When is a letter not a letter? When it is the Letter to the Hebrews. Daniel J. Harrington describes this text as the greatest Christian sermon ever preached or written" and its author as "the patron saint of preachers." The basic theological point of the sermon is that Christ is both the perfect sacrifice for sins and the priest who offers himself as a sacrifice. The anonymous author of this work addresses Jewish Christians who had embraced Christianity with enthusiasm but were becoming discouraged and falling away in the face of suffering. The biblical text and Harrington's uncomplicated commentary are ideal components for individual and group study. Reading and reflection will produce a renewed appreciation of the saving work of Jesus. Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, PhD, is professor of New Testament at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and editor of the Sacra Pagina series, published by Liturgical Press. "

In the decade since its original publication, THE EVERYDAY LIFE BIBLE has sold 1.1 million copies, taking its place as an invaluable resource on the Word of God. Simultaneously, Joyce Meyer's renown as one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers has grown, as she continued to study and teach daily. This new edition updates Joyce's notes and commentary to reflect the changes made in the revision of the Amplified Bible which refreshes the English and refines the amplification for relevance and clarity. The result is THE EVERYDAY LIFE BIBLE is easier to read and better than ever to study, understand, and apply to your everyday life.

Come and experience the Scriptures in a fresh and life-giving way. In this collaboration between Alabaster Co. and IVP, the full text of the Gospel of John is presented alongside beautiful full-color photographs and fourteen guided meditations by Bible teacher, author, and spiritual director Jan Johnson. Carefully designed as a practical, study-focused version of Alabaster's other bible books, the Alabaster Guided Meditations invite readers into deeper reflection by incorporating the church's ancient lectio divina and visio divina traditions. Though the intersection of New Living Translation Bible passages, photography, thoughtfully designed layouts, and meditations, readers are invited to experience the Gospel of John anew.

Chretien's essays on reading sacred scripture are enriched by his immersion in the classics of ancient philosophy and theology, as well as his poetic sensibility. He is as likely to quote Claudel as Aquinas or Origen. His intimate acquaintance with Patristic writings combines with a sympathetic understanding of such Protestant sources as Luther, Calvin, and Barth to yield an admirably ecumenical perspective.
The book's title refers to James 1:23-24, which portrays the Word of God as a mirror into which one gazes. The concomitant notion of not only examining the text but also being examined by the Word is a fruitful one for learning how to be more fully nourished by one's study of the Bible.

Engage with heaven daily. Modern society encourages complacency, but God wants to use you to change the world. In Engaging Heaven Today, James Levesque challenges your perspective, transforms your priorities, and urges you to play your part in bringing God's kingdom to earth. Join in God's work today as you discover timeless promises, engage in active prayer, experience breakthrough truths, remember God's calling on your life, and achieve growth with daily reflection. Ignite your faith and harness your gifts for God's glory.

For over one hundred years, the International Critical Commentary series has held a special place among works on the Bible. It has sought to bring together all the relevant aids to exegesis -- linguistic and textual no less than archaeological, historical, literary and theological--with a level of comprehension and quality of scholarship unmatched by any other series. No attempt has been made to secure a uniform theological or critical approach to the biblical text: contributors have been invited for their scholarly distinction, not for their adherence to any one school of thought. The first paperback editions to be published cover the heart of the New Testament, providing a wealth of information and research in accessible and attractive format.

When Yeshua (Jesus) said he did not come to destroy 'the Law (Torah) and the Prophets', he was referring to the foundational Scriptures of God's chosen people. This book shows how important The Torah is for the values and hopes Christians and Jews have in common.

These daily devotional readings will encourage you in your Christian life throughout the year. Mrs. Stamm says, "Each day offers new opportunities. There will be new choices to make, new decisions, new avenues of service for the Lord. It may even be a day filled with heartache and pain, a day filled with unsolved problems. How different our day will be if we begin with a rejoicing spirit, knowing it has been entrusted to us by the Lord!" Begin each day with a verse of Scripture and a meditation amplifying that Bible verse in light of your innermost needs. Millie Stamm has drawn upon a lifetime of personal experience and devotional reading to build these inspirational messages. You will feel as if a good friend has come to chat and share insights that God has given her. If you feel the need for daily encouragement in the Lord, this book is for you. You will find reassurance and support as Millie Stamm brings messages such as: "Today burdens weigh heavily upon us. Often we are so pressed in on every side that it seems all strength is gone. What a relief to know that when OUR strength is exhausted, we have HIS strength available. He is an unfailing source of supply."

