Book Description-219: WITNESSING WITHOUT FEAR (DR. BILL BRIGHT)

In Matthew 28:19, Lord Jesus taught, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (ESV) To fulfill His command, as Christians, we should preach the Gospel of Christ to others. The problem is most Christians are afraid and fear to share our faith. So, how can we share our faith to others without fear?

Find the answer in the:
Book
WITNESSING WITHOUT FEAR:
How to Share Your Faith With Confidence

by: Dr. Bill Bright

Foreword: Dr. Billy Graham

Publisher: Campus Crusade for Christ, Singapore, 1993



In the first chapter in this book, President of Campus Crusade for Christ International, Dr. Bill Bright tells us about his previous experience for receiving Christ in the first time and the next step of his life in sharing the Gospel of Christ to others. Based on his previous experience of sharing the Gospel to his family and friends, Dr. Bright explains why Christians should witness as a way of life and three barriers in witnessing the Gospel. Before explaining steps how to be a successful witness, Dr. Bright explains that success and failure in witnessing the Gospel is relating what we have done in witnessing to the will of God as a result. This concept affects us to witness the Gospel without fear. Then, how do we can witness the Gospel without fear? First, pray. Second, introduce Jesus Christ into the conversation to others by using simple language or giving him some booklets. Third, listen and answer the questions from others with love. After witnessing the Gospel to others, we should responsible what we have done by discipling new Christians by giving them some booklets or introducing them to the church. In the appendixes, Dr. Bright gives some explanation about a letter that can be used to witness the Gospel, articles about how to be filled with and walk in the Spirit, and resources for witnessing, follow-up, and discipleship produced by Campus Crusade for Christ. I recommend this simple book as a guide to witness the Gospel with confidence by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.



Endorsement:
“This is a book I with Bill Bright had written years ago, for if every church and every Christian individual were to put these proven methods to work on a daily basis, it could change the entire approach to world evangelization.”
Dr. William F. (Billy) Graham
(President of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)

“I can think of no one better equipped and experienced—and burdened—to address this vital theme than my friend, Dr. Bill Bright. This is the most practical book on personal evangelism I have seen.”
Ted Engstrom
(President of World Vision)

“So many are paralyzed by fear when it comes to confidently sharing their faith in Christ. Bill Bright cracks those barriers of fear with helpful advice and guidelines. WITNESSING WITHOUT FEAR is a valuable training tool for anyone who wants to effectively share Christ with others.”
Joni Eareckson Tada
(Joni and Friends)

“The witnessing methods explained in this book are what a man used to intruduce me to Christ in Washington, D. C. Since then, I have succesfully applied these principles in my own witnessing opportunities. I can’t speak highly enough of Bill Bright and the training he has provided the Christian world through this book.”
Senator Bill Armstrong
(U. S. Senate, Washington, D.C.)

“Without realizing it, Christians often make their gospel presentation so cumbersome and boring that the message falls by the wayside. I heartily recommend WITNESSING WITHOUT FEAR as an effective back-to-the-basics approach that yields positive results.”
Pat Robertson
(Chairman of TBN)

“In addition to a very credible approach to sharing Christ, WITNESSING WITHOUT FEAR contains one of the most practical chapters on praying for non-Christian friends and loved ones that I have ever seen. If you’re praying for an unbelieving friend, neighbor or loved one, this book is for you.”
Rev. Charles Frazier Stanley, Th.D.
(Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia and the founder and president of In Touch Ministries; Master of Theology—Th.M. and Doctor of Theology—Th.D. from Luther Rice Seminary)

“In his gentle yet compelling presentation of Christ’s command to tell His good news, Bill Bright effectively puts in our grasp the tools to be Christ’s witnesses.”
Dr. Paul Franklin Crouch
(President of TBN; graduated from the Central Bible Institute and Seminary in Springfield, Missouri; received three honorary doctorates: Doctor of Litterarum—D.Litt from the California Graduate School of Theology, Glendale, California; Doctor of Divinity—D.D. from the American Christian Theological Seminary, Anaheim, California; and Doctor of Laws—LL.D. from Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma)

“Is anyone as creative in leading people to Jesus as Bill Bright? His chapter on “Conquering the Fear of Failure’ is worth the price of the book. Every Christian fearful or nervous about witnessing must read this book!”
Ann Kiemel Anderson
(Author and Speaker)

