What is the meaning of the word faith? Current society believes that faith is to have endless trust or confidence in something. But Christians believe this trust and never-ending confidence isn’t just in something. It's in God. The true interpretation of faith is shown by historical events in the New Testament such as Jesus’ birth and crucifixion. God's followers put their trust in Him and believed He would one day send His son to die for the forgiveness of sins. The original definition in the New Testament is the Greek concept of faith called pistis. Pistis means that God’s followers have complete confidence in Him and believe He is the creator of all things, loves all His people, and will one day return for them. Rev. Dr. Alvin J. Schmidt explores how society has slowly been shifting away from this definition over time and discusses how Christians can help restore the true meaning of faith.​
In the middle of the twentieth century, American Lutherans were newsworthy enough to find themselves on the cover of Time magazine. Their claim to fame? In an era when American churches were beginning to look and act alike, Lutherans' strong confessional nature and stress on theology as well as their liturgy and ethnicity set them apart. They were "Protestants with a difference" at a time when differences were supposed to be dissolving in the American melting pot.

As a whole, Lutherans Today will be valuable not only to all Lutherans but also to those interested in the development and current state of religious life in America.
Western civilization is becoming increasingly pluralistic, secularized, and biblically illiterate. Many people today have little sense of how their lives have benefited from Christianity's influence, often viewing the church with hostility or resentment. How Christianity Changed the World is a topically arranged Christian history for Christians and non- Christians. Grounded in solid research and written in a popular style, this book is both a helpful apologetic tool in talking with unbelievers and a source of evidence for why Christianity deserves credit for many of the humane, social, scientific, and cultural advances in the Western world in the last two thousand years. 
Photographs, timelines, and charts enhance each chapter. This edition features questions for reflection and discussion for each chapter.  Grounded in solid research and written in a popular style, this book is both a helpful apologetic tool in talking with unbelievers and a source of evidence for why Christianity deserves credit for many of the humane, social, scientific, and cultural advances in the Western world in the last two thousand years. Photographs, timelines, and charts enhance each chapter. This edition features questions for reflection and discussion for each chapter.[Kindle Edition]
Weaving together evidence from sociolgy, anthropology, history, and biblical studies, this book shows that patriarchal and hierarchial views of gender arise from agrarian culture, along with images of woman as unequal, inferior, unclean, and evil. . . . This book is a valuable resource for theologically conservative Christians who are trying to rethink the connenction between thoeology and gender.
A survey of the various ways--often unrecognized and overlooked--whereby Christianity has impacted the world, making the world a better place and enriching our everyday living.
Dust to Dust, Ashes to Ashes reflects research drawn from numerous biblical and historical sources examining the practice of cremation. Provides helpful information especially for Christians.
Documents from reliable historical sources the chasm-wide differences between the Western world and the world of Islam using Islam's Koran. Contrasts the teaching of religion and the differing religous practices of the east and west and their results in day-to-day living.
Soon after Joseph Smith, Jr., founded the Mormon Church in 1830, newspaper editors called him the American Mahomet, Modern Mahomet, or Yankee Mahomet. In The American Muhammad Alvin Schmidt has undertaken the challenging but informative task of documenting, discussing, and analyzing over seventy parallels that exist between Smith and Muhammad. He cites valid arguments why parallels between noteworthy individuals in history need to be studied in order to understand why they engaged in similar acts that left major marks in history. This fascinating book provides many facts not commonly known about Joseph Smith and Muhammad and will help readers see and understand how the teachings of these two men contradict biblical Christianity.
Up-to-date, well-documented, comprehensive coverage of cults, sects, and world religions, from the historical to the contemporary. Includes well-known groups and world religions, such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons and Islam. Updated with developments in the world of cults and the occult. Brand-new format for a clearer, more organized approach. The authors evaluate the beliefs and practices of each group from the perspective of the Bible and the historic creeds of the Christian church. You'll also find group histories, numerous illustrations, charts, current statistics, websites, bibliographies, and other useful information.
De westerse beschaving wordt in toenemende mate pluralistisch, geseculariseerd en Bijbels onwetend. Veel mensen hebben weinig gevoel, hoe hun levens geprofiteerd hebben van de invloed van het christendom en kijken vaak vijandig of met wrok naar de kerk. Hoe het christendom de wereld veranderde heeft de geschiedenis per onderwerp gerangschikt. Gegrond in gedegen onderzoek en geschreven op een eigentijdse manier, is dit boek zowel een handig apologetisch hulpmiddel in het gesprek met niet-gelovigen als een bron aan bewijs waarom het christendom het krediet verdient voor veel van de menselijke, sociale, wetenschappelijke en culturele vorderingen in de Westerse wereld de afgelopen twee millennia. Ieder hoofdstuk is verrijkt met plaatjes, tijdlijnen en overzichten.
How Christianity Transformed Civilization The positive impact of Jesus Christ and His followers on Western culture is no exaggeration. From education to the rights of women, public health to economic freedom, all the things that we most appreciate and many of the blessings that we take for granted had their origin in a spiritual and cultural revolution that started with Jesus. Alvin J. Schmidt presents a brilliant and comprehensive look at how this first century leader and those who acted in His name have deeply influenced the structure and development of civilization for more than 2,000 years. 'Under The Influence' is full of surprising discoveries for readers of all beliefs.