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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Christianity > The Bible > Bible readings or selections
The place: Persia. The time: fifth century BC. The Jews were threatened with genocide. A decree ordered the extermination of young and old, women and children. The book of Esther describes how this crisis was averted through the bravery of Esther, the wisdom of her stepfather and the unity of the Jewish people. It also reveals the God who quietly - and sometimes unexpectedly - works behind the scenes to order the events of our lives.
Engage with the King James Bible in a new way through coloring the
artistically expressed Scripture in this beautifully crafted My
Favorite KJV Verses to Color Coloring Book.
In this attractive illustrated book, Stephen Cottrell reflects on five of the Christ in the Wilderness paintings, and reveals them to be a rich source of spiritual wisdom and nourishment. He invites us to slow down and enter into the stillness of Stanley Spencer's vision. By dwelling in the wilderness of these evocative portraits, Stephen Cottrell encourages us to refine our own discipleship and learn again what it means to follow Christ.
History, Literature and Theology in the Book of Chronicles is a collection of studies published in the last fifteen years. The cumulative weight of these studies leads to a new understanding of the Book of Chronicles, its balanced and nuanced theology, historiographical approach and the way in which the book serves to reshape the social memory of its intended readership, in accordance with its own multiple viewpoints and the knowledge of the past held by its community. This volume shows that Chronicles communicates to its intended readership a theological worldview built around multiple, partial perspectives informing and balancing each other. Significantly, it is a worldview in which the limitations of even theologically proper knowledge are emphasized. For instance, in Chronicles' past similar deeds may and at times did lead to very different results. Thus, even if most of the past is presented to the readers as explainable, it also affirms that those who inhabited it could not predict the path of future events. Chronicles is therefore, a storiographical work that informs its readers that historical and theological knowledge does not enable prediction of future events. poignantly construes some of the most crucial events in Israel's social memory as unexplainable in human terms. Thus, Chronicles communicates to its readers that some of YHWH's most influential decisions concerning Israel cannot be predicted or explained. It is against this background of human limitation in understanding causes and effects in a past (present and future) governed by YHWH and the uncertainty that it brings, that the emphasis on divinely ordained, prescriptive behaviour should be seen. The intellectual horizon of Chronicles was perhaps not so far from that of the interpretative frame of Job or Qohelet, and of these books as a whole.
History, Literature and Theology in the Book of Chronicles is a collection of studies published in the last fifteen years. The cumulative weight of these studies leads to a new understanding of the Book of Chronicles, its balanced and nuanced theology, historiographical approach and the way in which the book serves to reshape the social memory of its intended readership, in accordance with its own multiple viewpoints and the knowledge of the past held by its community. This volume shows that Chronicles communicates to its intended readership a theological worldview built around multiple, partial perspectives informing and balancing each other. Significantly, it is a worldview in which the limitations of even theologically proper knowledge are emphasized. For instance, in Chronicles' past similar deeds may and at times did lead to very different results. Thus, even if most of the past is presented to the readers as explainable, it also affirms that those who inhabited it could not predict the path of future events. Chronicles is therefore, a storiographical work that informs its readers that historical and theological knowledge does not enable prediction of future events. poignantly construes some of the most crucial events in Israel's social memory as unexplainable in human terms. Thus, Chronicles communicates to its readers that some of YHWH's most influential decisions concerning Israel cannot be predicted or explained. It is against this background of human limitation in understanding causes and effects in a past (present and future) governed by YHWH and the uncertainty that it brings, that the emphasis on divinely ordained, prescriptive behaviour should be seen. The intellectual horizon of Chronicles was perhaps not so far from that of the interpretative frame of Job or Qohelet, and of these books as a whole.
Exploring the significance of Judas Iscariot for Christian theology and the difficult issues surrounding Judas, Anthony Cane shows that focusing on the tension between providential and tragic interpretations of Judas in the New Testament and in subsequent writing about Judas, is the key to understanding his significance. Building on the work of Karl Barth and Donald MacKinnon, Cane's argument sheds light not simply on the way Judas is understood, but on the way Jesus and the whole economy of salvation are understood. This book also highlights implications for the way in which issues relating to anti-Semitism and evil and suffering are most effectively explored.
