The best and most readable one-volume introduction available to the Sayings Gospel Q and the Gospel of Thomas-the very earliest collections of the sayings and parables of Jesus. The Q-Thomas Reader includes new translations, lucid commentary by leading scholars, suggested readings and a comprehensive glossary. This is essential reading for anyone wanting to learn more about "the gospels before the gospels."

Thanks to these generous donors for making the publication of this book possible: The Friedman French Foundation.

First published 500 years ago as the "Rabbinic Bible," the biblical commentaries known as the "Miqra'ot Gedolot" have inspired and educated generations of Hebrew readers. With this edition, the voices of Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Nachmanides, Rashbam, and other medieval commentators come alive once more, speaking in a contemporary English translation annotated and explicated for lay readers.

Each page of "The Commentators' Bible" contains several Hebrew verses from the book of Exodus, surrounded by both the 1917 and 1985 JPS translations and new English translations of the major commentators. This large-format volume is beautifully designed for ease of navigation among the many elements on each page, including explanatory notes and selected additional comments from the works of Bekhor Shor, Hizkuni, Abarbanel, Sforno, Gersonides, and others. JPS is pleased to make available for group study and teaching purposes individual parshiyot (weekly Torah readings) from "The Commentators' Bible."

A prince who was lost for words A sister who worried far too much A brother who walked differently through the world A girl who had to be seen to be believed Join Krish and Miriam Kandiah on another adventure through 10 retellings of stories from the Bible! While many people with disabilities, differences and disadvantages are often under-valued in our society, under-acknowledged in history and under-represented, Krish and Miriam Kandiah team up again with illustrator Andy Gray to show how God gives people with disabilities a special mention, special honour and very special jobs. Come onboard for the next instalment of Whistlestop Tales! Sometimes we can focus on the stories of miraculous healing in the Bible, but this can make people with disabilities and differences feel like they have nothing to offer the world. But Krish and Miriam introduce us to people in the Bible of all shapes and sizes who go on incredible adventures with God! It's time to remember all the characters in the Bible who do amazing world-changing things - especially those who dare to be different.

When we belong to God, we become people who display God's virtues: faith, hope, love, wisdom, justice, courage, moderation, integrity and perseverance. These nine revised studies take a closer look at each of these Christian virtues. The revised title features questions for starting group discussions and for meeting God in personal reflection, as well as a 'now or later' section in each study.

THE NEW AMERICAN COMMENTARY is for the minister or Bible student who wants to understand and expound the Scriptures. Notable features include: * commentary based on THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION; * the NIV text printed in the body of the commentary; * sound scholarly methodology that reflects capable research in the original languages; * interpretation that emphasizes the theological unity of each book and of Scripture as a whole; * readable and applicable exposition.

Murray reveals a true story of divine love. Beautiful. - Ricky Ross, Deacon Blue Absolutely brilliant! Shows us how to live life to the full. - Fiona Castle, President, Activate Your Life Experience the power of the most beautiful song in the world. 'If your heart is open to love,' writes Murray, 'then this song is for you. If you have no interest in religion, but consider yourself spiritual, this song is for you. If you're in deep trouble, this song is for you. If your life is happy and fulfilled, this song is for you. Why wouldn't you want to discover a peace and happiness beyond your wildest dreams?' This book will prompt you to explore aspects of yourself, and of your relationship with the universe, of which you were barely aware. 'Don't be afraid of a new way of being,' says Murray. 'Everybody has the capacity to develop their spiritual life.' Murray Watts is an author, playwright and screenwriter, living in the north of Scotland.

Whether you are searching for your calling or wholeheartedly pursuing your life's purpose, Brian Houston's transformative approach to life will help you navigate a faith path that is all your own and discover unique gifts tailored perfectly for your journey. Thirty-five years ago when Brian Houston set out to pioneer a church with thirty people in a school hall, he had no idea how many highs and lows, sacrifices and miraculous opportunities he would face. Over time, his tiny church grew into the worldwide Hillsong ministry, leading people all over the globe to follow the greatest Guide who ever walked the path of life - Jesus. In this ninety-day devotional adapted from his bestselling book Live, Love, Lead, Brian Houston shares his own life-tested experiences and the powerful biblical truths he's learned that will enable you to live fully, love completely, and lead boldly - the hallmarks of Jesus' time on earth. Each page includes: * Scripture to meditate on * Excerpt: a key truth about living, loving, and leading * Thought: an uplifting, liberating, and meaningful thought to start the day * Reflection: a place to write your thoughts and reflections * Prayer: a simple but powerful prayer to help you express yourself.

