Ann Monroe has written a fascinating book about the stunning variety of ways the Bible is preached, taught, studied, and revered in the United States today. Based on interviews with biblical scholars, ministers, and Bible study groups across the country, Monroe's book offers a rich mosaic of the Bible in American culture.

The MacArthur Bible Studies provide intriguing examinations of the whole of Scripture and continues to be one of the bestselling study guide series on the market today. In this study, Dr. MacArthur examines the words of the prophet Isaiah, showing how God proved to be faithful to his people (and us) by promising to send Messiah who would save them from sin. These latest all-new studies join the ranks of the previously released study guides, now offering readers a comprehensive selection of Old Testament Bible studies by bestselling author and theologian John MacArthur.

Each lesson includes:

• Drawing Near: An opening question based on the key theme or topic of the lesson
• The Context: Background information on the passage of Scripture being studied
• Keys to the Text: Detailed commentary on the passage being studied
• Unleashing the Text: Application questions on the passage highlighted in the lesson
• Exploring the Meaning: Three key takeaways from the passage
• Reflecting on the Text: Reflection questions on the passage highlighted in the lesson
• Personal Response: A journaling section to help readers apply the principles

This commentary clearly presents the episodes in the book of Joshua as the people of Israel face the challenges of entering into the land of promise. Both the historical and theological meanings of the book are presented throughout this most helpful commentary.

Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching is a distinctive resource for those who interpret the Bible in the church. Planned and written specifically for teaching and preaching needs, this critically acclaimed biblical commentary is a major contribution to scholarship and ministry.

This study examines the rhetoric of the Old Testament Miriam references and their socio-historical contexts, and processes the history of research into Miriam from a feminist perspective. Previous research into Miriam was largely determined by prior decisions on literary history, and was thus only able to make rudimentary statements about Miriam. In contrast, a feminist rhetorical analysis inquiring into the aesthetics of reception and production reveals new contexts for what Miriam represents in the text. She can no longer be regarded as a 'prophetess' from the early history of Israel, but instead represents a particular theo-political position in Persian times.

This study shows that Mark, Matthew and Luke present the worldwide expansion of the Christian message as a necessary consequence of Jesus' activity in Israel. The relationship between Jesus and the non-Jewish nations is examined here by a synchronic analysis of the relevant texts of the Synoptic Gospels, as well as of their compositional inner-relationships and theological classification. Departing from the same approaches for the most part, the Synoptics diverge primarily in the question of what relationship to each other Israel and the nations are placed through God's act of redemption in Jesus Christ.

The study examines the ancient Israelite sacrificial cult and the priestly genealogies of the Hebrew Bible from a cultural and historical religious perspective. The first section accesses the collective biography of the Zadokite-Aaronite lineages through genealogical analysis. The beginnings of their office as High Priests can be dated back to the 4th century BC. A multidimensional approach to the Levites can be demonstrated. The second section analyses the sacrificial rites (Ex 12 and Lev 1-7) and shows them to be cultural communication media. The statements and messages of Pesach and other rites are presented. An authorship hypothesis on the basis of cultural anthropological findings concludes this study which proposes a revaluation of the development of the priesthood in the era of the Second Temple.

A genuine renaissance is presently underway in the study of biblical interpretation and biblical culture in the early Christian age. The profundity and complexity of the early Christians engagement with Holy Scripture, in theology, in ecclesial and liturgical life, in ethics, and in ascetic and devotional life, are providing a rich resource for contemporary discussions of the Bible's ongoing "afterlife" within ecumenical Christian communities and contexts.

The Bible in Greek Christian Antiquity is a collection of wide-ranging essays on the influence of the Bible in numerous and varied aspects of the life of the Greek-speaking churches during the first four centuries. Essays appear under the general themes of (I) The Bible as a Foundation of Christianity; (II) The Bible in Use among the Greek Church Fathers; (III) The Bible in Early Christian Doctrinal Controversy; (IV) The Bible and Religious Devotion in the Early Greek Church. Individual essays probe topics as diverse as the use of the Bible in early Christian preaching and catechesis, appeals to Scripture in the conflicts between Jews and Christians, pagan use of Scripture against the Church, and the Bible's influence in early Christian art, martyrology, liturgical reading, pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and ascetical life.

