The serpent of ancient times was more often associated with positive attributes like healing and eternal life than it was with negative meanings. This groundbreaking book explores in plentiful detail the symbol of the serpent from 40,000 BCE to the present, and from diverse regions in the world. In doing so it emphasizes the creativity of the biblical authors' use of symbols and argues that we must today reexamine our own archetypal conceptions with comparable creativity.--From publisher description.
New York Times Best Seller! 1500 5-Star Reviews! From the author that brought you NEW YORK TIMES best selling books The Harbinger, The Mystery of the Shemitah, and The Paradigm selling over 3 MILLION copies Imagine if you discovered a treasure chest in which were hidden ancient mysteries, revelations from heaven, secrets of the ages, the answers to man’s most enduring, age-old questions, and the hidden keys that can transform your life to joy, success, and blessing…This is The Book of Mysteries.
In this study, Brian A. Verrett argues that 1–2 Samuel contains a serpent motif by practicing biblical theology and literary criticism. This motif derives from the serpent in Genesis 3, and its function within the Samuel narrative is to heighten the reader’s anticipation in the coming messiah, who is the son of David and the seed of the woman from Genesis 3:15. This messiah will defeat the serpent and inaugurate his glorious reign over a renewed world. When 1–2 Samuel is read in this way, one appreciates previously unnoticed features of the text, understands aspects of the text that were formerly confusing, and rightly sees that the whole of 1–2 Samuel is a messianic document.
Although a story with a serpent, a damsel in distress, and a serpent slayer may sound like just another fairy tale, it is, in fact, part of the greatest true account ever told—the Bible. Epic tales resonate with readers because they echo the greatest story. In this new addition to the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series, Andrew David Naselli traces the theme of snakes and dragons from the serpent in the garden to the devouring dragon in Revelation, culminating with the return of the King. New and seasoned Christians alike will experience afresh the captivating unifying narrative behind all stories as they embark on a journey through the Bible with a trusted biblical scholar.
The NIV is the world's best-selling modern translation, with over 150 million copies in print since its first full publication in 1978. This highly accurate and smooth-reading version of the Bible in modern English has the largest library of printed and electronic support material of any modern translation.
"Trying to enjoy married life, October Daye discovers that an old friend and ally is really an enemy in disguise and must battle for her life and community"--
Object Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things. Feared and worshiped in equal measure, snakes have captured the imagination of poets, painters, and philosophers for centuries. From Ice Age cave drawings to Snakes on a Plane, this creature continues to enthrall the public. But what harm has been caused by our mythologizing? While considering the dangers of stigma, Erica Wright moves from art and pop culture to religion, fetish, and ecologic disaster. This book considers how the snake has become more symbol than animal, a metaphor for how we treat whatever scares us the most, whether or not our panic is justified. Object Lessons is published in partnership with an essay series in the The Atlantic.
The stakes are higher. The witches are deadlier. And the romance is red-hot. The eagerly anticipated sequel to the New York Times and Indiebound bestseller Serpent & Dove is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and is an instant New York Times bestseller! Lou, Reid, Coco, and Ansel are on the run from coven, kingdom, and church—fugitives with nowhere to hide. To survive, they need allies. Strong ones. But as Lou becomes increasingly desperate to save those she loves, she turns to a darker side of magic that may cost Reid the one thing he can’t bear to lose. Bound to her always, his vows were clear: where Lou goes, he will go; and where she stays, he will stay. Until death do they part. Don't miss Gods & Monsters, the spellbinding conclusion of this epic trilogy!
When asked what the word "serpent," brings to mind, most Christians, Jews, and Muslims would describe it as the incarnation of "the Devil" or "evil." The same is true of the scholarly world--the vast majority of scholarship on the symbolism of the serpent has stressed its negative connotations, seeing it as a representation of iniquity and deceit or of the dangerous, "sinful" aspects of sex. James Charlesworth challenges this accepted wisdom in THE GOOD AND EVIL SERPENT and shows that its appearances as a positive symbol, in fact, far outnumber the negative. Drawing on sources ranging from the Bible and other religious texts to works of history, philosophy, and art history, to actual artifacts like statues and jewelry, Charlesworth reveals the complex and subtle meanings the serpent held for ancient civilizations. He discusses the widespread use of serpent imagery to symbolize wisdom, rejuvenation, and eternal life, and illustrates the specific ways various cultures and belief systems interpreted and depicted the serpent's powers. In ancient Egypt, for instance, the image of an upright hooded cobra was commonly employed as a protective icon. In many cultures, serpents represent health and healing. The familiar caduceus of Western medicine originated with the entwined serpents carved on the staff of the legendary Greek healer Aesculapius, and Moses fashioned a serpent of brass on a pole to ward off snakes in the wilderness. Illustrated with more than one hundred black-and-white images, THE GOOD AND EVIL SERPENT is the definitive investigation into the creature that has been both revered and vilified by human societies throughout history.
New York Times Bestseller * Indiebound Bestseller * An Amazon Best Book of 2019 * B&N's YA Book Club Pick "A brilliant debut, full of everything I love: a sparkling and fully realized heroine, an intricate and deadly system of magic, and a searing romance that kept me reading long into the night. Serpent & Dove is an absolute gem of a book." —Sarah J. Maas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Court of Thorns and Roses series Bound as one, to love, honor, or burn. Book one of a stunning fantasy trilogy, this tale of witchcraft and forbidden love is perfect for fans of Kendare Blake and Sara Holland. Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned. As a huntsman of the Church, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. But when Lou pulls a wicked stunt, the two are forced into an impossible situation—marriage. Lou, unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, must make a choice. And love makes fools of us all. Don't miss Gods & Monsters, the spellbinding conclusion of this epic trilogy!
