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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Christianity > The Bible > Old Testament
Preaching's Preacher's Guide to the Best Bible Reference for 2014
(Old Testament Commentaries) The books of 1 and 2 Kings cover the
history of Israel from the last days of the united kingdom under
David to the eventual fall of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
Within these books, the deuteronomic code - 'doing what is right in
the Lord's sight' - provides a framework by which monarchic history
is measured. In the kings' cultic failures lies the apostasy of the
nation and its eventual exile. This apostasy centres on Israel's
commitment to worship YHWH exclusively, and to worship according to
deuteronomistic norms within the Jerusalem temple as the locus of
YHWH's covenant presence. To safeguard the kings' commitments,
YHWH's prophets loom large in 1 and 2 Kings: they herald YHWH's
purposes, warn of his judgment for apostasy and woo his people back
to the full experience of covenant life. Lissa M. Wray Beal's
valuable commentary examines the successes and failures of monarchy
in the divided kingdoms. It works with the final form of the
biblical text and pursues historiographical, narrative and
theological questions, including the relation of each chapter's
themes to biblical theology. While it focuses on theological and
narrative concerns, the commentary gives due attention to complex
historical issues. It seeks to provide a nuanced reading that is
faithful to the text's message.
Two millennia ago a gifted poet in the Middle East composed the
Earliest Christian Hymnbook called the Odes of Solomon, that gifted
poet was the anonymous Odist who became the early poet laureate of
Christianity. The poetry, hymns and odes of the first followers of
Jesus are evidently present in the New Testament and this volume
translates The Odes of Solomon with some of the hymns being
obviously Christian while others perhaps Jewish. The beauty of
these poems is a tribute to the depth of spirituality in early
communities of Christians, some of whom were perhaps also Jews or
converted Jews. Professor Charlesworth offers an inviting
introduction and a translation of this work that is both engaging
and true to the original languages. Having studied the Odes since
1966, Charlesworth believes the Odist received unique spiritual
truths. His poetry explodes out of the genius of Jesus' Judaism and
the energy released upon those who experienced God's resurrection
of Jesus, there is a sense that the Odist lived on the highest
mountain peaks and shares with us his own moments of experiencing
God before a burning bush.
In this accessible book, Ian J. Vaillancourt gives Christians a
helpful introduction to the Pentateuch as the essential first act
in the Bible's grand story of redemption.
What do Christians mean when they call Jesus "son of God"? In this
study of the phrase "son of God" as applied to Jesus of Nazareth,
Christopher Bryan examines the testimony of various New Testament
witnesses who used this expression to speak of him, and asks where
they got it, what they meant by it, and how it might have been
understood. In Bryan's view, any attempt to address these questions
stands self-condemned if it does not point to both the words and
works of Jesus himself in the memory of early Christians, and the
Torah of Israel as then understood, centering on Israel's
Scriptures. Of course Paul and his fellow believers did not
proclaim Jesus in a vacuum. They proclaimed Jesus in the Roman
Empire during the decades following the death of Augustus. With
regard to the meaning of the phrase "son of God," what becomes
clear, Bryan argues, is that whereas "Lord" (another expression
frequently used in the New Testament for Jesus of Nazareth)
reflects believers' sense of Jesus' relationship to them, "son of
God" reflects their sense of his relationship to God. It is a title
that reflects their consciousness of Jesus' holiness-that is, his
"set-apartness," his consecration, and even his divinity. Readers
of Son of God will gain a well-rounded understanding of classic and
recent research in Christology and the New Testament, as well as an
in-depth, historically situated view of the evidence that paints a
clearer picture of what New Testament witnesses meant when they
called Jesus "son of God."
