Budgets, friendships, entertainment, and conversations--not things that immediately come to mind when we think of spiritual growth. However, according to the Old Testament wisdom books (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs), the hundreds of little decisions we make every day are essential parts of developing godly character.

With clarity and depth, authors Curtis and Brugaletta explore essential principles for spiritual growth including developing self-control, nurturing good relationships, practicing fairness and justice, speaking appropriately, and responding properly to difficulty and suffering. This much needed, practical book will help you live in constant awareness of God's concern for every aspect of your relationship with Him.

The Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries provide compact, criticalcommentaries on the books of the Old Testament for the use of theological studentsand pastors. The commentaries are also useful for upper-level college or universitystudents and for those responsible for teaching in congregational settings. Inaddition to providing basic information and insights into the Old Testamentwritings, these commentaries exemplify the tasks and procedures of carefulinterpretation, all to assist students of the Old Testament in coming to an informedand critical engagement with the biblical texts themselves.

Thepresent volume gives an up-to-date, readable commentary on the books of First andSecond Chronicles. The commentary covers critical issues section by section whileemphasizing the larger theological and literary issues in Chronicles andillustrating its relevance for modern readers.

This book is a completely revised and reset edition of the best-selling A Concordance to the Greek Testament edited by W. F. Moulton and A. S. Geden. Originally published in 1897, it has remained in print ever since. It is beyond any doubt the most useful basic tool available for the student of the New Testament. The original edition was primarily based on the Greek text of Westcott and Hort, but gave all the variants in the edition of Tischendorf and in the Greek text underlying the Revised Version of the English Bible; quotations are given with grammatical completeness as far as possible; a significant feature is the inclusion of the Hebrew text of direct quotations from the Old Testament; asterisks and daggers indicate whether the vocabulary items in the New Testament are found in Classical Greek and in the Septuagint.This new edition retains all the features of the earlier editions, but it is primarily based on the Greek text in The Greek New Testament (4th edition), which is identical with that in Novum Testamentum Graece (27th edition), currently the two most widely used editions of the Greek New Testament; it incorporates the main marginal readings in the former of these texts; references to the variants in the older editions are preserved, so that the student has to hand every reading which by even a remote probability might be regarded as forming part of the true text of the New Testament. The Supplement incorporating the prepositions has been included in the main text of the Concordance. Where the same word occurs twice in the same verse, these occurrences are now printed on separate lines and individually verse-numbered so that it is easier to count the number of occurrences of any given word. Special new Greek fonts have been created to enable great clarity in the printing.

Foreword by Phyllis Trible This new edition of Till the Heart Sings, including a substantial foreword by Phyllis Trible, makes available again Samuel Terrien's rich, acclaimed study of the biblical witness to personhood. Sweeping yet selective in scope, the book argues that the Bible as a whole advances a theology of manhood and womanhood unique in the ancient world. This theology, which resides in the main thrust of Scripture, turns away from sexism and misogyny to confer upon woman as well as man the full stature of humanity. Terrien begins his argument where the Bible itself begins, with creation. He describes the first woman as "the crown of creation," in a mutual relationship with the first man. He then proceeds through Scripture - including the prophets, the Wisdom literature, the Gospels, and the Pauline letters - systematically showing that when the books of the Old and New Testaments are viewed in their historical growth, they reveal a theology of manhood and womanhood that runs counter to both traditional Judaism and Christianity and to modern religious attitudes and practices. In the course of his thorough analysis of Scripture, Terrien eloquently examines a host of themes bearing on the issues of gender and personhood, from the myth of the Garden and the eros-agape continuum in the Song of Songs to male overreaction to sexual mysticism and the Gnostic personification of wisdom. Terrien also explores matters related to marriage, homosexuality, and male and female priesthood, all with the aim of uncovering a truly biblical understanding of the relationship between the genders and between all people and God.

How is the biblical text understood and how does it function in the life of the reader today?

Richard Briggs first provides an illuminating introduction to the nature and claims of speech art theory. This seeks to extend our understanding of both spoken and written means of communication by seeing them not as merely representational or 'reality-depicting', but as acting or causing acts to be performed through the words themselves.