This book examines the personification of Wisdom as a female figure - a central motif in Proverbs, Job, Sirach, Wisdom and Baruch. Alice M. Sinnott identifies how and why the complex character of Wisdom was introduced into the Israelite tradition, and created and developed by Israelite/Jewish wisdom teachers and writers. Arguing that by personifying Wisdom the authors of Proverbs responded to Israel's defeat by Babylon and the loss of Davidic monarchy, and by retrieving and transforming the Wisdom figure the authors of Sirach, Baruch and Wisdom responded to the spread of Hellenism and the potential loss of identity for Jews. Sinnott concludes that personified Wisdom functioned to reinterpret and transform the Israelite/Jewish tradition.
The psalms challenge and sustain us in a number of ways, and in times of new challenges to the very fabric of the church, to its faith, and its values, we need to re-examine these ancient prayers and songs. This book explores the place and function of the psalms in Christian prayer, preaching, and worship. Examining the dual nature of the psalms as both words to God and word from God, the author brings together the historical experience of the church, biblical studies and theological reflection to focus on the application of the psalms in contemporary Christian life. A number of individual psalms are explored in terms of what they have to say about prayer or what theological issues they raise for contemporary life. This book encourages a reclamation of the psalms in the private and public prayers of the church and in the preaching of the word.
This book defends the claims of historical-critical research into the New Testament as necessary for theological interpretation. Presenting an interdisciplinary study about the nature of theological language, this book considers the modern debate in theological hermeneutics beginning with the Barth-Bultmann debate and moving towards a theory of language which brings together historical-critical and theological interpretation. These insights are then applied to the exegesis of theologically significant texts of the Gospel of John in the light of the hermeneutical discussion. Drawing together the German and Anglo-American hermeneutical traditions, and discussing issues related to postmodern hermeneutical theories, this book develops a view of the New Testament as the reflection of a struggle for language in which the early Church worked to bring about a language through which the new faith could be understood.
Pursue wisdom and discover the heart of God. We all need wisdom to live purposefully, navigate difficulty, and achieve success. This 31-day challenge encourages you and a friend to dig into the book of Proverbs and begin cultivating a heart of wisdom. By spending ten minutes each day moving through 'The Wisdom Challenge' together, you will: - learn to see the world through God's eyes - establish accountability - set your lives on a path of purpose and success - unite with God's heart and discover his favour - engage with others as you pass on the challenge Impact future generations with a legacy of wisdom as you pursue, partner, and pass it on.
Too often worship is seen as just the music, an onstage performance that puts the spotlight on the worship leader. But worship is fundamentally an others-centered, self-giving act of service. Worship properly directed to God for his glory also results in the Christlike formation and transformation of both worship leaders and congregants. Worship leader and biblical scholar John Frederick unpacks the shape of worship in the way of the cross, where leaders act not as lords but as servants. With a mix of biblical exposition and practical insights, he explores a cruciform theology of worship: as the cross demonstrates the nature of God, worship in the way of the cross transforms us into the image of God who is love. Thus worshipers and worship leaders alike can come to embody the other-centered humility of Christ. This paradigm has implications for how worship leaders and pastoral staff relate to one another, and for renewing the artistic output of the church. In cruciform worship, we encounter the Son of God and embody the love of God. Discover how in worship we can empty ourselves for the transformation of others.
Enoch's apocryphal work from the 2nd century B.C. introduced such concepts as fallen angels, resurrection, and last judgement. It exercised a powerful influence on early Christians, particularly the Gnostics. This title offers the definitive translation.