“Every Christian knows that he should witness for Christ; most are paralyzed by fear. WITNESSING WITHOUT FEAR will prove a tremendous boon to all such Christians and will no doubt help to make vocal the silent majority.”
Rev. D. James Kennedy, D.D., D.Sac.Lit., Ph.D., Litt.D., D.Sac.Theol., D.Humane Let.
(Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Bachelor of Arts—B.A. from the University of Tampa; Master of Divinity—M.Div. from Columbia Theological Seminary (cum laude); Th.M. from Chicago Graduate School of Theology (summa cum laude); and Doctor of Philosophy—Ph.D. from New York University)



Biography of Dr. Bill Bright:
William R. “Bill” Bright, LL.D. (HC), D.D. (HC), Litt.D. (HC) (October 19, 1921 – July 19, 2003) is founder and chairman of Board of Campus Crusade for Christ. In 1944, while attending the First Presbyterian Church, Hollywood, Bright became an Evangelical Christian. He immediately began intensive Biblical studies which led him to graduate studies at Princeton and Fuller Theological Seminaries (although he never completed a degree at either). It was while he was a student at Fuller that he felt what he regarded as the call of God to help fulfill Christ's Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) by sharing his faith, beginning with students at UCLA. This gave birth to the Campus Crusade for Christ movement. From a small beginning in 1951, Campus Crusade for Christ now has ministry presence in 196 countries and utilizes more than 25.000 full-time and 500.000 trained voluenteer staff. Dr. Bright has authored more than 100 books, booklets, videos, and audiotapes, as well as thousands of articles and pamphlets. He holds five honorary doctorates: Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from the Jeonbuk National University of Korea; Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) from John Brown University; Doctor of Letters (Litt.D.) from Houghton Seminary; D.D. from the Los Angeles Bible College and Seminary; LL.D. from Pepperdine University. Also, he has received numerous other awards, including the 1996 Templeton Prize for Progressin Religion and the 2001 ECPA Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement. Dr. Bright and his wife, Vonette reside in Florida and they have two sons: Zachary and Brad.

Resensi Buku-218: MENYELIDIKI KESEJARAHAN YESUS: Pencarian Seorang Sejarawan (John Dickson, Ph.D.)

Yesus Kristus adalah sosok yang sangat dikenal oleh banyak orang di dunia ini, khususnya orang Kristen. Pertanyaan selanjutnya, benarkah Yesus Kristus pernah hidup di dunia? Bagaimana kita mengetahuinya?

Temukan jawabannya dalam:

Buku

MENYELIDIKI KESEJARAHAN YESUS:

Pencarian Seorang Sejarawan

oleh: John Dickson, Ph.D.

Penerbit: Yayasan Komunikasi Bina Kasih/OMF, Jakarta, 2011

Penerjemah: Doni Jaya dan tim redaksi

Di dalam bukunya, John Dickson, Ph.D. menelusuri bagaimana Yesus diselidiki dan dicari mulai dari masa-masa awal (dr. Lukas), zaman pencerahan, hingga abad XXI ini. Penyelidikan dan pencarian tersebut ada yang benar, namun banyak yang salah. Banyak pencari Yesus yang salah menyelidiki dan mencari Yesus bukan untuk menemukan Yesus yang sejati (First Quest of Jesus dan Second Quest of Jesus), tetapi Yesus menurut pemikiran manusia yang memisahkan Yesus dari dunia zaman-Nya (Yahudi). Baru pencarian Yesus yang ketiga mencari Yesus dengan tepat karena melihat Yesus yang berkaitan dengan dunia sekeliling-Nya ketika Ia hidup, yaitu Yahudi. Bagaimana mereka mencari Yesus? Mereka yang tergabung dalam pencarian Yesus yang ketiga (Third Quest of Jesus) mencari Yesus berdasarkan bukti-bukti historis mulai dari Injil-injil Gnostik yang kebanyakan palsu (diduga beberapa perkataan Kristus di dalam Injil Tomas itu otentik), sumber-sumber non-Kristen tentang Yesus dari abad pertama dan kedua entah dari beberapa orang Yahudi maupun Yunani-Romawi, catatan tentang Yesus di dalam Perjanjian Baru khususnya surat-surat Paulus, dan catatan kitab-kitab Injil (Markus, Lukas, Matius, dan Yohanes). Terakhir, melalui kitab-kitab Injil lah, kita dapat membaca perkataan dan tindakan Yesus selama di dunia dan media inilah yang menjadi sorotan Dr. John Dickson di dalam 2 bab terakhir. Di 2 bab terakhir, Dr. Dickson memaparkan beberapa pengujian yang membuktikan bahwa kitab-kitab Injil dapat dipercaya secara historis. Di bagian kesimpulan, meskipun sejarah bisa saja merupakan kemungkinan, namun banyak sejarawan baik Kristen maupun non-Kristen sepakat mengakui bahwa pribadi Yesus Kristus ada di dalam sejarah karena begitu banyak bukti yang mendukungnya. Keistimewaan buku ini adalah John Dickson memberikan gambar-gambar menarik tentang penyelidikan sejarah yang beliau lakukan.

