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The Bible or the Axe: One Man's Dramatic Escape from Persecution in the Sudan
by William O. LeviExile. Persecution. Torture. The riveting story of one man's escape from the Sudan. By the muddy banks of the Kulo-jobi River, a young Sudanese boy is faced with a decision that will shape the rest of his life. William Levi was born in southern Sudan as part of a Messianic Hebrew tribal group and spent the majority of his growing up years as a refugee running from Islamic persecution. He was eventually taken captive for refusing to convert to Islam and suffered greatly at the hands of his captors. After escaping Islamic forces, William eventually came to the United States where he attended college. Since that time, he has been sharing his story nationwide and petitioning members of congress to take action to end the violence in Sudan. His story of deliverance will touch the hearts of believers and raise their awareness to the plight of our Sudanese brothers and sisters in Christ.
The Bible throughout the Ages: Its Nature, Interpretation, and Relevance for Today (The Scripture Collective Series)
by ZondervanThe Bible throughout the Ages examines several crucial issues related to the Bible: its status as God's truth and revelation, the history of reading and interpreting Scripture, and its ongoing relevance in the world today. This edited volume is the result of collaboration between English- and French-speaking scholars, who collectively address a range of issues regarding Scripture, including literal vs. metaphorical interpretations, how theologians like Augustine, Aquinas, and Calvin read the Bible, and how Scripture continues to shape the Christian faith today.
The Bible vs. Biblical Womanhood: How God's Word Consistently Affirms Gender Equality
by Philip Barton PayneA biblical defense of egalitarianism that relies on Scripture to affirm gender equality in the church and in the home."Biblical womanhood" is the idea that the Bible teaches God-ordained male leadership and female submission in the home and subordination in the church. Some say this hierarchy of authority is sufficiently evidenced by examples of male leadership (and lack of female leadership) in the Bible: the first human was male, Israel's official priests were male, most authors of Scripture were male, Jesus was male and chose twelve male Apostles. God is addressed as Father. Wives are commanded to submit to their husbands.In The Bible vs. Biblical Womanhood, New Testament scholar Philip B. Payne argues that the very Bible passages that are often believed to teach male headship and female subordination actually teach gender equality. He demonstrates that the Bible does not endorse gender hierarchy but instead emphasizes:The Holy Spirit gifting all believers for ministryThe oneness of the body of Christ (the church) and the priesthood of all believersHumility, service, and mutual submission required of all believersFreedom and willingness to relinquish freedom in order to spread the gospelThese concepts are examined in 14 Bible passages throughout the Old and New Testaments, using careful exploration of Greek and Hebrew word meanings, historical and cultural context, and examples from Scripture. Payne defends his position by providing detailed answers to common objections at the end of each chapter.The Bible vs. Biblical Womanhood is for those struggling to reconcile the Bible's seemingly contradictory teachings about man and woman. Readers will come away with greater confidence in the reliability of Scripture's consistent, harmonious message of gender equality.
The Bible with Sources Revealed: A New View into the Five Books of Moses
by Richard Elliott FriedmanThis groundbreaking volume of the Five Books of Moses shows and explains how the source texts were compiled: &“A fundamental resource&” (Peter Machinist, Harvard University). For centuries, biblical scholars have worked on discovering how the Bible came to be. The consensus among a broad range of experts is known as The Documentary Hypothesis: the idea that ancient writers produced documents of poetry, prose, and law over many centuries, which editors then used as sources to fashion the books of the Bible that people have read for the last two thousand years. In The Bible with Sources Revealed, eminent scholar Richard Elliott Friedman offers a new, visual presentation of the Five Books of Moses—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy—unlocking the complex and fascinating tapestry of their origins. Different colors and type styles allow readers to easily identify each of the distinct sources, showcasing Friedman's highly acclaimed and dynamic translation. This unique Bible provides a new means to explore the riches of scripture by: •Making it possible to read the source texts individually, to see their artistry, their views of God, Israel, and humankind, and their connection to their moment in history •Presenting the largest collection of evidence ever assembled for establishing and explaining the Documentary Hypothesis •Showing visually how the Bible was formed out of these sources •Helping readers appreciate that the Bible is a rich, complex, beautiful work as a result of the extraordinary way in which it was created.
