Closer to The Real Christmas Story explores an alternate telling of the popular Christmas narrative. Much more than a children¿s Christmas story book, readers of all ages will be challenged to take a closer look at what the biblical text does and does not say, what historically we do and do not know with relative certainty, and culturally what we should and should not expect logically. Read and studied individually, as a family or in a small group, this discipleship tool will promote healthy dialogue, sharpen critical thinking skills and develop principles of Bible interpretation.
The Language of Creation is a commentary on the primeval stories from the book of Genesis. It is often difficult to recognize the spiritual wisdom contained in these narratives because the current scientific worldview is deeply rooted in materialism. Therefore, instead of looking at these stories through the lens of modern academic disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, or the physical sciences, this commentary attempts to interpret the Bible from its own cosmological perspective.By contemplating the ancient biblical model of the universe, The Language of Creation demonstrates why these stories are foundational to western science and civilization. It rediscovers the archaic cosmic patterns of heaven, earth, time, and space, and sees them repeated at different levels of reality. These fractal-like structures are first encountered in the narrative of creation and then in the stories of the Garden of Eden, Cain and Abel, and the flood. The same patterns are also revealed in the visions of Ezekiel, the book of Daniel, and the miracles of Moses. The final result of this contemplation is a vision of the cosmos centered on the role of human consciousness in creation.
Growing up the son of agnostics, John Koessler saw a Catholic church on one end of the street and a Baptist on the other. In the no-man’s land between the two, this curious outside wondered about the God they worshipped—and began a lifelong search to comprehend the grace and mystery of God. A Stranger in the House of God addresses fundamental questions and struggles faced by spiritual seekers and mature believers. Like a contemporary Pilgrim’s Progress, it traces the author’s journey and explores his experiences with both charismatic and evangelical Christianity. It also describes his transformation from religious outsider to ordained pastor. John Koessler provides a poignant and often humorous window into the interior of the soul as he describes his journey from doubt and struggle with the church to personal faith
A page-turning novel that is also an exploration of the great philosophical concepts of Western thought, Jostein Gaarder's Sophie's World has fired the imagination of readers all over the world, with more than twenty million copies in print. One day fourteen-year-old Sophie Amundsen comes home from school to find in her mailbox two notes, with one question on each: "Who are you?" and "Where does the world come from?" From that irresistible beginning, Sophie becomes obsessed with questions that take her far beyond what she knows of her Norwegian village. Through those letters, she enrolls in a kind of correspondence course, covering Socrates to Sartre, with a mysterious philosopher, while receiving letters addressed to another girl. Who is Hilde? And why does her mail keep turning up? To unravel this riddle, Sophie must use the philosophy she is learning—but the truth turns out to be far more complicated than she could have imagined.
Enjoy 40 Scripture-based reflections on locations in the Holy Land. Packed with beautiful photos, Scripture verses, and geographical knowledge to help you deepen your relationship with Christ. Whether you're planning a trip to Israel or looking for a devotional to supplement your Bible study at home, Heart of the Holy Land will enrich your experience and empower you to explore the lands of the Bible. Author and Holy Land expert Paul Wright draws on his decades of living in Israel as well as his geographical, historical and archaeological knowledge to bring fresh, location-centered insights to biblical stories and modern situations alike. Each of the 40 reflections includes beautiful photos and weaves a biblical or modern event into its geographical context, emphasizing the way the Bible is immersed in the landscape of ancient Israel. Gain university-level insights into biblical geography from the comforts of your own house, with this handy guidebook. 4 Key Features of This Holy Land DevotionalHighly Visual. Includes over 140 photos of the Holy Land, as well as detailed maps.Bible-Based. Reveals insights into specific Bible passages and characters, and moments in the life of Jesus, including his birth, baptism, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection.Well-Researched. Contains entries discussing modern holidays and festivals, Arab-Israeli conflict, geographical features, and churches located on biblical sites.Practical Applications. Includes reflections on key Bible locations in and around Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and many more.Perfect for gifts, individual and group study, church libraries, Sunday school, missionaries, Holy Land tour groups, and more!
We all encounter times when our spirit feels dry, when doubt looms. The opportunity to tour Israel came at a good time. For months, my life has been a mindless plodding through necessary routine, as monotonous as an all-night shift on an assembly line. Life gets that way sometimes, when nothing specific is wrong but the world around us seems drained of color. Even my weekly worship experiences and daily quiet times with God have felt as dry and stale as last year's crackers. I'm ashamed to confess the malaise I've felt. I have been given so much. Shouldn't a Christian's life be an abundant one, as exciting as Christmas morning, as joyful as Easter Sunday? With gripping honesty, Lynn Austin pens her struggles with spiritual dryness in a season of loss and unwanted change. Tracing her travels throughout Israel, Austin seamlessly weaves events and insights from the Word . . . and in doing so finds a renewed passion for prayer and encouragement for her spirit, now full of life and hope.
The #1 Bible Reference book celebrates its 10th anniversary with this 230-page edition that features more Bible maps, charts and illustrations than the original! This stunning, easy-to-understand reference book still provides the same full-color, reproducible Bible charts and overviews that made the original a favorite--but in an easier-to-use, updated format! This 10th anniversary edition of the Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps and Time Lines features over 200 Bible Charts, Maps, and Timelines--and includes more pages, 6 extra topics, updated information, and a bonus 24" fold-out on Jesus' Family Tree. Every church library and every home should have a copy of Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps and Time Lines. This book contains thousands of facts that will enrich your understanding and study of the Bible, and will be a great resource as you teach others about the Word of God. "If I could give only two books to a new Christian, one would be the Bible and the other would be this book." --Dr. Ed Hindson, President of World Prophetic Ministry and pastor on the The King is Coming telecast Features more than 200 reproducible Bible charts, maps, and timelines, including: Foldout Posters: Bible Time Line and Jesus' Genealogy Overviews on Popular Old Testament Topics, including the Tabernacle, Ark of the Covenant, Names of God, Feasts & Holidays of the Bible, and much more Overviews on Popular New Testament Topics, including the 12 Disciples, Armor of God, Fruit of the Spirit, and much more Overviews of Jesus' Life and Teachings Bible Overview: Books of the Bible and Key Bible Stories Christian History, including "How We Got the Bible" and a Christian History Time Line Charts Comparing Christianity to Islam and 20 Other World Religions Overviews on Bible Prophecy, Revelation, and the End Times Bible Maps Bible Illustrations and Diagrams "It is awesome! Rose Publishing has produced one of the finest books I have ever seen. Every aspect of the charts, maps and time lines leaps off the page with spectacular color, incredible accuracy and intricate detail. . . . A must for every pastor and teacher who wants to clearly present the truths of the Bible." --Dr. Jerry Falwell, Founder of Liberty University "A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible. This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is 'How We Got the Bible, ' which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah's Ark and Solomon's Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the author's leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work's usefulness. As a resource, it's well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing. Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations." --Kirkus Reviews
