This book will provide the view of Jesus found on the Gospels placed in the context of the Jewish and Greco-Roman world of the first century of the Common Era.

Paper Edition was voted 2002 Publisher's Weekly Best Adult Religion Book of the Year "It was art and it was theater at the same time, but it was more. It was what he did not say that spoke most powerfully to the mob that morning. It was a cup of cold water for a thirsty adulteress and an ice-cold drenching in the face to a group of angry Pharisees. "To this day we have not the slightest idea what it was Jesus twice scribbled in the sand. By and large the commentaries have asked the wrong question through the ages. They labor over the content, over what he might have written. They ask what without ever realizing that the real question is why. It was not the content that mattered but why he did it. Unexpected. Irritating. Creative." (From chapter one) Singer, songwriter and diligent student of Scripture, Michael Card is well known for the depth of his lyrics and the artistry of his music. But far more significant than the songs he has penned is the source of his inspiration--the creativity embodied in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God. In this book Card explores the biblical foundations of true Christian creativity. Whether we think of ourselves as creative or not, all of us are created in the image of our Creator God, and thus creativity is a vital expression of our discipleship. With Jesus as his model, Card shows how understanding God's creative imagination leads to a lifestyle of humility, obedience and servanthood. And he invites us to follow God's creative call through worship and community. Through Jesus, God has spoken to us in a word we can understand. Likewise, Michael Card has articulated the story of Jesus to others through his own scribblings in the sand. This book shows us how we can do the same.

Life in the Spirit Precepts for Life Study Guide for the radio / tv broadcast series by Kay Arthur. Be conformed to the image of Christ, as man was designed to be, through this powerful study of the Holy Spirit - His leading, filling, wisdom, intercession, righteousness, peace, joy and comfort.

Isaiah Part 1 - "Judgment But Hope" - Precepts for Life Study Companion for the radio / tv broadcast series by Kay Arthur. Study Isaiah, the crown jewel of the Old Testament prophets, and come face-to-face with "the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah witnessed Judah's spiritual and moral deterioration and preached the vision he received, warning God's people of approaching captivity and judgment. Learn timeless truths about sin and judgment that are relevant today for your life.

James W. Moore
Parables slip up on us. They flip our values. They turn our world upside down. They surprise us. This is the great thing about the parables of Jesus: They are always relevant and always personal. They speak eloquently to you and me, here and now. In this book, we will examine some of Jesus thought-provoking parables, parables about priorities, to see if we can find ourselves and God s truth for us in these magnificent truth-stories. They are, after all, truth-stories from the mind of Jesus that can change our lives as they proclaim God s truth for you and me.

" adapted from the introduction"

Each of the six chapters features a key passage of Scripture and is centered on a theme from one of Jesus parables, including The Priority of Love The Priority of Grace The Priority of Being Prepared The Priority of Courage The Priority of Forgiveness The Priority of Strong Foundations

JAMES W. MOORE, popular speaker and preacher, is the author of "Yes, Lord, I Have Sinned, but I Have Several Excellent Excuses; God Was Here and I Was Out to Lunch; When Grief Breaks Your Heart; There s a Hole in Your Soul That Only God Can Fill;" and many other books. He and his wife, June, live in Fairview, Texas."

The state of teaching biblical interpretation in colleges and seminaries is generally a mess, and many conventional approaches can be alarming for religious students. The sources of this difficulty are wide ranging, but a quick summary would include at least the following: jargon that is unnecessarily technical; competing and contradictory methodologies; and a failure on the part of Biblical scholarship to demonstrate the direct relevance of its methods to the pastoral life of the Church. As a consequence, biblical scholarship is often opaque at best and distressing at worst to the student and beginning theologian. And because pastors and lay people are trained within this cobweb of methods, they are often functionally unable to draw clear conclusions from most teaching resources.

Jerry Camery-Hoggatt addresses this problem with several solutions: a return to a conscious affirmation of authorial intention as the beginning place for interpretation; a careful examination of the actual workings of communication; a concept of "text "to include the assumptions and cultural knowledge upon which the text depends for meaningful communication; an examination of the various academic disciplines with an eye toward correlating their conclusions with the necessary activities of reading; and easily accessible language that makes sense to the beginning student and the lay reader alike.

