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Showing 1 - 20 of 47 items
By James L. Kugel. 2007
James Kugel&’s essential introduction and companion to the Bible combines modern scholarship with the wisdom of ancient interpreters for the…
entire Hebrew Bible.As soon as it appeared, How to Read the Bible was recognized as a masterwork, &“awesome, thrilling&” (The New York Times), &“wonderfully interesting, extremely well presented&” (The Washington Post), and &“a tour de force...a stunning narrative&” (Publishers Weekly). Now, this classic remains the clearest, most inviting and readable guide to the Hebrew Bible around—and a profound meditation on the effect that modern biblical scholarship has had on traditional belief. Moving chapter by chapter, Harvard professor James Kugel covers the Bible&’s most significant stories—the Creation of the world, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and the flood, Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and his wives, Moses and the exodus, David&’s mighty kingdom, plus the writings of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the other prophets, and on to the Babylonian conquest and the eventual return to Zion. Throughout, Kugel contrasts the way modern scholars understand these events with the way Christians and Jews have traditionally understood them. The latter is not, Kugel shows, a naïve reading; rather, it is the product of a school of sophisticated interpreters who flourished toward the end of the biblical period. These highly ideological readers sought to put their own spin on texts that had been around for centuries, utterly transforming them in the process. Their interpretations became what the Bible meant for centuries and centuries—until modern scholarship came along. The question that this book ultimately asks is: What now? As one reviewer wrote, Kugel&’s answer provides &“a contemporary model of how to read Sacred Scripture amidst the oppositional pulls of modern scholarship and tradition.&”By Jeffrey Meiliken. 2005
A prayer that promises miracles"This book is for anyone who wants a miracle, has ever wanted to see God's work…
in action, or needed proof of His existence. It is for the doubters and believers alike.If you think nothing is out there, think again. Whether you're an agnostic astrophysicist or a seminary priest, you will discover an ancient gift that works every time, no questions asked. By the time you finish this book, your perception of the universe will have changed.If you thought God was out there but not listening, you may discover that you have been tuning into the wrong channels. It doesn't matter whether you want to call it the Light Force of God, the creative power of the Lord, or any other expression of omnipotent omniscience because as you'll soon discover, you have the ability to tap into it. In fact, you've had the ability all along.If you ever wondered if anyone was listening or if anyone cared, you'll soon see for yourself the benevolence that's been available to you and all of us since the dawn of time. You'll learn why the ancient sages said the Light Force always gives, always listens, and always answers. Find out how to get heard. Find out what you've been missing. See an infinite stream of miracles spread out before you, guiding your every step. As you rethink everything you've ever known, you'll see that life is not supposed to be difficult; man isn't supposed to suffer; fate isn't some abstraction beyond our control, and your life can indeed be wonderful".--From the IntroductionBy Joel M. Hoffman. 2016
The Bible Doesn't Say That explores what the Bible meant before it was misinterpreted over the past 2,000 years. Acclaimed…
translator and biblical scholar Dr. Joel M. Hoffman walks the reader through dozens of mistranslations, misconceptions, and other misunderstandings about the Bible. In forty short, straightforward chapters, he covers morality, life-style, theology, and biblical imagery, including: *The Bible doesn't call homosexuality a sin, and it doesn't advocate for the one-man-one-woman model of the family that has been dubbed "biblical." *The Bible's famous "beat their swords into plowshares" is matched by the militaristic, "beat your plowshares into swords." *The often-cited New Testament quotation "God so loved the world" is a mistranslation, as are the titles "Son of Man" and "Son of God." *The Ten Commandments don't prohibit killing or coveting. What does the Bible say about violence? About the Rapture? About keeping kosher? About marriage and divorce? Hoffman provides answers to all of these and more, succinctly explaining how so many pivotal biblical answers came to be misunderstood.By Andrew E. Hill, John H. Walton. 2023
An indispensable guide for exploring the literary, historical, and theological issues behind the Old Testament.The purpose of studying the Old…
