Unlike Any Other Bible You Have Read As this unique, chronological presentation of God's story daily unfolds before you, you will begin to appreciate God's plan for your life as never before. Reading the Bible will become a fresh, inviting, transformational experience. In the Daily Bible (R) NIV, you'll find these helpful features: The New International Version ...the most popular modern version of Scripture, a highly respected and understandable translation. Chronological/Historical Arrangement of Every Book of the Bible ...lets you easily understand God's redemptive plan as you read from creation to Revelation in the order the events actually occurred. Devotional Commentary ...leads you smoothly through Scripture, painting the scene for what you are about to read with historical and spiritual insights. 365 Convenient Daily Reading Segments ...arranged so you can read all of God's Word in one year. Topical Arrangements for Proverbs and Ecclesiastes ...enable you to focus on specific aspects of God's wisdom.

This study reconstructs the apocalyptic eschatology in Matthew's Gospel so we may understand his time and concerns. Sociological analysis of apocalypticism in Judaism and early Christianity shows that such a world view is adopted by a minority group in a time of great crisis. Matthew's distinctive and often vengeful vision must be set against his community's conflict with Judaism, Gentiles and the larger Christian movement and his acute need to enhance his community's sense of identity and out of pastoral concern.

This critically acclaimed series provides fresh and authoritative treatments of important aspects of Old Testament study through commentaries and general surveys. The authors are scholars of international standing.

Spanning a variety of disciplines, this 1995 enquiry focuses on one particular Pauline characteristic: the apostle's habit of making matters of faith the object of logical appraisal. A tracing of the elliptical patterns of argument in Romans 1-8 illustrates this habit and, at the same time, displays how Paul's vigorous persistence in it seems often not to be matched by the solidity, or at any rate the lucidity, of his logic. By viewing Paul against the background of semiology, more especially the semiological theory of Umberto Eco, new light is shed on the genesis of Paul's reasoning. The discussion which ensues is marked by an interesting and productive combination of modern linguistics and classical logic. Moreover, the singular potential of today's techniques of 'fuzzy' logical analysis for measuring the intellectual muscle of Paul's argumentation is brought out dramatically by the uniqueness of his semiological situation. His rationality takes on a new face.

Every commentary on the "Book of Psalms" has had to face the issue that many of these prayers commemorate and celebrate wrath and vengeance. What is needed is not ingenious exegetical rationalization of ancient texts, but the kind of transformation into a work of piety and art that is provided here. Addressed are the needs of a world seeking to counter individual and societal injustices by a global peace born of personal peace through prayer and practice. In short, here is the "Book of Psalms" recast in the light of the continuing revelation and evolution of the authentic religious spirit of the scriptures.

This ancient Gnostic text can be a companion for your own spiritual quest.

The Gospel of Philip is one of the most exciting and accessible of the Gnostic texts found at Nag Hammadi in Egypt in 1945. The source of Dan Brown s intriguing speculations about Mary Magdalene in his best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code, the "Gospel of Philip" draws on ancient imagery the natural world, the relationships between women, men and family, the ancient distinctions between lord and servants, free people and slaves, and pagans, Jews and Christians to offer us insight into the spiritual interpretation of scripture that is at the foundation of Christianity.

"The Gospel of Philip: Annotated and Explained" unravels the discourses, parables and sayings of this second-century text to explore a spiritual, non-literal interpretation of the Bible. Along with his elegant and accurate new translation from the original Coptic, Andrew Phillip Smith probes the symbolism and metaphors at the heart of the "Gospel of Philip" to reveal otherwise unrecorded sayings of Jesus, fragments of Gnostic mythology and parallels to the teachings of Jesus and Paul. He also examines the joyful imagery of rebirth, salvation and mystical union in the bridal chamber that was the pursuit of Christian Gnosticism.

Now you can experience this ancient Gospel even if you have no previous knowledge of early Christianity or Gnostic thought. This SkyLight Illuminations edition provides important insights into the historical context and major themes of the Gospel of Philip, and gives you a deeper understanding of the Gospel s overarching message: deciphering our own meaning behind the symbols of this world increases and enriches our understanding of God.

Walk the path of holiness, stir your faith in God, and break free from the bonds of a sinful nature with Joyce Meyer's Galatians commentary, featuring inspiring questions and space for your reflections. Paul's letter to the church at Galatia speaks largely to how important it was to Paul that the people embrace unity in Christ, no matter their differences. Galatians teaches that we're only justified by faith in Christ only and encourages us to pursue a life of holiness, not in our own strength, but in the knowledge of God's empowering grace in our lives. In this comprehensive study tool, Joyce Meyer offers an in-depth look at Galatians and emphasizes that we are not only saved by faith, we must learn to live by faith as well.

