Jesus Christ is arguably the most famous man who ever lived. His image adorns countless churches, icons, and paintings. He is the subject of millions of statues, sculptures, devotional objects and works of art. Everyone can conjure an image of Jesus: usually as a handsome, white man with flowing locks and pristine linen robes. But what did Jesus really look like? Is our popular image of Jesus overly westernized and untrue to historical reality? This question continues to fascinate. Leading Christian Origins scholar Joan E. Taylor surveys the historical evidence, and the prevalent image of Jesus in art and culture, to suggest an entirely different vision of this most famous of men. He may even have had short hair.
“This is a book about how Italian artists of the late Middle Ages and Renaissance interpreted the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus in their paintings—how they saw Jesus.” Robert Kiely goes through major sections of the Gospels, pausing with the Italian painters to consider Jesus, how he looks, how he stands or sits, how he interacts with other figures and the viewer, how his actions and teachings are interpreted and translated by artists into forms without words. Though seasoned with comments by theologians, and references to poetry and music, painters and their paintings are the guides to Kiely’s text—beguiling, challenging, consoling, instructing—displaying their colors, skill, and perspective while beckoning the viewer back to scripture and to the Jesus “who accepted to be seen.”
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The “paradigm-influencing” book (Christianity Today) that is fundamentally transforming our understanding of white evangelicalism in America. Jesus and John Wayne is a sweeping, revisionist history of the last seventy-five years of white evangelicalism, revealing how evangelicals have worked to replace the Jesus of the Gospels with an idol of rugged masculinity and Christian nationalism—or in the words of one modern chaplain, with “a spiritual badass.” As acclaimed scholar Kristin Du Mez explains, the key to understanding this transformation is to recognize the centrality of popular culture in contemporary American evangelicalism. Many of today’s evangelicals might not be theologically astute, but they know their VeggieTales, they’ve read John Eldredge’s Wild at Heart, and they learned about purity before they learned about sex—and they have a silver ring to prove it. Evangelical books, films, music, clothing, and merchandise shape the beliefs of millions. And evangelical culture is teeming with muscular heroes—mythical warriors and rugged soldiers, men like Oliver North, Ronald Reagan, Mel Gibson, and the Duck Dynasty clan, who assert white masculine power in defense of “Christian America.” Chief among these evangelical legends is John Wayne, an icon of a lost time when men were uncowed by political correctness, unafraid to tell it like it was, and did what needed to be done. Challenging the commonly held assumption that the “moral majority” backed Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020 for purely pragmatic reasons, Du Mez reveals that Trump in fact represented the fulfillment, rather than the betrayal, of white evangelicals’ most deeply held values: patriarchy, authoritarian rule, aggressive foreign policy, fear of Islam, ambivalence toward #MeToo, and opposition to Black Lives Matter and the LGBTQ community. A much-needed reexamination of perhaps the most influential subculture in this country, Jesus and John Wayne shows that, far from adhering to biblical principles, modern white evangelicals have remade their faith, with enduring consequences for all Americans.
Nowadays, there are many preachers preach a half Jesus in their sermons. This will certainly reduce the congregation's understanding of the complete and true Jesus. What would a half Jesus look like? Please buy and read this book.
If you want kids to do God's Word and not just hear it--you're in exactly the right place. Each session focuses on one key Bible truth--kids will discover it, think about it, talk about it, pray about it, and apply what they learn. You'll drive that point home through Bible exploration, fun discussions, giggle-worthy games, and oh-wow activities that engage kids in multiple ways. Just add an adult or teenage leader to these easy-to-lead sessions to keep kids engaged, entertained, and growing in their faith Each session is Flexible--sessions work for 1 or 2 kids, 12 kids, or more Multi-aged--suitable for all elementary kids Low-prep--using easy-to-find supplies 45 minutes of fun--with time stretchers to fill an hour Relational--children grow close to Jesus and each other Perfect for any children's ministry program--Sunday school, children's church, and more Help kids discover the faith-building, life-changing truths tucked into 13 of Jesus' very cool stories. They will meet a lost and found son, a rich fool, disgruntled vineyard workers, a pretty good Samaritan, and many others. And along the way, kids will explore the eternal truths Jesus wrapped in those stories--and what those truths mean in their lives.