Most Christians believe that everything about Jesus and the early church can be found in their New Testament. In recent years, however, the discovery of the Gospel of Thomas and the reconstruction of the Q-Gospel have led scholars to recognize that some very early materials were left out. Now, due to the pioneering efforts of Dr. Aaron Milavec, the most decisive document of them al, namely, the "Didache" (Did-ah-Kay"), has come to light. Milavec has decoded the "Didache" and enabled it to reveal its hidden secrets regarding those years when Christianity was little more than a faction within the restless Judaisms of the mid-first-century.

The "Didache" reveals a tantalizingly detailed description of the prophetic faith and day-to-day routines that shaped the Jesus movement some twenty years after the death of Jesus. The focus of the movement then was not upon proclaiming the exalted titles and deeds of Jesus - aspects that come to the fore in the letters of Paul and in the Gospel narratives. In contrast to these familiar forms of Christianity, the focus of the "Didache" was upon "the life and the knowledge" of Jesus himself. Thus, the "Didache" details the step-by-step process whereby non-Jews were empowered by assimilating the prophetic faith and the way of life associated with Jesus of Nazareth.

Milavec's clear, concise, and inspiring commentaries are not only of essential importance to scholars, pastors, and students but also very useful for ordinary people who wish to unlock the secrets of the "Didache." Milavec's analytic, Greek-English side-by-side, gender-inclusive translation is included as well as a description of how this document, after being fashioned and used 50-70 C.E., was mysteriously lost for over eighteen hundred years before being found in an obscure library in Istanbul. The study questions, bibliography, and flowcharts enable even first-time users to grasp the functional and pastoral genius that characterized the earliest Christian communities."

In this 2006 text, Daniel M. Gurtner examines the meaning of the rending of the veil at the death of Jesus in Matthew 27:51a by considering the functions of the veil in the Old Testament and its symbolism in Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism. Gurtner incorporates these elements into a compositional exegesis of the rending text in Matthew. He concludes that the rending of the veil is an apocalyptic assertion like the opening of heaven revealing, in part, end-time images drawn from Ezekiel 37. Moreover, when the veil is torn Matthew depicts the cessation of its function, articulating the atoning role of Christ's death which gives access to God not simply in the sense of entering the Holy of Holies (as in Hebrews), but in trademark Matthean Emmanuel Christology: 'God with us'. This underscores the significance of Jesus' atoning death in the first gospel.

The Old Testament Library provides an authoritative treatment of every major and important aspect of the Old Testament. This commentary on Lamentations furnishes a fresh translation and discusses questions of historical background and literary architecture before providing a theologically sensitive exposition of the text.

A meditation on the meaning of Good Friday and the value of silence. Good Friday is not like any other time of the year, and Christians everywhere wonder about the best way to mark the day. Again and again, sermons and meditations have centered our attention on the words Jesus spoke from the cross, but those few, brief words would have needed only a few minutes on the first Good Friday. Seven chapters in this unique book consider the event, and the meaning, of the Crucifixion to our lives today, including the various ways in which silence plays a role in our daily lives. So many of us are overwhelmed with words coming at us from all our electronic devices that the thought of more language has less appeal than it once did. On one of the holiest days of the year, these brief meditations are designed to call us into the silence that still speaks more loudly than words.

* Spiritual resource for Bible study and reflection/discussion prior to church meetings * Passages deal with common issues of group life (conflict, change, leadership, vision, burnout) After years as a member of parish staffs and as a congregational and diocesan consultant, Judith Carlson became increasingly aware how seldom Bible study or some spiritual component is incorporated into church meetings. Even when they want to, busy lay people worry it will take "too much time" or aren't sure what scripture to use or fear they "don't know enough" about the Bible. Clergy too, despite good intentions, often have trouble finding time to prepare something. This simple model provides a way to add the missing (and needed) spiritual dimension. First Order of Business contains 36 brief sessions, 12 minutes a piece. Each has a scripture passage and three open-ended reflection questions-open-ended to fit a variety of situations (though not automatically suggesting "right answers") and allowing some genuine reflection in a non-threatening way. Carlson's hope is that allowing "space" for the Spirit's presence can transform ordinary "business as usual" into a broader, more spiritual context for a group's work of mission or ministry.

