Audiobooks by Scot McKnight

Invisible Jesus: A Book about Leaving the Church and Looking for Christ

In recent years, we've seen an increase in the number of Christians who are 'deconstructing' their faith, critically analyzing Christianity and finding that it falls short. Many end up leaving behind the beliefs and commitments they formerly held. While many have written on how to reverse this trend, Scot McKnight and Tommy Preson Phillips believe that rather than dismissing these concerns we need to listen more carefully. Deconstructors are uncovering serious weaknesses in today's church--a renewed fundamentalism, toxic leadership, and legalistic thinking among them. Utilizing the results of recent studies by Pew, Gallup, and others, McKnight and Phillips take a careful look at what deconstructors are really saying, seeking to better understand why many are shedding elements of the faith and church of their youth but also engaging in a reconstruction process, finding Jesus afresh. They are losing their religion, but not losing Jesus. Filled with stories of those who have walked the path of deconstruction without losing their faith, Invisible Jesus is a prophetic call to examine ourselves and discern if the faith we practice and the church we belong to is really representative of the Jesus we follow. Each chapter looks at a different topic and offers biblical reflections that call for us to not only better listen, but to change how we live out our faith as followers of Jesus today.

Scot McKnight, Tommy Preson Phillips (Author), TBD (Narrator)

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Pivot: The Priorities, Practices, and Powers That Can Transform Your Church into a Tov Culture

A practical guide to help you build a culture in your church or organization that resists abuse and cultivates goodness. After the release of their groundbreaking book, A Church Called Tov, which recorded the stories of abuse and toxic church cultures at some of the most prominent churches in the United States, New Testament scholar and blogger for Christianity Today Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer heard from a flood of people who had experienced similar instances of abuse. After all they've seen and heard, they still believe it's possible for church cultures to be transformed from toxic to tov―from oppressive to good. In Pivot, Scot and Laura help churches to implement practices,establish priorities, and cultivate the Kingdom Gospel-centered qualities that form goodness cultures. Readers will find answers to the four most common questions people have about culture transformation: - How can I transform the culture in my church or organization to make it tov? - I believe my workplace has unhealthy values. How do I initiate change? - How do I unleash a culture of goodness in my ministry? - I'm not in a position of church leadership. What are some red flags that indicate a toxic culture, and what can I do if I see them? Pivot also includes the following practical features: - The "Tov tool," a survey to help you discern your organization's culture and to promote spiritual conversations - A "getting to work" section at the end of each chapter with questions and next steps for application Transformation is never easy. But for the sake of the next generation, we must do it.

Laura Barringer, Scot McKnight, Scot Mcknight (Author), Michael Beck (Narrator)

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The Second Testament: A New Translation

Experience the New Testament afresh in Scot McKnight's bold translation. Typical translations of the New Testament make the biblical text as accessible as possible by using the language of our own day. At times this masks the distance between the New Testament text and modern audiences. Scripture continues to speak to us but it speaks as an ancient text to the modern world. New Testament scholar Scot McKnight offers a translation of the New Testament with a daring approach to the ancient text. Clever in its expression and at times stunning in its boldness, The Second Testament will challenge listeners to experience God's Word anew. God blesses the beggars in spirit because theirs is Heavens' Empire. God blesses the grievers because they will be consoled. God blesses the meek because they will inherit the land. God blesses the ones hungering and thirsting for the rightness because they will be satisfied. (Matthew 5:3-6) Features include the complete text of the New Testament and brief introductions to each book.

Scot McKnight, Scot Mcknight (Author), Tom Parks (Narrator)

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Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple

The biblical Book of Revelation frustrates and fascinates many people with its imagery and apocalyptic tone. Most popular interpretations of the book rely on a perspective known as dispensationalism, popularized by the Scofield Bible and more recently the Left Behind series of novels. Yet there are many problems with this popular way of reading Revelation, and until now, few alternatives have been available that were easy to understand. In Revelation for the Rest of Us, Scot McKnight with Cody Matchett explore the timeless message of Revelation and how it speaks to us today with a courageous challenge to be faithful witnesses to Jesus while standing against the ever-present reality of worldly authorities. The writer, John, stimulates the imagination to see the world differently, through the eyes of God, presenting a 'divine politic' that subverts the anti-god patterns of governments, empires, and those in power. McKnight addresses the popular misconceptions about the book, explaining what John means in his use of the images of dragons, lambs, and beasts, and how the symbolism of Revelation speaks powerfully to the present day--though not in the way most people think. Drawing from the latest scholarship, they present an understanding of Revelation for anyone interested in deepening their personal study of the Bible as well as preachers looking to communicate this timeless message today. McKnight offers in this book a discipleship manual for discerning the immoralities of political powers and how the church can be both an agent of resistance and transformation. John designed his Book of Revelation to disciple readers into dissidents of the ways of the world and empire. John describes that empire with the term 'Babylon.' Babylon is a timeless image of empire, militarism, economic exploitation, injustice, and oppression. The Book of Revelation disciples Christians through worship and the courageous challenge of faithful, or allegiant, witness to the slaughtered-Lamb. John's dissident disciples can discern the presence of 'Babylon' in our world and learn to speak up, speak out, and walk in the way of the Lamb. He disciples us by stimulating our imaginations to see the world and 'Babylon' through the eyes of God, and in so doing John presents a 'divine politic,' a view of government and power that subverts the anti-god patterns of 'Babylon' today. Graphics, appendices, recommended resources, and notes are included in the audiobook companion PDF download.

