In this first volume of a trilogy, Daniel J. Elazar addresses political uses of the idea of covenant, the tradition that has adhered to that idea, and the political arrangements that flow from it,

Among the topics covered are covenant as a political concept, the Bible as a political commentary, the post-biblical tradition, medieval covenant theory, and Jewish political culture.

J. Benton White claims that both modernists and fundamentalists believe in the Bible and take it seriously. Here he surveys the many Protestant approaches to the Bible and then focuses on the issues raised by each group during this century. He gives special attention to Protestants' struggle with the question of how the Bible should be understood. By doing so, he helps individuals examine this crucial question and allows them to draw their own conclusions. White focuses on Martin Luther's affirmation of the "Protestant principle" of the Bible alone, then follows debate up to the present.

"We would be naive to think that we can hear these narratives with the same clarity that the first hearers did. An equal naivete, however, would be to suggest that we have no access to their situation, or that it is irrelevant to know how the texts originally functioned. One way to proceed is to juxtapose narratives with issues faced by the people of God in the context to which the narratives were addressed. To lay contextual issues alongside narrative should enable illumination of the text, and give breadth and depth to the results of one's interpretation. This approach has the advantage of avoiding an abstract concern about what the author might have 'intended.' Rather, in the juxtaposition of context and text, we are concerned about what issues faced by the audience might have been addressed."

"Although the Word of God is always addressed to a particular situation, the insights gained through hearing it will assist in the hearing of a Word in the contemporary situation." (excerpts from the Introduction, by Terence E. Fretheim)

"Disinheriting the Jews" is a scholarly work of great interest and significance for both Christians and Jews. Jeffery Siker shows how strongly the figure of Abraham has shaped our religious identities. He also uses the portrayals of Abraham by early Christians as a new means of understanding the dynamics involved in the church's separation and estrangement from Judaism. Siker argues that the separation was precipitated by historical contingencies more so than by Christian identity, and in so doing suggests self-corrections that could mend the rift between Christianity and Judaism.

From the earliest days of Israel's existence as a people, holy war was a sacred institution, undertaken as a cultic act of a religious community. The concept of holy war, an intriguing and sometimes disturbing theme in the Old Testament, is given its most articulate expression in this classic study by the distinguished German scholar Gerhard von Rad. For Israel, the most important feature of holy war was the demand for faith in Yahweh's saving acts. However, von Rad argues, it was not Yahweh alone who acted; rather, because they envisioned Yahweh fighting on their behalf the Israelites themselves were inspired - and obliged - to fight even harder. In this regard, the actual events differed vastly from the picture given by the biblical narratives, which downplay and often exclude the human factor and stress the exclusive warlike action of Yahweh, thus equating holy war with absolute miracle.

This is part of a series of modern commentaries based on new English translations made by their respective editors.
While adhering strictly to sound scholarship and doctrine, they intend, above all, to bring out the theological and religious message of the New Testament to the contemporary Church.

Translated by Inkeri Vaananen-Jensen. Proverbs of Finland heritage. Front and back covers of Finland State Forest, Minnesota. Hand calligraphy and line art throughout by Esther Feske. An axe is not sharpened on only one side. Keep learning as long as you live. Hurry slowly. If you don't go, you can't return. Every man can tell you how, even if he can't do it. The day is longer in the morning. There is time enough to rest in the grave. Sauna, the poor man's drug store. Even the most wise makes one mistake. A full purse does not jingle. 6"x9" 51 pages.

Story Journey offers a series of biblical stories to be learned and explored in a variety of ways. Each story is printed in episodes to facilitate memorization. Exegetical comments are offered, with references to good commentaries that explain the meaning of the story in the original context. Each chapter also includes suggestions about ways to connect the story with contemporary experience and to pray with the story

Boomershine's chapters describe the essence of story as intertwining truth. Boomershine distinguishes learning a story in solitude from learning it with a friend or relating the story to another person altogether. Besides moral instruction, Boomershine examines roles stories have in pastoral care, peacemaking/arbitration scenarios.

A profound mystic, Bernard of Clairvaux sought, above all and in all, to be with God and to bring all persons to the experience of God. His Sermons on the Song of Songs are among the most famous and most beautiful examples of medieval scriptural exegesis. In them the modern reader can catch a glimpse of the genius which an entire generation found irresistible.

These eighty-six sermons are among the most famous and most beautiful examples of medieval scriptural exegesis. In them the modern reader can catch a glimpse of the genius an entire generation found irresistible.

Volumes available singly or as a set.

Ever since it was written the Revelation to John has both baffled and fascinated its readers, chiefly because its language is so strange and the visions it describes so mysterious. Those unfamiliar with the language of apocalyptic can easily misinterpret its message, and it can puzzle those who forget that John was writing of what he believed would 'soon take place', in order to warn, guide and comfort particular people in a specific historical situation. Throughout the Guide the author has kept these two considerations in view. His introduction sets the scene, with a brief survey of the historical and literary background to the Revelation and John's purpose in writing it. His Postscript points to the remarkable similarity, as well as differences, between John's time and our own. Study of the Bible text follows the usual pattern for the series. Fuller notes on some general themes support the detailed interpretation; the customary question material includes subjects for discussion and research; and topical photographs underline the relevance of John's message for the Church in the world today.