Briggs goes on to discuss to what extent the application of speech act theory might be helpful in the interpretation of biblical texts. In one of the first book-length explorations of this topic, he examines in detail several biblical speech acts of particular theological significance, including the confession of sin, forgiveness and teaching.

Through exploring the specific ways in which the reader is drawn into the performative action of the biblical text, and how speech act theory forces the reader to look beyond language into the world which gives the language its ability to function, speech act theory is shown to offer valuable insights within today's complex hermeneutical debate.

'A very significant volume . . . '
Alan Torrance, Professor of Divinity, University of Andrews

'An excellent piece of work . . . which is thoroughly acquainted with speech act theory and takes the debate forward in a variety of creative, exegetical and theological ways.'
Dr Craig Bartholomew, University of Gloucestershire

Israel expected the Messiah to be a conquering hero who would liberate the Jews from their Roman servitude. But instead, Christ came as a suffering servant to liberate all mankind from slavery to sin. The Gospel of Mark records Christ's public ministry as a journey to the Cross, yet-paradoxically again-as a time of vigorous action when His miracles astounded the multitudes, and His boldness infuriated His foes.About the commentary series This commentary was written for your grandmother. And for your plumber, your banker, and the girl who serves you French Fries at the nearby McDonald's. That is, it was written for the average layperson, for the nonprofessional who feels a bit intimidated by the presence of copious footnotes, long bibliographies, and all those other things which so enrich the lives of academics. It is written for the pious Orthodox layman who is mystified by such things as Source Criticism, but who nonetheless wants to know what the Scriptures mean.

In The Children of Israel, Danna Nolan Fewell explores how imaginative readings of selected scriptural texts might raise adult consciousness and responsibility toward children. Through stories, quotes, vignettes, and notes, Fewell provides different kinds of reading experiences, with different levels of coherence and disjunction, depending on how much the reader decides to delve into the critical apparatus or the framing dialogues. This work is designed to unsettle, to plant suggestions and questions, and to create space for reflection and conversation. It is an experiment to see if a postmodern reading of the Bible can provide a credible ethical vision that can inspire us to do a better job of caring for our children.

"The ways in which Fewell addresses the theme is inspiring. The text is imaginatively crafted and skillfully written." --Leslie J. Francis, from The Expository Times, volume 116, Number 8, May 2005

The Word of God is alive--dynamic and powerful. Studying God's Word can transform your life. It knits you together with others. Revitalizes your relationships. Allows you to meet Christ for the first time as well as again and again. Studying the Bible can also be dry, dull--and seem to have little connection with your daily life. You've probably experienced group Bible study meetings in which the discussion is merely a chain of platitudes and people never say what they think or address the real questions they have about faith and life. Further, some approaches to Bible study require stacks of reference books, cross-referencing and three versions of the Bible. Other approaches ask you to fill in blanks like an elementary school child. What you need is a Bible study method that will bring Scripture to life in your personal study and in your group studies. In this book Bob Grahmann, a national and international Bible study teacher, unfolds a long-appreciated method of inductive Bible study which has been updated to meet the needs of today's generation. With both biblical expertise and cultural awareness he lays out the method clearly. With exercises to put the method into practice, this is a book that will benefit you individually as well as in your next group Bible study. It is time for your Bible study methods to be transformed. And it is time for you to allow the Bible to transform you. That's whatTransforming Bible Study is all about!

This now classic book is a significant corrective to several recent developments in the study of the historical Jesus. In contrast to depictions of Jesus as a wandering Cynic teacher, Geza Vermes offers a portrait based on evidence of charismatic activity in first-century Galilee. Vermes shows how the major New Testament titles of Jesus-prophet, Lord, Messiah, son of man, Son of God-can be understood in this historical context. The result is a description of Jesus that retains its power and its credibility.