Cody Matchett, Scot McKnight, Scot Mcknight (Author), Wayne Campbell (Narrator)

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Five Things Biblical Scholars Wish Theologians Knew

The disciplines of biblical studies and theology should serve each other, and they should serve both the church and the academy together. But the relationship between them is often marked by misunderstandings, methodological differences, and cross-discipline tension. New Testament scholar Scot McKnight here highlights five things he wishes theologians knew about biblical studies. In a companion volume, theologian Hans Boersma reflects on five things he wishes biblical scholars knew about theology. With an irenic spirit as well as honesty about differences that remain, McKnight and Boersma seek to foster understanding between their disciplines through these books so they might once again collaborate with one another.

Scot McKnight, Scot Mcknight (Author), William Sarris (Narrator)

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A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing

What is the way forward for the church? Tragically, in recent years, Christians have gotten used to revelations of abuses of many kinds in our most respected churches―from Willow Creek to Harvest, from Southern Baptist pastors to Sovereign Grace churches. Respected author and theologian Scot McKnight and former Willow Creek member Laura Barringer wrote this book to paint a pathway forward for the church. We need a better way. The sad truth is that churches of all shapes and sizes are susceptible to abuses of power, sexual abuse, and spiritual abuse. Abuses occur most frequently when Christians neglect to create a culture that resists abuse and promotes healing, safety, and spiritual growth. How do we keep these devastating events from repeating themselves? We need a map to get us from where we are today to where we ought to be as the body of Christ. That map is in a mysterious and beautiful little Hebrew word in Scripture that we translate "good," the word tov. In this book, McKnight and Barringer explore the concept of tov―unpacking its richness and how it can help Christians and churches rise up to fulfill their true calling as imitators of Jesus.

Laura Barringer, Scot McKnight, Scot Mcknight (Author), Michael Beck (Narrator)

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The Blue Parakeet, 2nd Edition: Rethinking How You Read the Bible

Parakeets make delightful pets. We cage them or clip their wings to keep them where we want them. Scot McKnight contends that many, conservatives and liberals alike, attempt the same thing with the Bible. We all try to tame it. McKnight's The Blue Parakeet calls Christians to stop taming the Bible and to let it speak anew to our heart. McKnight challenges us to rethink how to read the Bible, not just to puzzle it together into some systematic belief but to see it as a Story that we're summoned to enter and to carry forward in our day. Accompanying quizzes are available in the audiobook companion PDF download.

Scot McKnight, Scot Mcknight (Author), Tom Parks (Narrator)

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Pastor Paul: Nurturing a Culture of Christoformity in the Church

'Being a pastor is a complicated calling. Pastors are often pulled in multiple directions and must ''become all things to all people'' (1 Cor. 9:22). What does the New Testament say (or not say) about the pastoral calling? And what can we learn about it from the apostle Paul? According to popular New Testament scholar Scot McKnight, pastoring must begin first and foremost with spiritual formation, which plays a vital role in the life and ministry of the pastor. As leaders, pastors both create and nurture culture in a church. The biblical vision for that culture is Christoformity, or Christlikeness. Grounding pastoral ministry in the pastoral praxis of the apostle Paul, McKnight shows that nurturing Christoformity was at the heart of the Pauline mission. The pastor's central calling, then, is to mediate Christ in everything. McKnight explores seven dimensions that illustrate this concept--friendship, siblings, generosity, storytelling, witness, subverting the world, and wisdom--as he calls pastors to be conformed to Christ and to nurture a culture of Christoformity in their churches.'

Scot McKnight, Scot Mcknight (Author), David Cochran Heath (Narrator)

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It Takes a Church to Baptize: What the Bible Says about Infant Baptism

The issue of baptism has troubled Protestants for centuries. Should infants be baptized before their faith is conscious, or does God command the baptism of babies whose parents have been baptized? Popular New Testament scholar Scot McKnight makes a biblical case for infant baptism, exploring its history, meaning, and practice and showing that infant baptism is the most historic Christian way of forming children into the faith. He explains that the church's practice of infant baptism developed straight from the Bible and argues that it must begin with the family and then extend to the church. Baptism is not just an individual profession of faith: it takes a family and a church community to nurture a child into faith over time. McKnight explains infant baptism for readers coming from a tradition that baptizes adults only, and he counters criticisms that fail to consider the role of families in the formation of faith. The book includes a foreword by Todd Hunter and an afterword by Gerald McDermott.