Telling Terror in Judges 19 explores the value of performing a
'reparative reading' of the terror-filled story of the Levite's
pilegesh (commonly referred to as the Levite's concubine) in Judges
19, and how such a reparative reading can be brought to bear upon
elements of modern rape culture. Historically, the story has been
used as a morality tale to warn young women about what constitutes
appropriate behaviour. More recently, (mainly male) commentators
have tended to write the woman out of the story, by making claims
about its purpose and theme which bear no relation to her
suffering. In response to this, feminist critics have attempted to
write the woman back into the story, generally using the
hermeneutics of suspicion. This book begins by surveying some of
the traditional commentators, and the three great feminist
commentators of the text (Bal, Exum and Trible). It then offers a
reparative reading by attending to the pilegesh's surprising
prominence, her moral and marital agency, and her speaking voice.
In the final chapter, there is a detailed comparison of the story
with elements of modern rape culture.
Abram to Abraham explores the Abraham saga (11:27-22:24) through a
literary lens, following the legendary figure of Abraham as he
navigates the arduous odyssey to nationhood. Rather than overlook
the textual discrepancies, repetitions and contradictions long
noted by diachronic scholars, this study tackles them directly,
demonstrating how many problems of the ancient text in fact hold
the key to deeper understanding of the narrative and its
objectives. Therefore, the book frequently notes the classic
division of the text according to primary sources, but offers an
alternative, more harmonious reading based on the assumption that
the narrative forms a single, intentionally designed unit. The
narrative's artistic design is especially evident in its
arrangement of the two halves of the story around the protagonists'
change of name. The stories of Abram and Sarai in the first half of
the cycle (11:27-16:16) are parallel to the stories of Abraham and
Sarah in the second half (18:1-22:24). A close reading of this
transformation in the biblical narrative illuminates the moral and
theological values championed by the figure of Abraham as luminary,
soldier, family man, and loyal subject of God.
Despite the themes of doom and destruction, the primary message of
Jeremiah is one of the love and grace of a God who never gives up
on those he has called to be his own. The prophet's life is
characterized by suffering, but he points to a new beginning, a new
covenant and a new hope, eventually made possible through the
unique Suffering Servant. Lamentations powerfully expresses
personal and national suffering. Yet, even in these utterances of
desperate grief, there are glimpses of hope. Lifting out these
significant but understated themes in Jeremiah and Lamentations,
this commentary by Hetty Lalleman opens our eyes to an important
chapter in salvation history.
Created in honor of the work of Professor Tova Forti, this
collection considers the natural world in key wisdom books -
Proverbs, Job and Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes, Ben Sira and Song of
Songs/Solomon - and also examines particular animal and plant
imagery in other texts in the Hebrew Bible. It crucially involves
ancient Near Eastern parallels and like texts from the classical
world, but also draws on rabbinic tradition and broader
interpretative works, as well as different textual traditions such
as the LXX and Qumran scrolls. Whilst the natural world, notably
plants and animals, is a key uniting element, the human aspect is
also crucial. To explore this, contributors also treat the wider
concerns within wisdom literature on human beings in relation to
their social context, and in comparison with neighbouring nations.
They emphasize that the human, animal and plant worlds act together
in synthesis, all enhanced and imbued by the world-view of wisdom
literature.
'“I have used Hill and Walton’s A Survey of the Old Testament from the very first edition to the current third edition because students have responded very positively to it and give the textbook a high rating. It is especially effective for introducing students from traditional church backgrounds to the new world of higher criticism. In discussing more controversial topics such as ‘The Composition of the Pentateuch,’ various viewpoints are represented fairly.” Adjunct Professor, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and New Brunswick Theological Seminary -- Andrew Lee
The book of Genesis contains foundational material for Jewish and
Christian theology, both historic and contemporary, and is almost
certainly the most appealed-to book in the Old Testament in
contemporary culture. R. W. L. Moberly's The Theology of the Book
of Genesis examines the actual use made of Genesis in current
debates, not only in academic but also in popular contexts.
Traditional issues such as creation and fall stand alongside more
recent issues such as religious violence and Christian Zionism.
