The May issue of Credo Magazine, “Chosen by Grace,” is now here! And we are giving away books too! This week here are the books we are giving away:

RetroChristianity: Reclaiming the Forgotten Faith. By Michael J. Svigel. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012.

Here is the publisher’s description:

The time has come for evangelicals to reclaim the forgotten faith. And this means doing something many are reluctant to do. It means reflecting on the past to rethink the present and inform the future. It means, in short, to think not just biblically and theologically, but also historically.

RetroChristianity challenges us to think critically and constructively about history and how it informs our current beliefs, values, and practices. This book helps to adjust our attitudes toward evangelicalism, and will lead us, ultimately, along a time-tested path toward a brighter future.

The Explicit Gospel. By Matt Chandler with Jared Wilson. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012.

Here is the publisher’s description:

Just because you go to church doesn’t mean that you are exposed (or exposing others) to the gospel explicitly. Sure, most people talk about Jesus, and about being good and avoiding bad, but the gospel message simply isn’t there—at least not in its specificity and its fullness.

Inspired by the needs of both the over-churched and the unchurched, and bolstered by the common neglect of the explicit gospel within Christianity, popular pastor Matt Chandler writes this punchy treatise to remind us what is of first and utmost importance—the gospel.

Directions:

To enter to win, post “Check out the New Credo Magazine!” on facebook and be sure to LINK to our website. For an additional entry post “Check out the New Credo Magazine!” on twitter and be sure to LINK to our website. Also, don’t forget to leave a separate comment for each thing you do. The giveaway will end this Friday at 5pm (Pacific time).

Also, here is the scoop on the new issue of the mag:

To view the Magazine as a PDF

Chosen by Grace

The biblical doctrine of election is offensive. It collides with our demand for human autonomy. It removes our will from the throne. And it exposes our nakedness, revealing us to be the sinners that we truly are, undeserving of divine grace and mercy. But when our eyes are opened to its glory, we begin to see that the doctrine of election leads us to worship, praise, and give thanks to our Sovereign Lord. We recognize that we, as sinners, deserve nothing less than eternal condemnation. And yet, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world! In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, not on the basis of anything we have done, but purely according to the purpose of his will (Eph 1:3-5). It is this doctrine of election that Paul says is to lead us to praise the glorious grace of God (Eph 1:6). Therefore, the title of this May’s issue of Credo Magazine is “Chosen by Grace.” Contributors include: Timothy George, Paul Helm, Matthew Barrett, Bruce Ware, Fred Zaspel, Greg Gilbert, Thomas Nettles, R. Scott Clark, David Murray, Thomas Schreiner, Graham Cole, Greg Forster, and many others.