Testament is to understand God and his redemptive work more fully. However, this goal is complicated by the fact that it was transmitted through a very different language and culture from our own. A Survey of the Old Testament addresses background information, purpose, message, structure, and major themes of the Old Testament to help readers understand its message and relevance.Chapters introducing each major section of the Old Testament are included, as are chapters dealing with issues of interpretation, hermeneutics, theology, geography, archaeology, history, formation of the Old Testament canon, and the Old Testament's relationship to the New Testament. The fourth edition features a renewed focus on purpose, theology, and message while also providing a more succinct textbook less intimidating to students.Features included for each book of the Old Testament:Writing of the BookBackgroundOutline of the BookPurpose and MessageStructure and OrganizationMajor ThemesQuestions for Further Study and DiscussionFurther ReadingComplete with updated full-color maps, photos, timelines, and charts, the latest edition of this widely acclaimed textbook is a useful and readable tool for students and other readers who wish to better understand the Old Testament and God's redemptive work.By Nancy S. Dawson, Eugene H. Merrill, Andreas J. Kostenberger. 2023
The Bible contains hundreds of genealogies that fulfill multiple purposes, yet the significance of these genealogies can admittedly be difficult…
to grasp. In All the Genealogies of the Bible, author Nancy presents every genealogy in the Bible in a simple, visual format. Esteemed biblical scholars Eugene Merrill and Andreas Kostenberger supplement Dawson's work with brief commentary on each genealogy. Dawson works with both complete genealogies and partial lists, piecing together names in different passages to illustrate the interrelationships of various biblical characters for deeper study.Including more than 340 genealogies, All the Genealogies of the Bible is organized in biblical order and is equipped with tools you'll need to navigate the book easily:A detailed table of contentsA Complete Index of NamesComprehensive cross-referencingA one-of-a-kind reference work, All the Genealogies of the Bible will be useful for pastors, Bible teachers, students, and anyone wanting to study the Bible more deeply from the unique vantage point of its many genealogies.By Gerald L. Stevens. 2019
This second edition of Stevens’s presentation of Acts adds an extensive study of church traditions on Paul’s death and burial.…
Uncovering of the sarcophagus in the Church of Saint Paul Outside the Walls yielded carbon 14 dated first- or second-century bones. In his characteristically creative way, Stevens offers an insightful proposal on why church traditions on Paul post Acts are so ambiguous and probably always will be, even with this new find. Stevens’s close study of the Acts narrative analyzes Luke’s post-ascension story of Jesus and challenges orthodoxies in the interpretation of Acts and Paul. Luke was the first to envision the future of the Jesus story in the Hellenist movement as this movement realizes the promise of Pentecost in Israel, preeminently epitomized in the mission of Paul, who is Luke’s premier example of the God active, God resisted theme of the speech of Stephen that drives the plot of Acts and illuminates exegesis of Paul’s insistence on going to Jerusalem with its dramatic conclusion in the shipwreck of Paul. Luke ends Acts in Rome as intended—an impressive, compelling, and thoroughly fresh reading of Acts.When you're serious about following Christ, you long to become more like Him. You also know that the Bible contains…
the life-changing truths that will help you reach that goal. Face to Face: Praying the Scriptures for Spiritual Growth helps you turn your devotional times into a daily experience of transformation. Adapting and personalizing select Bible passages, Dr. Kenneth Boa offers you a refreshing and encouraging way to "renew your mind" as you meditate on and pray about: the attributes of God, the works of God, my relationship with God, the character I want to cultivate, my relationship with others. This inspiring approach will change both your life and the way you view the Scriptures. Prepare to discover the Bible afresh as a marvelous source of prayer and reflection that enables you to love God completely, love yourself correctly, and love others compassionately. Face to Face prayer books help you bring new richness to your devotional times. By connecting Bible reading with personal prayer, they help you approach both in a new way. Get ready to rediscover the Bible as your most treasured prayer book-guiding you into prayers that are alive, faith-filled, and powerful because they're grounded in God's word.By Mmapula Diana Kebaneilwe. 2024
The Bible and Gender-based Violence in Botswana foregrounds the rampancy of gender-based violence against women and girls in biblical texts…