Everyone goes through difficult seasons, tough losses, and moments that feel unbearable. In today's world, people thirst more than ever for reassurance and guidance. Streams in the Desert provides a river of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration to weary travelers. ABC's Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts reads Streams in the Desert every day. Roberts said, "It's my most prized possession...my family, each of us has a copy and we read it every morning...it just brings us closer together." In this edition, you'll find: 366 devotions that appeal to men and women of all ages A powerful collection of meditations, Christian writings, and Scripture that inspire fresh hope, confidence, and deep awareness of God's presence in your life Precise text to help believers embrace timeless messages of God's faithfulness Streams in the Desert offers a refreshing daily dip into God's purpose, plan, and enduring promise. The devotional is easy-to-read and is cherished amongst many generations.

The Lord is Good!

In the midst of life's trials and circumstances, there is a timeless source of peace you can always draw joy from: “Taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Psalm 34:8)

Prepare your heart for a daily devotional that draws you into 90 rich encounters with a good God. Each entry begins with a relevant Scripture followed by a powerful insight from Pastor Bill Johnson on experiencing God’s goodness. Each day, you are invited into new depths of closeness with the Father, encountering His goodness as a living reality.

When you taste God’s goodness, everything you see will be impacted.

Find daily rest, peace, and encouragement, no matter what your circumstances may be.

Much of the history of women, in religion as in other fields, is lost because it was overlooked or considered unimportant. It is therefore surprising that so many fragments of women's stories survive in the New Testament texts composed by men. Why did they include so many references to women and why are women, as a group, treated so positively by the male New Testament writers?

"Women in the New Testament" shows how the stories of women are an integral part of the Gospel and its meaning for us. It also relays how we can respond to the challenge these women represent, whether we are men trying to understand or women trying to find our voices within the tradition of faith found in the New Testament.

Chapter one discusses three women of expectant faith. Chapters two and three deal with women who are changed by Jesus. Chapter four focuses on New Testament women of influence. Chapters five and six show how women disciples spread and gave shape to the gospel message.

Chapters are Women of Expectant Faith," *Women Changed by Jesus, - *More Women Changed by Jesus, - *Women of Prominence, - *Women and Discipleship, - and *More Women and Discipleship. -

Mary Ann Getty-Sullivan, PhD, teaches at St. Vincent College and St. Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, Pennsylvania. She is the author of "First and Second Corinthians "from the "Collegeville Bible Commentar"y series, author of the "God Speaks to Us "series of children's books, and editor of the "Zacchaeus Studies: New Testament" series published by The Liturgical Press."

This is one of those 'must have' books.You should also make sure your school has a copy for use in RE lessons and assemblies. Would you Adam and Eve it? Read how Jesus feeds five thousand geezers with just five loaves of Uncle Fred and two Lillian Gish. Or how Noah built a bloomin' massive nanny. Then there's always the story of David and that massive geezer Goliath, or the time when Simon's finger and thumb-in-law was Tom and Dick in Uncle Ned and Jesus healed her... A very down-to-earth 'translation' that brings Scripture out of the pulpit and back onto the streets. Author Mike Coles is Head of Religious Education at Sir John Cass's Church of England Secondary School in Stepney, East London. He hated RE when he was at school, and vowed that he would never make the children suffer as he had to When he moved to the East End nearly 15 years ago, he immediately fell in love with Cockney rhyming slang and started to use it in his lessons. The children loved it, he decided to write down some of his stories and - well, here they are. Mike's aim is for people to enjoy reading the Bible stories in this very down-to-earth version, and to help God's word reach out to those who wouldn't normally read the Bible but who may pick up a copy of this book. 'Puts the energy and passion back into the stories' The Archbishop of Canterbury.