Profil Dr. John Dickson:

John Dickson, Ph.D. adalah seorang penulis dan sejarawan Australia yang melayani sebagai pendeta di St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Roseville, Australia sekaligus Senior Research Fellow di Fakultas Ancient History di Macquarie University, Sydney. Beliau menjadi pendiri bersama dan direktur the Centre for Public Christianity. Beliau menyelesaikan studi Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) dalam bidang ancient history di Macquarie University. Buku-buku yang beliau tulis, antara lain:

·                Promoting the Gospel: the Whole of Life for the Cause of Christ (Aquila)

·                If I Were God, I'd End All the Pain (Matthias Media, 2001)

·                If I Were God, I'd Make Myself Clearer (Matthias Media)

·                Simply Christianity: A Modern Guide to the Ancient Faith (Matthias Media) Australian Christian Book of the Year, 2000

·                A Spectator’s Guide to World Religions: An Introduction to the Big Five (Blue Bottle Books) Australian Christian Book of the Year, 2005

·                A Spectator's Guide to Jesus: An Introduction to the Man from Nazareth (Blue Bottle Books)

·                The Christ Files: How Historians Know What They Know about Jesus (2006, Blue Bottle Books)

·                James: the Wisdom of the Brother of Jesus (Aquila, 2006)

·                Vital Signs: the Wisdom of James for a Life of Faith (Aquila), with Simon Smart

·                666 and All That: The Truth About the Future (Aquila), with Greg Clarke

·                Jesus: A Short Life (Lion, 2008)

·                Mission-Commitment in Ancient Judaism and in the Pauline Communities (Paul Mohr Verlag)

·                Life of Jesus: Who He Is and Why He Matters (Zondervan, 2010)

·                A Hell of a Life: From Manger to Megastar (Matthias Media)

·                Hanging in There (Matthias Media)

A Sneaking Suspicion (Matthias Media)

Book Description-217: A STUDENT'S GUIDE TO TEXTUAL CRITICISM OF THE BIBLE (Prof. Paul D. Wegner, Ph.D.)

As Christians, we believe that the Holy Bible is the Word of God. Then, the fact is the authographs (original texts) are not exist, so is the Bible true and appropriate with original text? How do we know?

Find the answer in the:

Book

A STUDENT’S GUIDE TO TEXTUAL CRITICISM OF THE BIBLE:

Its History, Methods, and Results

by: Prof. Paul D. Wegner, Ph.D.

Publisher: InterVarsity Press Academic,

In this book, Dr. Paul D. Wegner explains about Bible textual criticism includes Old and New Testament. Before explaining about Old and New Testament textual criticism, in part I, he introduces some materials about definition, importance, and goal of textual criticism. Also, he explains about differences between Old and New Testament. In the next chapter, he explains about some transmissional errors occuring in the Bible and transmission of the Biblical texts. He explains that eventhough autographs of the Bible is not exist, but that autograph is copied by scribes in other Greek manuscripts, ancient versions, and citation of church’s fathers. In part II and III, he explains all about Old and New Testament textual criticism include: a brief history of textual criticism, how to determine the most plausible original reading, what the sources used for Old and New textual criticism. In the final chapter, he examines the ancient versions of the Bible, such has eastern and western versions. Let this good and simple book inspires us to know that the Holy Bible is accurate according to the autographs.

