Description
What is it?
Few questions are more basic or more important than defining what a thing is. In philosophy, defining the nature of something is called ontology. And in this book, ontology goes by the title “is-ness.” Questions like, What is a human being? What is a man and a woman? What is marriage? And what is a family? stand at the heart of modern ethics, and Christians who love their neighbors need to have good answers to them.
David Schrock aims to help faithful Christians see from Scripture what the world is, as God intended. As Creator, God defines what the world is and how it is meant to work. And in his Word, God has revealed what those definitions are so that anyone who takes seriously God’s Word can know with certainty what God has said about himself, his world, and everything in it. In our confused age the nature of creation is under constant threat. So, it is vital that Christians know more than the gospel of redemption. They must also be able to proclaim and explain the doctrine of creation. This book is aimed to help you proclaim the glorious truths of God’s creation, even as you look forward to the new creation.
Book Details
The Business of Is-ness: How to Live in the World God Made
By David Schrock
©2024 David Schrock
Published by Founders Press
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN: 978-1-965810-30-9 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-1-965810-30-9 (eBook)
ISBN: 978-1-965810-30-9 (Audiobook)
Endorsements
Just a few decades ago, Christians generally assumed that ontology was safe and secure. And yet just as the twenty-first century arrived, believers had to quickly comprehend that the moral and ideological rebellions of the age were now undermining being itself. If the sexual revolution wasn’t enough to awaken Christians to an ontological crisis, the transgender revolution arrived just in time to make the crisis clear. This important book by David Schrock underlines the fact that a biblical ontology, grounded in God’s creation of the world, is fundamental to Christian faithfulness. A biblical ontology offers the only way to escape the deliberate confusions of the age. David Schrock’s new book is both timely and urgently needed.
R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
President | The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Schrock understands that the most pressing problems facing us today contain profound ontological confusions. What’s more, he keenly grasps the central place of anthropology, calling it “the most important doctrine for the twenty-first century.” I couldn’t agree more. For while past eras were marked by debates about the Trinity, the means of saving grace, and the truthfulness of the Scriptures, ours is an anthropological age. From overzealous animals rights activism to misguided DEI initiatives, from gay “marriage” to transgenderism, from feminism to Marxism, and from abortion on demand to brave new visions of a neuralinked humanity, the West is replete with destructive delusions about the nature of mankind. These cannot and will not be mended until we return to the Lord and his life-giving Word. Schrock shows us the way forward, pointing us back to the beginning of all things and calling Christians to take up the vital business of “is-ness” for the glory of God and the good of the world.
Doug Ponder
Academic Dean and Professor of Biblical Studies | Grimké Seminary
Teaching Pastor | Remnant Church, Richmond, VA
Here’s a good book about everything in the universe. It’s a book I need right now because I am being lied to about everything all the time. This is a book we all need because of everything precious to us—our children and their future, the church and her mission, our civilization and even civilization itself. Dave helps us know we are not crazy, helps keep us from going crazy, and gently but firmly corrects where we may have started down a dark path. Dave’s book is about everything but it is not complicated. Beautifully organized, what began as sermons for his church remains as accessible. I’ll be giving a copy to my teenagers, my wife who homeschools them, and we’ll be reading Dave’s book as a church staff.
Trent Hunter
Pastor for Preaching | Heritage Bible Church, Greer, SC
Few books address the craziness of our cultural moment with as much directness and biblical clarity as Schrock’s book. This book addresses some of the most urgent and pressing questions being asked in our culture today with theological skill and pastoral wisdom. While Schrock is a serious scholar, the book is written with an accessible and engaging style is both challenging and refreshing. You won’t find any goofy, progressive innovations in this book. What you will find is trustworthy guidance by a skilled pastor through several critical worldview issues. Highly recommend.
Michael Clary
Lead Pastor | Christ the King Church, Cincinnati, OH
Our culture is rebelling against God’s good design for men and women—especially for marriage and sex and the family. In this book David Schrock highlights fundamental truths about God’s brilliant design.
Andy Naselli
Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament | Bethlehem College and Seminary, Minneapolis, MN
Lead Pastor | Christ the King Church, Stillwater, MN
Schrock carefully and thoroughly answers some of the most important questions any human will ask: What is God? What is man and woman? What is marriage? What is family? This book provides the help Christians need to biblically understand what God has made in creation and, maybe even more importantly, for what purpose he has made us and everything else.
Abigail Dodds
Author of Bread of Life and (A)Typical Woman
Contents
Acknowledgements
Foreword by Stephen J. Wellum
Introduction
1 – What is Ontology?
2 – What is God?
3 – What is the Cosmos?
4 – What is Humanity?
5 – What is the Body for?
6 – What is Marriage?
7 – What is a Family?
8 – What is a Man? What is a Woman?
9 – What is the Church?
Conclusion