The Bible's Cutting Room Floor: The Holy Scriptures Missing from Your Bible
by Joel M. HoffmanThere’s more to the story: A scholar and translator reveals the history of the Bible—and the parts that were left out, by accident or design.The Bible you usually read is not the complete story: Some holy writings were left out for political or theological reasons, others simply because of the physical restrictions of ancient bookmaking technology. At times, the compilers of the Bible skipped information that they assumed everyone knew. Some passages were even omitted by accident. In The Bible’s Cutting Room Floor, acclaimed translator Dr. Joel M. Hoffman gives us the stories and other texts that didn’t make it into the Bible even though they offer penetrating insight into the Bible and its teachings.The Book of Genesis tells us about Adam and Eve’s time in the Garden of Eden, but not their saga after they get kicked out or the lessons they have for us about good and evil. The Bible introduces us to Abraham, but it doesn’t include the troubling story of his early life, which explains how he came to reject idolatry to become the father of monotheism. And while there are only 150 Psalms in today’s Bible, there used to be many more.Dr. Hoffman deftly brings these and other ancient scriptural texts to life, exploring how they offer new answers to some of the most fundamental and universal questions people ask about their lives. An impressive blend of history, linguistics, and religious scholarship, The Bible’s Cutting Room Floor reveals what’s missing from your Bible, who left it out, and why it is so important.“Hoffman also provides an accessible and entertaining history of the context in which the ‘rejected’ works arose, a fascinating account of how the Dead Sea Scrolls came to light in the mid-20th century (and what they include), an analysis of Josephus’s contributions to history, and the relationship between the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Bible) and the Hebrew Scriptures.” —Publishers Weekly“A wonderful book to confirm the beliefs of the faithful, to strengthen those whose faith begs for more information and to enlighten those who reject the stories of the Bible as mere fiction.” —Kirkus Reviews
The Bible's First Kings: Uncovering the Story of Saul, David, and Solomon
by Avraham Faust Zev I. FarberSaul, David, and Solomon are dominant figures in the Hebrew Bible, rulers of an expanding Israelite polity before it dissolved into two separate kingdoms. Saul's paranoid jealousy, David's killing the Philistine champion Goliath with a slingshot, and Solomon's meeting the Queen of Sheba are familiar stories to many people, but what is the truth behind the texts? While scholars long believed these three monarchs to have been historical personalities, over the past three decades many have questioned the historicity of this United Monarchy, some doubting even the existence of its founding fathers. This book robustly argues that the Israelite kingdom of the Bible was a real mini-empire, and that Saul, David, and Solomon were kings of consequence – even if the biblical stories reimagine their lives to glorify and vilify them. Combining fresh archaeological evidence with astute readings of key texts, the authors offer a compelling reconstruction of this fascinating ancient polity which, though it lasted less than a hundred years, has bequeathed a remarkable religious and cultural legacy to the western world. Written in a clear and engaging style, this book will be of interest to scholars and general audiences alike.
The Bible's Greatest Stories
by Paul RocheFrom the awe-inspiring story of the Creation to the defeats and triumphs of the Children of Israel and the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus, here are the greatest accounts from the greatest book ever written, presented in an accessible form for contemporary readers. Enhanced with annotations, Paul Roche's brilliant retelling of these stories is at once impeccably accurate and vibrantly told. He brings to life the saga of Joseph and the coat of many colors, the drama of the fall of Jericho, the heroism of a young David fighting Goliath and the lust of an older David for Bathsheba, the glory and wisdom of Solomon, the bravery of Judith, the dark despair of Job, the faith of Daniel in the lion's den, the joy of the Nativity, and the miracle of the Resurrection. These are just a few of the many great biblical stories presented in this masterful translation by a distinguished poet and scholar.
