Journey Books---Part 2
A Journey in Baptism
A Theological Novel---$11.95
The story of Professor Ira Pointer continues, as one of the doctrinal students at the seminary, a Presbyterian pastor, asks him to help him understand the Baptist view of baptism, so that he might write a doctrinal dissertation on the subject at the school. After laying some ground rules of the necessity of gracious objectivity with no pressure to convert to the other’s position, Dr. Pointer and the student spend hours together seeking to understand the views and their differences. Through the experience, they both learn to respect one another, as well as the other’s theological viewpoint on the subject.
At the same time, Ira and Dink are pulled into one of the most puzzling crimes of their experience. A mysterious pastor appears in Ira’s office with a spirit of revenge, wanting to know if he can take justice into his own hands and deal with those he knows have wronged him. He just as mysteriously disappears without giving Ira his name or address, which action begins a search by Ira and Dink to find him before he carries out his plan and act of revenge.
The story of Professor Ira Pointer continues, as one of the doctrinal students at the seminary, a Presbyterian pastor, asks him to help him understand the Baptist view of baptism, so that he might write a doctrinal dissertation on the subject at the school. After laying some ground rules of the necessity of gracious objectivity with no pressure to convert to the other’s position, Dr. Pointer and the student spend hours together seeking to understand the views and their differences. Through the experience, they both learn to respect one another, as well as the other’s theological viewpoint on the subject.
At the same time, Ira and Dink are pulled into one of the most puzzling crimes of their experience. A mysterious pastor appears in Ira’s office with a spirit of revenge, wanting to know if he can take justice into his own hands and deal with those he knows have wronged him. He just as mysteriously disappears without giving Ira his name or address, which action begins a search by Ira and Dink to find him before he carries out his plan and act of revenge.
A Journey in Roman Catholicism
A Theological Novel---$11.95
What does a professor at a Baptist seminary do when he is falsely accused of being a closet Roman Catholic, and that he is soon going to confess publicly that position? What does he do when all the evidence points to the conviction that he has written a book which argues in favor of a Roman Catholic theology and a coming conversion? What does he do when the case against him is so strong that it would even convince him, if he did not know the truth? What does he do when the seminary where he teaches is ready to relieve him of his position as a professor without giving him an opportunity to prove his innocence?
And on top of it all, what does he do, when he can only conclude that Dink, his most able leader in the solving of previous crimes, has either been kidnaped or is dead? That is the dilemma of Professor Ira Pointer in the present story, as he faces the question of who has framed him, why has someone framed him, and how can he ever prove his innocence? In the process of the search for the truth Professor Pointer compares the two views, Roman Catholicism and Reformation theology, in preparation for publishing his own book to set forth clearly his own convictions on the subject.
What does a professor at a Baptist seminary do when he is falsely accused of being a closet Roman Catholic, and that he is soon going to confess publicly that position? What does he do when all the evidence points to the conviction that he has written a book which argues in favor of a Roman Catholic theology and a coming conversion? What does he do when the case against him is so strong that it would even convince him, if he did not know the truth? What does he do when the seminary where he teaches is ready to relieve him of his position as a professor without giving him an opportunity to prove his innocence?
And on top of it all, what does he do, when he can only conclude that Dink, his most able leader in the solving of previous crimes, has either been kidnaped or is dead? That is the dilemma of Professor Ira Pointer in the present story, as he faces the question of who has framed him, why has someone framed him, and how can he ever prove his innocence? In the process of the search for the truth Professor Pointer compares the two views, Roman Catholicism and Reformation theology, in preparation for publishing his own book to set forth clearly his own convictions on the subject.
A JOURNEY IN GOD'S GLORY
A Theological Novel---$11.95
What is a pastor to do, when he suddenly realizes that his ministry of several years has been a sham, as it has been performed for himself and his own glory? With his ministry gone, and his wife and family gone, where can he find the definition of God's glory, and characteristics of a life and ministry for the glory of God? And how can he ever convince his wife that he is no longer the self-centered man that he was during the days of their marriage?
This is the dilemma which Professor Ira Pointer faces, when one of his former students, who has been a very successful pastor, according to the definition of men, comes to him with the sad admission that his marriage and ministry are over. He is convinced that he can no longer go on as the man he was for so many years - a man who labored for his own glory and not God's glory. The questions he and Dr. Pointer face are: "What is a life and ministry for the glory of God? And where is his wife now, and will she ever believe he is a different man than he was during their years of marriage?"