This year-long daily devotional-designed to strengthen your faith with Bible verses, brief messages, and thoughtful quotes-encourages you to carve out a few minutes of peace in the presence of God. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." -John 14:27 If you feel like you can't get a moment of peace in your hectic life, you aren't alone-but even just five minutes spent with God every day can renew your spirit. With these 365 daily devotionals, you can embark on a year-long process of finding comfort in Him. So today, find a quiet place to open your mind and your heart to the peace of God, which transcends all understanding. BEAUTIFULLY PACKAGED: The gift format and beautiful package will make this appealing to use every day.

Click here to read session one

Participant Guide: guides daily study and preparation for discussion in the weekly group meeting. The expectation for daily study will be no more than thirty minutes. Invitation To the Old Testament 8 sessions, 60-90 minutes Experience required: Moderate Explore the Old Testament s story of God and God's calling of the people of Israel through the many "voices" of the biblical text. Hear the magnificence of a Creation hymn, discover the law and wisdom teachings, listen to the warning of the prophets and explore the poetry of the Song of Solomon.

In the two weekly video segments, first gain insight from biblical scholars and then take a visual tour of archaeological sites, ancient artifacts, and other physical remains, related to and illuminating scripture and events.

Participants gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Old Testament as an integral part of the Christian Bible and a renewed discovery of our identity in God and God s vision for all things.

This study is ideal for adults with a strong Sunday school or personal study background. Sessions: 1. The Making of the Hebrew Bible 2. The Creation Story of Israel 3. Out of Bondage 4. Promise and Problem in the Land 5. Israel Has a King 6. Division and the Rise of Prophecy 7. Exile and Response 8. Restoration and Renewal"

Godly women are coming into greater places of influence in the world. The Holy Spirit is using them to prophesy life and send forth light through actions of compassion and justice. 31 Decrees of Blessing for Women is especially designed to motivate women with a daily reading from The Passion Translation, an inspirational devotion, ten scriptural decrees, and empowering activations. Ignite God's Word in your heart and life as you are blessed with favour, extravagant generosity, unconditional love, wisdom, fresh revelation, radiant beauty, redeeming grace, glorious provision, bold power, and more. Experience the multiplication of blessings in every area of your life as you turn your attention to the heart of God and declare positive faith-filled words of biblical truth.

Jesus was condemned . . . so we could be set free. He was wounded . . . so we can be healed. He died . . . so we might have life. The cross has lost much of its appeal as a symbol of Christianity. Yet what Christ did at the cross remains central to our faith. In this richly designed book, Michael Card reflects on what it means for Christians that we meet our savior at a cross. Card combs the Old Testament prophecies and Gospel accounts of Jesus' self-sacrifice, seeking a renewed vision of the cross-the inconceivable meeting place of violence and grace.

Paul's letter to the Romans has for two thousand years been a touchstone for all who want to understand the power of the gospel and the righteousness of God revealed from heaven. The truth in Romans transforms our thinking and convicts our hearts as we discover the power of the gospel for every area of our life and our world. In this volume, the second half of John Stott's The Message of Romans is offered in brief readings suitable for daily use which take us passage by passage through the Scripture text. Including eight weekly studies for individuals or groups, this book covering Romans 9-16 allows readers to enjoy the riches of Stott's writings in a new, easy-to-use format. The remainder of Romans is presented in the companion to this volume. John Stott was one of the most beloved and masterful Bible teachers of the last fifty years. His books have sold in the millions. Christians on every continent have heard and read his instructive and inspiring expositions of Scripture. The books in the Reading the Bible with John Stott series offer the essential message of Stott's teaching, largely drawn from his Bible Speaks Today volumes, and present it in a format suitable for daily reading. Questions at the end of each section make these books even more useful for individuals or groups.