The Bible's Many Voices
by Michael CarasikThe most common English translations of the Bible often sound like a single, somewhat archaic voice. In fact, the Bible is made up of many separate books composed by multiple writers in a wide range of styles and perspectives. It is, as Michael Carasik demonstrates, not a remote text reserved for churches and synagogues but rather a human document full of history, poetry, politics, theology, and spirituality. Using historic, linguistic, anthropological, and theological sources, Carasik helps us distinguish between the Jewish Bible’s voices—the mythic, the historical, the prophetic, the theological, and the legal. By articulating the differences among these voices, he shows us not just their messages and meanings but also what mattered to the authors. In these contrasts we encounter the Bible anew as a living work whose many voices tell us about the world out of which the Bible grew—and the world that it created.Listen to the author's podcast.
The Bible's Yes to Same-Sex Marriage: An Evangelical's Change of Heart
by Mark AchtemeierIn the early 2000's, Mark Achtemeier embarked on a personal journey with the Bible that led him from being a conservative, evangelical opponent of gay rights to an outspoken activist for gay marriage and a fully inclusive church. In The Bible's Yes to Same-Sex Marriage, Achtemeier shares what led to his change of heart: the problems with excluding groups of people and the insights into the Bible's message that led him to recognize the fullness of God's love and support for LGBT persons. Readers will discover how reading snippets of Scripture out of context has led to false and misleading interpretations of the Bible's message for gay people. Achtemeier shows how a careful reading of the whole Scripture reveals God's good news about love, marriage, and sexuality for gay and straight people alike.
The Bible, Book by Book
by Richenda Milton-DawsAn essential reference guide for all Bible users—whether students or churchgoers—enabling anyone to get the most out of the Bible and its messages.Reading the bible has never been easier or through a more analytical eye. The Bible, Book by Book helps not only to read the bible, but encourages readers to knowledgeably understand and interpret the scriptures.The King James Holy Bible contains 39 books in the Old Testament, 27 books in the New Testament, and 14 books of the Apocrypha. This book presents each and every book of the Bible, with a short essential story synopsis, followed by a commentary for study and understanding. Finally, each book has a chapter by chapter summary in an easy to use table form.Biblical scripture offers many pearls of wisdom, and in this new reading, some of the most beautifully written books are analyzed in depth. Story, analysis, and commentary are covered on the events and lessons in each book to give readers the big picture.
The Bible, Disability, and the Church: A New Vision of the People of God
by Amos YongInspiring and challenging study that rethinks the Bible’s teaching on disabilityA theologian whose life experience includes growing up alongside a brother with Down syndrome, Amos Yong in this book rereads and reinterprets biblical texts about human disability, arguing that the way we read biblical texts, not the Bible itself, is what causes us to marginalize persons with disabilities. Revealing and examining the underlying stigma of disability that exists even in the church, Yong shows how the Bible offers good news to people of all abilities — and he challenges churches to become more inclusive communities of faith.
The Bible, Jesus, and the Jews
by Gabriel MonheimThis concise and accessible theological study examines what the Bible really says about the relationship between Jesus and the Jews. In this fascinating analysis, Bible scholar and Christian individualist Gabriel Monheim brings his learned and objective approach to his subject, shedding light on both the word of God and its various interpretations. Monheim puts biblical text in conversation with accepted religious doctrine and traditional teachings. In clear textual argumentation, he reveals that many denominations contain unbiblical and even antisemitic teachings in their theology concerning the people of Israel.
The Bible, Simplified: Learn the Story, Live the Story
by Zach WindahlGo from feeling lost with the Bible to becoming confident in your faith.Feeling overwhelmed and confused by the Bible? Bestselling author Zach Windahl breaks down its entire storyline in The Bible, Simplified, making Scripture clear, accessible, and life-changing so you can gain confidence in your faith.You want to understand the Bible and feel a deeper connection to God, but busyness, relationships, and everyday distractions seem to crowd out Bible reading most days. Not to mention it&’s hard to know where to start—and deep down, you might even wonder if the Bible is relevant to your modern life. It&’s overwhelming. It&’s confusing. And it&’s easy to feel frustrated on your faith journey. Too often, you find yourself walking away from reading Scripture, feeling lost instead of encouraged, something Zach Windahl experienced firsthand. Even though he grew up going to church, his Bible often remained on the shelf. It wasn&’t until he discovered the joy of reading the Bible that he became passionate about helping others do the same. In his relatable and easy-to-read style, Zach has simplified Scripture to help you—especially if you&’re a new Christian—understand the Bible&’s message in a way that&’s approachable and life-changing. In The Bible, Simplified, you will learn how to:Understand the entire storyline of the BibleGain clarity and confidence in your faithIncorporate the Bible&’s teachings into your daily life If you&’re feeling lost with Scripture, this book will be your guide. You no longer need to be confused, disconnected, and overwhelmed in your faith. Take the first step to understanding God&’s story—and your remarkable role in it.
