A Concise Guide to Reading the Prophetic Books The Prophetic Books of the Bible are full of symbolic speeches, dramatic metaphors, and lengthy allegories—a unique blend of literary styles that can make them hard to comprehend. How can we know if we are reading them the way God intended them to be read? In this accessible guide, leading Old Testament scholar Peter Gentry identifies seven common characteristics of prophetic literature in the Bible that help us understand each book's message. With illustrations and clear examples, Gentry offers guidance for reading these challenging texts—teaching us practical strategies for deeper engagement with the biblical text as we seek to apply God's Word to our lives today.
How can creatures made from dust become members of God's household "forever"? In this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume, Michael Morales explores the narrative context, literary structure and theology of Leviticus, following its dramatic movement from the tabernacle to the temple—and from the earthly to the heavenly Mount Zion in the New Testament.
Did Jesus claim to be the "bridegroom"? If so, what did he mean by this claim? When Jesus says that the wedding guests should not fast "while the bridegroom is with them" (Mark 2:19), he is claiming to be a bridegroom by intentionally alluding to a rich tradition from the Hebrew Bible. By eating and drinking with "tax collectors and other sinners," Jesus was inviting people to join him in celebrating the eschatological banquet. While there is no single text in the Hebrew Bible or the literature of the Second Temple Period which states the "messiah is like a bridegroom," the elements for such a claim are present in several texts in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Hosea. By claiming that his ministry was an ongoing wedding celebration he signaled the end of the Exile and the restoration of Israel to her position as the Lord's beloved wife. This book argues that Jesus combined the tradition of an eschatological banquet with a marriage metaphor in order to describe the end of the Exile as a wedding banquet.
""The Bible Home Instructor"" is a classic Bible study guide, originally published in 1920. It is a compilation of Bible testimony on a multitude of Christian subjects. Each of the many biblical topics encapsulates one or more doctrinal truths, as understood and explained by the original author, Andrew N. Dugger. In 1995, I assisted ministerial author, Richard C. Nickels, in creating an updated edition of this popular Bible study guide. For all of us who participated in this project, it was a work of love. That printed version is still being sold, and oftentimes at exorbitant prices. Therefore, I have decided to publish this updated edition and sell it for the cost of printing. I also offer a free, text-only PDF through my online bookstore at http: //www.lulu.com/spotlight/KerryBarger . The PDF can be copied and shared freely among any number of people. This book can shed the precious light of God's truth into your life and the lives of all who take its teachings to heart.
"A masterpiece of contemporary Bible translation and commentary."—Los Angeles Times Book Review, Best Books of 1999 Acclaimed for its masterful new translation and insightful commentary, The David Story is a fresh, vivid rendition of one of the great works in Western literature. Robert Alter's brilliant translation gives us David, the beautiful, musical hero who slays Goliath and, through his struggles with Saul, advances to the kingship of Israel. But this David is also fully human: an ambitious, calculating man who navigates his life's course with a flawed moral vision. The consequences for him, his family, and his nation are tragic and bloody. Historical personage and full-blooded imagining, David is the creation of a literary artist comparable to the Shakespeare of the history plays.
Galatians is one of the earliest of the Pauline letters and is therefore among the first documents written by Christians in the first century. Paul’s letter to the Galatians deals with the first real controversy in the early church: the status of Jews and gentiles in this present age and the application of the Law of Moses to gentiles. Paul argues passionately that gentiles are not “converting” to Judaism and therefore should not be expected to keep the Law. Gentiles who accept Jesus as Savior are “free in Christ,” not under the bondage of the Law. Galatians also deals with an important pastoral issue in the early church as well. If gentiles are not “under the Law,” are they free to behave any way they like? Does Paul’s gospel mean that gentiles can continue to live like pagans and still be right with God? For Paul, the believer’s status as an adopted child of God enables them to serve God freely as dearly loved children. Galatians: Freedom through God's Grace is commentary for laypeople, Bible teachers, and pastors who want to grasp how the original readers of Galatians would have understood Paul’s letter and how this important ancient letter speaks to Christians living in similar situations in the twenty-first century.
Do you want to enhance your spending time with the Lord? Did you know that you can read and meditate on a devotional while reverently sitting with the very one who selected the devotional topic and the scripture used—God? The Anchor Holds provides a way. God gave the topics and verses to author and deacon Ron Crowe, leading him through the writing of each devotional. The devotionals are meaningful, invigorating, spiritual, and interesting, and each devotional has an “Action” section to guide you in applying God’s thoughts, which will glorify Him. When you purchase The Anchor Holds, you will bring glory to God—as all book proceeds go to assisting in financing mission and evangelism activities. So, both the purchase of The Anchor Holds and the reading, meditating on, and applying of each devotional thought glorifies God, moves you closer to Him, and blesses you. The Anchor Holds gives the reader an excellent devotional experience designed to satisfy the longing for something stable in our lives. Through personal experience and confident study of God’s Word Ron shares with us an exceptional path to knowing more about our anchor in Christ. The Action and Scripture Meditation included in each devotional reading continually point the reader’s attention back to the certainty of God and His Word. Dr. Kevin L. Cooper, Pastor, Grace Crossing Baptist Church Interesting! Accurate! Meaningful! Ron Crowe has done a magnificent job sharing the Word of God and the hope of the Gospel. He has beautifully shared the Scriptures and even given us an Action Plan to apply biblical truth to our lives. Plus, all proceeds go to Christian organizations doing good work! Be encouraged. Make a difference. Buy this book! Stan Buckley, Founder and Executive Director of But God Ministries