Endorsement:

“Here, at last, is a well-written, succinctly stated, wisely selected history and wonderfully ilustrated textual criticism guide that covers both testaments in one volume. Where others have often made this science sound arcane and obtuse, Paul Wegner has skillfully described textual criticism in plain but ample and interesting ways. I highly recommended it to all serious Bible students, but especially to seminary faculty who must juggle book budgets and who up to now have had to order a separate text in this area for each testament.”

Prof. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Ph.D.

(President Emeritus and Distinguished Professor of Old Testament and Ethics at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, U.S.A.; Bachelor of Arts—A.B. from Wheaton College; Bachelor of Divinity—B.D. from Wheaton Graduate School; and Master of Arts—M.A. and Doctor of Philosophy—Ph.D. in Mediterranean studies from Brandeis University)

“No introductory textbook to textual criticism of the Bible measures up to A Student’s Guide to Textual Criticism of the Bible. It uniquely combines Old Testament and New Testament textual criticism into one handy, delightfully ilustrated volume. Paul Wegner writers for students, successfully guiding them through the text’s long and complex journey by his clear style, objectivity, and arresting photographs. General readers of the Bible will appreciate this introduction to the textual notes in their Bibles.”

Prof. Bruce K. Waltke, Th.D., Ph.D.

(Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, U.S.A. and Emeritus Professor of Old Testament at Regent College, Canada; Bachelor of Arts—B.A. from Houghton College; Th.M. and Doctor of Theology—Th.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary, U.S.A.; and Ph.D. from Harvard University)

Biography of Dr. Paul D. Wegner:

Prof. Paul D. Wegner, Ph.D. is a Professor of Old Testament at Phoenix Seminary, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A. He received A.A. from North Iowa Area Community College; Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Moody Bible Institute; Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Master of Theology (Th.M.) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from University of London.

Resensi Buku-216: PERJUMPAAN DENGAN SALIB KRISTUS (Pdt. Yohan Candawasa, S.Th.)

Semua orang di dunia pasti mengetahui sosok Yesus Kristus, meskipun tidak semua pengetahuan mereka itu benar. Khususnya orang Kristen pasti lebih mengetahui siapa Tuhan Yesus Kristus. Pertanyaannya, benarkah orang Kristen yang mengaku tahu siapa Tuhan Yesus adalah mereka yang percaya kepada Kristus dan mengenal-Nya? Benarkah mereka telah berjumpa dengan salib-Nya?

Temukan jawabannya dalam:

Buku

PERJUMPAAN DENGAN SALIB KRISTUS:

Memahami, Mengalami, dan Mengasihi Kristus Dengan Lebih Dalam dan Penuh

oleh: Pdt. Yohan Candawasa, S.Th.

Penerbit: Pionir Jaya, Bandung, 2012

Di dalam bukunya, Pdt. Yohan Candawasa, S.Th. memaparkan 7 bab renungan bagaimana kita dapat benar-benar memahami, mengalami, dan mengasihi Kristus lebih dalam. Bab pertama mengarahkan kita untuk mengerti bahwa ketika berhadapan dengan Kristus, kita pasti berhadapan dengan salib-Nya. Ketika kita berhadapan dengan Kristus melalui salib-Nya, Pdt. Yohan Candawasa mengarahkan kita untuk berjumpa dengan Kristus di belakang salib karena dengan itulah, kita dapat mengerti keagungan dan keindahan karya Kristus melalui salib. Dari situ, beliau mengarahkan kita untuk berjumpa dengan Kristus di dalam salib dan kemudian di depan salib. Perjumpaan kita dengan salib Kristus memimpin kita untuk melihat pola hubungan kita sebagai anak-anak Allah dengan Allah. Hal itulah yang dibahas Pdt. Yohan di bab 2. Pola hubungan yang tepat antara anak-anak Allah dengan Allah adalah pola hubungan “kita”, di mana kehendak kita bersatu dengan kehendak Allah di dalam melihat segala sesuatu. Pola hubungan ini mengakibatkan kita dapat mengosongkan bejana kita untuk nantinya diisi dengan hadirat Kristus yang mulia itu. Setelah diisi dengan hadirat Kristus, hidup kita menjadi sesuatu yang baru yaitu makin mencintai Allah dan berhasrat menempatkan Dia di dalam setiap aspek kehidupan sehari-hari. Biarlah buku renungan ini dapat menyadarkan dan memimpin kita untuk makin mencintai Kristus dan terus berjumpa dengan salib-Nya yang agung itu.

