More people read the Bible than any other book. Indeed, many try to live their lives according to its words. The question is, do they understand what they're reading? As Steven McKenzie shows in this provocative book, quite often the answer is, "No." McKenzie argues that to comprehend the Bible we must grasp the intentions of the biblical authors themselves-what sort of texts they thought they were writing and how they would have been understood by their intended audience. In short, we must recognize the genres to which these texts belong. McKenzie examines several genres that are typically misunderstood, offering careful readings of specific texts to show how the confusion arises, and how knowing the genre produces a correct reading. The book of Jonah, for example, offers many clues that it is meant as a humorous satire, not a straight-faced historical account of a man who was swallowed by a fish. Likewise, McKenzie explains that the very names "Adam" and "Eve" tell us that these are not historical characters, but figures who symbolize human origins ("Adam" means man, "Eve" is related to the word for life). Similarly, the authors of apocalyptic texts-including the Book of Revelation-were writing allegories of events that were happening in their own time. Not for a moment could they imagine that centuries afterwards, readers would be poring over their works for clues to the date of the Second Coming of Christ, or when and how the world would end. For anyone who takes reading the Bible seriously and who wants to get it right, this book will be both heartening and enlightening.

A reference Bible for everyday use containing giant print type in an easy-to-carry format. This edition is published in large KJV Comfort Print type, which was designed exclusively for Thomas Nelson to be the most readable at any size. The literary beauty of the King James Version with the readability of Thomas Nelson's custom KJV font, plus essential study resources, words of Christ in red, and an easy-to-read type size, all in a package that's convenient to take anywhere. That's the KJV Personal Size Giant Print Reference Bible. The giant print format and beautifully designed layout of this edition will add to your comfort as you dig deep into God's Word. Additional features include an attractive end-of-page reference system, book introductions, a concordance, and full-color maps. Features Include: PRESENTATION PAGE - Personalize this special gift by recording a memory or note BIBLE BOOK INTRODUCTIONS - Provide a concise overview of the background and historical context of the book about to be read END-OF-PAGE CROSS REFERENCES - Allow you to find related passages quickly and easily RED LETTER - Quickly identity the words of Christ printed in red CONCORDANCE - Look up a word's occurrences throughout the Bible MIRACLES and PARABLES of JESUS - Call out important events during Jesus' earthly ministry READING PLAN - A plan to read the entire Bible in a year DOUBLE SATIN RIBBON MARKERS - Easily navigate and keep track of where you were reading GILDED PAGE EDGES - Adds a beautiful shine around the border of the paper FULL-COLOR MAPS - Show the layout of Israel and other biblical locations for better context Easy-to-read giant 10-point KJV Comfort Print

"The Messianic Aleph Tav Scriptures" (MATS) is a study bible which focuses on the study of the Aleph Tav character symbol used throughout the old testament (Tanakh) by both Moses and the Prophets and is the most exhaustive and unique rendition of its kind in the world. Over 5 years in the making, this English rendition reveals every place the Hebrew Aleph Tav symbol was used as a "free standing" character symbol believed to express the "strength of the covenant" in its original meaning. The Aleph Tav was believed also to be the "mark" of the "divine hand" for thousands of years by such famous rabbis as Nahum of Gimzo, Akiva, and R. S. Hirsch as well as the Apostle John. Also revealed in MATS is the use of the Aleph Tav as it is incorporated into the creation of hundreds of Hebrew words used thousands of times throughout the Tanakh and how the "mark" incorporates Y'shua haMashiach (Jesus the messiah), as well as all mankind and creation, which substantiates and expresses its divinity, thus taking our understanding of the scriptures to a whole new level. MATS comes in your choice of either Paleo or Modern Hebrew editions in a trim size of the regular 6"x9" or the large print edition 8.5"x11."

About the Author William H. Sanford is a licensed Minister of Bet Ami, a Messianic Congregation in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and has been studying and preaching the gospel for over 40 years. William has several videos about "The Messianic Aleph Tav Scriptures" (MATS) on YouTube, and he may be contacted through his website www.AlephTavScriptures.com or on Facebook at Aleph Tav Scriptures.

The ESV Compact Bible fits conveniently in your backpack or purse. This Bible will be a favorite of anyone who likes to take God's word wherever they go.

Why does the film Magnolia end in a downpour of frogs?

Is the serpent in the Garden of Eden the devil or just a snake?

How do people use the Bible to argue different sides of today's most controversial issues?

Why did Metallica's bass player name their song "Creeping Death" after watching The Ten Commandments?

Where does the fish symbol of the Christian faith come from?

Who is the lamb with seven horns and seven eyes who opens the seven seals of a cosmic scroll?

Without either promoting or undermining specific beliefs, religious studies professor Kristin Swenson offers an intelligent, humorous, highly accessible, engaging, and illuminating guide to the Bible--incorporating biblical scholarship with contemporary pop culture references to help readers better understand the most talked about book of all time.

The Scriptures say, "In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God. And the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning" (John 1:1). John's gospel calls Jesus the Word of God. He presents Him as the personal Word of God, which indicates that in these last days God has spoken to us through His Son. The Scripture also revealed that Jesus Christ is the manifold wisdom of God and the perfect revelation of the nature and person of God. Just as a person's words reveal his or her heart and mind, with Christ, it is the same, as the Word reveals the heart and mind of God. All those who know Jesus Christ, earnestly desire to know Him more and more. Our Lord said, "Before Abraham was born, I Am," which means that Abraham is a creature of God, just as Adam and Eve; and Jesus Christ is the Creator; He is the beginning and the end, the first and the last, the Mediator and the Messiah, predicted by the Old Testament prophets long before Abraham was born. Jesus Christ is the manifestation of God's wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God that was slain before the foundation of the universe. "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together "(Colossian 1:17). God will show His love for you in an active way, in a big way, in a way that you cannot imagine or think, or comprehend. At the present time, your most holy duty and task is to draw close to the Lord and continue in faithful obedience to His commandments, to His Word and to the control and direction of the Holy Spirit. Gain a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ and grow in knowledge, strength and truth through this uplifting read.