This New Testament edition of the Battlefield of the Mind Bible will offer peace through the power of Scripture, along with insights drawn from internationally renowned Bible teacher Joyce Meyer. Perfect as a gift for yourself or someone you love, the inspirations found within the New Testament will empower you to change your thoughts and life, and win the battle in your mind.

CHRISTIAN STUDIES / GNOSTICISM"Among all the astonishing documents unearthed in 1945 near the desert village of Nag Hammadi, the Gospel of Thomas has made the greatest impact on our understanding of Christianity. . . . The words in this text have the power to touch an unknown part of ourselves that brings with it an undeniable recognition of truth and hope."Jacob Needleman, author of "Lost Christianity and The American Soul""In this remarkable book, scholar-mystic Jean-Yves Leloup invites us to meditate on the 'eternal jewel, ' the revelation of Jesus, and on the reign of God spread all around us, within and without. May these logia of Jesus translated from the Gospel of Thomas fall on good soil and yield a bountiful harvest of peace, justice, and enlightenment."Margaret Starbird, author of "The Woman with the Alabaster Jar: Mary Magdalen and the Holy Grail"One of the cache of codices and manuscripts discovered in Nag Hammadi, the Gospel of Thomas, unlike the canonical gospels, does not contain a narrative recording Christ's life and prophecies. Instead, it is a collection of his teachings in 114 logia, or sayings, that were gathered by Judas Didymus Thomas, whom some claim was Jesus' closest disciple. No sooner was this gospel uncovered from the sands of Upper Egypt than scholars and theologians began to bury it anew in a host of conflicting interpretations and polemics. While some say it is a hodgepodge from the canonical gospels, for others it is the source text from which all the gospel writers drew their material and inspiration.In this new translation of the Gospel of Thomas, Jean-Yves Leloup shows that the Jesus recorded by the "infinitely skeptical and infinitely believing"Thomas has much in common with gnostics of nondualistic schools. Like them, Jesus preaches the coming of a new man, the genesis of the man of knowledge. In this gospel, Jesus describes a journey from limited to unlimited consciousness. The Jesus of Thomas invites us to drink deeply from the well of knowledge that lies within, not so that we may become good Christians, but so that we may attain the self-knowledge that will make each of us, too, a Christ.JEAN-YVES LELOUP is the founder of the Institute of Other Civilization Studies and the International College of Therapists. His other books include the bestselling "The Gospel of Mary Magdalene" and "The Gospel of Philip." He lives in France.

Of all the books of the Bible, few are as fascinating or as intimidating as Revelation. Four grim horsemen, the Antichrist, the ten-horned beast, the ultimate battle at Armageddon, the "mark of the beast." It's no wonder that these images have griped the imagination of so many--and have been variously interpreted as symbolizing everything from Hitler and Gorbachev to credit cards and the Internet. Is the book of Revelation a blueprint for the future? A book of powerful symbolic imagery with warnings for the church? Is it essentially an imaginative depiction of historical events in the first century? Four Views on the Book of Revelation explores four interpretations of the book of the Apocalypse: Preterist - a historical interpretation, arguing that most of John's prophecies occurred in the first century, soon after his writing of them. Idealist - a spiritual or symbolic interpretation, arguing that the events in Revelation are not literal, and that apocalyptic literature requires a different approach than the Gospels or Epistles. Classical dispensationalism - a literal interpretation based on a reading of Revelation that pays close attention to the rules of grammar and the separate eras of covenantal history. Progressive dispensationalism - a modification of classical that has its root in the understanding of Christ's reign beginning immediately after the resurrection. The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.