Profil Pdt. Yohan Candawasa:

Pdt. Yohan Candawasa, S.Th. dilahirkan pada tanggal 11 Maret 1960. Selulus SMA, beliau melanjutkan studi di Seminari Alkitab Asia Tenggara (SAAT) Malang, sebagai jawaban atas panggilan Tuhan baginya.

Beliau mendalami studi Biblika dan Eklesiologi yang kemudian dituangkan dalam skripsinya.

Kerinduannya untuk membina jemaat Tuhan dinyatakan selama pelayanan di Gereja Kristen Abdiel Elyon, Surabaya (1985-1987) dan juga Gereja Kristen Immanuel Bandung (1988-1996). Selama pelayanan tersebut, beliau berkesempatan mengunjungi RRC dalam rangka perjalanan misi. Dalam kunjungan tersebut, beliau memperoleh beban pelayanan dari Tuhan untuk menggumuli penginjilan di RRC.

Beliau menikah dengan Stephanie, dan telah dikaruniai seorang putra bernama Yeiel Candawasa.

Tahun 1996-1997 beliau melayani sebagai Gembala Sidang di Mimbar Reformed Injili di Taipei. Kemudian tahun 1998-1999 beliau melayani di Gereja Reformed Injili Indonesia (GRII)-Granada Jakarta.

Mulai tahun 2000 beliau melayani di CCM (Care for China Ministry).

Resensi Buku-215: MENERAPKAN ALKITAB DI SEPANJANG ZAMAN (Jack Kuhatschek, Th.M.)

Alkitab adalah firman Allah yang menjadi satu-satunya dasar sekaligus sumber iman dan praktik hidup Kristen. Namun, bagaimana kita mengerti Alkitab? Bagaimana pengertian kita akan Alkitab dapat kita terapkan di dalam konteks kehidupan kita saat ini?

Temukan jawabannya dalam:

Buku

MENERAPKAN ALKITAB DI SEPANJANG ZAMAN

oleh: Jack Kuhatschek, Th.M.

Penerbit: Literatur Perkantas, Jakarta, 2012

Penerjemah: Rini Moestopo

Banyak buku memahami Alkitab selalu berkutat dengan prinsip-prinsip penafsiran Alkitab dengan sedikit pembahasan tentang menerapkan Alkitab. Oleh karena itu, adalah penting sekali kita dapat menerapkan Alkitab di zaman sekarang melalui prinsip-prinsip dan aplikasi menerapkan Alkitab. Demi memenuhi tujuan itu, Jack Kuhatschek, Th.M. memaparkan pentingnya menerapkan Alkitab dengan prinsip-prinsip penafsiran Alkitab yang bertanggung jawab. Di bagian pertama buku ini, beliau menguraikan prinsip-prinsip penerapan Alkitab yang dimulai dari tujuan penerapan Alkitab, belajar menerapkan Alkitab, tiga langkah menerapkan Alkitab mulai dari mempelajari konteks/situasi sebenarnya hingga menerapkan prinsip umum Alkitab pada masa kini, dan terakhirnya pentingnya kita menerapkan Alkitab melalui merenungkan Alkitab. Prinsip-prinsip ini nantinya mengarahkan kita untuk mengaplikasikannya di dalam 3 bagian Alkitab yaitu: bagaimana cara kita menerapkan perintah-perintah, kehidupan tokoh-tokoh, dan janji-janji dalam Alkitab. Biarlah buku sederhana namun jelas ini dapat menolong kita untuk mengerti Alkitab secara tuntas dan menerapkannya bagi orang Kristen di zaman ini.

Profil Jack Kuhatschek:

Jack Kuhatschek, M.C.S., Th.M. adalah wakil presiden dan penerbit dari Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Beliau menyelesaikan studi Master of Christian Studies (M.C.S.) di Regent College, Canada dan Master of Theology (Th.M.) di Dallas Theological Seminary, U.S.A. Beliau menulis banyak buku pemahaman Alkitab dan juga buku Superman Syndrome, selain buku ini.