Pope Benedict XVI’s statements on creation and justice are woven into one volume in Ten Commandments for the Environment: Pope Benedict XVI Speaks Out for Creation and Justice, released this month by Ave Maria Press. In the 160-page, $15.95 title, author and journalist Woodene Koenig-Bricker offers commentary that helps to unpack the Ten Commandments for the Environment, which was recently released by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Zondervan is releasing the newly revised NIV Couple’s Devotional Bible this month. The Bible features the complete text of the New International Version, a new cover design and 260 new weekday devotions centering on issues couples face today. Authors include Lauren Winner, Jennifer Schuchmann, Wayne Brouwer and Carla Barnhill. Weekend devotions are also included with advice from Les and Leslie Parrott, Gary Thomas, Bill and Lynne Hybels and Gary Smalley. Topics include communication, work and career, sex, setting goals, step-parenting, money, fears, worship and forgiveness. The hardcover edition retails for $29.99, and a chocolate/silver Italian DuoTone is priced at $46.99.

In The Unexpected Adventure: Taking Everyday Risks to Talk With People About Jesus (978-0-310-28392-8, $14.99, Zondervan), releasing this month, Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg seek to convey the joy and fulfillment of personal evangelism.

Written in a devotional-type format and divided into 42-day “adventures,” the pair takes turns introducing readers to significant moments they’ve experienced when sharing the gospel. In the book’s introduction, Strobel calls evangelism “the missing ingredient” in the lives of many Christians who report going through times of spiritual dryness. A passion for reaching unbelievers not only translates into renewed Christian devotion but also spills over into a more dedicated focus on Bible study, prayer life, worship and dependence on God, he asserts.

Researcher and author George Barna addresses what he sees as a “critical moment” in the history of the U.S. in The Seven Faith Tribes: Who They Are, What They Believe and Why They Matter.

The author of Revolution and Boiling Point identifies seven major groups, or “faith tribes”—captive Christians, casual Christians, Jews, Mormons, Muslims, pantheists and skeptics—and suggests strategies they could employ to work toward a better future for America.

The Firstborn

Conlan Brown

Realms Fiction (Strang Book Group)

softcover, 304 pages, $13.99

978-1-599-79607-9

The Firstborn, a thriller by new author Brown, jumps immediately into overdrive and doesn't slow down. The opening sequence erupts with heart-pounding action, daring escapes and a victory that leaves the reader wanting more.

Brown introduces us to The Firstborn, made up of three groups: the Domani (those that see the future), Prima (those that see the past) and the Ora (those that see the present), all descendants of those resurrected during the resurrection of Christ. Mistrust fractures The Firstborn as each group can only see the purpose of their own gifting and misunderstand the significance of the other two groups, making allegorical asides about the spiritual gifts within the church.

When a member of one of the groups decides to murder an Islamic holy man, the rest must learn to put aside their differences to stop a terrorist attack threatening the lives of hundreds of innocent children. As the characters race against time to save lives, readers can almost hear the tense turning of the clock from the TV show 24

The Firstborn is an addictive adventure and written with such quality that it's hard to believe it's Brown's debut.

-Jeff Jones

Teaching believers how to wage spiritual warfare against Satan and his demons is central to the translation being launched from Whitaker House in May.

Satanás es su nombre … ¿Cuáles son sus tretas? Un enfoque bíblico y con autoridad hacia la guerra espiritual (978-1-603-74093-7, $10.99) is a Spanish version of Strongman’s His Name … What’s His Game? An Authoritative Biblical Approach to Spiritual Warfare. Written by Jerry and Carol Robeson, Whitaker published the original English book in January 2000.