Two Lancaster Bible College faculty members have released books during the summer of 2024, and both take a more whimsical approach to how Christians—and their families—view faith.

Author, Dean & LBC Professor Dr. Kevin Gushiken

First, Dr. Kevin Gushiken, Dean of the School of Bible & Ministry as well as Director of the PhD in Leadership and Doctor of Ministry programs, published his new book in June titled “The Theology of Play: Learning to Enjoy Life as God Intended” with Kregel Publications. The book is available on Amazon, Logos and other book retailers.

The manuscript was two years in the making and celebrates God’s beautiful gift of play. “We as Christians are oftentimes way too serious,” Gushiken shared. “Yet, we have a marvelous Heavenly Father who enjoys when His children play. God gives us permission to play, and I believe He wants us to step into this gift.”

The book’s description reminds readers that God has given humans freedom and permission to play—to fully enjoy life’s moments as He intended, with no ulterior motive. The Christian life without play becomes malformed, and believers can miss aspects of the abundant life Jesus came to give.

In “A Theology of Play,” Gushiken builds a case for getting serious about play as a vital element of being a Christian. “Play,” he writes, “is not merely an activity but a way of living,” as he explores play from various biblical and theological lenses:

• How an identity grounded in God’s good creation invites us to play
• The connection between play and the biblical concept of Sabbath
• Why past hurts don’t have to keep us from enjoying the present
• Releasing false guilt and shame to find true freedom to play
• How to play in the midst of difficulty and pain
• Realizing that knowing and enjoying God brings freedom and pleasure.

“A Theology of Play” helps Christian believers identify barriers to play in their day-to-day lives and offers faithful guidance in recapturing play within the rhythms of life. This point and many others was explored further an interview between Gushiken and Common Good magazine, where the author, professor and former pastor addresses why so many Christians seemed to be missing out on delighting in the “beautiful sanctuary” or, as Gushiken likes to call it, “playground,” that God has provided.

Common Good shared that Gushiken realized that the answer “likely lies in the fact that the concept of play is often reduced to a human, or even worldly, status. In other words—it’s thought of as something like cheap entertainment rather than meaningful enrichment with positive spiritual, personal, and relationship benefits.”

Said Gushiken of this concept: “We shove it down, relative to other spiritual disciplines like prayer, reading the Bible and church attendance. I thought, ‘perhaps if we ground it theologically—[if we ask] what does God have to say about play?—that would give us permission to play.’”

Read Gushiken’s complete interview about “A Theology of Play” here.

Likewise, another LBC faculty member pre-released a new set of books geared toward children on the Minor Prophets of the Bible.

Dr. Brian Wright, Adjunct Professor in LBC’s Bible & Theology Department, completed his 12-volume children’s picture book series this summer. The third set in “God’s Daring Dozen,” which focuses on the 12 Minor Prophets, is available for pre-order and will be released in November from Christian Focus Publications.

Author & LBC Professor Dr. Brian Wright

The first children’s picture book series ever published on the Minor Prophets introduces the 12 books between Daniel and Matthew while delivering enduring messages that are relevant today. These biblically faithful, theologically rich, gospel-centered books teach truth, promote virtue, and inspire faith in God and in His Son through vivid images and simple words.

The first set, available now, includes four volumes, including “Haggai’s Feast,” which teaches obedience and encourages courage; “Habakkuk’s Song,” teaching trust and deepening faith; “Zephaniah’s Hero,” which teaches repentance and promotes righteousness; and “Obadiah & the Edomites,” focusing on humility and offering hope.

The second set, also available now, details “Jonah’s Journeys,” which teaches compassion and encourages obedience; “Malachi’s Final Message,” teaching respect for and hope in God; “Nahum and the Ninevites,” which teaches the power and deliverance of God; and “Joel and the Locusts,” focusing on repentance and the renewal of promises.

The culmination of the series that was recently completed outlines Hosea, Amos, Micah and Zechariah. The “God’s Daring Dozen” series on the Minor Prophets offer major lessons for all ages with timeless truths shared in storybook form for the first time.

“The Minor Prophets are no less inspired than the Gospels,” Wright says. “Therefore, they are profitable for all believers, including kids. When courageous explorers sailed into uncharted waters, they found astonishing wonders, which greatly enriched the world with knowledge. We want to help our kids sail through biblical waters so they can discover the astonishing wonders waiting to enrich them.”

In an article for Dallas Theological Seminary, Wright shares three reasons why it’s worth braving these biblical waters.

1. The Minor Prophets are inspired revelation to equip us. That’s why Paul wrote that “Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16–17 NET). If we don’t know the Minor Prophets, then we are less equipped for good works. If we didn’t need what Jonah and Nahum shared through their writings, God would not have inspired them to write down their prophecies. But since He did, we know that we need these prophecies, and therefore we must study them and learn from them.

2. The Minor Prophets contain God’s warnings to sober us. “‘Turn to me,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, ‘and I will turn to you’” (Zechariah 1:3 NET). Sin separates us from God and provokes His judgments. Sin is the source of suffering and death. Yet our diabolical enemy, our fallen nature and this wicked world tempt us to sin, deceiving us and our kids into thinking we can sin without consequences. Written in the context of divine judgment, the Minor Prophets provide a powerful antidote to deception. They compel us to repent of our sins, return to God, and live in obedience to His wise and good commands, that we might enjoy the life our Heavenly Father intends for us.

3. The Minor Prophets are divine instruction to encourage us. Whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope (Romans 15:4). God preserved the Minor Prophets as essential parts of Scripture to encourage us to persevere and not lose hope. The prophets wrote these books during darkening days of impending judgment and daunting obedience; the writings are filled with divine instruction about what God is doing and why, and about what He intends to do someday to right wrongs, restore his people and renew creation through His Messiah. The Minor Prophets bring us encouraging promises from an eternal perspective that provide hope during our own darkening, daunting days.

Wright is the founding pastor of Redeemer Community Church in Pensacola, Fla. His academic and pastoral work have been featured on several Christian media networks, such as Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Desiring God and Power for Living.