While on a spiritual retreat in France, I received an etheric download from my guides and an invitation to scribe a book whose subject crossed my mind like a banner at a football game. It was The Twenty-First-Century Gospel of Jesus Christ. Never having channeled or done any automatic writing, this was both shocking and exhilarating news, especially since I was a perpetual student of Christ’s teachings and mystical works everywhere. More importantly, it demonstrated the strong need for us all to invite ourselves back into the Gospels, renewing and reinvigorating their message as appropriate for our Twenty-First-Century living.
This commentary brings to life John's ultimate purpose for his gospel: that his readers will believe the life and death of the Son of God and receive eternal life. Part of the 21st Century Premillennial New Testament Commentary Series.
The Gospel of Matthew is all about the King-the King of the Jews, the King who came to die to save His subjects, the King who is coming again to establish His millennial kingdom, the King of Kings. That King is Jesus Christ. Matthew focuses on both the first and second comings of Christ, with the assurance that in both cases, indeed the King is coming! Matthew, the tax collector turned disciple, writes to Jewish believers and unbelievers alike. For the believers, he emphasizes the legitimacy of Jesus as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah. For the unbelievers, he portrays the One who is the Savior of all people everywhere. His arguments are cogent, his style is vibrant, and his portrayal of Christ is magnificent. Charles Spurgeon said it best when he proclaimed, "Come just as you are, all guilty, empty, meritless and fall before the great King. And see it He will cast you away. Jesus is ready to pardon you...never tolerate low thoughts of Him. You may study, look and meditate, but Jesus is a greater Savior than you think Him to be, even when your thoughts are at their highest." Throughout Matthew's gospel, he draws our attention to the One who is the rightful King of Israel. Jesus is portrayed as being born a King, living and dying as a King, and coming again as the ultimate King of Kings. As you read this gospel and study this commentary, you will be challenged to become His disciple and follow Him wherever He leads you. A commentary for the twenty-first century, Study questions at the end of each chapter, Challenges you to follow the king wherever he leads you. Book jacket.
This bold, fresh look at the historical Jesus and the Jewish roots of Christianity challenges both Jews and Christians to re-examine their understanding of Jesus’ commitment to his Jewish faith. Instead of emphasizing the differences between the two religions, this groundbreaking text explains how the concepts of vicarious atonement, mediation, incarnation, and Trinity are actually rooted in classical Judaism. Using the cutting edge of scholarly research, Rabbi Zaslow dispels the myths of disparity between Christianity and Judaism without diluting the unique features of each faith. Jesus: First Century Rabbi is a breath of fresh air for Christians and Jews who want to strengthen and deepen their own faith traditions.
The vibrant and persuasive arguments of C. S. Lewis brought about a shift in the discipline of apologetics, moving the conversation from the ivory tower to the public square. The resulting strain of popular apologetics—which weaves through Lewis into twentieth-century writers like Francis Schaeffer and modern apologists like William Lane Craig, Josh McDowell, and Lee Strobel—has equipped countless believers to defend their faith against its detractors. Apologetics for the Twenty-first Century uses Lewis's work as the starting point for an absorbing survey of the key apologists and major arguments that inform apologetics today. Like apologists before him, Markos writes to engage Christians of all denominations as well as seekers and skeptics. His narrative, "man of letters" style and short chapters make Apologetics for the Twenty-first Century easily accessible for the general reader. But an extensive and heavily annotated bibliography, detailed timeline, list of prominent apologists, and glossary of common terms will satisfy the curiosity of the seasoned academic, as the book prepares all readers to meet the particular challenges of defending the faith today.
This incisive critique thoroughly and convincingly debunks the claims that recently discovered texts such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary, and even the Dead Sea Scrolls undermine the historical validity of the New Testament. Jenkins places the recent controversies surrounding the hidden gospels in a broad historical context and argues that, far from being revolutionary, such attempts to find an alternative Christianity date back at least to the Enlightenment. By employing the appropriate scholarly and historical methodologies, he demonstrates that the texts purported to represent pristine Christianity were in fact composed long after the canonical gospels found in the Bible. Produced by obscure heretical movements, these texts have attracted much media attention chiefly because they seem to support radical, feminist, and post-modern positions in the modern church. Indeed, Jenkins shows how best-selling books on the "hidden gospels" have been taken up by an uncritical, drama-hungry media as the basis for a social movement that could have powerful effects on the faith and practice of contemporary Christianity.
The first edition of The Gospel According to Jesus won wide acclaim in confronting the "easy-believism" that has characterized some quarters in evangelical ChristiaOver the past 50 years, a handful of books have become true classics, revered world-wide for their crystal-clear presentation of the Gospel and lauded for their contribution to the Christian faith. These extraordinary books are read, re-read, and discussed in churches, Bible study groups, and homes everywhere. John MacArthur's The Gospel According to Jesus is one of those books. In The Gospel According to Jesus, MacArthur tackles the idea of "easy believism," challenging Christians to re-evaluate their commitment to Christ by examining their fruits. MacArthur asks, "What does it really mean to be saved?" He urges readers to understand that their conversion was more than a mere point in time, that, by definition, it includes a lifetime of obediently walking with Jesus as Lord. This 20th Anniversary edition of MacArthur's provocative, Scripture-based book contains one new chapter and is further revised to provide Christians in the 21st century a fresh perspective on the intrinsic relationship between faith and works, clearly revealing why Jesus is both Savior and Lord to all who believe. nity. This expanded edition deepens the debate over "lordship salvation" and the biblical understanding of faith and works in adding a new chapter.
This unique volume offers a comprehensive survey of the prospects and critical isssues for the Christian world mission. The essays--written by various mission experts--cover such topics as the biblical and theological basis of the mission, women in mission, urban mission, dialogues with other faiths, the anthropology of "popular" religions, and more.
In Galatians and Ephesians, Couch and Witmer help the reader discover both the heart of the apostle Paul and the heart of the New Testament gospel. In both epistles, the reader is enveloped in the truth that salvation is by Christ alone, through grace alone, by faith alone.