Eminent biblical scholar Michael D. Coogan offers here a wide-ranging and stimulating exploration of the Old Testament, illuminating its importance as history, literature, and sacred text. Coogan explains the differences between the Bible of Jewish tradition (the "Hebrew Bible") and the Old Testament of Christianity, and also examines the different contents of the Bibles used by Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, and Protestants. He looks at the rise of modern biblical scholarship as well as the recovery of ancient Near Eastern literatures and their significance for biblical interpretation. One particularly interesting section examines three principal characters of the Old Testament-Abraham, Deborah, and David-illuminating important themes connected with them, such as Abraham and covenant and David as poet and warrior. Coogan explores the use of invented dialogue and historical fiction in the Old Testament, the presence of mythic elements in apparently historical accounts, and the relationship of ancient Israelite myths to those of their neighbors. The book considers the Old Testament's idea of divine justice, especially in Ecclesiastes and Job, and looks at notions of the afterlife in the ancient Near East and in ancient Israel. Coogan highlights the significance of the history and literature of the Old Testament and describes how non-biblical evidence, such as archaeological data and texts, has placed the Old Testament in a larger and more illuminating context. The book also discusses law and ritual in the Bible as well as the biblical understandings of prophecy. Here then is a marvelous overview of one of the great pillars of Western religion and culture, a book whose significance has endured for thousands of years and which remains vitally important today for Jews, Christians, and Muslims worldwide. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Acts of the Almighty by beloved, National Book Award-winning author Walter Wangerin Jr. carries us sequentially through the sweep of the Bible's story in daily devotional readings. One of the greatest modern writers on faith and spirituality, Walter Wangerin Jr. is the author of more than forty books - including The Book of God and The Book of the Dun Cow - and the recipient of the National Book Award. In Acts of the Almighty, Wangerin's deep biblical insight and poetic heart help us explore how the Bible fits together into one grand story. This 365-day devotional invites us to understand more fully God's redeeming works through five sections: Genesis and Exodus, David and Solomon, the prophets, the life of Christ, and the birth of the Church. The short, daily readings capture Wangerin's signature voice as well as his profound wisdom. Each dated entry contains a biblical passage that focuses on a single moment from the Bible's epic story, a brief meditation from Wangerin, and a prayer. Sink deep into this unique devotional that takes you through the Bible in one year. Acts of the Almighty offers a beautiful opportunity to read the Bible's expansive and arresting story in a brand-new way.

This book's short reflections on fifty-one phrases from Scripture are based on the ancient Benedictine practice of lectio divina, or "holy reading." In her meditations Marilyn Chandler McEntyre invites readers to consider how a word or phrase may summon us to attention and provide theological reference points, comforting images, ways to reframe conventional ideas, or simply beautiful ways of expressing what matters. The three sections of the book - "Assurance," "Invitation," and "Surprise" - organize the reflections by tone as well as theme. Some of the reflections are devotional, some speculative, some whimsical, some edgy. In all of them readers may see modeled a way of accepting the many invitations that Scripture offers to enter its sacred spaces, play with possibilities, and connect the biblical word with the lives we are given to live.

The short letter to the Colossians has played a significant role in the development of Christian thought. Its emphases on salvation as largely realized here and now, on knowledge in relation to faith, on Christ as the head of the church, on the entire cosmos and all humanity as the objects of God s work of redemption through him, and on Paul s authority all these point in the direction of church theology at the end of the apostolic period. Christian notions of ethical responsibility between asceticism and worldliness, as well as the subordination of wives to husbands and slaves to masters, were influenced by the household table of Colossians 3:18 4:1. In the fourth century Colossians' Christological claims surfaced on opposite sides of the Arian controversy, which dealt with the status of the Son of God in relation to the Father/Creator and the created order. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Colossians attracted special attention as theologians and ordinary believers have wrestled with new questions about science and religious pluralism."

Translated from the Slavonic by W.R. Morfill. Edited, with Introduction and Notes by R.H. Charles For 1200 years this book was known only to a few people in Russia. When it was finally revealed to the world in 1892, it was announced that it was a Slavonic version of The Book of Enoch. This was wrong, Once translated, it was found that we have an entirely different book on and about Enoch, described, by the editor, as having no less value than the other book. This is a completely new and valuable pseudoepigraph, one which every person should read who is interested in Apocalyptic literature and the origins of Christianity. This particular book was read extensively by many separate Christian groups during the first three centuries, and it has left us today with many traces of its influence. It is now time to bring this book back into print so we may relearn its value to the world. This work was written in Egypt and we have determined that its author or original editor was a Hellenistic Jew. The Greek original has been lost to history, but the Slavonic text somehow survived. In its original Greek form it had a direct influence on the writers of the New Testament. This book was also referred to by Origen and used by the Church father, Irenaeus. It was read by, and considered valuable, by the heretics of the day in addition to mainstream Christians. This may be one reason why it was excluded from the Bible. We do not believe in banning or keeping hidden important works that have proven to be of such value in the past. We hope this book will enlighten and inform those who are seeking the truth.

Joel, Micah and Habakkuk - these ancient prophets have urgent relevance for a church and a world living at the beginning of a new millennium. They emphasise the life-or-death importance of listening to what God has to say, in times of disaster, disobedience and destruction. Joel, facing the bleakness of national disaster, anticipates a future outpouring of God's Spirit. Micah declares that God's punishment for wickedness is certain and thorough, but that he will preserve a faithful remnant. Facing imminent destruction of the city, the land and the people, Habakkuk is sure that God's hidden purposes are being worked out. The prophets stood in the market-place, powerfully applying their message from God. David Prior believes that, like them, the church today is to take its values into the market-place into the church. Only this stand will bring hope rather than despair to a society under God's judgment.