The Bible is funny! Very funny, according to Douglas Adams. In this book, Adams demonstrates how readers can discover this often-neglected humor looking at the Bible as a whole and seeing biblical stories with all their rough edges--the unethical and ambiguous characters, the unsolved problems, and the surprising endings. Adams argues that by missing the humor and irony of the Bible, readers often miss intended meanings as well.
Are the Old and New Testament accounts of Jesus lineage contradictory or complimentary? Is the family tree of Jesus a calendar, and what may it tell us about our own generation? Why was Adam old at 900, Abraham old at 150, and David an old man at only 70? How long is a Biblical generation, and exactly when was Jesus born? Is there historical proof of Jesus resurrection? The Family Tree of Jesus explores these questions, and much more. Within these pages: Astonishing facts and numerical properties about the lineage of Jesus. Historical and archaeological proofs that substantiate the Bibles accuracy. Biographies of over 150 real men and women in Jesus genealogy all the way back to Adam. Irrefutable evidence that Jesus of Nazareth was exactly Who He claimed to be according to the prophecies concerning Him -- the Messiah Whose coming was predicted 40 centuries before His birth. The Family Tree of Jesus is a 4000-year journey of discovery: The master list that leads to the Master
Advent devotional for Christmas that will stir hope and inspire worship. As dawn broke on that first Christmas morning, the sun rose on a new era: God's king had come to earth to bring about his kingdom. Join Sinclair Ferguson as he opens up the first two chapters of Matthew's Gospel in these daily devotions for Advent. Each day’s reflection is full of insight and application, and will help you to arrive at Christmas Day awed by God's redeeming grace and refreshed by the hope of God’s promised king.
People love to hear the familiar Christmas stories during the season of Advent. No matter how creative one might be with different approaches to Christmas preaching, for most it just doesnt seem the same without angels and shepherds and magi, without Mary and Joseph (and even wicked king Herod), and certainly without the child born in the manger! This leaves the preacher with four chapters of the scriptures, Matthew 12 and Luke 12, as the primary resources for the season. Preaching from these chapters for three years, much less thirty years, is a challenge. We are either left with preaching the same sermons, sometimes under different titles, or we need to think about Christmas preaching more creatively. The Birth of Jesus the Messiah combines thematic commentary on the birth stories of Matthew and Luke with preaching and teaching ideas. Biblical themes flowing through each birth narrative, set forth by the Gospel writers themselves, inspire fresh sermon series ideas for the Advent season. Over thirty sermon series ideas include In the Shadow of Herod, Advent at Risk: Women in Jesus Genealogy, Covenants for Christmas, Lukes Symphony, Angels in Advent: Dont Be Afraid. Engage with The Birth of Jesus the Messiah as a fresh starting point and annual resource for planning your Advent and Christmas preaching.
Simply fascinating for Bible scholar and neophyte alike, these family trees shed new light on the lineages of biblical men and women from Aaron to Zimri, their marriages, illicit affairs, and the offspring they produced. This encyclopedic study of over 130 main characters in the Christian Bible provides reference sources for Bible study as well as a better visualization of the relationships between various characters.
Women appear in key places and roles throughout the biblical story-line. In the Old Testament we find Eve in the garden of Eden; the matriarchs Sarah, Rebekah, Leah and Rachel; Deborah and Ruth in the time of the Judges; the prophetesses Huldah in King Josiah's time; the capable woman of Proverbs 31; the passionate woman in the Song of Songs. In the Gospels, various women are involved in the life of Jesus, not least his mother Mary and the first witnesses to his resurrection. The book of Acts includes Lydia the converted businesswoman and Priscilla the fearless teacher. Furthermore, both testaments also contain much teaching about women's life and ministry, for example in prayer, in worship, in marriage and in leadership. Derek and Dianne Tidball's wide-ranging exposition begins with some foundations about women in creation and in the new creation. Next, they survey women under the old covenant. Thirdly, they examine women in the kingdom of God, in the life and teaching of Jesus, and in the final section they deal with women in the new community of the early church, and grapple with some of the more controversial writings of the apostle Paul. Mindful of the complexities, challenges and debates, the authors seek to approach the Bible with humility and integrity, while addressing vitally relevant issues for Christians today with clarity and confidence.
Intriguing and eye-opening interpretations of the most scandalous Bible stories that are puzzling and even shocking, maybe not even worthy of being in the Bible. A serious and sometimes whimsical taking of readers into the most awkward and even repulsive biblical narratives to find answers to the difficult questions facing believers today. Here is an outstanding resource for young adults, Sunday school classes, and quest groups that will provoke real conversations about the Bible and how the faithful should be living their lives. These twenty-eight Bible stories, strictly for adults, would make great sermon material for the pastor who has the courage and wisdom to try. They surely are in the Bible for some important reason. You are warned to approach with caution.
A practical guide to recognizing and overcoming the patterns and influences of the four generations before you • Provides exercises to uncover your family’s psychological heritage, heal negative patterns of behavior and illness in your family tree, and discover your true self • Explains how we are the product of two forces: repetition of familial patterns from the past and creation of new ideas from the Universal Consciousness of the future • Interwoven with examples from Jodorowsky’s own life and his work with the tarot, psychoanalysis, and psychomagic The family tree is not merely vital statistics about your ancestors. It is an embodied sense of self that we inherit from at least four prior generations, constituting both a life-giving treasure and a deadly trap. Each of us is both an heir of our lineage and a necessary variation that brings the family into new territory. Are you doomed to repeat the patterns of your parents and grandparents? Or can you harness your familial and individual talents to create your own destiny? In Metagenealogy, Alejandro Jodorowsky and Marianne Costa show how every individual is the product of two forces: the imitating force, directed by the family group acting from the past, and the creative force, driven by the Universal Consciousness from the future. Interweaving examples from Jodorowsky’s own life and his work with the tarot, psychoanalysis, and psychomagic, the authors provide exercises, visualizations, and meditations to discover your family’s psychological heritage and open yourself to the growth and creativity of Universal Consciousness. They reveal how identifying the patterns, emotional programming, and successes and failures of the four generations that influence you--your siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and great-grandparents--allows you to see beyond the stable identity formed by family lineage. It frees you to overcome your inherited subconscious patterns of behavior and illness, stop the transmission of these patterns to future generations, and reconnect with your true self and unique creative purpose in life. By understanding your family tree and your place in it, you open your ability to heal the ancient struggle between the repetitive forces of the past and the creative forces of the future.
Asking if there is humor in any religious text might seem blasphemous to many readers. Religious texts are there to instruct us, not entertain us. Religious texts are serious works, not frivolous. However, if part of being human entails having a sense of humor, then it would be more surprising indeed for Scripture not to have humor. Humor instructs us as much as it entertains us. God at the Improv seeks to show that being religious and being humorous are not opposites, but actually work in tandem to enhance and enliven our faith and practice.
"Everyone knows about Noah, Moses, and Paul. But what about Hagar, Michal, and Priscilla, all women who had a direct influence in the story of God's people? The Bible is full of fascinating, powerful, and faithful women, as well as lessons that have unique meaning for women today." "In The Women's Study Bible, respected Bible scholars draw out these often overlooked stories and reveal the lives of women at the time and share lessons for women of today. Separate sidebars cover topics such as midwifery, women disciples, and female images of God. The Women's Study Bible doesn't shy away from the difficult issues, but helps readers to understand them better in both their original context and the modern world." "The New Living Translation of the Bible uses inclusive language for humanity and where it is clear that both male and female are meant to be included." --Book Jacket.
