Paul and the Rise of the Slave locates Paul's description of himself as a "slave of Messiah Jesus" in the epistolary prescript of Paul's Epistle to Rome within the conceptual world of those who experienced the social reality of slavery in the first century C.E. The Althusserian concept of interpellation and the Life of Aesop are employed throughout as theoretical frameworks to enhance how Paul offered positive ways for slaves to imagine an existence apart from Roman power. An exegesis of Romans 6:12-23 seeks to reclaim the earliest reception of Romans as prophetic discourse aimed at an anti-Imperial response among slaves and lower class readers.

With humour and simple illustrations, theology professor John Bergsma focuses on Matthew, Luke, Paul, and John, whose writings comprise about 90 percent of the New Testament. The gospel of Matthew, written for Jewish Christians, illuminates the life and teachings of Christ as the long-promised Messiah. In Luke's gospel, readers will delve into the infancy and Triduum narratives, as well as the Acts of the Apostles and the life of the early Church. This leads the reader to discover St. Paul and his first and arguably greatest theological treatise: Romans. Finally, "the beloved apostle" St. John draws us in to the unsurpassed beauty of the fourth gospel, as well as the most mysterious book of the New Testament: the book of Revelation. A concluding chapter offers suggestions for further study.

Das Handbuch bietet eine umfassende Einfuhrung in die historischen, literatur- und religionsgeschichtlichen Zusammenhange, in denen eminente religioese und literarische Texte in der Antike kanonisiert wurden. Es diskutiert zugleich die entscheidenden Faktoren, Grunde und wirkungsgeschichtlichen Folgen dieser Kanonisierungsprozesse: Es werden u.a. Homer und Vergil, die Septuaginta und Qumran, einzelne fruhchristliche Texte und das Neue Testament in Hinblick auf ihre Kanonizitat miteinander in Beziehung gesetzt. Indem die genannten Textsammlungen aus den Bereichen der griechischen, lateinischen, judischen und fruhchristlichen Textkultur gewahlt werden, wird ein vergleichender und multiperspektivischer Einblick in die Konstruktion, Autorisierung und Interpretation von Texten und Autoren, die Teil kanonisch gewordener Textcorpora geworden sind, moeglich. So bietet das Handbuch eine differenzierte Zusammenschau zur Erfassung und Beschreibung der vielfaltigen Aspekte antiker religioeser und literarischer Kanonisierungsprozesse. Es nimmt dabei besonders die soziale Konstruktion und Funktion von kanonischen Textsammlungen in den Blick und fragt nach moeglichen kanonspezifischen Formen von literarischer und religioeser Kommunikation. Zugleich werden auf der Grundlage der modernen Text-, Kultur-, Literatur- und Medienforschung wichtige hermeneutische Fragen zur Rezeptionsgeschichte, Deutung und moeglichen Fortschreibung dieser Textsammlungen bis in die gegenwartige Kanondebatte hinein diskutiert.

It has been a century since the first publication of the Apokritikos extracts, which were written by a Greek philosopher of the 3rd century (Adolf von Harnack, 1911). One hundred years later, as part of the same series, there now follows a complete bilingual edition of the entire Apokritikos. Along with a German translation, this volume includes a newly reconstructed Greek text with critical commentary. The Apokritikos contains one of the three most sweeping anti-Christian polemics preserved from classical philosophy, together with Makarios s refutation from the Christian side."

Engaging, perceptive, and academically thorough, the New Beacon Bible Commentary will expand your understanding and deepen your appreciation for the meaning and message of each book of the Bible.

Written from the Wesleyan theological perspective, this indispensable commentary provides pastors, professional scholars, teachers, and Bible students with a critical, relevant, and inspiring interpretation of the Word of God in the 21st century.

EACH VOLUME FEATURES:

CONTEMPORARY SCHOLARSHIP from notable experts in the Wesleyan theological tradition

CONVENIENT INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL, including information on authorship, date, history, audience, sociological/cultural issues, purpose, literary features, theological themes, and hermeneutical issues

CLEAR VERSE-BY-VERSE EXPLANATIONS

HELPFUL SIDEBARS,

AN EXPANDED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Study Scripture with John Stott Readers' reactions to the book of Revelation are remarkably varied. Some Christians are obsessed with it, viewing it as a kind of secret history of the world and seeking the key to decipher it. Other Christians go to the opposite extreme of neglect. They are mystified and even intimidated by the unfamiliar, so they ignore the book or give up reading it in despair. The truth is that Revelation is a part of God's holy Word, and with a bit of help and sound interpretation it has much to offer to nurture our spiritual lives. John Stott was one of the world's leading and most-loved Bible teachers and preachers. In this Bible study guide you can explore Scripture under his guidance, enhancing your own in-depth study with insights gained from his years of immersion in God's Word.

