The Apostle Paul was the greatest early missionary of the Christian gospel. He was also, by his own admission, an Israelite. How can both these realities coexist in one individual? This book argues that Paul viewed his mission to the Gentiles, in and of itself, as the primary expression of his Jewish identity. The concept of Israel’s divine vocation is used to shed fresh light on a number of much-debated passages in Paul’s letter to the Romans.
This book tackles a central problem of comparative religious history: proselytizing by Jews and pagans in the ancient world, and the origins of missions in the early Church. Why did some individuals in the first four centuries of the Christian era believe it desirable to persuade outsiders to join their religious group, while others did not? In this book, the author offers a new hypothesis about the origins of Christian proselytizing, arguing that mission is not an inherent religious instinct, that in antiquity it was found only sporadically among Jews and pagans, and that even Christians rarely stressed its importance in the early centuries. Much of the book focusses on the history of Judaism in late antiquity. Dr Goodman makes a detailed and radical re-evaluation of the evidence for Jewish missionary attitudes in the late Second Temple and Talmudic periods, questioning many commonly held assumptions, in particular the view that Jews proselytized energetically in the first century CE. This leads him on to take issue with the common notion that the early Christian mission to the gentiles imitated or competed with contemporary Jews. Finally, the author puts forward some novel suggestions as to how the Jewish background to Christianity may nonetheless have contributed to the enthusiastic adoption of universal proselytizing by some followers of Jesus in the apostolic age.
Relations between Jews and non-Jews in the Hellenistic-Roman period were marked by suspicion and hate, maintain most studies of that topic. But if such conjectures are true, asks Louis Feldman, how did Jews succeed in winning so many adherents, whether full-fledged proselytes or "sympathizers" who adopted one or more Jewish practices? Systematically evaluating attitudes toward Jews from the time of Alexander the Great to the fifth century A.D., Feldman finds that Judaism elicited strongly positive and not merely unfavorable responses from the non-Jewish population. Jews were a vigorous presence in the ancient world, and Judaism was strengthened substantially by the development of the Talmud. Although Jews in the Diaspora were deeply Hellenized, those who remained in Israel were able to resist the cultural inroads of Hellenism and even to initiate intellectual counterattacks. Feldman draws on a wide variety of material, from Philo, Josephus, and other Graeco-Jewish writers through the Apocrypha, the Pseudepigrapha, the Church Councils, Church Fathers, and imperial decrees to Talmudic and Midrashic writings and inscriptions and papyri. What emerges is a rich description of a long era to which conceptions of Jewish history as uninterrupted weakness and suffering do not apply.
Proselytism remains one of the most divisive issues in global Christianity, jeopardizing many ecumenical initiatives and projects. Almost all traditions accuse others of proselytism, but none readily confess to it, as one tradition's mission and evangelism is another's proselytism. This work brings together, for the first time, significant formal statements from Christian bodies and churches alongside articles from leading commentators in this hotly contested issue. It gives clergy, academics, and students a vital resource in understanding the perspectives of different traditions, and therefore the opportunity to study and understand viewpoints and opinions from competing perspectives. The volume originates in a process of work commissioned by the World Pentecostal Fellowship, the World Council of Churches, the World Evangelical Alliance, and the Roman Catholic Church, under the auspices of the Global Christian Forum. We discovered that there are no easy answers that resolve the tensions and debates about proselytism, but through listening and understanding different voices, new opportunities for establishing constructive relationships can and do emerge.
Fans of The Hammer of God and With My Own Eyes will enjoy this devotional commentary on Romans from Pastor, Bo Giertz. The beloved 20th-century bishop takes readers through Paul's letter to the Romans; pointing to God's grace in Christ and forgiveness for the sinner at every turn. Known as the "C.S. Lewis of Sweden," Bo Giertz, unerringly reveals the fountain of good news in every Romans passage. Giertz delivers part commentary by thoroughly dissecting each passage, and part devotional as he keenly directs readers to comforts won for them by Christ crucified in all His saving glory.
The Bible calls all Christians to share the good news about Jesus’s death and resurrection with those who don’t believe in Christ, yet this task can often seem daunting. This study helps participants have the right perspectives on evangelism and shows them how to go about sharing the good news with others. A series of ten 6–7 week studies covering the nine distinctives of a healthy church as originally laid out in Nine Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever. This series explores the biblical foundations of key aspects of the church, helping Christians to live out those realities as members of a local body. Conveniently packaged and accessibly written, the format of this series is guided, inductive discussion of Scripture passages and is ideal for use in Sunday school, church-wide studies, or small group contexts.
