In Ancient Greece a woman quickly discovers that it doesnt pay to antagonize Roman authority. That woman is Phebe, whose husband has been killed by the Romans and whose sons have been taken from her and sent to Rome. Phebe has asked her gods for help, but her cries for deliverance have gone unanswered. Now doubtful of their power, Phebe is skeptical of most everything she has come to believe. What will it take for this brave, resilient widow to believe, finally, in the Christians One God and his Messiah Son, the Light of the World? Phebe-Courier for Paul is a compelling, colorful, and moving novel of one womans journey to a joyful life serving her Messiah. It is a timeless and enchanting story of love and forgiveness.
Around 56 AD, the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome. He entrusted this letter to Phoebe, whom he describes as the deacon of the church at Cenchreae and a patron of many. But who was this remarkable woman? Biblical scholar and popular author and speaker Paula Gooder imagines Phoebe's story—who she was, the life she lived, and her first-century faith—and in doing so opens up Paul's world.
A new commentary for today's world, The Story of God Bible Commentary explains and illuminates each passage of Scripture in light of the Bible's grand story. The first commentary series to do so, SGBC offers a clear and compelling exposition of biblical texts, guiding everyday readers in how to creatively and faithfully live out the Bible in their own contexts. Its story-centric approach is ideal for pastors, students, Sunday school teachers, and laypeople alike. Each volume employs three main, easy-to-use sections designed to help readers live out God's story: LISTEN to the Story: Includes complete NIV text with references to other texts at work in each passage, encouraging the reader to hear it within the Bible's grand story. EXPLAIN the Story: Explores and illuminates each text as embedded in its canonical and historical setting. LIVE the Story: Reflects on how each text can be lived today and includes contemporary stories and illustrations to aid preachers, teachers, and students. —Romans— Romans is a letter that has had monumental impact in the history of Christian thought. Delving into Romans helps us see more clearly the biblical story of how God reveals his salvation to both Israel and the nations and compels us to read the Old Testament with a hermeneutical lens which identifies Jesus as the centerpiece of Israel's redemptive history. Edited by Scot McKnight and Tremper Longman III, and written by a number of top-notch theologians, The Story of God Bible Commentary series will bring relevant, balanced, and clear-minded theological insight to any biblical education or ministry.
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The teacher in Ecclesiastes first offers a pessimistic attitude toward life. Good people as well as bad people die. The world is inscrutable and futile. Some scholars say the teacher believes there is more to learn at a funeral than at a party. If you are fully awake to lifenot hiding behind fear or the fantasy of easy optimismyou will find another attitude from a trustworthy teacher who has looked directly at the charring anomalies of life and has still found fertile springs that can outlast the heat of the sun. Richard Hagerman stirs the research of that wisest man in the Old Testament into the promises of the New Testament Savior, Jesus Christ, and makes them a palatable elixir of life. May Eat, Drink, and Be Especially Joyful help you find the Christ who will always be the gift by which men and women of all genetic backgrounds can eat, drink, and be especially joyful.
The Bible has been written by sixty-six male prophets, kings, pharaohs, and New Testament authors. The Bible has been written by men, for men, and about men""like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Jesus, and His Apostles. Consequently, the Bible is rather male-oriented, and one can see this in Apostle Paul who says women must not teach, "to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God" (Titus 2:5 NIV). Forgotten Women of the Holy Bible illuminates several outstanding women in Holy Scripture. The author's timeless effort reveals meticulous research and fresh insights into thirty-six important women who have been disregarded, minimized, and even forgotten in Holy Scripture. Some of these remarkable women are Priscilla, Tabitha, Phoebe, Joana, Lydia, Prophetess Miriam, Judge Deborah, Queen Esther, Prophetess Anna, and a female apostle named Junia""who was in prison with Paul. This treasure of chronicles on special women also includes Mother Mary, her sister, wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene who stood at the cross with Jesus, while the apostles were in hiding. After the crucifixion, Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary" bring spices to anoint the body of Jesus. When the tomb is found empty, these two women run to tell the apostles, and the Risen Lord suddenly appears to "them" on the road! The entire event is recorded in Matthew 28:1""10 NIV where the Risen Lord appears to at least two women, perhaps more than two: "Suddenly Jesus met them. 'Greetings,' he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.'" This Holy Scripture is one of many found in the Bible which have been ignored, disregarded, or totally lost to memory. This Bible Study would benefit Christian pastors, teachers, lay students, men, and women alike.