The prophetic clock is ticking. We are living in tumultuous times. From corrupt world politics to global pandemics to an unprecedented rebellion against God and His Word, humanity has reached a critical stage. What happens next? In this eye-opening book, Jimmy Evans examines biblical prophecies about the end times and points to their unmistakable parallels with today's world. With clear, insightful analysis of Scripture, he answers many common questions, such as: - Are we living in the end times? - How should Believers respond to increasing immorality? - Will Christians go through the Tribulation? - What role does Israel play in God's prophetic plan? - Are COVID-19 and other world events announcing the imminent return of Jesus? Ultimately, Tipping Point will help you understand current events with confidence. There is no going back, but hope and peace are possible as God's plan unfolds and we approach the end of the age. Jimmy Evans is senior pastor of Gateway Church in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, and holds an honorary doctorate of literature from The King's University. In addition to authoring more than seventeen books, Jimmy has studied eschatology for more than 45 years and is passionate about helping believers find hope, peace, and encouragement in the Word of God.

Writing in an anecdotal and approachable style, Tom Wright helps us to see the great sweep of the letter to the Romans. This long-awaited two-volume addition to the hugely popular For Everyone series will be ideal for daily Bible study, a preaching aid or for those readers who are looking to deepen their understanding of this classic NT book. Tom Wright has a rare gift for communicating his understanding and enthusiasm to non-specialists. He is one of the few people alive today capable of undertaking a project such as the For Everyone guides. When complete, this series will include a new translation of the entire New Testament by Tom Wright. Section by section, the translation is accompanied by his eye-opening comments on each passage.

When Dr. David Jeremiah prepares a sermon or teaching, at the forefront of his mind
is helping people understand what the Bible says, what it meant to the people at the
time it was written, and what is means to us today. The Jeremiah Bible Study Series
captures Dr. Jeremiah's forty years of teaching employing this approach and will lead
readers through each book of the New Testament, one chapter at a time. Along the
way, readers will gain insights into the text, identify the key stories and themes, and
be challenged to correctly apply the truths and meanings they find to their own lives.

Sections in each lesson include:

• Getting Started: An opening question to introduce readers to the lesson
• Setting the Stage: A short reflection to explain the context of the study
• Exploring the Text: The Scripture reading for the lesson with related study questions
• Reviewing the Story: Questions to help readers identify key points in the Scripture reading
• Applying the Message: Questions to help readers apply the key ideas to their lives
• Reflecting on the Meaning: A closing reflection on the key teachings in the lesson
• Each of the Bible studies in this series will help readers understand what the Bible says-particularly in its original context-and how to apply its teachings to their lives.

Book five of Eugene Peterson's landmark SPIRITUAL THEOLOGY series: foundational reading for the twenty-first-century church. Continuing Peterson's evaluation of contemporary Christian spirituality, PRACTISE RESURRECTION is a study of the book of Ephesians. It is often thought to be Paul's most difficult letter, but has been for over thirty years Peterson's text for his identity as a pastor. Peterson points out that although Christians emphasise the importance of new birth, growth is equally important. This book is a conversation on spiritual formation and what it means to become a mature Christian. As with the first four books in this series, PRACTISE RESURRECTION is written for both lay and academic audiences. Challenging but deeply rewarding, it combines scholarship with the human experience and lightness of touch for which Peterson is known. Also available in the Spiritual Theology series: Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places, Eat This Book, The Jesus Way and The Word Made Flesh.

