language of God the Father and God our Lord. Gender-neutral argues that we do [...]
Suicide and the Church: Sick Unto Death
Summary How have Christians thought about suicide over the centuries? We explore: Personal story A common misinterpretation Biblical foundations for suicide discussions What past theologians have to say on suicide Closing personal remarks Introduction I had a time, and a plan. Things had gone as bad as they could, for about as long [...]
Solving the Body-Soul Problem
For a lot of my friends and family members, time has passed slowly over the last few weeks. So many people that I love are plastered with a somber, quiet stillness. Earlier this month, a car full of college students—who many people in my community knew through Young Life ministries—were traveling to [...]
How Should Christians Think About and Respond to Gun Violence?
One Viewpoint: "Though defensive violence will always be 'a sad necessity' in the eyes of men of principle, it would be still more unfortunate if wrongdoers should dominate just men." - St. Augustine Another Viewpiont: "America is a Gun" - Brian Bilston My coworkers and I are gathered in the office in between [...]
How Did Jesus Really Save Us? Exploring the Top Theories of Atonement
How do we understand the death of Jesus? Why did Jesus have to die, and how exactly does his death result in the forgiveness of sin? In today’s article, we offer an introductory glance at a few key views on the doctrine of the atonement. Introduction Throughout Church history, every doctrine has been [...]
Contemporary Theological Voices, Pt. 2 – Gustavo Gutiérrez (and his critics)
We are writing a mini-series to give high level overviews of some contemporary theologians, providing arguments for and against their positions. Part 2 discusses Gustavo Gutiérrez, an 89 year old Peruvian man. How do you say to the poor that God loves you? Liberation Theology offers an answer. A Summary and Explanation of [...]
Contemporary Theological Voices: Pt. 1 – James Cone (and His Critics)
We are starting a mini-series to give high level overviews of some contemporary theologians, providing arguments for and against their positions. Part 1 discusses James H. Cone, an 81 year old Black man. A Summary and Explanation of Black Liberation Theology How does the Christian faith relate to our race and identity? How [...]
What are the Essentials of Christianity?
Are Catholics Christian? What about the Eastern Orthodox? And the Protestants? These are the three major sects of Christianity, but they are certainly not the only ones. What are the defining beliefs that separate “Christian” from “non-Christian?” Since the 4th century, the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed has been the litmus test for Christian belief. The [...]
Xmas or Christmas?
Have you heard Christians express their frustration with society for abbreviating “Christmas” as “Xmas”? Sweatshirt by spreadshirt Or seen people on Facebook saying “Put Christ back in Christmas”? There are some who worry that replacing “Christmas” with “Xmas” will further remove the centrality of Jesus Christ from Christmas. However, the [...]
Why We Started Theology Impact
Welcome to Theology Impact! We exist to help people learn how Christian leaders from centuries ago answer today’s spiritual questions. Quick Overview: People ask tough spiritual questions. Often, the answers they get are from friends or pastors sharing their own current beliefs. But here’s the thing: they weren’t the first person to think [...]