Model Your Life on the Great Women of the Bible Who Trusted God and Found Him Faithful. Studies of 6 women from the Bible---each with 6 sessions---for personal reflection or group study. Through intriguing stories of biblical women, the Women of the Bible study series helps readers see how God wants to work in their lives. Questions and activities are designed to encourage personal application, understanding, and prayer, and to foster interaction within study groups. Each chapter includes 8 sections: Opening Narrative, Discussing the Story, Sharing Your Story, After Hours, Setting the Stage, Behind the Scenes, Prayer Meetings, and Words to Remember. The leader s guide makes it easy to facilitate weekly Bible studies to nurture knowledge of Scripture and a sense of God s presence in life. Esther: a Jewish orphan who became queen of Persia and saved her people---Choose to be a woman God delights to use no matter what the circumstances Mary: a young woman who said yes to God s incredible plan for her life---Obedience can be a joyous choice that is blessed by God Deborah: a leader of Israel when God s people were in a period of great decline---Faith, courage, and devotion toward God have a powerful impact in a woman s life Hannah: a woman who poured out her heart to God and received a miracle---Understand the wisdom and importance of committing dreams to God Sarah: a woman of faith whose insecurities sometimes got the better of her---Face life s uncertainties, move beyond fear, and enjoy a faith-filled relationship with God Ruth: a daughter-in-law who left her own people out of loyalty to Naomi---Trust the Lord through faith and action in difficult times"

This collection of responsive prayers, dialogues, monologues, extended scripts and other pieces forms the third book in the series started by "Cloth for the Cradle" and "Stages on the Way". While these first two focused on the beginning and ending of Jesus' earthly life, "Present on Earth" is concerned with the years inbetween - with the encounters and conversations, the rumour and reputation, the moments of deep assurance and equally deep provocation which marked Jesus' three year ministry. As a resouce for worship and group work this material makes us aware ina very immediate way of the vulnerable intimacy which God in becoming human.

"Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer." -Rainer Maria Rilke Life is full of questions: questions about our identity, our relationships, our faith. Sometimes it seems like there are no easy answers. But our questioning can lead us on a journey into greater understanding and purpose. Jeffrey Keuss says that asking good questions helps us to lead good lives. He takes us on a tour of Scripture to find insights from people who asked questions of God and others. From God asking Adam and Eve, "Where are you?" to the Samaritan woman asking Jesus for water, Live the Questions explores critical questions in Scripture and what they can teach us about doubt, faith, and uncertainty in our everyday lives. Grappling with hard questions is necessary for us to form deeper faith commitments and discern who we are called to become. So don't be afraid of the questions-live them.

In the second installment to the Suffering and the Christian Life series, Mark Talbot encourages readers to place their suffering within the arc of the full biblical story so that they will better understand their suffering and be able to take courage and find comfort in God as they walk through it.

John Scotus Eriugena lived in Ireland during the early ninth century. Neither monk nor priest but a 'holy sage', he carried the flower of Celtic Christianity to France. His homily, The Voice of the Eagle, is a jewel of lyrical mysticism, theology and cosmology, containing the essence of Celtic Christian wisdom.

Introduces the life and significance of Abraham in a way that will enlighten both complete beginners and people who thought they knew all they needed to know about him

Peter Bolt explores the impact of Mark's Gospel on early readers in the first-century Graeco-Roman world. Focusing upon the thirteen characters in Mark who come to Jesus for healing or exorcism, Bolt analyzes their crucial role in the communication of the Gospel. Enlisting a variety of ancient literary and non-literary sources, this book recreates the first-century world of illness, magic and Roman imperialism. This new approach to Mark combines reader-response criticism with social history.

This New Testament is different from any other New Testament on the market. Written in the rhythms of today’s language, The Message New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs brings out the Scripture’s expressive flavor that will bring a unique freshness whether you are reading it for the first time or have been studying it for years.

Note: The book measures 5.3 inches in length and 3.7 inches in width.

Large Print Edition. For years, the beloved classic devotional Streams in the Desert has sustained and replenished God's weary desert travelers. Now, bursting forth like a sparkling-clear river of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration, this updated edition of Streams in the Desert promises to revive and refresh today's generations of faithful sojourners, providing daily Scripture passages from the popular, readable New International Version-and modern, easy-to-understand language that beautifully captures the timeless essence of the original devotional.

The letter from a King Artaxerxes to Ezra recounted in Ezra 7 is interpreted against the background of royal Hellenistic foundations and gifts. The euergetism rooted in the Hellenistic kingly ideology cannot be shown for the Persian royal ideology. Thus, Ezra 7 probably belongs into (early) Hellenistic times. This has consequences firstly for the understanding of the letter as an historical document, but then also for those historical models which seek to explain the genesis of the Torah principally from Ezra 7.

Rather than classical penitence, this book emphasizes intercession, solidarity, and preparation. Its aim is to help readers learn to view the world incarnationally and sacramentally. In rejecting one's own embodiment and the natural world, the earth is being irreparably harmed by our destructive actions. The book invites readers to move beyond sympathy for those in strife into action and advocacy on the behalf of the earth and its less powerful inhabitants. Photographs and poetry enhance the daily devotional readings.

What was Jesus of Nazareth really like? What effect did he have on those he met and befriended? How did he impart his teachings and perform his miracles? These are the questions that James Harpur explores through Joseph of Arimathea, one of the most enigmatic characters of the gospel. After the crucifixion, Joseph embarks on a quest to find out who Jesus really was, seeking out those who knew him personally. These witnesses, all mentioned in the gospels, tell their stories, each contributing a unique insight into the Nazarene.

Emil Bock interprets John's rich pictorial language, which is often found harsh and mysterious, helping the reader understand that John deals with the universal problems of spiritual development. This is not merely a detailed commentary on the Apocalypse but a profound and encouraging examination of human needs in today's world. Bock shows how we can read The Revelation to understand Christ's position as leader through danger, both in the present and in the future.

For those who want to grow in the art of loving well, this book contains reflections on 1 Corinthians 13 featuring 16 different translations and paraphrases of the Bible's beloved 'Love Chapter'.

52 readings, each with a scripture passage and prayer, from one of our most loved and respected Christian leaders and speakers. Each reading contains a story, often startling and arresting, from Andrew's astonishingly eventful ministry, blended with his reflections on life and faith.