The Bible, Social Media and Digital Culture (Routledge Focus on Religion)
by Peter M. PhillipsThis book centres on the use of the Bible within contemporary digital social media culture and gives an overview of its use online with examples from brand-new research from the CODEC Research Centre at Durham University, UK. It examines the shift from a propositional to a therapeutic approach to faith from a sociological standpoint. The book covers two research projects in particular: the Twitter Gospels and Online Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. It explores the data as they relate to Abby Day’s concept of performative belief, picking up on Mia Lövheim’s challenge to see how this concept works out in digital culture and social media. It also compares the data to various construals of contemporary approaches to faith performative faith, including Christian Smith and Melissa Lundquist Denton’s concept of moralistic therapeutic deism. Other research is also compared to the findings of these projects, including a micro-project on Celebrities and the Bible, to give a wider perspective on these issues in both the UK and the USA. As a sociological exploration of Digital Millennial culture and its relationship to sacred texts, this will be of keen interest to scholars of Biblical studies, religion and digital media, and contemporary lived religion.
The Bible, The Basketball, and The Briefcase: How An Arkansas Lawyer Also Became An Inner City Pastor
by Jay MartinAs a promising new lawyer, Jay Martin would have seem like a guy out of place in the projects of Little Rock, Arkansas, shooting hoops, befriending fatherless kids, and introducing them to Jesus. Since then, Jay has enjoyed a prominent career in law and politics. Yet, despite his vocational demands, Jay continued his outreach. Today it has grown into a vital ministry that is reaching hundreds of Little Rock&’s needy kids and their families for Christ. As an eye-witness of what God can do with someone who wants to make a difference, Jay presents ample evidence for why your vocation need not limit your ministry potential. His story is convincing testimony that, no matter how demanding your career is, if you have a passion for helping others, then Jesus is ready to use you!
The Bible, The Church, and Authority: The Canon of the Christian Bible in History and Theology
by Joseph T. LienhardSince the early days of Christianity, a tension has existed between the authority of the Bible and the authority of the Church. This has been further heightened by the question of Bible translation: how does the Word stand firm and yet continue to speak to a changing Church?
The Bible, the Talmud, and the New Testament: Elijah Zvi Soloveitchik's Commentary to the Gospels (Jewish Culture and Contexts)
by Elijah Zvi SoloveitchikBorn in Slutzk, Russia, in 1805, Elijah Zvi Soloveitchik is a largely forgotten member of the prestigious Soloveitchik rabbinic dynasty. Before Hayyim Soloveitchik developed the standard Brisker method of Talmudic study, or Joseph Dov Soloveitchik helped to found American Modern Orthodox Judaism, Elijah Soloveitchik wrote Qol Qore, a rabbinic commentary on the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. Qol Qore drew on classic rabbinic literature, and particularly on the works of Moses Maimonides, to argue for the compatibility of Christianity with Judaism. To this day, it remains the only rabbinic work to embrace the compatability of Orthodox Judaism and the Christian Bible.In The Bible, the Talmud, and the New Testament, Shaul Magid presents the first-ever English translation of Qol Qore. In his contextualizing introduction, Magid explains that Qol Qore offers a window onto the turbulent historical context of nineteenth-century European Jewry. With violent anti-Semitic activity on the rise in Europe, Elijah Soloveitchik was unique in believing that the roots of anti-Semitism were theological, based on a misunderstanding of the New Testament by both Jews and Christians. His hope was that the Qol Qore, written in Hebrew and translated into French, German, and Polish, would reach Jewish and Christian audiences alike, urging each to consider the validity of the other's religious principles. In an era characterized by fractious debates between Jewish communities, Elijah Soloveitchik represents a voice that called for radical unity amongst Jews and Christians alike.