The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship. Overview of Commentary Organization Introduction-covers issues pertaining to the whole book, including context, date, authorship, composition, interpretive issues, purpose, and theology. Each section of the commentary includes: Pericope Bibliography-a helpful resource containing the most important works that pertain to each particular pericope. Translation-the author's own translation of the biblical text, reflecting the end result of exegesis and attending to Hebrew and Greek idiomatic usage of words, phrases, and tenses, yet in reasonably good English. Notes-the author's notes to the translation that address any textual variants, grammatical forms, syntactical constructions, basic meanings of words, and problems of translation. Form/Structure/Setting-a discussion of redaction, genre, sources, and tradition as they concern the origin of the pericope, its canonical form, and its relation to the biblical and extra-biblical contexts in order to illuminate the structure and character of the pericope. Rhetorical or compositional features important to understanding the passage are also introduced here. Comment-verse-by-verse interpretation of the text and dialogue with other interpreters, engaging with current opinion and scholarly research. Explanation-brings together all the results of the discussion in previous sections to expose the meaning and intention of the text at several levels: (1) within the context of the book itself; (2) its meaning in the OT or NT; (3) its place in the entire canon; (4) theological relevance to broader OT or NT issues. General Bibliography-occurring at the end of each volume, this extensive bibliographycontains all sources used anywhere in the commentary.

In this commentary, Michael Bird and Nijay Gupta situate Paul's letter to the Philippians within the context of his imprisonment as well as the Philippians' situation of suffering and persecution. Paul draws the Philippians' attention to the power and progress of the gospel in spite of difficult circumstances. He also warns them about the dangers of rival Christian groups who preach out of poor motives or have a truncated gospel. Bird and Gupta unpack the rich wisdom and theology of the Christ Hymn (2:6-11). Throughout the commentary, they apply a broad range of exegetical tools to interpret this letter including historical, sociological, rhetorical, and literary analysis, and they give attention to the reception of this important Pauline text throughout history. Bird and Gupta also includes short reflections on the meaning of Philippians for today.

The apostle James, the oldest half-brother of Jesus, was a key leader in the Jerusalem church. During the early days of the young church, the Jewish believers had been scattered by persecution. Out of compassion, James wrote this epistle to confront them and motivate them to test the quality and consistency of their faith. Pastor John MacArthur will take you through the book of James, passage by passage, so that you can better understand this short but powerful book and how James gives us practical guidance on issues that also measure our true faith and our spiritual fruitfulness. James calls all believers-then and now-to live a life that demonstrates saving faith marked by godly behavior. -ABOUT THE SERIES- The MacArthur Bible Study series is designed to help you study the Word of God with guidance from widely respected pastor and author John MacArthur. Each guide provides intriguing examinations of the whole of Scripture by examining its parts and incorporates: Extensive, but straight-forward commentary on the text. Detailed observations on overriding themes, timelines, history, and context. Word and phrase studies to help you unlock the broader meaning and apply it to your life. Probing, interactive questions with plenty of space to write down your response and thoughts.

Dieses Lehrbuch entfaltet das Denken des Paulus vor dem Hintergrund seines Lebens. Der erste Hauptteil behandelt das Leben und die Briefe, im zweiten Hauptteil folgt eine thematisch strukturierte Darstellung der zentralen Themen des paulinischen Denkens, das so gleichermassen in seiner historischen Genese und in seiner Systemqualitat erfasst wird. In Aufnahme der neueren wissenssoziologischen und geschichtstheoretischen Diskussion wird die paulinische Theologie als eine Sinnbildung verstanden, die sich durch hohe Anschlussfahigkeit auszeichnet. Trotz zahlreicher denkerischer Probleme und widriger historischer Umstande gelingt es Paulus, sein durch einen messianischen Universalismus gekennzeichnetes Denken in die bereits bestehenden Sinnwelten der hellenistischen Kultur zu installieren. Dabei zeigt sich, wie stark Paulus auch in den Kategorien dieser Kultur dachte und wie er in der Lage war, in seinen Gemeinden eine neue kognitive und emotionale Identitat zu schaffen. Seit geraumer Zeit ist dies wieder eine neue, umfassende Gesamtdarstellung von Person und Theologie des Apostels Paulus."

El libro de los Hechos es mucho mas que un simple paso intermedio entre los evangelios y las epistolas. Asi lo cree el autor. Al hacer este comentario, se tuvo en cuenta tanto las necesidades del ministro como las del laico. Este es un libro de estudio largamente esperado, que sera de gran utilidad para comprender y traer a la vida actual de los creyentes los 'hechos del Senor resucitado por el Espiritu Santo en la Iglesia y a traves de ella.'"

The vision of the millennium in the Book of Revelation is not intended to offer comfort to Christians in a time of persecution, but to serve as a warning to them not to be too ready to participate in the life of their pagan environment, for such participation is not possible without contact with the cult ofpagan gods. However, he whois contaminated by thepagan cult will not be part of the a oeResurrectiona and the a oeThousand Year Reigna but at the Last Judgement will suffer the a oeSecond Deatha in the a oepit of fire and sulphura .