Every girl's guide to discovering who you truly are in Jesus Being a middle school girl is . . . a lot. It seems like every day presents a new challenge as you navigate friendship, crushes, girl drama, stress, school, and confusing emotions. One Year with Jesus is your guide for dealing with the stuff that life is throwing at you right now. Think of this devotional journal as a safe space where you can get real with God--and where God can bring you the peace and comfort you need. Inside this book you'll find: · 52 devotions to help you apply God's Word when life gets messy--one for every week of the year · Reflection questions to help you grow closer to Jesus · Journaling space so you can be honest with God about how you feel These early teen years can be really hard--but they can also be really beautiful. Because it's here that God shapes the girl you once were into the woman he created you to be.
"This is a book I'll be recommending for years to come." -- Lysa TerKeurst, New York Times bestselling author Do you believe God is just not fair? If you're like Jennifer Rothschild, you wrestle with questions when you experience painful circumstances. Does God care? Does he hear my prayers? Is he even there? Blinded as a teenager, Jennifer overcame daunting obstacles, found strength in God, and launched a successful speaking and writing ministry. Then in her 40s, everything changed. Jennifer hit a wall of depression and discontent that shook her to her core, undermining many of her past assumptions about her faith. She wondered who God was and why he continued to allow her to struggle and doubt. Where, she pleaded, is his hand of healing and hope in my life now? This is a book about finding more than just answers. It's for anyone who needs hope when life doesn't make sense--for all who reach for a God who feels distant. As Jennifer tackles the six big questions of faith, she will help you: Trust God more than your feelings. Strengthen your faith when you feel beat up by life. Embrace your obstacles and start experiencing their purpose. Face your disappointment and grow stronger from your loss.
The parables of Jesus Christ are among His best-known and most-loved teachings. After centuries of study, what is yet to be discovered in these lessons from the Lord? For those who search these scriptural accounts seeking personal applications, new discoveries always await. View the parables with fresh eyes in The Parables of Jesus, a unique textual and visual presentation of the familiar narratives woven and interwoven by the Master. Each story is included here in its entirety, alongside in-depth studies of the setting, context, language, and culture in which that parable was originally situated and shared. Above all, each parable is positioned within God the Father's great plan of salvation. Knowing that encompassing doctrine is the key to finding the Savior's love in these treasured instructions, both individually and interactively. To inspire deeper insights and personal connections with the parables, the words of Christ are depicted in an original series of striking paintings by Latter-day Saint artist Jorge Cocco Santángelo. With imagery and inspiring artistic commentary that transcends the ordinary, this visually stunning uniting of word and art paves the way for personal and family applications of the parables as never before.
In today’s modern society many people are turned off religion for a variety of reasons. This is very understandable when you consider all the different denominations and all the different teachings. Many pastors today do not teach what the Bible says, they teach their church doctrines. Most people believe what they have been taught, not what the Bible actually says. For example, consider what you have been taught about sin. Can you say you really understand it? Sin is clearly explained in chapter six. What about life after death? A popular teaching is if you “give your heart to Jesus” your immortal soul will go to heaven for eternal bliss. If you don’t, your soul will be tormented forever in the fires of hell. The Bible does not teach that! You will learn why in chapter eight. The author separates Bible fact from “church” fiction and shows that we should repent and turn to God because He loves us, not out of fear of eternal torment in hell. Using an abundance of scripture references, as well as personal speculation, the author paints a picture that makes sense. It may increase your faith in God and bring you peace in these troubling times. If you are seeking answers about the purpose for your life, this book may be what you need.