Moberly's concern - elucidated through a combination of close
readings and discussions of hermeneutical principle - is to uncover
what constitutes good understanding and use of Genesis, through a
consideration of its intrinsic meaning as an ancient text (in both
Hebrew and Greek versions) in dialogue with its reception and
appropriation both past and present. Moberly seeks to enable
responsible theological awareness and use of the ancient text
today, highlighting Genesis' enduring significance.
In this book, Brett Maiden employs the tools, research, and
theories from the cognitive science of religion to explore
religious thought and behavior in ancient Israel. His study focuses
on a key set of distinctions between intuitive and reflective types
of cognitive processing, implicit and explicit concepts, and
cognitively optimal and costly religious traditions. Through a
series of case studies, Maiden examines a range of topics including
popular and official religion, Deuteronomic theology, hybrid
monsters in ancient iconography, divine cult statues in ancient
Mesopotamia and the biblical idol polemics, and the Day of
Atonement ritual in Leviticus 16. The range of media, including
ancient texts, art, and archaeological data from ancient Israel, as
well theoretical perspectives demonstrates how a dialogue between
biblical scholars and cognitive researchers can be fostered.
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Hosea
(Hardcover)
Joshua Moon
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R925
R854
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Latest volume in the AOTC series
Abraham is known as the "father of Israel" because God appeared to
him and promised that his descendants would become a great nation.
Yet Abraham is much more than the patriarch of a select group of
ancient people. Through Abraham's descendants, God's own Son,
Jesus, was born. It's through Abraham that God blessed all people.
In this study, pastor John MacArthur will guide you through an
in-depth look at the historical period beginning with Abraham's
call from God, continuing through his relocation in the land of
Canaan, and concluding with the story of his grandsons Jacob and
Esau. This study includes close-up examinations of Sarah, Hagar,
Ishmael, and Isaac, as well as careful considerations of doctrinal
themes such as "Covenant and Obedience" and "Wrestling with God."
-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.
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The Book of Psalms
(Hardcover)
Scott Hahn; Contributions by Curtis Mitch, Dennis Walters
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R396
R342
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This book is designed to serve as a textbook for intermediate
Hebrew students and above. Sung Jin Park presents the fundamental
features of the Tiberian Hebrew accents, focusing on their
divisions and exegetical roles. Providing innovative methods for
diagramming biblical texts, the volume explores the two major rules
(hierarchy and dichotomy) of disjunctive accents. Students will
also attain biblical insights from the exegetical application of
the biblical texts that Hebrew syntax alone does not provide.
Park's volume shows how the new perspectives on Hebrew accents
enhance our understanding of biblical texts.
A Companion WORKBOOK to Help You Discover the Great Story of
Scripture and Find Your Place in It Living God's Word is your
pathway to read the Bible as it was meant to be read: as God's
Great Story. This WORKBOOK is designed for use alongside the second
edition of Living God's Word. While the textbook helps you see the
big picture of what God is doing throughout the Bible, the WORKBOOK
lets you reflect on and internalize what you are reading. Many
Christians resolve to study the Bible more fervently, but often
struggle to grasp the progression of Scripture as a whole. They
encounter various passages each week through unrelated readings,
studies, and sermons and it all feels disconnected. But once they
see the Bible as God's Great Story, they begin to understand how it
all fits together and they start see how their own lives fit into
what God has done and is doing in the world. In Living God's Word,
Second Edition, New Testament scholar J. Scott Duvall and Old
Testament expert J. Daniel Hays help Christians consider how their
lives can be integrated into the story of the Bible, thus enabling
them to live faithfully in deep and important ways. Living God's
Word explores the entire Bible through broad themes that trace the
progression of God's redemptive plan. Each section deals with a
certain portion of Scripture's story and includes:
Reading/listening preparation Explanation Summary Observations
about theological significance Connections to the Great Story
Written assignments for further study These features--combined with
the authors' engaging style--make Living God's Word an ideal book
for those who want to understand the Bible better, for introductory
college courses, Sunday school electives, or small group study.
When used alongside the textbook, this workbook is the ideal
resource for anyone looking to better understand how the entire
Bible fits together as God's Great Story.
