With Playing God, Andy Crouch opens the subject of power, elucidating its subtle activity in our relationships and institutions. He gives us much more than a warning against abuse, though. Turning the notion of "playing God" on its head, Crouch celebrates power as the gift by which we join in God's creative, redeeming work in the world.

The church and the contemporary art world often find themselves in an uneasy relationship in which misunderstanding and mistrust abound. Drawn from the 2015 biennial CIVA conference, these reflections from theologians, pastors, and practicing artists imagine the possibility of a renewed and mutually fruitful relationship between contemporary art and the church.

What should Christian witness look like in our contemporary society? In this timely book, Alan Noble looks at our cultural moment, characterized by technological distraction and the growth of secularism, laying out individual, ecclesial, and cultural practices that disrupt our society's deep-rooted assumptions and point beyond them to the transcendent grace and beauty of Jesus.

Should religion and politics mix? Brendan Sweetman says it can, and that in fact, politics without some religious belief contributes little to civil society. Likewise, religion is in no danger when it takes its proper place in political debate. For any perceptive reader who wants to explore the relationship between religion and politics, or culture wars issues.

Drawing upon his experiences as both a Christian and an artist, Cameron J. Anderson traces the relationship between the evangelical church and modern art in postwar America. While acknowledging the tensions between faith and visual art, he casts a vision for how Christian artists can faithfully pursue their vocational calling in contemporary culture.

Perceiving a disconnect between their Protestant tradition and ancient Christianity, some evangelicals have abandoned Protestantism for traditions that appear more rooted in the early church. Arguing for the rich Protestant connections to early Christianity, Ken Stewart surveys five centuries church history and claims a place for evangelicals at the ecumenical table.

We long for diverse, thriving neighborhoods and churches, yet racial injustices persist. Why? Urban missiologist David Leong reveals the profound ways in which geographic structures and systems sustain the divisions among us and create barriers to reconciliation. For the flourishing of our communities, here is a vision of belonging and hope in our streets, cities, and churches.

Leading policy strategist Clarke Forsythe campaigns for a recovery of the virtue of prudence and for its application by policymakers and citizens to contemporary public policy. In particular he applies these concepts to the pro-life debate, arguing for political prudence and gradual change as the most effective way to achieve political and legislative goals.