and how it resonates with gender-based violence (GBV) in the author’s contemporary context of Botswana.The volume reads selected texts from the Bible alongside newspaper reports of GBV against women and girls in Botswana to show that while the Bible is taken as an authoritative text within the Botswana context, it is riddled with GBV against female persons. It asserts that by acknowledging and naming GBV in biblical texts and not concealing, ignoring, or spiritualizing it, contemporary communities of faith will be able to confront the problem in these contexts. By so doing, the book argues, the Bible will become a resource for positive transformation rather than a tool for supporting gender injustice.The book appeals to everyone willing to see positive change in regard to gender in/equality and is intended for a wide readership including researchers, postgraduates, church and other representatives of religious institutions, and upper-level undergraduates.By Will Kassner, Courtney Kassner. 2024
From the creators of Crew + Co. comes a gorgeous 40-day devotional resource that will inspire reflection and encourage Christian…
creatives to make Scripture reading a daily practice in their lives.Abundant Grace, the debut devotional from Crew + Co. founders Courtney and Will Kassner, invites creative believers to meditate on and engage with Scripture daily, with devotions that are accessible, beautifully designed, and deeply encouraging. Divided into three parts—Knowing God's Grace, Trusting God's Grace, and Showing God's Grace—this forty-day devotional guides you in recognizing the small moments of grace around you and teaches you how to cultivate a grace-filled perspective in even the busiest lifestyle.Each of the forty days pairs a full-color hand-lettered Bible verse with a thoughtful devotion that closes with either a prayer or a reflection question for helping you recognize how God&’s grace works in your normal, everyday life.By Phil Hotsenpiller. 2024
The world is not falling apart. It is falling into place. After reading this book, you will know how to place…
your trust in God to overcome your fears of what is going on in the world. You will no longer look to the future with fear, but with the promises that God has given you as His child. In Midnight in America, Phil Hotsenpiller fearlessly uncovers the alarming slumber within the church, drawing parallels to the biblical narrative of Samson. Just as Samson unknowingly lost his power, the American church finds itself in a similar state, unaware of its diminished influence and complacent in the face of critical challenges. Through this book, readers will be awakened to the urgent need for revival and transformation. With unwavering conviction, Midnight in America confronts the paralyzing spirit of fear that has infiltrated the church. Hotsenpiller sheds light on the detrimental effects of seeking acceptance from the world, which has inadvertently weakened the church's impact and compromised its mission. Midnight in America doesn't merely highlight the problems; it offers practical solutions. Hotsenpiller equips readers with the knowledge and wisdom needed to thrive in difficult times and embrace an unwavering hope that can withstand any adversity. Readers will discover the essence of courage and learn how to stand firm in the face of persecution, preparing them to face the challenges of the present and the future. And they will be reminded that hope is not just an abstract concept—it's a person, who can transform lives and unleash the power within them. Midnight in America serves as an urgent wake-up call and a guiding roadmap for readers to reclaim their purpose and revitalize their faith. Readers will confront their challenges, embrace their calling, and prepare for the imminent return of Christ.By Mark W. Hamilton, Samjung Kang-Hamilton. 2024
Discover how studying the Bible can renew your church community. How do we teach the Bible in a way…
that makes a real difference in our students&’ lives and our communities? Too often, biblical introductions treat Scripture as a mere historical artifact. Mark W. Hamilton and Samjung Kang-Hamilton combine their decades of experience in theological and religious education to devise a new way to teach Scripture that brings out its life-giving qualities. The authors show how Scripture has four modes: story, ritual, prophecy, and wisdom. With an eye toward spiritual formation, the authors explore examples of each of the four genres within the Bible and show how they address real needs in the life of the church today. They also recommend how to incorporate contemporary tools like digital media alongside art, music, and other practices to draw wisdom from Scripture. Combining multicultural sensitivity with ecumenical spirit, this guidebook is ideal for educators and pastors seeking to renew their own Christian communities through biblical education.By Collin Cornell. 2020
The Bible says that YHWH alone is God and that there is none like him—but texts and artwork from antiquity…