This commentary on Daniel is a serious painstaking work by one of the foremost of contemporary Old Testament scholars. It is ably designed to meet the needs of pastors, students, and all those seeking a better understanding of Scripture. The author presents a clear, positive exposition of prophecy coupled with an accurate explanation of historical fact based on research and the accumulated authority of other outstanding Biblical scholars. In addition, he endeavors to bring out the exact meaning of the Hebrew and Aramaic languages in the original translation accompanying the commentary. The reader will find adequate reference to the divergent interpretations of other scholars, with a thorough and erudite explanation of differences. Those unacquainted with the ancient languages can nevertheless read this volume with great profit. "A fresh and stimulating approach ...Thoroughly done ...A wholesome addition to the field of Old Testament study." - Review and Expositor "The author has made himself, in the space of a relatively few years, easily the foremost among conservative scholars of the Old Testament." - The Perkins School of Theology "Dr.Young makes it abundantly plain that the issue is not between good and bad, intelligent and obscurantist, scientific and unscientific scholarship. ..(but) between a believing scholarship and a skeptical and rationalistic scholarship." - Oswalt T. Allis Edward J. Young (1907-1968) was considered one of the ablest conservative scholars in the field of Old Testament, served for many years as Professor of Old Testament at Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia.

These study guides, part of a set from noted Bible scholar John MacArthur, take readers on a journey through biblical texts to discover what lies beneath the surface, focusing on meaning and context, and then reflecting on the explored passage or concept. With probing questions that guide the reader toward application, as well as ample space for journaling, The MacArthur Bible Studies are invaluable tools for Bible students of all ages. Much debate surrounds the book of Revelation on such volatile topics as: The Rapture, The Millennial Kingdom, The Anti-Christ. Respected preacher and Bible teacher John MacArthur pulls back the veil on the book of Revelation and reveals more of what God's Word has to say to us about the future of His Kingdom.

* Revised and updated * Based on the NRSV and NIV translations * Covers every book verse by verse * Each volume also contains maps, charts, a pronunciation guide, and a glossary * Available in sets or individually

* Revised and updated * Based on the NRSV and NIV translations * Covers every book verse by verse * Each volume also contains maps, charts, a pronunciation guide, and a glossary * Available in sets or individually

This is a comprehensive and astute interpretive study of the prophetic tradition of ancient Israel. Ward interprets the whole of the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve Prophets, placing the religious/theological message of these prophets into its most probable historical context. But he also deals with the socioeconomic world of Israael's prophets, so that readers are able to confront the message, the ideas, of the prophets in relation to the larger realities through which the people and the prophets were living.

This book explores Genesis-Kings, the first great story in the Bible, stretching from creation through the promise to Abraham, the formation of Israel, the giving of the Law, the taking of the promised land, and the nation's eventual exile. Given the gender divide that Genesis-Kings constructs, the authors read this great story of promise wondering what it might look like to the excluded people--the aliens, the children, and particularly the women who are deemed to stand on the 'other' side of the divide,

Preaching Old Testament meets the need for more direction in how to preach from the Hebrew Bible. You will learn particularly helpful techniques for preaching the narrative portions of the Bible and why preaching from the Old Testament is theologically important.

After exploring theological reasons for preaching in the narrative mode, Holbert introduces a narrative homiletics and discusses its definition, problems, and possibilities. He then introduces some of the methods and techniques of a literary analysis of the narrative portions of the Hebrew Bible, which includes such elements as plot, actions and speech, contrasting characters, and point of view.

Two sample narrative sermons with brief comments inside the bodies of the sermons and extensive comments at the ends of the sermons illustrate how the pastor can read and interpret the Old Testament story.

* Revised and updated * Based on the NRSV and NIV translations * Covers every book verse by verse * Each volume also contains maps, charts, a pronunciation guide, and a glossary * Available in sets or individually

* Revised and updated * Based on the NRSV and NIV translations * Covers every book verse by verse * Each volume also contains maps, charts, a pronunciation guide, and a glossary *

Gonzalez explores how a Hispanic perspective illuminates the biblical text in ways that will be valuable not only for Latino readers but also for the church at large. Introducing five "paradigms" for Latino biblical interpretation, Gonzalez discusses theory and provides concrete examples of biblical texts that gain new meaning when read from a different perspective.

Study the meaning of biblical words in the original languages without spending years learning Greek. W. E. Vine's New Testament Word Pictures places every key word from Vine's classic Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words in Bible book and verse-by-verse order. The text of the King James Version of the Bible is included for context, but W. E. Vine's New Testament Word Pictures is keyed to the Strong's numbering system and can be used with any Bible translation. A great tool for students, pastors, teachers, and anyone who enjoys biblical word studies, this unique resource explains the meaning behind the key words and contains elements of a dictionary, concordance, and commentary. Edited by Martin Manser, W. E. Vine's New Testament Word Pictures is available in two companion volumes: Matthew to Acts and Romans to Revelation. Features include: Every key word from Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words explained Verse-by-verse order for ease of use King James Version text with keys to Strong's numbers W.E. Vine's original comments on alternative readings from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible Inspirational quotes to add a fresh edge to teaching