What is a pastor to do, when he suddenly realizes that his ministry of several years has been a sham, as it has been performed for himself and his own glory? With his ministry gone, and his wife and family gone, where can he find the definition of God's glory, and characteristics of a life and ministry for the glory of God? And how can he ever convince his wife that he is no longer the self-centered man that he was during the days of their marriage?
This is the dilemma which Professor Ira Pointer faces, when one of his former students, who has been a very successful pastor, according to the definition of men, comes to him with the sad admission that his marriage and ministry are over. He is convinced that he can no longer go on as the man he was for so many years - a man who labored for his own glory and not God's glory. The questions he and Dr. Pointer face are: "What is a life and ministry for the glory of God? And where is his wife now, and will she ever believe he is a different man than he was during their years of marriage?"
A Journey in Faith
A Theological Novel---$11.95
All Christians surely claim to believe that God is sovereign and omnipotent! He is the sovereign omnipotent God! But is that doctrine a reality in our lives, when we face the difficulties and trials of our daily existence, or is it just a truth in our theology books? What happens when we are called upon to exercise our faith in our sovereign omnipotent God in a very trying moment of our daily lives? Does our faith crumble before the onslaught of the enemy, or do we cast ourselves by faith on Him, regardless of the lack of any human help or hope?
This is the theme of the present journey book! Professor Ira Pointer and his good friend Dink seek to find out why a beloved pastor of forty-three years in a small town mountain setting, has been eliminated from all historical records in the church and community where he pastored. As they seek the evidence to solve this mystery, they find a very hostile community, which brings them face to face with the possible elimination of their own lives as well. Their subject of study is faith in their omnipotent God, as they face this threatening mystery.
A Journey in God's Sovereignty
A Theological Novel---$11.95
Arminianism! Calvinism! True Calvinism! Moderate Calvinism! Modified Calvinism! Hyper-Calvinism! These are all theological tenus being used today to speak of various systems of theology. And one of the central issues of all of these systems seems to be the attempt to define the sovereignty of God in relationship to man in his fallen state, as one who still possesses a will. Is there any theological doctrine more difficult and problematical than dealing with the subject of the sovereignty of God in relationship to the will of man and its responsibility before God? Is man's will free or is it enslaved? If God is sovereign, then how can man be responsible? If man is free, then how can God be sovereign?
This is the theme of the present journey book - God's sovereignty over all things. Ira Pointer and Dink find themselves in serious trouble at the seminary where they teach, because of this doctrine. They face the possible loss of their jobs, simply because the board of trustees and others do not understand these truths nor the doctrinal history of their own denomination.
A Journey in Evangelism and Missions
A Theological Novel $12.95
In this book Dr. Ira Pointer is faced with the accusation that Calvinism kills evangelism and missions! Dr. Jameson, the pastor who makes the accusation, invites Ira on a missionary trip and urges him to bring others with him. The missionary team becomes a group of five Calvinists and two non-Calvinists. All goes well, as they travel and minister together in Kenya, and as they discuss this loaded question of Calvinism and missions at their evening mealtime. That is, all goes well until they discuss Charles G. Finney, who is one of Dr. Jameson’s heroes. He cannot believe that Ira Pointer is telling the truth about Finney and his theology and revival methods, even though he admits he has never read much about the man or his theology. Come take a missionary journey in truth, as Ira and his missionary-minded brothers give clear evidence by word and practice that Calvinism does not kill evangelism and missions!
A Journey in Christian Heritage
A True Story---Not a Novel Like the Other Journey Books $12.95
What is a young Christian girl to do, when she marries a man who gives every evidence of being a Christian, and yet several years into the marriage, he turns his back on Christ and the church and tells his wife he will never go back? Is there any possibility that she could ever have a Christian heritage? That was the dilemma of Virgie Undine (Paul) Belcher after she had been married several years to George Delbert Belcher, a fine, hard-working man in many ways, according to the world’s standards---a man who rose to the top of his business profession. But as a little girl she had learned the power of faith and prayer, and she was determined to see her husband and her children brought to the Lord. Yea, her heritage would be a Christian heritage for God’s glory! This is the story of Virgie Belcher and her humble but indomitable quest to see her family come to know and serve the Lord, as told by her second son, Richard P. Belcher, the writer of the journey theological novels. He also shares with the reader the lessons and reality of faith and prayer that he learned from his mother, and the results in his own life.