A definitive history of Christian evangelism—including noteworthy persons, movements, and methods from the past Christians have been sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with nonbelievers for two thousand years. Within this deep history is wisdom for today—including numerous models for understanding what evangelism is and how it should be done. In Gospel Witness through the Ages, David Gustafson introduces readers to evangelism’s noteworthy persons, movements, and methods from the entire scope of church history—including both examples to emulate and examples to avoid. With this thorough historical approach, Gustafson expands the reader’s conception of the evangelistic task and suggests new ways to shape our identity as gospel witnesses today through the influence of these earlier generations of Christians. With discussion questions for further reflection and primary sources from major evangelistic figures of the past, Gospel Witness through the Ages is the most definitive history of evangelism available—essential for understanding how Christians today can continue proclaiming the gospel to the whole world, as Christians have in every century past.

A distinguished group of scholars here provides a comprehensive survey of the theology of the early church as it is presented by the author of Acts. The twenty-five articles show the current state of scholarship and the main themes of theology in Acts.

Verbally sharing the gospel is only part of evangelism, asserts author David Gustafson. We must also live out the good news, both as individuals and as communities. In this book Gustafson expertly lays out the foundations of and approaches to evangelism that are crucial for the church today. In light of our increasingly post-Christian Western contexts, Gustafson offers a mission-oriented ecclesiology that moves from missional theory to practices of missional engagement. Introduc-ing "God's human drama" as a way to explain the gospel within God's redemptive story, he outlines specific ways for pastors and church leaders to shape a "gospeling" culture within their congregations. Gustafson's biblical, theological, historical, cultural, and practical approach will make this book an ideal text for evangelical pastors, professors, students, and Christian leaders.

Noted New Testament scholar Bauckham challenges the prevailing assumption the accounts of Jesus circulated as "anonymous community traditions," instead asserting that they were transmitted in the name of the original eyewitness.

In this revision of a long-enduring classic, Kraft draws upon faith experience and the social sciences to make pastors, preachers, missionaries, and religious educators aware of the mystery of human communication in the service of God who calls all into communion. The question is how to communicate with these other cultures so that the message is effectively transmitted and received? How to we recognize the gaps--of language, tradition, life experience--that separate us and build bridges over them.

Among New Testament writers, who is the best historian? Without a doubt, says Justo Gonzalez, it s Luke. Concerned about the particulars of people and events, Luke also gives readers the big picture, positioning the stories of Jesus not just in the history of Israel but in the history of humankind. Luke uniquely tells us the grand story of salvation -- then and now. Gonzalez skillfully highlights key themes in Luke s storytelling, including his strong emphasis on God s great reversals, his keen interest in shared meals and their intimate connection to worship and communion, and his passionate underscoring of both the saving work of Christ and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Writing in a conversational style, Gonzalez draws readers into Luke s story with fresh overviews and rich details, showing how Luke invites us to continue his gospel witness today.