Sometimes a "Christian upbringing" can go pretty wrong. This is about that. Strict, impersonal, unloving, image-conscious, status-focused legalism is something Jesus addressed pretty directly, as did the apostle Paul. This is also about growing up locked away inside a Christian community that worked like that. Darkly insightful, and told with a lot of humour, with personal statements from a large number of people with problematic Christian upbringings.

We all have a little bit of Pharisaism in us. Pharisaism is one of the sins that angered Jesus the most. Yet we are often in bondage to it without realizing it. How can we recognize the warning signs in our own hearts and lives and be set free? Do you consider yourself a better Christian than others? Do you enjoy pointing out others' faults while ignoring your own? Do you fail to practice what you preach? If so, you might be a Pharisee--a modern-day version of the religious leaders in Jesus' day whom He condemned for their legalism and self-righteousness. It's time to take a hard look at your attitudes and behavior and allow the Holy Spirit to set you free. You will learn the following: Twenty-five signs that indicate you might be a Pharisee Why the sin of pharisaism angered Jesus The opposite character trait Jesus modeled Steps to take to rid pharisaism from your heart and mind This book will help you recognize the signs of pharisaism--that is, legalism and self-righteousness--in your own heart and know the steps to avoid this sin.

A factory produces, but what if the product was not what the manufacturer ordered? In this book, The Pharisee Factory, Glenn describes where the church has drifted off mission""choosing rules, knowledge, and power over God's glorious reflection of himself. Like the Pharisees, who started out trying to protect the words of God, they move toward controlling the words of God. Powerful leaders chose to operate much like the very ones that Jesus called "white washed sepulchers." Who is responsible for the condition of the modern church? It lies with us, the local church leadership. We may know about the New Testament leadership model, yet we continue to sustain and promote practices that Jesus hated. Church leaders and church attenders have always known there is something off with our current model of "doing" church. They just didn't know exactly what went wrong and why. We now realize the modern model is too top-heavy, hierarchical, and authoritarian when held up next to the flattened, gift-rich, and flexible style of the New Testament church. We may even know the historical damage that our modern models have caused. But have we actually looked at the results of our systems and structures over the past couple millennia? The book just asks a simple question: have we produced more Pharisees than disciples?

Who Are We to Judge? We have met the Pharisees, and they are...us. That's because we are all slaves to self-righteousness and judgmentalism. It's built into human nature. We set "the standard"--the list of do's and don'ts--to which others must adhere. Then we associate this predetermined behavior with righteousness and declare, "A 'Christian' wouldn't do that." In this book, John Fischer points out that Jesus defined the truth in such a way as to leave no one righteous--not one. We cannot be made right before God by being "better" than anyone else. Instead, by recognizing and laying aside the Pharisee in all of us, we can embrace the grace, gratitude, and joy of the spirit-filled life.

It may surprise you to know that the majority of non-Christians are not hostile to the faith or looking for a fight. In fact, most are open and even curious about spiritual matters. Yet evangelism training and apologetic resources are often geared toward knowing what to say to hardcore atheists and evolutionists, who make up less than 10 percent of the unchurched population. If you're ready to have respectful and fruitful spiritual conversations with your spiritually curious friends, neighbors, and family members, Mark Matlock offers this research-based approach. He shows you how to · create a church culture that is open to spiritual exploration and discovery · help foster meaningful connections to Jesus and his Church · start spiritual conversations and break through common communication barriers · bridge the gap between traditional Christianity and the modern spiritual climate · and much more

Some people may think that Pharisees are only found in the Bible. However, there are "pharisees" in every culture and generation, people who because of their status, education, cultural advantage, or position believe they have earned "the right to be right." I was such a person for the first half of my life. I believed that because of my role as a priest in the Episcopal Church, it was my job to be right so that I could help others avoid being wrong! Then I had a face-to-face confrontation with the one, true living God of the universe, who began to teach me what "being right" was really about. With God's help, during the second half of my life, I have grown from being a self-righteous (and some would say pompous) jerk to becoming a humble servant living in His righteousness!

Jeff Saxton exposes several hidden dangers that may be limiting the quality and effectiveness of your spiritual growth in The New Pharisee – one of the most enlightening books available today regarding religious hypocrisy. Discover how to identify key areas in your life that are void of spiritual authenticity, and learn how to take steps toward recovery and removal of the Pharisee within you. The New Pharisee is a clarion call for Christians to see and understand the dangers that lurk within us and to undergo a complete spiritual makeover! “They’re back! Those Pharisees who gave Jesus such a hard time have returned. But today they’re in the church. Jeff Saxton examines the life that resists Jesus more than obeys him. It’s an important read. But be ready. This book turns on the stadium lights.” — Mark Nysewander, Teaching pastor at RiverStone Church; Author of The Fasting Key “The New Pharisee is a sobering look at the characteristics of the New Testament era Pharisee and the reappearance of nearly identical attitudes in the Church today.” — Dr. George O. Wood, General Superintendent, The General Council of the Assemblies of God “In this courageous first book, Jeff Saxton redefines self-righteousness through an insightful evaluation of our own disillusionment. The New Pharisee is as prophetic as it is pastoral, not simply deconstructing and dismantling the flaws in modern Christianity, but offering a hopeful alternative that reflects the humility of Christ. You will be inspired and challenged by Jeff’s honesty.” — Christopher L. Heuertz, International Director Word Made Flesh; Author of Simple Spirituality “Jeff Saxton is a man after God’s heart and this book is born out of his genuine pursuit of an authentic Christian faith. You will see the heart of Jesus more clearly and your heart will respond with deep love for Him as you read this book.” — Kenneth Krause, Director of Bethany College of Missions

Designed to uproot Pharisaicalism from the evangelical church, this text is a guide for transforming it into a community of forgiveness, exemplifying Grace-full living. (Christian)

There is so much difference between God’s presence in me and my presence. These poems are an attempt at describing that, which cannot be understood, explained, described, justified or reasoned.

Replete with romance, political intrigue, and history, The Furious Pharisee follows the development of Saul from a young student of the Torah and the Jewish religion to a vehement opposer of the disciples of Jesus. Al Dublanko draws on historical fact while creating well developed personas of characters only hinted at in the biblical account of the early church in the book of Acts. Through vivid detail and compelling dialogue, he brings these characters and the events of the Apostolic Age to life for his readers. A year after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, His disciples are preaching the gospel and attracting the attention of the Jewish people, from the poor to the religious elite. A passionate defender of the Mosaic Law, the Pharisee Saul becomes increasingly incensed at the influence of these followers of “the Way,” and he is determined to remove their voice from the public square. When the disciple Stephen claims that Jesus is God, Saul gives his full approval to the violent execution of the peaceful man. At the end of the novel, as Saul makes his way to Damascus, he is confronted with a blinding light and a voice from heaven that shakes him to his core. Humbled by the very One he is persecuting, Saul’s life will be forever changed. Readers will anxiously await the next installment of this riveting historical fiction.