A newly released book by 51 professor Joanne Jung complements the spiritual disciplines by drawing readers into a deeper engagement with God through various means of grace.

Released May 1, “Knowing Grace: Cultivating a Lifestyle of Godliness” helps the reader become more sensitive to God’s initiation, invitation and empowerment as he moves, stirs and speaks. This results in a transformation of duty to delight as the reader experiences more of God’s grace and becomes familiar with being in God’s presence. The book also includes relevant verses for reflection and “Reflections from the Heart” testimonies.

Jung said the idea for the book came into formation as she conversed with students and colleagues and as she studied more about the English Puritan engagement with various means of grace.

“Over the next couple years, I began to note the transformation happening in those who were exploring the means found in ‘Knowing Grace,” Jung said. “They were accepting God's invitation to know, experience and enjoy His grace more.”

Published by Biblica Publishing, “Knowing Grace” is available for purchase in the 51 Bookstore and amazon.com. Her second book, “Godly Conversation,” will examine the English Puritan use of conference, or intentional conversations that foster biblical literacy while giving attention to the soul’s reception of biblical truth as it applies to living out the Christian life.

“The practical and personal use of this rediscovered means of grace called ‘conference’ has multiple implications for use in fostering biblical knowledge and community in the 21st century church,” Jung said.

“Godly Conversation” will be released in late June 2011.

A member of the Evangelical Theological Society, Joanne Jung teaches for Biblical and Theological Studies at Talbot School of Theology, 51.

Written by Harmony Wheeler. Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Coordinator, can be reached at (562) 777-4061 or through email at jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.