What makes a wise, effective leader? For the answer, Derek Tidball
turns to Moses' successor, Joshua. While leading God's people at a
key time in their history, Joshua needed every ounce of wisdom for
the challenges he faced. Through exploring the great man's story in
the book of Joshua, Dr Tidball uncovers 24 leadership lessons that
are still highly relevant today. 'Will prove hugely beneficial to
those just starting out as well as those with lots of experience.'
Gavin Calver 'Cultures and situations change: the principles that
underpin godly leadership do not . . . Provides a rich resource for
those intent on pursuing twenty-first century leadership with
integrity.' Jill Garrett 'Chock-full of practical wisdom and
powerful application.' Marcus Honeysett 'Offers insights that will
help in the wonderful privilege and complex demands of leadership.'
James Lawrence 'In this fast-changing world, the church needs
leaders with their heads screwed on and hearts on fire, who draw
inspiration from deep wells of prayer and from reflecting on
Scripture. In this brilliant book, Derek Tidball has given us a
feast . . . I commend this fantastic book to you with enthusiasm.'
Mark Russell
Tucked away at the end of the Minor Prophets, the Books of Haggai
and Zechariah offer messages of challenge and hope to residents of
the small district of Yehud in the Persian Empire in the
generations after the return from Babylonian exile. In this volume,
Robert Foster focuses on the distinct theological message of each
book. The Book of Haggai uses Israel's foundational event - God's
salvation of Israel from Egypt - to exhort the people to finish
building the Second Temple. The Book of Zechariah argues that the
hopes the people had in the prophet Zechariah's days did not come
true because the people failed to keep God's long-standing demand
for justice, though hope still lies in the future because of God's
character. Each chapter in this book closes with a substantive
reflection of the ethics of the major sections of the Books of
Haggai and Zechariah and their implications for contemporary
readers.
In the Book of Judges the narrator presents an image of the good
parent YHWH whose enduring love and loyalty is offset by his
wayward child Israel who defaults on the relationship repeatedly.
Biblical scholars have largely concurred, demonstrating the many
faults of Israel while siding with YHWH's privileged viewpoint.
When object-relations theory (which examines how human beings
relate to each other) is applied to Judges, a different story
emerges. In its capacity to illuminate why and how relationships
can be intense, problematic, rewarding, and enduring,
object-relations theory reveals how both YHWH and Israel have
attachment needs that are played out vividly in the story world.
Deryn Guest reveals how its narrator engages in a variety of
psychological strategies to mask suppressed rage as he engages in
an intriguing but rather dysfunctional masochistic dance with a
dominant deity who has reputation needs.
Through this 10-week study, Lydia Brownback examines the twelve
judges and how they exemplify the persistent grace of God in the
face of human rebellion.
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Genesis
(Hardcover)
John Goldingay, Bill Arnold
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R1,406
R1,111
Discovery Miles 11 110
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Highly regarded Old Testament scholar John Goldingay offers a
substantive and useful commentary on the book of Genesis that is
both critically engaged and sensitive to the theological
contributions of the text. This volume, the first in a new series
on the Pentateuch, complements the successful Baker Commentary on
the Old Testament: Wisdom and Psalms series (series volumes have
sold over 55,000 copies). Each series volume will cover one book of
the Pentateuch, addressing important issues and problems that flow
from the text and exploring the contemporary relevance of the
Pentateuch. The series editor is Bill T. Arnold, the Paul S. Amos
Professor of Old Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological
Seminary.
About the Contributor(s): Rabbi Edward Feld is the senior editor of
Mahzor Lev Shalem (2010) and the author of The Spirit of Renewal:
Finding Faith after the Holocaust (1994). He has served as
Rabbi-in-Residence at the Jewish Theological Seminary and as Hillel
Director and Chaplain to the College at Princeton University and
Smith and Amherst Colleges. As the Educational Director of Rabbis
for Human Rights he developed a curriculum for teaching "Judaism
and Human Rights."
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