The image of power is prevalent in the Bible as well as in daily life. This volume of 20/30: Bible Study for Young Adults will center on both the use and abuse of power in and toward oneself, others, God, and the church. It defines power in human experience and bilbical witness and explores powerlessness and vulnerability, the power of the Divine, the power of evil, the work of the Holy Spirit, the power of the Church, and what it means to give God power over our lives. This study includes 7 sessions, and uses the NRSV.
To learn about another adult Bible study, see www.livingthegoodlifetogether.com.

Pastors and church members alike are in need of solid, sensitive answers to the ongoing questions they confront in ministry regarding the KJV and the veracity of modern translations of the Bible. This honest examination of the "King James Only" position offers a balanced and scholarly presentation of the issues based on the biblical and historical evidence.

The Bible says that Babylon will be rebuilt and become the economic center of the world. Even now the ruins of the ancient city - just sixty miles south of Baghdad, Iraq - are quietly stirring. What does it mean for America? For Israel? For every person alive today? Are we living in the last days of earth as we know it? Find out, from Bible prophecy expert Mark Hitchcock. . . 1. How the focus of the world will shift back to Babylon 2. How Antichrist will make Babylon his capital 3. How the kingdoms of earth will fade as Babylon rises 4. How the false powers of Antichrist will grow 5. How prophecy will be fulfilled - and Babylon finally destroyed!

"The scriptural laws dealing with widows, strangers, and orphans are conventionally viewed as rules meant to aid the plight of vulnerable persons in ancient Israelite society. In Injustice Made Legal Harold V. Bennett challenges this perspective, arguing instead that key sanctions found in Deuteronomy were actually drafted by a powerful elite to enhance their own material condition and keep the peasantry down." Building his case on a careful analysis of life in the ancient world and on his understanding of critical law theory, Bennett views Deuteronomic law through the eyes of the needy in Israelite society. His unique approach uncovers the previously neglected link between politico-economic interests and the formulation of law. The result is a new understanding of law in the Hebrew Bible and the ways it worked to support and maintain the dehumanization of widows, strangers, and orphans in the biblical community.

David Hinson's 'Theology of the Old Testament' is the third and final volume of his Old Testament Introduction. Since it was first published, it has become widely used and appreciated. This new edition is thoroughly revised and updated to take account of developments in biblical scholarship and changes in the modern world. 'Theology of the Old Testament' reminds us that all that happened in Old Testament was a preparation for Christ, and shows how the study of Old Testament theology helps us to understand the New Testament more clearly and benefit more fully from God's revelation. The text includes topics for discussion and study questions.

When the problem of what to preach next Sunday raises its frowning head, solve it by calling on one of the hundreds of biblical characters standing in line at your study door, nearly beating it down with their clamorous "Take me Take me "
Preaching on biblical personalities has an irresistible appeal, because audiences are more interested in people than in anything else. Jesus himself preached mainly about people ("a certain man had two sons..."); so there's no excuse for making the gospel dull -- and with the help of Bodo's book, preachers can add spice to the pulpit fare they serve up week after strenuous week.
A Hitler refugee of Jewish ancestry, John R. Bodo was baptized Christian and graduated from the Lutheran Gymnasium in Budapest, Hungary, and the University of Geneva (Switzerland). He earned his MDiv degree from Union Theological Seminary. The author of several books, Bodo served as the pastor of Presbyterian churches in New Jersey, California, Washington, Utah, Iowa, and Ohio, and has also been Chairman of the Department of Practical Theology at San Francisco Theological Seminary and Chaplain and Professor of Religion at McAlester College in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The latest entry in the bestselling "Essential Handbook" series is intended to help readers understand the place of the Bible in Catholic tradition, the history of how the Bible developed, and its use in prayer. Also included are such helpful aids as a suggested plan for reading the Bible and a chart of New Testament parables.

Hedrick explores the tension, or collision, that occurs when one studies the Jesus of faith with the critical eye of historical scholarship. He outlines the nature of historical inquiry, gives a brief history of how scholars have understood Jesus, and identifies the essential issues confronting the reader of the New Testament Gospel accounts of Jesus: discrepancies, contradictions, and differences as well as strong similarities among different writers.