Here is a single, accessible volume that explains the basic vocabulary and logic of biblical interpretation, shows how the various methodologies can be fitted together into a seamless interpretive model for exegesis, and then reflects carefully on the implications of that method for the various issues of reading, teaching, reflection, and preaching.

Through common and practical examples Jerry Camery-Hoggatt teaches students a way of reading the Bible that replicates the activities the biblical authors expected their readers would perform, and he uses a model that is applicable across linguistic boundaries, genres, and various cultural contexts; that is, throughout the human experience of language there exists a common set of mental activities that can be identified and studied, and these are fundamental to reading and interpreting the Bible.

The prose style is conversational, non-technical, and is intended to be inviting to the beginning student, and refreshing for advanced students and teachers.

Description: The Ten Commandments belong to the ""classics"" of Western culture. They are an authoritative part of the Hebrew and the Christian Scriptures. Since they come to us from an ancient past, it is both necessary and worthwhile to inquire what they may mean for us today. Thorwald Lorenzen contends it is important to hear God's invitation to an alternative lifestyle: ""you shall not kill,"" ""you shall not commit adultery,"" ""you shall not covet."" His thoughtful reflections on the commandments for today's tumultuous world begin with the God who ""speaks"" ten word to liberate God's people from oppression. Grounded in God's liberating ""yes,"" the ""ten words"" are neither laws nor rules. They are elements for a culture of freedom in which people are invited to celebrate life. Endorsements: ""Thorwald Lorenzen presents an inspiring call to embrace freedom as a matter of spiritual inheritance and destiny. Pastors and prophets alike will use this text to sharpen their vision, and every reader will find in it a guide to break free from those chains that bind them."" --David Batstone, author, Professor of Ethics, University of San Francisco, and President, NOT For Sale ""Combining exegetical acumen with sharp theological insight, Lorenzen has produced a fresh and deeply profound meditation on the Ten Words of the Torah. Filled with historical and contemporary illustrations, Lorenzen proves that the Decalogue is as relevant, practical, challenging, and disturbing today as ever. Highly readable yet informed by a lifetime of scholarly study, Lorenzen's book will be immensely valuable to both pastors and laypersons and would make an excellent supplemental classroom text. The appendices on interpreting the Ten Commandments and on making ethical decisions make a book that is already well worth the price a bargain indeed."" --Kent Blevins, Professor, Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy, Gardner-Webb University ""Here is the most careful and relevant study of the Ten Commandments now available. Biblically grounded, theologically astute, Lorenzen's penetrating treatment of each of the commandments results in constructing a mature, global ethic for Christians. Far from a legalistic list of commands, Lorenzen shows how 'the Ten Words' function as a blueprint for connecting the dots between a private and social ethic in a pluralistic world."" --D. Dixon Sutherland, Professor of Religious Studies, Director, Christian Ethics Institute, Stetson University ""Toward a Culture of Freedom is a superb ethical treatise based on the Ten Commandments. Deeply grounded in scriptures and equipped with an expansive and compassionate experience of today's world, Professor Lorenzen will help you to discern some solid rocks to stand on in an era when all human foundations seem to be quivering. Though writing from a Christian perspective, he speaks to persons of all faiths and even no faith. Would that every American, nay, every human being, would glean the wisdom she or he will find here."" --E. Glenn Hinson, Professor Emeritus, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond About the Contributor(s): Thorwald Lorenzen is Professor of Theology at Charles Sturt University; a guest lecturer at St. Mark's Theological Center and Whitley College, University of Melbourne; and a Principal Researcher within the Public and Contextual Theology Strategic Research Centre (PACT), Charles Sturt University, in Canberra, Australia. He is author of Resurrection and Discipleship: Interpretive Models, Biblical Reflections, Theological Consequences (1995 and 2003) and Resurrection--Discipleship--Justice: Affirming the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Today (2003).