Letters and Homilies for Hellenized Christians, Volume 2' is the third of three volumes extending Ben Witherington's innovative socio-rhetorical analysis of New Testament books to the latter-Pauline and non-Pauline corpora. By dividing the volumes according to the socioreligious contexts for which they were written, Witherington sheds fresh light on the documents, their provenance, character and importance. Throughout, Witherington shows his thorough knowledge of recent literature on these texts and focuses his attention on the unique insights brought about through socio-rhetorical analysis that either reinforces or corrects those gleaned from other approaches. "Bridging the Horizons" sections point to the relevance of the text for believers today, making this volume of special value to pastors and general readers as well as to students and scholars.

"Darrell Bock's long-anticipated sequel to his fine and detailed work on the Gospel of Luke is now available. Written in a clear and engaging manner that most anyone can grasp, yet without skimping on interaction with scholarly discussion, Bock manages to critically analyze the huge corpus of literature on Acts with grace and finesse and to make his own contributions along the way. This commentary will serve us well for many years to come."--Ben Witherington III, Asbury Theological Seminary and St. Andrews University

"Acts provides an enormous challenge to commentators, and we must be thankful to Darrell Bock for this fine, accessible commentary on the book. He is particularly strong in giving careful attention to the exegetical payoff of the meanings of words and syntax. He provides judicious and accurate summaries of a wide range of scholarly viewpoints in English, French, and German--particularly valuable for those who read only English--and good critical engagement with these views. The commentary is well organized, and it is easy to navigate to a particular section or point of discussion. It will be of great value to pastors, students, and their professors."--Steve Walton, London School of Theology

"This commentary on Acts is a worthy complement to Darrell Bock's fine commentary on Luke's Gospel. While unfailingly traditional in its interests and scope, Bock remains in touch with today's church by seeking to facilitate a robust conversation between Acts and contemporary readers. I especially appreciate his attention to the theological cast of Acts. Judicious, learned, reverent, as clearly written as it is clear headed in exegetical decisions, Bock's commentary makes a finecontribution to Acts criticism. I recommend its use for the seminary classroom and the pastor's study."--Robert W. Wall, Seattle Pacific University

"Bock has written a superb commentary on this pivotal New Testament document. He has mastered the narrative of Acts as well as contemporary scholarship, and he has done so in a manner that is eminently accessible to the pastor and serious nonspecialist. He draws on the disciplines of theology, history, and sociology to bring the text to life. I recommend this book with enthusiasm."--W. Ward Gasque, Pacific Association for Theological Studies, author of "A History of the Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles"

Each day your character is tried and tested. How will you respond? How will you act when no one is watching? These 100 devotional readings remind us of the importance of character: keeping it, building it, and passing it on to the next generation. Stephen Arterburn of New Life Ministries shows how to walk in integrity, stay rooted in Scripture, and set an example for the next generation in this 100-day devotional. From maintaining integrity to growing in faithfulness, each of the 100 reflections provides a short devotional, a key Bible verse, inspiring quotes, and a prayer. There are no shortcuts to building character. It's a lifetime journey. It's a daily decision. It's what you do when no one is looking. It's how you act when trials come. Your character matters to God, and this devotional daily equips you to grow godly character, resist common pitfalls, and overcome temptations-one day at a time. Features: * Daily devotions on 100 character-building topics * Thought-provoking personal questions and practical applications * Powerful prayers inspired by Scripture * Short enough to be read in five minutes with further study options * Insights from Stephen Arterburn, bestselling author of Every Man's Battle (over 1 million copies sold) and Healing Is a Choice

With this NIV Once-A-Day Bible for Women, you can read through the Bible in a year. . . or at your own pace. Now you can practice the spiritual discipline of daily Bible reading at your own pace. Want a reading plan that will take you through the Bible in a year? You got it---and check boxes too. Don t want the guilt of falling behind in your daily reading? You won t---each daily reading is numbered, not dated, allowing the flexibility you need as you strive to engage God s Word every day. Looking for a Bible with insights about what you as a woman most need to hear? These are included as well in the intuitive, hopeful devotional thoughts located at the end of each daily reading. The NIV Once-A-Day Bible for Women organizes the clear, accessible New International Version Bible into 365 daily readings. Each day s reading includes a portion of Scripture from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and a Psalm or a Proverb, followed by an encouraging devotional thought specifically written for women."