The Bible--God's Word or Man's?
by Watchtower Bible Tract Society of New YorkTHE MODERN WORLD has too many problems. Marriages break up. Family violence is widespread. Hundreds of millions go hungry. Crime runs rampant. Peace and security are elusive. Why is the world like this? Are there any solutions? The Bible not only offers an answer to these questions but it provides guidance in everyday living as well. Should we not, then, be interested in what the Bible says? Some people maintain that the Bible is little more than a collection of myths, legends, and folk wisdom. Others, though, hold that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Which viewpoint is correct? This book, The Bible--God's Word or Man's?, will help you to answer that question. We invite you to consider the facts for yourself. Doing so may well change your life forever.
The Bible: A Beginner's Guide (Beginner's Guides)
by Paula GooderFrom the language of Shakespeare to political campaigns in the US, the Bible's influence is all around us. And yet, upon reading it, we are met not by one text but by many: a complex mix of history, parable, law, teaching, and prophecy.In this authoritative introduction, respected Biblical scholar Paula Gooder ably guides the reader in how to approach this multifaceted text, and explores its enduring influence on Western culture, from Renaissance art to the controversial film The Last Temptation of Christ. Covering its history, translation, interpretation, and selection of the cannon, Gooder provides a comprehensive and illuminating framework for understanding the Bible. With informative textboxes focussing on key details and an infectious enthusiasm for the topic, this wide-ranging primer will be of invaluable benefit to Christians and those of no faith alike.
The Bible: A Biography (Books That Changed the World #8)
by Karen ArmstrongThe renowned religious historian &“preaches the gospel truth . . . explaining how the spiritual guide . . . came into being and evolved over the centuries&” (Vanity Fair). As the single work at the heart of Christianity, the world&’s largest organized religion, the Bible is the spiritual guide for one out of every three people in the world. It is also the world&’s most widely distributed book and its bestselling, with an estimated six billion copies sold in the last two hundred years. But the Bible is a complex work with a complicated and obscure history. Its contents have changed over the centuries, it has been transformed by translation, and, through interpretation, has developed manifold meanings to various religions, denominations, and sects. In this seminal account, acclaimed historian Karen Armstrong discusses the conception, gestation, life, and afterlife of history&’s most powerful book. Armstrong analyzes the social and political situation in which oral history turned into written scripture, how this all-pervasive scripture was collected into one work, how it became accepted as Christianity&’s sacred text, and how its interpretation changed over time. Armstrong&’s history of the Bible is a brilliant, captivating book, crucial in an age of declining faith and rising fundamentalism. &“Vintage Armstrong: sweeping, bold, incisive, and insightful. In eight chapters it covers the history of the writing, canonizing, and reading of the Bible . . . Her choice of topics is impeccable . . . and her brief, 23-page discussion on the rise of the Talmud is masterful.&” —Choice &“An excellent précis of the writing and compiling of the Bible and the ensuing centuries of biblical interpretation . . . one terrific little book.&” —Booklist
The Bible: A Global History
by Bruce GordonA &“wonderful…highly comprehensive&” (John Barton, author of A History of the Bible) global history of the world&’s best-known and most influential book For Christians, the Bible is a book inspired by God. Its eternal words are transmitted across the world by fallible human hands. Following Jesus&’s departing instruction to go out into the world, the Bible has been a book in motion from its very beginnings, and every community it has encountered has read, heard, and seen the Bible through its own language and culture. In The Bible, Bruce Gordon tells the astounding story of the Bible&’s journey around the globe and across more than two thousand years, showing how it has shaped and been shaped by changing beliefs and believers&’ radically different needs. The Bible has been a tool for violence and oppression, and it has expressed hopes for liberation. God speaks with one voice, but the people who receive it are scattered and divided—found in desert monasteries and Chinese house churches, in Byzantine cathedrals and Guatemalan villages. Breathtakingly global in scope, The Bible tells the story of this sacred book through the stories of its many and diverse human encounters, revealing not a static text but a living, dynamic cultural force.
