More than one hundred people came through the Johnsen & Taylor bookstore in Wheaton, Illinois, on January 29 to celebrate the launch of the Biblical Imagination Series from award-winning musician and author Michael Card, published by InterVarsity Press. Luke: The Gospel of Amazement and its companion CD, Luke: A World Turned Upside Down, are the first of four books and CDs in a series that invites readers and listeners alike to enter Scripture the way Card has done for years—through the imagination.

Award-winning musician and author Michael Card performs at his launch event for the Biblical Imagination series.

"We were delighted to host the launch party for Michael’s new book and CD," said Johan Wessels, Johnsen & Taylor manager. "The event was a wonderful success and our community enjoyed the opportunity to interact with Michael and listen to him perform."

Kathryn Chapek, IVP’s national trade sales manager, said the beauty of Johnsen & Taylor's store and the professionalism of their staff combined to provide the ideal setting for the launch, which included a signing, a reading and a live performance of songs from the CD. Holly Benyousky, Card's booking agent, hosted an after-hours VIP event for concert promoters, media and other friends of Michael Card, also at Johnsen & Taylor. Benyousky said she was "impressed by the new bookstore and appreciated their grace in welcoming our team."

In Luke: The Gospel of Amazement, Card imaginatively explores the narrative power of the Word of God by taking his reader on a journey through the book of Luke, exploring Luke's compelling account of a rabbi who astounded his hearers with parables and paradoxes. When asked who this book is for, Card said, "Anyone, of any age, who really desires to engage deeply with the life of Jesus. It is for those who have become dissatisfied with where they are in their study of the Bible and who want to take it a step further."

The companion CD was an act of community by IVP and Covenant Artists, Card's music company, resulting in an alliance that has brought Card's exploration of the Gospel of Luke—in book and music form—under a single point of distribution via InterVarsity Press.

"We are both excited and privileged to release the initial book and CD in the Biblical Imagination Series," said Chapek. "These books will surely have a profound impact, as they help us discover the biblical text for ourselves, ask our own questions and discover deeper truths."