Explore the Book is not a commentary with verse-by-verse annotations. Neither is it just a series of analyses and outlines. Rather, it is a complete Bible survey course. No one can finish this series of studies and remain unchanged. The reader will receive lifelong benefit and be enriched by these practical and understandable studies. Exposition, commentary, and practical application of the meaning and message of the Bible will be found throughout this giant volume. Bible students without any background in Bible study will find this book of immense help as will those who have spent much time studying the Scriptures, including pastors and teachers. Explore the Book is the result and culmination of a lifetime of dedicated Bible study and exposition on the part of Dr. Baxter. It shows throughout a deep awareness and appreciation of the grand themes of the gospel, as found from the opening book of the Bible through Revelation.
The Oxford Handbook of Religious Conversion offers a comprehensive exploration of the dynamics of religious conversion, which for centuries has profoundly shaped societies, cultures, and individuals throughout the world. Scholars from a wide array of religions and disciplines interpret both the varieties of conversion experiences and the processes that inform this personal and communal phenomenon. This volume examines the experiences of individuals and communities who change religions, those who experience an intensification of their religion of origin, and those who encounter new religions through colonial intrusion, missionary work, and charismatic and revitalization movements. The thirty-two innovative essays provide overviews of the history of particular religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, indigenous religions, and new religious movements. The essays also offer a wide range of disciplinary perspectives-psychological, sociological, anthropological, legal, political, feminist, and geographical-on methods and theories deployed in understanding conversion, and insight into various forms of deconversion.
Bo Giertz takes the reader on a guided tour of the gospels using the culture and historical context of Christ's life with a novel approach that illuminates nuance and deepens understanding of Christ's words and actions.
Welcome to the visionary world of "India of My Dreams" by M.K. Gandhi, a profound exploration of the principles and ideals that shaped the father of the Indian nation's vision for a free and prosperous India. Prepare to be inspired by Gandhi's timeless wisdom and unwavering commitment to truth, nonviolence, and social justice. Follow Gandhi's impassioned plea for a better future as he articulates his vision for an India that is free from poverty, oppression, and inequality. From his advocacy for Swaraj (self-rule) to his championing of Sarvodaya (the welfare of all), Gandhi offers a roadmap for building a society based on love, compassion, and mutual respect. Explore the rich tapestry of Gandhi's ideas as he addresses a wide range of issues, from economic inequality and social injustice to the need for spiritual renewal and moral regeneration. Through his eloquent prose and moral clarity, Gandhi invites readers to reflect on the values that are essential for building a truly democratic and egalitarian society. Themes of truth, ahimsa (nonviolence), and Satyagraha (civil disobedience) permeate the narrative, inviting readers to contemplate the power of moral courage and the importance of standing up for what is right. As Gandhi's words inspire and challenge us, we are reminded of the transformative potential of love and compassion in the face of hatred and oppression. The overall tone and mood of "India of My Dreams" are imbued with a sense of hope and optimism, as Gandhi's vision for a better world shines through on every page. From the bustling streets of India's cities to the serene beauty of its rural villages, Gandhi paints a vivid portrait of a nation on the cusp of greatness, ready to fulfill its destiny as a beacon of light and hope for the world. Critically acclaimed for its moral clarity, spiritual depth, and profound insights into the human condition, "India of My Dreams" has earned its place as a classic of Indian literature. Its enduring relevance and timeless wisdom continue to inspire readers of all ages and backgrounds, reminding us of the power of love and truth to transform the world. Whether you're a student of history, a champion of social justice, or simply someone looking for guidance on how to live a life of purpose and meaning, "India of My Dreams" offers a roadmap for building a better world. Its message of hope and redemption will leave you feeling inspired and empowered to make a difference in your own community and beyond. Don't miss your chance to experience the wisdom of M.K. Gandhi's vision for a better world with "India of My Dreams." Let "India of My Dreams" inspire you to work towards a future where love and truth reign supreme. Secure your copy now and join the countless readers who have been inspired by Gandhi's timeless masterpiece.