Much of the volume constitutes a translation, revision, and adaptation of essays originally presented in the French volume Le monde grec ancien et la Bible (1984), Volume 1 of the series Bible de Tousles Temps. Four new studies appear, however, including an introductory essay on Origen of Alexandria as a guide to the biblical reader, and two essays on the biblical culture of early Eastern Christianmonasticism.

The Bible in Greek Christian Antiquity comes as an international project, the work of French, Swiss, Australian, and now Canadian and American scholars. It will be useful to students of early Christianity and the history of biblical interpretation, and will also serve as a useful introduction to the many dimensions of the reception of the Bible in the early Church.

In contrast to the romantic aesthetic of originality, this analysis of the texts of "Genesis 26" and its co-texts proceeds from an aesthetic of valuing repetitions and "doubling". After presenting the concept of interpretation based on a reception aesthetic, the study reconstructs the process of reading "Genesis 12:10-20", "Genesis 20" and "Genesis 26", considering not only Christian secondary literature, but also making extensive use of Jewish exegeses.

This study subjects the conventional processes of literary criticism to a critical analysis which shows up the weaknesses of arguments from literary criticism in the Old Testament. It explores new ways for literary criticism using a concept of text derived from modern literary theories together with statistical procedures for the examination of style.

This study presents comprehensive documentation relating to the Sahidic, Bohairic, Achmimic and Dialect V translations of the Epistle of St. James and the two Epistles of St. Peter from the Greek New Testament.

In The Holy Spirit: Works & Gifts Donald Bloesch aptly brings his grasp of historical and systematic theology together with his deep concern for spirituality. The fruit of a lifetime of study and devotion, this work masterfully interweaves biblical study, historical overviews, and reflection on contemporary developments and issues to shed light on faith in God the Holy Spirit. On a topic that sadly threatens to divide the church, Bloesch strives to build bridges between the various traditions of Christian faith, especially between Reformed theology and the Pentecostal movement.

Building on the inaugural volume of the Christian Foundations series, A Theology of Word & Spirit, Bloesch guards against the equal dangers of a subjective spiritualism and a cold formalism. He speaks out of the perspective of the Protestant Reformation with its emphasis on the complementarity of Word and Spirit and the priority of grace over works. But he also acknowledges the Pentecostal perception that the work of the Spirit involves empowering for witness as well as sealing for salvation. Bloesch likewise finds truth in the mystical tradition of Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy that the Spirit calls us to holiness of life as well as to a decision of faith.

This wide-ranging and in-depth reflection on the presence, reality and ministry of the Holy Spirit serves as a landmark guide to those seeking a faithful theological understanding of the Holy Spirit as well as those searching for a renewing and empowering hope for the church of Jesus Christ.

Do you want to discover the riches of Scripture? Do you want to draw closer to God? Based on IVP's bestselling LifeGuide Bible Study series, the Quiet Time Bible Guide helps you dig into Scripture for yourself, developing a deeper and stronger relationship with God in the process. Instead of being told what the Bible says, you'll begin with questions to put you in a worshipful frame of mind. You'll move on to interpretive questions that help you explore what the Bible says, and then consider application questions to help you act on what you learn. Suggestions for personal prayer conclude your time of worship and study--and launch you into the rest of your day. Millions have benefited from the thoughtful experience of Scripture found in IVP's LifeGuide Bible Studies. This material was adapted from those guides and originally published as The NIV Quiet Time Bible. Millions more have since used these devotionals online on IVP's Quiet Time Bible Study website. Now 365 of the studies, leading you through the New Testament and Psalms, have been gathered together in one volume again. Whether you're new to the idea of quiet times or you've enjoyed them for years, theQuiet Time Bible Guide provides you with a fresh opportunity to read all of the New Testament and Psalms in one year--and draw close to God every day.