Sanchez's subject is the power of imperial myths - and the subversive power unleashed when resistance movements take over those myths for their own purposes. Moving from John of Patmos's inversion of Roman imperial mythology in Revelation 12 to the indigenous appropriation of Spanish symbolism and mythology, in seventeenth-century Mexico, Sanchez then explores the continuing power of the Virgin of Guadalupe (La Guadalupena) to inspire movements for a better society in our own day. From Patmos to the Barrio reveals new insights into the biblical Apocalypse of John, and the enduring power of its legacy down to the present day, as well as translations of two important 17th century documents concerning La Guadalupena: Luis Laso de la Vega's Huei tlamahuicoltica and Miguel Sanchez's Imagen de la Virgen Maria. Also included are images of La Guadalupena in the murals of East Los Angeles.

With fascinating insights into biblical customs and conditions--many of which exist today in the Middle East--Bowen clarifies over 100 scriptural texts and phrases that often puzzle Western readers unfamiliar with the culture of Bible times.

From the patristic period until today, John's Gospel has served as a major source for the church's knowledge, doctrine, and worship of the triune God. Among all New Testament documents the Fourth Gospel provides not only the most raw material for the doctrine of the Trinity, but also the most highly developed patterns of reflection on this material - particularly patterns that seek to account in some way for the distinct personhood and divinity of Father, Son and Spirit without compromising the unity of God. While there have been recent, fine studies on aspects of John's doctrine of God, it is surprising that none summarizes and synthasizes what John has to say about God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In order to fill this gap, K?stenberger and Swain offer a fresh examination of John's trinitarian vision. Part One situates John's trinitarian teaching within the context of Second Temple Jewish monotheism. Part Two examines the Gospel narrative in order to trace the characterization of God as Father, Son and Spirit, followed by a brief synthesis. Part Three deals more fully with major trinitarian themes in the Fourth Gospel, including its account of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and mission. A final chapter discusses the significance of John's Gospel for the church's doctrine of the Trinity, and a brief conclusion summarizes some practical implications.

This long-awaited companion volume to The Literature of the Sages, First Part (Fortress Press, 1987) brings to completion Section II of the renowned Compendia series, published cooperatively with Van Gorcum of Amsterdam. The Literature of the Sages, Second Part, explores the literary creation of thousands of ancient Jewish teachers, the often- anonymous Sages of late antiquity and the Middle Ages. Essays by premier scholars provide a careful and succinct analysis of the content and character of various documents, their textual and literary forms, with particular attention to the ongoing discovery and publication of new textual material. Incorporating groundbreaking developments in research, these essays give a comprehensive presentation published here for the first time. This volume will prove an important reference work for all students of ancient Judaism, the origins of Jewish tradition, and the Jewish background of Christianity.

This book surveys some of the scholarship on the letter of James from the past 30 years, covering questions of authorship and audience, structure and rhetoric, themes, and relationship to some of the sayings attributed to Jesus.

* Written for preachers, teachers, and lay persons - the series offers fresh, insightful, and inspiring community * Focuses on the meaning and message of each book of the Bible * Avoids unnecessary technical terms and goes right to the heart of the Bible text * Scripture texts are from the two most commonly used Bibles in the Spanish-speaking world: The Reina-Valera Revisada and the Version Popular (Good News)

In this book, popular author J. Ellsworth Kalas presents the grand story of the Bible in thirteen brief chapters. Writing in his engaging, narrative style, Kalas takes readers through the different books of the Bible, providing descriptions, reflection, and context, showing how there is an overarching plot that binds all of the varied writings of the Bible together.
Kalas highlights the wonders of the Bible for readers both familiar and unfamiliar with them, and shows how the Bible isn t just a collection of stories of the past, but rather it is our own continuing story of God and God s relationship with the human race.
This book includes a study guide."

This collection of essays highlights a dimension of Paul's theology of justification that has been neglected ? that his teaching emerged as an integral part of his understanding of his commission to preach the gospel to non-Jews and that his dismissal of justification "by works of the law" was directed not so much against Jewish legalism but rather against his fellow Jews' assumption that the law remained a dividing wall separating Christian Jews from Christian Gentiles.

James Dunn seeks to carry forward the debate on Jewish soteriology, on the relation of justification by faith to judgment "according to works," on Christian fulfillment of the law, and on the crucial role of Christ, his death and resurrection. Full of detail and intriguing thought, Dunn's collection will enlighten any scholar of the New Testament.

