In far too many ways, in far too many places, the church is tame. People seldom anticipate that things there will be in the category of the "amazing." What would it take for the un-taming of the church? That is the central question of this challenging book.

Two thousand years later the call to follow Christ has been repacked to be smooth and trouble-free, filled with opportunity and promise but lacking risk, passion, and sacrifice. Is this really what Jesus died for? If He chose the way of the cross, where would He hesitate leading us? Is it possible that to follow Jesus is to live your life completely unleashed? Jesus never made a pristine call to a proper or safe religion. Jesus beckons His followers to a path that is far from the easy road. It is a path filled with adventure, uncertainty, and unlimited possibilities- the only path that can fulfill the deepest longings and desires of your heart. This is the barbarian way: to give your heart to the only One who can make you fully alive. To love Him with simplicity and intensity. To unleash the untamed faith within. To be consumed by the presence of a passionate and compassionate God. To go where He sends you, no matter the cost. Previously released as The Barbarian Way

Experience the unshakeable certainty of your inheritance in Christ and the wonder of being a child of God. Our understanding of our identity matters. It is the foundation of well-being, self-esteem, and self worth, which directly influences our quest for purpose and significance in life. Unfortunately, we live in a society that insists on performance and people pleasing as the only acceptable pathways to security and acceptance. Many Christians are wearing themselves out on this treadmill of self-promotion and achievement, unaware that they are ultimately building their lives on shifting sand. True Christian identity rests upon the rock solid promise that we are the children of God. Discovering who we are in Christ unlocks an inheritance that is eternal, secure, and overflowing with transforming grace that changes our lives at the deepest level, unleashing amazing possibilities for life and ministry. God's promise brings the unshakable certainty that at the core of our lives, we are forever hidden in Christ.

The early church spread with remarkable speed, impelled by joy, urgency, profound compassion, and the day-to-day experience of working in the power of the Holy Spirit. Despite opposition at all levels, the first Christians expressed their love and wonder in acts of kindness, worship, and their eagerness to share the good news of the risen Jesus. Gavin and Anne Calver explore what this extraordinary historical account means for believers today, including: The Holy Spirit in the life of the church; taking risks; living together in the power of the Spirit; works and wonders; hearing from God; responding to the call of God; miracles then and now.

What can the church today learn from the experience of the early church, particularly as recorded in the Book of Acts?

After more than 130 years, the Fourfold Gospel--Jesus Christ, our Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King--continues to find a ready following and creative expression around the world. Its success, however, means that it has come to be understood, expressed, and practiced in ways somewhat differently than it originally was. This volume, written by scholars from across the globe, explores these emphases in detail, articulating how the passage of well over a century and the crossing of oceans has resulted in the advancing of the original vision.