Thomas Nelson - Critical Issues. Absolute Answers.

2013 by Thomas Nelson.

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Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson.

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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION. 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are from THE ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION. 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are from Holy Bible, New Living Translation. 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are from NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com.

Scripture quotations marked HCSB are from Holman Christian Standard Bible. 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked TLB are from The Living Bible. 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson. 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NCV are from New Century Version. 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked RSV are from REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible. 1946, 1952, 1971, 1973 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version.

ISBN-13: 978-1-4003-7512-7

ISBN-13: 978-0-5291-0217-1 (eBook)

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#contents

Brooke Cooney

Jeremy Nottingham

Brooke Cooney

Chuck Allen

Jerry Pipes

Dr. Jay Strack

Johnny Parker

Johnny Parker

Ron Cooney

Mike Calhoun

Candi Finch

Steve Browning

Dennis Steeger

Rick Young

John Leathers

Derek Simpson

Shaun Blakeney

Dr. Danny Akin

Jordan Easley

Ric Garland

Dennis Steeger

Ron Cooney

Michael Head

Keith Harmon

Don Lough

Jeremy Nottingham

Dave Edwards

Mike Calhoun

Ron Luce

Kelly Knouse

Keith Harmon

Dave Edwards

Greg Clydesdale

Amy Clydesdale

Jerry Pipes

Derek Simpson

Joseph McMurry

Kelly Knouse

Jody Gambrell

Jody Gambrell

Roger Glidewell

Rick Young

Brian Manuel

John Paul Basham

Brian Manuel

Don Lough

Will Hagle

Jordan Easley

Michael Head

Matt Petty

Ric Garland

Ken Burnett

Dr. Danny Akin

Brent Crowe

Chris White

John Paul Basham

Brent Crowe

Ken Burnett

Christian Nichles

Matt Petty

Roger Glidewell

Will Hagle

Chris White

Chuck Allen

Ron Luce

Brad Hobbs

Joseph McMurry

Dr. Jay L. Sedwick

Steve Browning

Dr. Jay L. Sedwick

John Leathers

Dr. Jay Strack

Matt Roden

Matt Roden

Shaun Blakeney

Christian Nichles

S ince the dawn of the early church, Christians have gathered to worship Jesus Christ, the One who freely gave His life that we might know Him in an intimate, personal relationship. We were created to worship Him in earnest prayer, to fellowship and encourage one another, and to live according to the Word of God. By Gods grace, the result would be a strong and unified body of believers inspired to go confidently out into the world as servant leaders who share the good news and offer a tangible expression of love through missions.

Sadly, many Christians find themselves disconnected from fellow believers, if not from God Himself; questioning the fundamental doctrines of the faith; and timid in their understanding of a Christian worldview. This uncertainty is understandable given the volume of chatter and the variety of opinions floating through the universe on a daily basis. Who is right? There is absolutely no question: the Word of God is truth, and this will not change regardless of the cultures voices.

Student Leadership University was founded on this scripture: Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15). SLU exists to train students how to be confident in their beliefs and able to clearly articulate why they believe what they do. Wanting every person to have this kind of confidence, we set out with much prayer and deliberation to put together this collaborative effort of #CriticalIssues and #AbsoluteAnswers.

If you combine all of the contributors impressive resumes and lifetime accomplishments, you have over two hundred years of experience at your fingertips. Among the writers are seminary presidents and professors, dedicated educators, and some of the most experienced and effective youth ministers on the planet. What you have in your hands is a great work, written by those who understand the culture and language of your generation and who are dedicated to providing biblical clarity about critical issues. More importantly, they know that the Scriptures are able to make us wise unto salvation as we think deeply and walk worthy of our calling (2 Timothy 3:15 KJV). While this book is intentionally directed to students, it is also intended to be a tool for every pastor, educator, youth worker, parent, and counselor who cares about the youth of this nation and this planet.

In todays fog of uncertainty, relativism, and revisionists, we need clear and concise answers. The Scripture says, For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? (1 Corinthians 14:8). It seems that almost every day the trumpet is playing Taps for this generation. It is our collective prayer that, after reading these #CriticalIssues and the #AbsoluteAnswers, both students and adults will begin to confidently sound forth Reveille in a call to this generation to prepare to win the battles that lie ahead.

That the generation to come might know [Gods teaching and law], the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments. (Psalm 78:67)