The last fifty years have seen a dramatic increase of interest in the wisdom literature of the Bible, as scholars have come to appreciate the subtlety and originality of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes as well as of Sirach and Wisdom of Solomon. Interest has likewise grown in the wisdom literatures of the neighboring cultures of Canaan, Egypt, and especially Mesopotamia. To help readers understand the place of biblical wisdom within this broader context, including its originality and distinctiveness, this volume offers a rich collection of essays by distinguished Assyriologists and biblicists on the social, intellectual, and literary setting of Mesopotamian wisdom; on specific wisdom texts; and on key themes common to both Mesopotamian and biblical culture. Scholars, pastors, and laity will find these essays both fascinating and enriching. Contributors to the volume include Paul-Alain Beaulieu, Richard J. Clifford, James L. Crenshaw, Edward Greenstein, Victor Avigdor Hurowitz, Karel van der Toorn, and Raymond C. Van Leeuwen. Paperback edition is available from the Society of Biblical Literature (www.sbl-site.org)

Popular author and Bible teacher Ron Rhodes offers straightforward, easy-to-understand responses to frequently asked questions about God, faith, and living for Christ. He addresses more than 300 issues as diverse as... Do guardian angels exist? What will heaven and hell be like? Did Jesus physically come back to life? Is meditation okay for Christians? Does a person have to be baptized to be saved?

Readers will also find information about apparent Bible contradictions and difficult verses, supposed conflicts between science and the Bible, and the effects of atheism, agnosticism, and humanism on society.

With solid biblical insights and accurate research, this indispensable reference will help readers explore God's incredible plan, the life of Christ, the teaching of the Bible, church doctrines, and more. Perfect for personal study, small groups, and every Christian's reference library.

Leader Guide: provides process guidance for weekly group sessions. The Leader Guide understands the role of leader as facilitator of small-group sessions. Procedures for guiding sessions include: directions for using related video segments, and questions for discussion.
Click here to read session one

Invitation To John
11 sessions, 60-90 minutes
Experience required: Beginning to Moderate

The invitation from Christ is: "Come and see, Follow me." Experience the magnificent passages in John including the I am statements (I am the truth, the life and the way, I am the living water and more). Revisit stories only told in John's gospel including Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene and the raising of Lazarus.

During the weekly video segments, travel into the scripture as you hear the Word, experience the grand artwork connected with each story and interview the scholar. Each week wraps up with a small group discussion on video to spark your own conversation.

Participants for this Invitation to John do not have to have an in-depth knowledge of the Bible to enjoy and benefit from participation. Reading just two chapters of John a week, they will discover the life altering stories that will invite them to follow Christ as true disciples. This eleven-week study includes a participant book outlining daily reading assignments for group preparations, a leader guide suggesting discussion activities for use in the 60 90-minute weekly meeting, and a video component providing interpretation and context for the biblical texts.
Click here to read session one
Robert D. Kysar, Bandy Professor Emeritus of Preaching and New Testament, Candler School of Theology, is a noted scholar on the Gospel of John. He has authored numerous articles and books, including a revised edition of John: The Maverick Gospel; Preaching John; and most recently Voyages With John: Charting the Fourth Gospel.
Session titles and scripture:
1. Come and See (John 1- 2)
2. How Is It Possible? (John 3 4)
3. Taste for Yourself (John 5 6)
4. To Believe or Not to Believe (John 7 8)
5. Are We Blind? (John 9 10)
6. I Couldn t Believe My Eyes (John 11 12)
7. Would You Believe It? (John 13 14)
8. What Time Is It? (John 15 16)
9. Look Out (John 17 18)
10. Believing Without Seeing (John 19 20)
11. Do You See Him? (John 21)
"

This magisterial study surveys the contributions of biblical scholars and theologians from the early patristic writers to the modern era, from eastern and western traditions, and from Catholic and Reformed, Enlightenment and Modernist sources to the interpretation of the Lord's Prayer.

In this intensive exegesis of the Epistle to the Galatians, renowned German theologian Gerhard Ebeling strives to open "our eyes to the explosive force that produced this text, a force which, through this text, can explode over and over again.&334; Using rigorous technical tools, Ebeling interprets Galatians in such a way that "the truth of the Gospel" confronts the general reader as well as the specialist. He clarifies and emphasizes the relevance of this explication to the real-life struggles of contemporary Christians.