Among the Gospels, John's is unique. It has a structure with long conversations and extended debates, and much of its content is not found elsewhere. Jesus' relationship to the Father and his teaching on the Holy Spirit are given special prominence. Ultimately, faith, believing in Jesus, is at the centre- with signs highlighted to provoke faith, and stories of those who responded to Jesus as examples of faith. Colin Kruse ably shows how the Fourth Gospel weaves its themes of belief and unbelief into its rich Christology.The original, unrevised text of this volume has been completely retypeset and printed in a larger, more attractive format with the new cover design for the series.The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries have long been a trusted resource for Bible study. Written by some of the world's most distinguished evangelical scholars, these twenty volumes offer clear, reliable, and relevant explanations of every book in the New Testament. The original, unrevised text of this volume has been completely retypeset and printed in a larger, more attractive format with the new cover design for the series.These Tyndale volumes are designed to help readers understand what the Bible actually says and what it means. The introduction to each volume gives a concise but thorough description of the authorship, date, and historical background of the biblical book under consideration. The commentary itself examines the text section by section, drawing out its main themes. It also comments on individual verses and deals with problems of interpretation. The aim throughout is to get at the true meaning of the Bible and to make its message plain to readers today.
A collection of reflections and prayers that celebrate the "God moments" that populate every day. This small and beautiful book will allow even the busiest of people to find respite, to reflect, to be encouraged, and lead into the presence of God. Jennifer Rees Larcombe blends observation and insight in these delightful and uplifting reflections.
Offering contemporary readers the opportunity to study the key
writings of early Christian thinkers, many of them never translated
into English, this unique volume is included in the "Ancient
Christian Commentary on Scripture" series.
These sixty short daily reflections, each based on a verse from the Bible, will guide a believer facing serious sickness-and his or her family-to a rock-solid faith and trust in the will of God. With confidence in the healing power of God and the possibility of miracles, the Blumhardts, a father-son team of pastors renowned for their healing ministry, point us away from our troubles and toward a Creator who is supremely wise and good and wants the best for each of us. In a world where medical advances seem to promise a cure for everything, it's tempting to believe that we can live free of pain. But we know that even the best medicine cannot extend life forever or solve the riddles of physical and emotional illness. How, then, to respond to the inevitability of suffering? And how to help those who live in fear of disease to conquer their daily worry about their diagnosis? What better place to turn than to these words of comfort and hope drawn from the Word of God? As Rick Warren writes in his foreword, "the Blumhardts remind us that physical healing is not God's greatest answer to prayer. ...Whatever circumstance you are facing right now, this book of daily readings will help you focus on a closer relationship with Jesus, our one true spiritual healer."
Offering contemporary readers the opportunity to study the key
writings of early Christian thinkers, many of them never translated
into English, this unique volume is included in the "Ancient
Christian Commentary on Scripture" series.
This is the first English translation of the Venerable Bede's commentary on the book of Genesis. Dealing as it does with the biblical account of the creation of the world and of mankind, and of mankind's fall from grace and exile into the life of time, On Genesis offers essential insights into Bede's fundamental assumptions as a theologian, historian, and scientific cosmologist. Bede's role in laying the foundations of the modern world cannot be overemphasised. From his quantitative approach to questions of science to his introduction of the Anno Domini system of dating and his text-critical methods of biblical analysis, he anticipated and influenced modern ways of thinking. Bede regarded the opening chapters of Genesis as the foundation narrative of the world. From it Bede derived the theoretical basis for his scientific treatises and his notion of the English as a chosen people of God, which informs the Ecclesiastical History. This translation and introduction attempts to make Bede's commentary accessible to anyone with an interest in his work.
Our oldest Christian traditions invite us to listen as well as speak when we pray, yet often the Voice seems barely audible. With over 40,000 copies sold since its original release in 1996, "Echoes of Eternity: Volume I" is helping many who desire to quiet their hearts and listen. "Echoes of Eternity" presents 365 brief meditations gathered from one pastor's faithful daily practice of listening to God. Each reading includes a Scripture verse and encouraging words that speak of Christ as our anchor, the treasure of God's love, and His lasting peace.
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