"The Messianic Aleph Tav Scriptures" (MATS) is a study bible which focuses on the study of the Aleph Tav character symbol used throughout the old testament (Tanakh) by both Moses and the Prophets and is the most exhaustive and unique rendition of its kind in the world. Over 5 years in the making, this English rendition reveals every place the Hebrew Aleph Tav symbol was used as a "free standing" character symbol believed to express the "strength of the covenant" in its original meaning. The Aleph Tav was believed also to be the "mark" of the "divine hand" for thousands of years by such famous rabbis as Nahum of Gimzo, Akiva, and R. S. Hirsch as well as the Apostle John. Also revealed in MATS is the use of the Aleph Tav as it is incorporated into the creation of hundreds of Hebrew words used thousands of times throughout the Tanakh and how the "mark" incorporates Y'shua haMashiach (Jesus the messiah), as well as all mankind and creation, which substantiates and expresses its divinity, thus taking our understanding of the scriptures to a whole new level. MATS comes in your choice of either Paleo or Modern Hebrew editions in a trim size of the regular 6"x9" or the large print edition 8.5"x11."

About the Author William H. Sanford is a licensed Minister of Bet Ami, a Messianic Congregation in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and has been studying and preaching the gospel for over 40 years. William has several videos about "The Messianic Aleph Tav Scriptures" (MATS) on YouTube, and he may be contacted through his website www.AlephTavScriptures.com or on Facebook at Aleph Tav Scriptures.

Rituals transform citizens into presidents and princesses into queens. They transform sick persons into healthy ones, and public space into prohibited sanctuary. Shamanic rituals heal, legal rituals bind, political rituals ratify, and religious rituals sanctify. But how exactly do they accomplish these things? How do rituals work? This is the question of ritual efficacy, and although it is one of the very first questions that people everywhere ask of rituals, surprisingly little has been written on the topic. In fact, this collection of 10 contributed essays is the first to explicitly address the question of ritual efficacy. The authors do not aspire to answer the question 'how do rituals work?' in a simplistic fashion, but rather to show how complex the question is. While some contributors do indeed advance a particular theory of ritual efficacy, others ask whether the question makes any sense at all, and most show how complex it is by referring to the sociocultural environment in which it is posed, since the answer depends on who is asking the question, and what criteria they use to evaluate the efficacy of ritual. In his introduction, William Sax emphasizes that the very notion of ritual efficacy is a suspicious one because, according to a widespread 'modern' and 'scientific' viewpoint, rituals are merely expressive, and therefore cannot be efficacious. Rituals are thought of as superficial, 'merely symbolic,' and certainly not effective. Nevertheless many people insist that rituals 'work,' and the various positions taken on the question tell us a great deal about the social and historical background of the people involved. One essay, for example, illuminates a dispute between 'materialist' and 'enlightenment' Catholics in Ecuador, with the former affirming the notion of ritual efficacy and the latter doubting it. In other essays, contributors address instances in which orthodox religious figures (mullahs, church authorities, and even scientific positivists) discount the efficacy of rituals. In several of the essays, 'modern' people are suspicious of rituals and tend to deny their efficacy, confirming the theme highlighted in Sax's introduction.

The ESV Psalms, Photography Edition invites readers to ponder each of the 150 psalms alongside captivating original photography of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

This New King James Version Bible includes center-column references and giant print text for an easy Bible reading experience. Thanks to the exclusive Thomas Nelson NKJV Comfort Print (R) typeface in a giant print format, your eyes will discover a whole new level of comfort. But with the NKJV Giant Print Center-Column Reference Bible, you won't have to sacrifice study features for readability. Center-column references, book introductions, a concordance, and full-color maps make this the go-to Bible you'll look forward to reading. Presentation page is a special place to record a memory or note Bible book introductions provide a concise overview of the background and historical context of the book about to be read Center-column references allow you to find related passages quickly and easily Concordance for looking up a word's occurrences throughout the Bible Full color maps show the layout of Israel and other biblical locations for better context Easy-to-read extra-large 13.5-point NKJV Comfort Print

ESV Scripture Journal: Proverbs positions the full text of the book of Proverbs opposite lightly lined blank pages for recording notes and prayers-a great resource for personal Bible reading and reflection, group Bible studies, or sermon notes.

In ancient Israelite literature Exile is seen as a central turning point within the course of the history of Israel. In these texts "the Exile" is a central ideological concept. It serves to explain the destruction of the monarchic polities and the social and economic disasters associated with them in terms that YHWH punished Israel/Judah for having abandoned his ways. As it develops an image of an unjust Israel, it creates one of a just deity. But YHWH is not only imagined as just, but also as loving and forgiving, for the exile is presented as a transitory state: Exile is deeply intertwined with its discursive counterpart, the certain "Return". As the Exile comes to be understood as a necessary purification or preparation for a renewal of YHWH's proper relationship with Israel, the seemingly unpleasant Exilic conditions begin, discursively, to shape an image of YHWH as loving Israel and teaching it. Exile is dystopia, but one that carries in itself all the seeds of utopia. The concept of Exile continued to exercise an important influence in the discourses of Israel in the Second Temple period, and was eventually influential in the production of eschatological visions.