show that many gods looked very similar. In this volume, scholars of the Hebrew Bible and its historical contexts address the problem of YHWH’s ancient look-alikes, providing recommendations for how Jews and Christians can think theologically about this challenge.Sooner or later, whether in a religion class or a seminary course, students bump up against the fact that God—the biblical God—was one among other, comparable gods. The ancient world was full of gods, including great gods of conquering empires, dynastic gods of petty kingdoms, goddesses of fertility, and personal spirit guardians. And in various ways, these gods look like the biblical God. Like the God of the Bible, they, too, controlled the fates of nations, chose kings, bestowed fecundity and blessing, and cared for their individual human charges. They spoke and acted. They experienced wrath and delight. They inspired praise. All of this leaves Jews and Christians in a bind: how can they confess that the God named YHWH was (and is) the true and living God, in view of this God’s profound similarities to all these others?The essays in this volume address the theological challenge these parallels create, providing reflections on how Jews and Christians can keep faith in YHWH as God while acknowledging the reality of YHWH’s divine doppelgängers. It will be welcomed by undergraduates studying religion; seminarians and graduate students of Bible, theology, and the ancient world; and adult education classes.By Margaretha Folmer. 2022
The Judean community at Elephantine has long fascinated historians of the Persian period. This book, with its stellar assemblage of…
important scholarly voices, provides substantive new insights and approaches that will advance the study of this well-known but not entirely understood community from fifth-century BCE Egypt. Since Bezalel Porten’s pioneering Archives from Elephantine, published in 1968, the discourse on the subject of the community of Elephantine during the Persian period has changed considerably, due to new data from excavations, the discovery and publication of previously unknown texts, and original scholarly insights and avenues of inquiry. Running the gamut from archaeological to linguistic investigations and encompassing legal, literary, religious, and other aspects of life in this Judean community, this volume stands at a crossroads of research that extends from Hebrew Bible studies to the history of early Jewish communities. It also features fourteen new Aramaic ostraca from Aswan. The volume will appeal to students and scholars of the Hebrew Bible and ancient Judaism, as well as to a wider audience of Egyptologists, Semitists, and specialists in ancient Near Eastern studies. In addition to the editor, the contributors to this volume include Annalisa Azzoni, Bob Becking, Alejandro F. Botta, Lester L. Grabbe, Ingo Kottsieper, Reinhard G. Kratz, André Lemaire, Hélène Nutkowicz, Beatrice von Pilgrim, Cornelius von Pilgrim, Bezalel Porten, Ada Yardeni, and Ran Zadok. Moreover, a video recording of an interview conducted with Porten on his long career in Elephantine studies accompanies the book through a link on the Eisenbrauns website.Following the great periods of national leadership by Moses and Joshua, the book of Judges depicts the stewardship of various…
judges that rose to power to solve local religious and military challenges in the premonarchic period. This volume provides a close reading of the entire book of Judges, taking seriously the distinct elements of the book and how they are interconnected.Elie Assis explores the ways in which the ideology and theology of Judges unfold through a careful literary analysis. Moving beyond the cycle of sin, punishment, and salvation, Assis demonstrates how differences in the descriptive language applied to each judge, as well as the evaluations in the opening and concluding chapters, provide clues as to the organization and message of the text. Most works on Judges focus on the historical background of the period or the historical process of the book’s composition and seek to dissolve its stories into component parts. In contrast, Before There Were Kings points to the deep underlying unity of Judges and the function of the individual stories within the whole.New and carefully drawn insights related to the purpose of each section and the themes that shape the book as a whole make this a groundbreaking, programmatic contribution to research on the book of Judges. It will be of particular interest to students and scholars of the Old Testament and the Hebrew Bible.By Martin Heide, Joris Peters. 2021
Camels are first mentioned in the Bible as the movable property of Abraham. During the early monarchy, they feature prominently…
