Let the wisdom of Colossians transform relationships in every area of your life -- home, church, and even the world -- with this study guide from renowned Bible teacher Joyce Meyer. Paul's letter to the Colossians reminds us that as we have died with Christ, so, too, do we need to die to our sins. It encourages us that because we have also been raised in Him, we must submit to Jesus and adopt qualities motivated by Christian love. In this comprehensive study tool, Joyce Meyer's commentary on Colossians affirms the Lordship of Christ and offers practical advice on family, relationships, and faith.

Parables and Conflict in the Hebrew Bible examines the intimate relationship between parables and conflict in the Hebrew Bible. Challenging the scholarly consensus, Jeremy Schipper argues that parables do not function as appeals to change their audience s behavior. Nor do they serve to diffuse tensions in regards to the various conflicts in which their audiences are involved. Rather, the parables function to help create, intensify, and justify judgments and hostile actions against their audiences. In order to examine how the parables accomplish these functions, this book pays particular attention to issues of genre and recent developments in genre theory, shifting the central issues in the interpretation of Hebrew Bible parables.

Many interpreters of the Fourth Gospel detect allusions to biblical texts about marriage, but none offers a comprehensive analysis of these proposed allusions or a convincing explanation for their presence. Building on the work of Richard Hays, Donald Juel and Craig Koester, in this 2006 book Jocelyn McWhirter argues that John alludes to biblical texts about marriage in order to develop a metaphor for Jesus and how he relates to his followers. According to McWhirter, John chooses these texts because he uses a first-century exegetical convention to interpret them as messianic prophecies in light of an accepted messianic text. Specifically, he uses verbal parallels to link them to Psalm 45, a wedding song for God's anointed king. He then draws on them to portray Jesus as a bridegroom-Messiah and to depict Jesus' relationship with his followers in terms of marriage.

Few twentieth-century scholars have made so broad and deep a contribution to our understanding of the New Testament as the former Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity at Cambridge, the Rev. C. F. D. Moule. This selection of his essays, almost all already published in specialist journals and Festschriften, represents in one volume the whole range of Professor Moule's contribution to New Testament studies. Two are studies in linguistic matters, several concern aspects of the theology of the New Testament, some are concerned with matters historical and literary. They deal with such central Christian themes as punishment, forgiveness, sacrifice, death and resurrection. Making more accessible Professor Moule's work, this book will be of value to all serious students of the New Testament, whether they are professional scholars, undergraduates, clergymen or interested and informed laymen.

This is a collection of studies of suffering and martyrdom concentrating on the link, historically envisaged in different ways, between the sufferings of the faithful and the figure of Christ (or the messianic hope, in relation to one Jewish writer). The distinguished scholars contributing to this cohesive but many-sided book are C. F. D. Moule, J. C. O'Neill, B. E. Beck, B. Lindars, M. D. Hooker, W. F. Flemington, E. Bammel, J. P. M. Sweet, B. McNeil, W. Horbury, N. L. A. Lash and the late G. W. H. Lampe. All have been associated closely with the Cambridge New Testament Seminar and Professor Moule prefaces the volume with an account of the history of the Seminar and of its secretary for many years, G. M. Styler, in whose honour the collection is published. The importance and centrality of the topic will make the book of interest beyond the immediate circle of students of the New Testament, to those interested in patristic and Jewish studies and systematic theology.

In this fully revised new edition of a pioneering study of John's gospel, John Ashton explores fresh topics and takes account of the latest scholarly debates. Ashton argues first that the thought-world of the gospel is Jewish, not Greek, and secondly that the text is many-layered, not simple, and composed over an extended period as the evangelist responded to the changing situation of the community he was addressing. Ashton seeks to provide new and coherent answers to what Rudolf Bultmann called the two great riddles of the gospel: its position in the development of Christian thought and its central or governing idea. In arguing that the first of these should be concerned rather with Jewish thought Ashton offers a partial answer to the most important and fascinating of all the questions confronted by New Testament scholarship: how did Christianity emerge from Judaism? Bultmann's second riddle is exegetical, and concerns the message of the book. Ashton's answer highlights a generally neglected feature of the gospel's concept of revelation: its debt to Jewish apocalyptic.