Scot McKnight, Scot Mcknight, Tom Parks (Author), Tom Parks (Narrator)

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Open to the Spirit: God in Us, God with Us, God Transforming Us

World-renowned New Testament scholar offers a straightforward examination of what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit. Who exactly is the Holy Spirit? What does he do in our lives? How can we know him more deeply, and is it possible to tap into his power? Should we pray to the Holy Spirit? Is it possible to be aware of his promptings and speaking into our lives? Dr. Scot McKnight answers these questions and more in this comprehensive examination of what the Bible says about this divinely important, but often confusing member of the Trinity. This is the third work in a three-part series examining some of the more mysterious components of the Christian faith. Scot's The Heaven Promise examines the afterlife. The Hum of Angels elucidates the Bible's teaching on God's supernatural messengers and protectors. Now, Open to the Spirit examines the most mysterious member of the Trinity. Scot blogs at Patheos, a large multi-perspective blog format. It serves many influential voices from many faith and non-faith traditions. Scot's blog draws primarily a Christian readership; one that is looking for intellectual engagement and thoughtful analysis of Scripture, Theology, and Culture.

Scot McKnight (Author), Jeremy Richards (Narrator)

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The Hum of Angels: Listening for the Messengers of God Around Us

'Would You Recognize an Angel if You Saw One? The majority of earth's inhabitants believe in Angels. Yet so few of us can claim to have seen one. Why? Perhaps it's because in order to encounter one, we first have to learn what to look for, and how to look! We live in a world where the natural and supernatural overlap. Angels are constantly on mission from God, and constantly at work in this world. From the Garden of Eden to the Book of Revelation, Scripture is filled with hundreds of references to these wondrous creatures. In this creative work, Scot McKnight explores what the Bible says - and doesn't say - about these majestic beings. And that's deeply important, because angels are still on mission today. They express God's love, confirm His presence, and even lead humans in redemptive worship. Don't just believe in angels. Learn how to recognize these messengers of God that are all around us and know how God might be using them to affect our lives. Most People Believe in Angels. It's What we Believe About them that Matters. **Please Contact Customer Service For Additional Documents**

Scot McKnight (Author), Bob Souer (Narrator)

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The Heaven Promise: Engaging the Bible's Truth About Life to Come

For far too long, we've talked about heaven as if it were a dream or someplace that only exists in fairytales. We want to believe it's real, but with such an expanse of contradictory information, it's difficult to know what to believe. To add even more confusion, we are left to sift through the tales of individuals who have crossed over and returned. With so many competing narratives and accounts based on what many think are beyond-death experiences, wouldn't it be nice to have a straight forward examination of what the Bible has to say about heaven? Best-selling author and New Testament scholar Scot McKnight thought so too, which is why he wrote The Heaven Promise. McKnight, who has penned more than 50 books, including The Jesus Creed, has had a fascination with heaven since he was a child. As a professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, McKnight is no stranger to academic engagement and scholarly discourse. However; as an ordained deacon, McKnight is well accustomed with the concerns of the everyday thinker. The Heaven Promise represents the perfect blend of thoughtful research coupled with an easily digestible presentation. "My hope," McKnight shares, "is that people will be hopeful about heaven." The Heaven Promise offers an infusion of hope alongside a healthy anticipation of eternity. After all, heaven isn't just a dream; it's a promise. Heaven. Eternity. The Afterlife. You mention any of these concepts, and people of all ages and from all walks of life are certain to have opinions. Maybe that's why there are so many books and movies that feature heaven-and-back experiences. But how can we know if those accounts are accurate? How can we know for sure what heaven will be like? Well, according to New Testament scholar and popular author Scot McKnight, all we need to do is to turn to Scripture to answer our questions. Separating fact from fiction, McKnight helps the reader examine the witness of God's Word in order to discover what awaits us on the other side of the grave. Using the Bible, McKnight answers the most-frequently-asked questions regarding heaven, including: 1. What about Near-Death Experiences? 2. What about Rewards in Heaven? 3. Who Will Be Allowed in Heaven? 4. Is God Fair? 5. Will There Be Families in Heaven? 6. What about Children Who Die? 7. What about Cremation? 8. What about Purgatory? 9. Will There be Pets in Heaven? 10. Why Believe in Heaven? Heaven isn't the construction of a fairytale or some mythical narrative. It's very real; it's very good; and it's very much the fulfillment of God's promise to us.

Scot McKnight (Author), Jay Greener (Narrator)

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