This book explores Christian origins by examining a key New Testament epistle, Paul's letter to the Galatian churches, seen by Christians as the charter of Christian liberty from the inherited Jewish law. The New Testament in Muslim Eyes provides a close textual commentary on perhaps the earliest declaration of Paul's apostleship and of his undying commitment to the risen Christ. It notes the subtleties of the Greek original against the backdrop of an exciting glimpse of Quranic Arabic parallels and differences. It asks: Does Paul qualify as a prophet of Allah (God)? The thoughts of Paul are assessed by examining his claims against the background of Islam's rival views of Abraham and his legacy. The Arabic Quran framed and inspired the life of the Arab Apostle, Muhammad, who was sent, according to Islam, to all humanity, Jewish and Gentile alike. Pauline themes are set in dialectical tension with the claims of the Quran. Akhtar compares and contrasts the two rival faiths with regard to: the resources of human nature, the salvation of the sinner, and the status of the works of the law. Both Christians and Muslims concur on the need for God's grace, an essential condition of success in the life of faith. The core Pauline Christian doctrine of justification by faith alone is scrutinised and assessed from a variety of non-Christian, especially Islamic, stances. Providing an Islamic view of Christian origins, this book helps to build bridges between the two religions. It will be a valuable resource to students and scholars of Biblical Studies, Islamic Studies, and the Philosophy of Religion.

This handbook situates early Christian meals in their broader context, with a focus on the core topics that aid understanding of Greco-Roman meal practice, and how this relates to Christian origins. In addition to looking at the broader Hellenistic context, the contributors explain the unique nature of Christian meals, and what they reveal about early Christian communities and the development of Christian identity. Beginning with Hellenistic documents and authors before moving on to the New Testament material itself, according to genre - Gospels, Acts, Letters, Apocalyptic Literature - the handbook culminates with a section on the wider resources that describe daily life in the period, such as medical documents and inscriptions. The literary, historical, theological and philosophical aspects of these resources are also considered, including such aspects as the role of gender during meals; issues of monotheism and polytheism that arise from the structure of the meal; how sacrifice is understood in different meal practices; power dynamics during the meal and issues of inclusion and exclusion at meals.

This book increases awareness about Paul's community formation preaching which has been widely ignored in the contemporary homiletical field where the New Homiletic has exerted a strong influence. By drawing on the sociological concept of symbolic boundaries, the author demonstrates that Paul in his preaching of 1 Thessalonians used three symbolic resources in order to create boundaries for the formation of the Thessalonian community: the kerygmatic narrative, local narratives, and ethical norms. This interdisciplinary study suggests that contemporary preachers, who face the task of forming Christian communities in a post-Christian society, should preach shared narratives and communal norms for the creation of boundaries as Paul did.

What if God is saving the best for last? Of all the books of the Bible, Revelation is the one that mystifies and unsettles people the most. From numerical signs to monsters, the book of apocalypse in the Bible can be difficult to wrap our minds around, but the message that Revelation really brings is hope. In this six-session video Bible study (video streaming included), Bible teacher and author Margaret Feinberg digs into John's Revelation to show us how the final book of the Bible reminds us of God's power and promises during times of great suffering and persecution. This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: The study guide itself-with discussion and reflection questions, video notes, and a leader's guide. An individual access code to stream all six video sessions online (you don't need to buy a DVD!). Scripture memory cards and coloring pages. In this study you will: Uncover the supernatural power of Jesus' names and titles. Be equipped with tactics on how to overcome the wily ways of the enemy. Discover how to triumph through the blood of the lamb and the word of your testimony. Learn that, though life is not always fair, Jesus is NOT finished. John, the author of the book of Revelation, was blessed to see what each of us longs to know, and he gave us a descriptive and poignant expression of the place, the end, and the eternity that God has promised to us. God has indeed saved the best for last, and in Revelation's pages he gives us the one thing we all long for-hope, extravagant hope. The Beautiful Word Bible Study series makes the Bible come alive in such a way that you know where to turn no matter where you find yourself on your spiritual journey. Featuring celebrated authors and teachers, like Margaret Feinberg and Jada Edwards, each guide is a creative and illuminating journey through one book of the Bible. Watch on any device! Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2027. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.