The publication of the King James version of the Bible, translated between 1603 and 1611, coincided with an extraordinary flowering of English literature and is universally acknowledged as the greatest influence on English-language literature in history. Now, world-class literary writers introduce the book of the King James Bible in a series of beautifully designed, small-format volumes. The introducers' passionate, provocative, and personal engagements with the spirituality and the language of the text make the Bible come alive as a stunning work of literature and remind us of its overwhelming contemporary relevance.
"A comprehensive guide to contemporary Christian artists, and to secular artists whose faith has affected their life and work"--Back cover of accompanying book. Also includes information about the bands and trends in contemporary Christian music.
In this contribution to The New International Commentary on the Old Testament, Trevor Longman takes a canonical-Christocentric approach to the meaning of the fascinating but puzzling book of Ecclesiastes.
A world-renowned Old Testament scholar provides a careful exegetical reading of Ecclesiastes with theological insights for serious students of the Bible.
In this 23rd volume of the Believers Church Bible Commentary Series, Doug Miller respects the pastoral and theological contribution of Ecclesiastes, without muting its critique of simplistic and comfortable approaches to the life of faith. It is particularly useful for Christians who need a fresh look at the insights of this ancient sage in an era of uncertain identity, the flux of worldviews, and the elusiveness of truth. The Believers Church Bible Commentary series is a readable series of commentaries for all who seek more fully to understand the original message of Scripture and its meaning for today—Sunday school teachers, members of Bible study groups, students, pastors, and other seekers. The Believers Church Commentary Series is a cooperative project of Brethren in Christ Church, Brethren Church, Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Brethren Church, Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada.
Ecclesiastes is the most surprising book in the Scriptures. It challenges its readers to reconsider what they think life is about and how far it is possible to understand God's involvement in the world. This commentary seeks to help people enter the world of Ecclesiastes and see how it can increase their understanding of God and of themselves.
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. — Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs— Commentators have derived a range of interpretations of the book of Ecclesiastes. For some, it's wholly in keeping with traditional biblical wisdom, while for others it is a radically unorthodox manifesto. Song of Songs has likewise been subject to a number of interpretations and challenges. Is it an allegory for God's love for his people, or is its intent plainer—an exposition of human love and sexuality? 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.
The author writes: The basic questions always begin with “why”, not “how”. People ask :“How can I be happy? How can I make a living? How can I get guidance? How can I do this?” They should be asking, “Why should I make a living? Why should I need guidance?” Science answers the question “how” again and again, but it never answers the question “Why?” It may be able to tell us how the world began, but it doesn’t tell us why, and it is the “why” that is important. Ecclesiastes is a book to tell you why, and that is much more important than how.