The Bible: A Global History
by Bruce Gordon'Wonderful' JOHN BARTON'A stupendous intellectual achievement' ANDREW PETTEGREE'A stunning love song to the Bible . . . this will be a classic' CHINE MCDONALDThe remarkable story of the most influential book in human history. The Bible is the world's best-known text. Yet, it is a book that never was - its original form does not exist and probably never did. What we have is the inheritance of generation after generation of Christians who have sought to hear God speak. Available in over three thousand languages and taking innumerable forms, each version is a revelation, evolving as a reflection of its own culture and moment. Bruce Gordon traces the Bible's astounding journey from its emergence as a codex in the second century, to the Reformation, to the spectacular growth of Christianity in the Global South today. For centuries a source of inspiration, it has also been a tool for violence and oppression, weaponised in the name of colonialism, and it has expressed hopes for freedom in the struggle for liberation. Found in desert monasteries and Chinese house churches, in Byzantine cathedrals and Guatemalan villages, it has been a book in motion from its very beginnings, a product of more than two thousand years of wandering, restlessness and change. Breathtakingly global in scope, The Bible is a sweeping history of this sacred book told through the stories of its diverse human encounters in search of the divine - revealing not a static text but a living, dynamic cultural force.
The Bible: A Global History
by Bruce Gordon'Wonderful' JOHN BARTON'A stupendous intellectual achievement' ANDREW PETTEGREE'A stunning love song to the Bible . . . this will be a classic' CHINE MCDONALDThe remarkable story of the most influential book in human history. The Bible is the world's best-known text. Yet, it is a book that never was - its original form does not exist and probably never did. What we have is the inheritance of generation after generation of Christians who have sought to hear God speak. Available in over three thousand languages and taking innumerable forms, each version is a revelation, evolving as a reflection of its own culture and moment. Bruce Gordon traces the Bible's astounding journey from its emergence as a codex in the second century, to the Reformation, to the spectacular growth of Christianity in the Global South today. For centuries a source of inspiration, it has also been a tool for violence and oppression, weaponised in the name of colonialism, and it has expressed hopes for freedom in the struggle for liberation. Found in desert monasteries and Chinese house churches, in Byzantine cathedrals and Guatemalan villages, it has been a book in motion from its very beginnings, a product of more than two thousand years of wandering, restlessness and change. Breathtakingly global in scope, The Bible is a sweeping history of this sacred book told through the stories of its diverse human encounters in search of the divine - revealing not a static text but a living, dynamic cultural force.
The Bible: A Historical and Literary Introduction
by Bart D. Ehrman<P>Bart D. Ehrman presents his long-awaited survey of the Bible. <P>Comprehensive, current in scholarship, rich in pedagogical tools, and easily accessible to students of all backgrounds, this is a useful textbook for one-semester courses on the Bible.<P> Ehrman covers every book in the canon, including the Apocrypha, explaining the historical and literary problems posed by the biblical texts and showing students how to analyze scholarly evidence and conclusions.
The Bible: A Story that Makes Sense of Life
by Andrew Ollerton'Honest, revealing insight into the bestselling book of all time.'Bear Grylls'A stimulating and accessible survey of history's most influential book.'Tom Holland, historian and author of Dominion'Personal and profound; informative and practical. If you want to experience the Bible as a rich source of guidance and hope, this book is for you.'Simon Thomas, former Sky Sports and Blue Peter presenterWhen we make sense of the Bible, the Bible makes sense of us. The political, social and cultural upheaval of our times can leave us feeling bewildered and wondering where to turn for trustworthy guidance. As unlikely as it may seem, could the Bible provide ancient wisdom that helps us flourish today? Join Andrew Ollerton as he explores the storyline of Scripture, connecting six major biblical events with six definitive human needs: for meaning, freedom, peace, community, love and for an ultimate home. In short, digestible chapters, Andrew reveals how the Bible story makes sense of our human story.Discover for yourself a limitless source of guidance and hope in the face of so much uncertainty.Underpinned by a depth of scholarship, the book is non-technical in style, making it accessible for the widest possible readership - including Christians and seekers interested in the Bible. The book will also provide a model for Bible communicators and church leaders wishing to engage more deeply with the relevance of the Bible in our cultural moment. Contains discussion questions for small groups, as well as suggested Bible readings and reflection questions to accompany each chapter. The structure of the book makes it ideal to read as a daily devotional.