This book is a practical guide for the translator with limited or no background in Hebrew. The book helps translators compare the stylistic techniques of the Hebrew text in order to create the same poetic effect in their own languages. It highlights typical problems faced by Old Testament translators and suggests ways to set out the text that will help the reader.

Beloved author James W. Moore returns in the revival of his 1988 classic. Readers will appreciate Moore's distinctive style as he relates stories, anecdotes, and examples of people who learned to "seize moments" -- who turned opportunities and treasured moments into realized dreams. Each chapter features a related passage of Scripture. This edition also includes a study guide with questions ideal for personal reflection or for group discussion. Readers will discover encouragement and guidance for better living as they find themselves becoming more courageous, more willing to "seize the moments", and more aware of God's grace.

This study is an addition to the author 's popular BackSide books .
J. Ellsworth Kalas presents new insight intotwelve of Jesus parables by entering them through a unique starting point, acreative retelling, a new lens, or the eyes of a minor or unsympatheticcharacter. The book also will contain a study guide. Chapter titles:
1. The Value of the House--Matthew 7:24-27
2. The Man Who Talked with His Soul--Luke12:13-21
3. What Chance Does an Average Sinner Have?--Luke7:36-48
4. TheImportance of Downward Mobility--Luke14:7-11
5. The Danger of Being Good and Empty--Matthew12:43-45
6. Riskybusiness--Matthew 13:45-46
7. Miracles Can Be Overrated--Luke16:19-31
8. Second Chance for a Poor Manager--Luke 16:1-13
9. A Laugh and a Prayer--Luke 11:5-13, 18:1-8
10. It Happens While We Sleep--Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
11. The Importance of Being Dressed for the Party--Matthew22:1-14
12. The Genius of Effective Waiting--Luke12:32-40

For each Sunday of the year there is a brief commentary and reflection, taken from the author's weekly "Church Times" column, on the Common Worship lectionary readings. Each section gives the lectionary references and provides a starting-point for thinking about the readings, drawing out points of connection between them. The book can be used in preparation for Sunday worship, or by anyone who wants regular and straightforward Bible study throughout the year, or even for sermon preparation. The pieces are clear and grounded in first-class scholarship, but wear their learning lightly, as is appropriate for this readership. The book covers all Sundays in the year, using track 1 (Daily Eucharistic Lectionary) for the Sundays after Trinity.

In this book noted Oxford theologian Wiles (What is Theology?) provides a clear and accessible introduction to Christian belief. Rather than simply stating and explaining the doctrinal tenets of Christian faith, however, Wiles sets forth what seem to him appropriate responses to basic questions about Christian belief that perplex Christians and non-Christians alike. Instead of providing a technical overview of Christian doctrine, he offers a short section within each chapter printed in bold type that discuss some of the issues that are important for reasonably assessing the truth claims of Christianity. Wiles free-flowing argument is not broken up with footnotes, although a bibliography at the end of the book provides suggestions for further reading for anyone interested in pursuing in more detail any of the book s topics. An index of biblical references is also included. Maurice Wiles is Regius Professor of Divinity Emeritus at Oxford University. He is the author of many books, including Christian Theology and Interreligious Dialogue. For: General audiences; clergy; seminarians>

Need a spiritual workout? Boys to Men: The Transforming Power of Virtue is a Bible study designed especially for men who want to build their spiritual strength. Each chapter focuses on a different virtue necessary to help form a new generation of godly men. With challenging questions at the end of each chapter, this book is ideal for both group and individual study. Find out why ?real men? choose the virtuous life ?Boys to Men: The Transforming Power of Virtue is a readable and reliableguide to learning, practicing, and passing on the virtues. The time-testedroadmaps leading to virtuous Christian manhood have been lost. Boys to Men will help Catholic men recover the virtuous life, thus becoming authentic men of God. Every Christian father needs a few essential books in his ?tool box.? This book is one of them. Get it, read it, and practice what it teaches ? Steve WoodFounder, St. Joseph's Covenant Keepers