By recovering the world for whom the first three gospels were written, Professor Dodd, in this short book, confers upon his readers the ability to make fresh approach and a new understanding to turn a worn-out experience into tone that is vivd and moving. He discusses the events of the Old World into which the gospels entered, their date of writing, their authenticity in the light of modern biblical criticism, the early communities of Christians whose needs the gospels met and the fundamentals of early Christian society. All is tersely dealt with, but one feels the authority of learning behind the summary. The chapters were originally broadcast as part of the Sunday morning services of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

These helpful guides in the Cover to Cover series are ideal for group and individual study. Experience the reality of Bible events like never before and live through the inspiring lives of key characters in Scripture. Learn how to apply God's Word to your life as you explore seven compelling sessions and gain a new depth in your Bible knowledge.Put on God's strength, protection and power - and be able to face far more than you ever could alone In Ephesians 6, Paul portrays a soldier standing fully protected and strong in his armour. It's a well-known passage, but how do we go further than just 'knowing' the armour - how do we fully apply it to our lives The armour is of little value if it is not put on and worn intentionally. So let these words of Scripture become a reality to you and your daily life. Explore the different pieces of armour and consider how each part protects, strengthens and empowers us as we take hold of them. These seven illuminating sessions remind us how: salvations makes a vast difference in our lives we are loved, valued and forgiven by Godwe can wear the armour both personally and together as the Church Icebreakers, Bible readings, eye openers, discussion starters, personal application make this a rich resource for group or individual study.

This series is designed for those who know biblical languages. It is written primarily for the pastor and Bible teacher, not for the scholar. That is, the aim is not to review and offer a critique of every possible interpretation that has ever been given to a passage, but to exegete each passage of Scripture succinctly in its grammatical and historical context. Each passage is interpreted in the light of its biblical setting, with a view to grammatical detail, literary context, flow of biblical argument, and historical setting. While the focus will not be on application, it is expected that the authors will offer suggestions as to the direction in which application can flow.

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - the first four books of the New Testament known as the Gospels, narrated by Poirot actor David Suchet. Ever since he became a Christian at the age of forty, it was Poirot actor David Suchet's dream to make an audio recording of the whole Bible. The full NIV Audio Bible is available on MP3 CD or digital download. Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011 translation and is the British text version. This MP3 CD can be used on any device that displays the MP3 symbol. You can transfer the audio files for your personal use onto your computer, smartphone, MP3 player and other compatible devices. For more information about how to use this product, visit www.hodderbibles.co.uk where you will find a list of frequently asked questions.

General editor Lloyd J. Ogilvie brings together a team of skilled and exceptional communicators to blend sound scholarship with life-related illustrations.

The design for the Preacher's Commentary gives the reader an overall outline of each book of the Bible. Following the introduction, which reveals the author's approach and salient background on the book, each chapter of the commentary provides the Scripture to be exposited. The New King James Bible has been chosen for the Preacher's Commentary because it combines with integrity the beauty of language, underlying Hebrew and Greek textual basis, and thought-flow of the 1611 King James Version, while replacing obsolete verb forms and other archaisms with their everyday contemporary counterparts for greater readability. Reverence for God is preserved in the capitalization of all pronouns referring to the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. Readers who are more comfortable with another translation can readily find the parallel passage by means of the chapter and verse reference at the end of each passage being exposited. The paragraphs of exposition combine fresh insights to the Scripture, application, rich illustrative material, and innovative ways of utilizing the vibrant truth for his or her own life and for the challenge of communicating it with vigor and vitality.

General editor Lloyd J. Ogilvie brings together a team of skilled and exceptional communicators to blend sound scholarship with life-related illustrations.

The design for the Preacher's Commentary gives the reader an overall outline of each book of the Bible. Following the introduction, which reveals the author's approach and salient background on the book, each chapter of the commentary provides the Scripture to be exposited. The New King James Bible has been chosen for the Preacher's Commentary because it combines with integrity the beauty of language, underlying Hebrew and Greek textual basis, and thought-flow of the 1611 King James Version, while replacing obsolete verb forms and other archaisms with their everyday contemporary counterparts for greater readability. Reverence for God is preserved in the capitalization of all pronouns referring to the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. Readers who are more comfortable with another translation can readily find the parallel passage by means of the chapter and verse reference at the end of each passage being exposited. The paragraphs of exposition combine fresh insights to the Scripture, application, rich illustrative material, and innovative ways of utilizing the vibrant truth for his or her own life and for the challenge of communicating it with vigor and vitality.

General editor Lloyd J. Ogilvie brings together a team of skilled and exceptional communicators to blend sound scholarship with life-related illustrations.

The design for the Preacher's Commentary gives the reader an overall outline of each book of the Bible. Following the introduction, which reveals the author's approach and salient background on the book, each chapter of the commentary provides the Scripture to be exposited. The New King James Bible has been chosen for the Preacher's Commentary because it combines with integrity the beauty of language, underlying Hebrew and Greek textual basis, and thought-flow of the 1611 King James Version, while replacing obsolete verb forms and other archaisms with their everyday contemporary counterparts for greater readability. Reverence for God is preserved in the capitalization of all pronouns referring to the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. Readers who are more comfortable with another translation can readily find the parallel passage by means of the chapter and verse reference at the end of each passage being exposited. The paragraphs of exposition combine fresh insights to the Scripture, application, rich illustrative material, and innovative ways of utilizing the vibrant truth for his or her own life and for the challenge of communicating it with vigor and vitality.