as long-distance mounts for the Queen of Sheba, and almost a millennium later, the Gospels tell us about the impossibility of a camel passing through a needle’s eye. Given the limited extrabiblical evidence for camels before circa 1000 BCE, a thorough investigation of the spatio-temporal history of the camel in the ancient Near and Middle East is necessary to understand their early appearance in the Hebrew Bible.Camels in the Biblical World is a two-part study that charts the cultural trajectories of two domestic species—the two-humped or Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) and the one-humped or Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius)—from the fourth through first millennium BCE and up to the first century CE. Drawing on archaeological camel remains, iconography, inscriptions, and other text sources, the first part reappraises the published data on the species’ domestication and early exploitation in their respective regions of origin. The second part takes a critical look at the various references to camels in the Hebrew Bible and the Gospels, providing a detailed philological analysis of each text and referring to archaeological data and zoological observations whenever appropriate. A state-of-the-art evaluation of the cultural history of the camel and its role in the biblical world, this volume brings the humanities into dialogue with the natural sciences. The novel insights here serve scholars in disciplines as diverse as biblical studies, (zoo)archaeology, history, and philology.By Edward Engelbrecht. 2014
Enrich your Bible study like never before with this visually stunning and practical resource which includes: • Overview and introductions…
to all New Testament books; • Historical, literary, and theological descriptions; • Summary commentaries, outlines, illustrations, and maps; • Insights from Martin Luther and Johann Gerhard; • Reviews and recommendations for additional resources.By Simon Gathercole. 2021
A new translation of the oldest non-canonical Christian gospels In the early years of Christianity, several groups produced 'hidden' or…
'apocryphal' gospels, alternative versions of the story of Christ. Sometimes these texts complemented the four canonical gospels of the New Testament, sometimes they subverted them and often they were completely different. Here, in the widest selection of non-canonical gospels gathered in one volume - which also includes two modern forgeries - we see the young Jesus making live birds from clay, hear his secret words of wisdom, discover gnostic cosmologies and witness the Harrowing of Hell. Preserved by their readers and attacked by their detractors, these gospels shine a fascinating light on the early Christian Church.Translated with an Introduction by Simon GathercoleBy Jack W. Hayford. 1985
The Hayford Bible Handbook continues to offer charismatic and Pentecostal Christians a major reference tool that provides easy access to…
a wealth of biblical and practical information.Are you a Spirit-filled Christian who longs for fresh insights from the Bible? Do you want God's truth to challenge you, and change you, and bless others through you in ways you never thought possible?The Hayford Bible Handbook is an unparalleled resource that unveils the Keys to Scripture uniquely, providing not only a wealth of information, but also a spiritual stimulus that will encourage your faith and service to Christ.FeaturesKingdom Keys to opening up Spirit-filled life emphases in each Bible bookAn informative Survey section for each book of the BibleHundreds of Kingdom Life Insights™, offering Spirit-filled life perspectives on individual versesA Truth-in-Action chart for each Bible book, highlighting practical principles and specific actions that might grow out of themThe unique Spirit-Filled Life® Encyclopedic Dictionary with over 1300 entries, including word studies and Kingdom Dynamics articlesVisual Survey of the BibleBy Gary Edward Schnittjer. 2023
This workbook accompanies Gary Edward Schnittjer's Torah Story. Following the textbook's structure, it offers chapter-by-chapter guided exercises designed to support…
the students learning experience and enhance their comprehension of the Pentateuch.Working knowledge of the Bible's first five books is essential for every serious student of the Scriptures. Torah Story by Gary Edward Schnittjer emphasizes the content of the text itself, moving beyond debating dates and theories of authorship into understanding how these key books of the Bible help us understand the story of salvation.By Dr Geza Vermes. 2010
The Nativity, Passion and Resurrection are the three defining episodes in the life of Jesus, forming the foundations of the…
Christian tradition. But what is the truth behind these epoch-making events?Geza Vermes is one of the world's most respected bibilical historians. Bringing together his three acclaimed works on the life of Jesus in one volume, this book examines the circumstances surrounding the miraculous birth of Jesus, from the prophetic star to Herod's murderous decree; looks afresh at the arrest, trial and execution of this Jewish charismatic; and finally analyses Jesus' crucifixion and the subsequent sightings of him by his disciples. Drawing on the New Testament, Jewish documents and sources from classical literature and history, these works separate myth from fact to penetrate the deeper meanings of the story of Christ.