The "Bilingual New Testament, Plain English - Spanish" is derived from a plain English adaptation of the 1901 English American Standard Bible and the 1909 Reina Valera Bible.
Printed in 10-point text on white paper for easy reading, verses are paired in plain English and Spanish so you can follow both translations sentence by sentence.
Example verses:
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
Juan 3:16 "Porque de tal manera amo Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su Hijo unige nito, para que todo aquel que en e l cree, no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna."
Matthew 28:18-20 "18. Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19. Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20. teaching them to observe all things which I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Amen."
Mateo 28:18-20
"18. Y llegando Jesu s, les hablo, diciendo: Toda potestad me es dada en el cielo y en la tierra.
19. Por tanto, id, y doctrinad a todos los Gentiles, bautiza ndolos en el nombre del Padre, y del Hijo, y del Espi ritu Santo:
20. Ensen a ndoles que guarden todas las cosas que os he mandado: y he aqui, yo estoy con vosotros todos los di as, hasta el fin del mundo. Ame n."
Note that the texts have been edited to allow pairing of verses which can result in some verse numbers that differ from other Bibles.
Contents:
Matthew - Mateo
Mark - Marcos
Luke - Lucas
John - Juan
Acts - Hechos
Romans - Romanos
I Corinthians - I Corintios
II Corinthians - II Corintios
Galatians - Galatas
Ephesians - Efesios
Philippians - Filipenses
Colossians - Colosenses
I Thessalonians - I Tesalonicenses
II Thessalonians - II Tesalonicenses
I Timothy - I Timoteo
II Timothy - II Timoteo
Titus - Tito
Philemon - Filemon
Hebrews - Hebreos
James - Santiago
I Peter - I Pedro
II Peter - II Pedro
I John - I Juan
II John - II Juan
III John - III Juan
Jude - Judas
Revelation - Apocalipsis

For many years now, the topic of the New Testament canon has been the main focus of my research and writing. It is an exciting field of study that probes into questions that have long fascinated both scholars and laymen alike, namely when and how these 27 books came to be regarded as a new scriptural deposit. But, the story of the New Testament canon is bigger than just the aEURO~whenaEURO (TM) and the aEURO~howaEURO (TM). It is also, and perhaps most fundamentally, about the aEURO~whyaEURO (TM). Why did Christians have a canon at all? Does the canon exist because of some later decision or action of the second- or third-century church? Or did it arise more naturally from within the early Christian faith itself? Was the canon an extrinsic phenomenon, or an intrinsic one? These are the questions this book is designed to address. And these are not micro questions, but macro ones. They address foundational and paradigmatic issues about the way we view the canon. They force us to consider the larger framework through which we conduct our research - whether we realized we had such a framework or not. Of course, we are not the first to ask such questions about why we have a canon. Indeed, for many scholars this question has already been settled. The dominant view today, as we shall see below, is that the New Testament is an extrinsic phenomenon; a later ecclesiastical development imposed on books originally written for another purpose. This is the framework through which much of modern scholarship operates. And it is the goal of this volume to ask whether it is a compelling one. To be sure, it is no easy task challenging the status quo in any academic field. But, we should not be afraid to ask tough questions. Likewise, the consensus position should not be afraid for them to be asked.

Amidst the fervor of popular apocalyptic books and unfounded "end times" theology, deSilva has written an excellent book that will help readers thoughtfully and properly approach the book of Revelation. This is a truly unique book that studies Revelation by (1) stating the context in which it was written (Roman Asia in the first century), (2) noting why John wrote what he did to the church, and (3) powerfully applying John's message to the church today. It is concisely written and carries a genuine spiritual message. Chapters include: - Debunking Popular Myths about Revelation - Divine Emperor, Eternal Rome: The Public Story About Roman Imperialism - The True Center and the Unholy Scam: John's Biblical Critique of the Public Story - Looking at the Immediate in Light of the Infinite: The Seven Oracles to the Churches of Asia - John's Proclamation of the One Who Is, Who Was, and Is Coming From the Preface: "Many books on Revelation written for a general audience push the readers to accept the author's new and innovative decoding of Revelation's "prophecies" in the current world situation. Often this includes some prediction of what the author believes will come to pass in the readers' near future based on his or her alignment of Revelation with current world politics. I wrote this book for people who are not satisfied with this kind of speculative, fanciful, often manipulative approach to Revelation. I wrote this book for those who suspect that Revelation does have an important word to speak to the churches today, but also that John's concern is not to provide a play-book for the end times. . . Surely it is time to take John's word to John's congregations in Asia Minor more seriously . . ."

The earliest version of the New Testament, now in English for the first time! History preserves the name of the person responsible for the first New Testament, the circumstances surrounding his work, and even the date he decided to build a textual foundation for his fledgling Christian community. So why do so few people know about him? Jason BeDuhn introduces Marcion, reconstructs his text, and explores his impact on the study of Luke-Acts, the two-source theory, and the Q hypothesis.

The Acts of the Apostles is not history. Acts was long thought to be a first-century document, and its author Luke to be a disciple of Paul-thus an eyewitness or acquaintance of eyewitnesses to nascent Christianity. Acts was considered history, pure and simple. But the Acts Seminar, a decade-long collaborative project by scholars affiliated with the Westar Institute, concluded that dates from the second century. That conclusion directly challenges the view of Acts as history and raises a host of new questions, addressed in this final report. The Acts Seminar began deliberations in 2001, with the task of going through the canonical Acts of the Apostles from beginning to end and evaluating it for historical accuracy. Contributors include: Ruben Dupertuis, Associate Professor of Religion, Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas; Perry V. Kea, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, University of Indianapolis, Indiana; Nina E. Livesey, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, University of Oklahoma at Norman; Dennis R. MacDonald, Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, Claremont School of Theology, California; Shelly Matthews, Associate Professor of New Testament, Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth; Milton Moreland, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee; Richard I. Pervo, retired, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Thomas E. Phillips, Dean of Library and Information Services, Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, California; Christine R. Shea, Professor of Classics, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana; William O. Walker, Jr., Jennie Farris Railey King Professor Emeritus of Religion, Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas.

While most books on biblical rhetoric focus primarily on the epistles, this volume from prominent scholar C. Clifton Black considers the variety of rhetorical critical approaches now being applied to the Gospels (including LukeaEURO"Acts). This updated edition takes into account recent research since the first volume was published in 2001 and features two brand new chapters. Black provides an overview of the different forms of rhetorical criticism, with examples from the Gospel of John; studies of characterization in Matthew and Luke; an analysis of classical rhetorical criteria found in Mark and LukeaEURO"Acts; and an analysis of the rhetoric of the parables with implications for contemporary preaching.

Here is an exciting journey through the last book in the Bible, providing many powerful, fresh insights. With a new, very personal approach to Bible study, this book points us to some of the amazing things that God has revealed, helping us to apply these truths to ourselves, our churches and our understanding of the future

This groundbreaking book argues that the New Testament is not the product of a centuries-long process of development. Its history, Trobisch finds, is the history of a book - an all-Greek Christian bible - published as early as the second century AD and intended by its editors to be read as a whole. Trobisch claims that this bible achieved wide circulation and formed the basis of all surviving manuscripts of the New Testament.

Books in the John Phillips Commentary Series are designed to provide pastors, Sunday school teachers, and students of the Scripture with doctrinally sound interpretation that emphasizes the practical application of Bible truth. Working from the familiar King James Version, Dr. Phillips not only provides helpful commentary on the text, but also includes detailed outlines and numerous illustrations and quotations. Anyone wanting to explore the meaning of God's Word in greater depth--for personal spiritual growth or as a resource for preaching and teaching--will welcome the guidance and insights of this respected series.

Anyone who reads the Gospels carefully will notice that there are differences in the manner in which they report the same events. These differences have led many conservative Christians to resort to harmonization efforts that are often quite strained, sometimes to the point of absurdity. Many people have concluded the Gospels are hopelessly contradictory and, therefore, historically unreliable accounts of Jesus. The majority of New Testament scholars now hold that most if not all of the Gospels belong to the genre of Greco-Roman biography and that this genre permitted some flexibility in the manner that historical events were narrated. However, few scholars provide a robust discussion on how this plays out in Gospel pericopes (self-contained passages). Why Are There Differences in the Gospels? provides a fresh approach to the matter by examining the works of Plutarch, a Greek essayist who lived in the first and second centuries CE. Michael R. Licona discovers three-dozen pericopes narrated two or more times in Plutarch's Lives, identifies differences between the accounts, and views these differences in light of compositional devices acknowledged by classical scholars to have been commonly employed by ancient authors. The book then uses the same approach with nineteen pericopes narrated in two or more Gospels to demonstrate that the major differences found in them likely result from the same compositional devices employed by Plutarch. By suggesting that both the strained harmonizations and the hasty dismissals of the Gospels as reliable accounts are misguided, Licona invites readers to view the Gospels in light of their biographical genre in order to gain a clearer understanding of why the differences are present.