These commentaries are designed to help the reader of the Bible understand what the text says and what it means. The Introduction to each book gives a concise but thorough treatment of its authorship, date, original setting and purpose. Following a structural Analysis, the Commentary takes the book section by section, drawing out its main themes, and also comments on individual verses and problems of interpretation. Additional Notes provide fuller discussion of particular difficulties. In the new New Testament volumes, the commentary on each section of the text is structured under three headings: Context, Comment and Theology. The goal is to explain the true meaning of the Bible and make its message plain.JAMESThe letter of James has often been defined in terms of moral earnestness, repentance and consistent social action, leading many to argue that it is not theological. This separation between theology and practice, Douglas J. Moo observes, can all too easily lead people to read Scripture as a book to be analysed rather than a message to be obeyed - the very mindset against which James inveighs. Moo's exposition of these themes illuminates James's rich letter and its message for us today.
Is the Bible's teaching on sexuality plausible today? Can you be Christian and gay? Discover how life in Christ is the best life for everyone, whoever you are attracted to
God often seems most distant when we are going through our hardest times. And yet many people have found that it is exactly at the moments of their greatest struggle that they have met God most closely. Through vivid retellings of the stories of eight biblical characters who met God at points of extremity in their lives, Ian Coffey offers us inspirational ways of making the struggles we face an opportunity for growth. By sharing both modern examples of people who have faced the same sorts of struggles, and events in his own life, he gives us practical help and hope in our hardest moments. Esther & courageJeremiah & inadequacyJohn & doubtPaul & fearPeter & imprisonmentRuth & lossElijah & despairMark & failureFull of rich reflection and thought-provoking questions, it will help us to discover the God who walks with his people through their darkest moments.
Anyone who has been through Sunday school can tell you that Jesus walked on water, fed the 5,000 and told a parable about a sower. Is there really much more to it than that? Aren't the Gospels supposed to be the ""easy"" bits of the Bible?Using Mark as a worked example, Andrew and Tim follow 'the most important things that have ever happened in the history of the world'. They help us see ""a diagnosis of the human condition more perceptive than that offered by any physician, politician, philosopher or psychiatrist"". They point to a solution that touches in the same moment both the horrors of hell and the glory of heaven. We come face to face with the Jesus of the Bible and see how to follow him in a way that utterly transforms our lives.The conviction of the Dig Deeper books is that God wants us to work hard at reading the Bible in order to discover its true meaning, hence the use of 'tools' to dig and dig again. It's an interactive and enjoyable process. Indeed, the authors want to make finding Bible treasure a real possibility for everyone. And to do so with receptive hearts, listening to what the Holy Spirit is saying.'What a splendid book! A great resource for Bible study leaders and preachers.' - Peter Adam'This book is a gold mine, not just because of the many rich ideas it contains, but especially because it enables us to discover the treasures of the Gospels... The resulting engagement with the gospel - with Jesus himself - is compelling and life-changing.' - Jonathan Lamb
How can we maintain an intimate relationship with God in a busy world? How do we read the Bible to feed our souls, rather than ""professionally"", looking for the next talk we have to deliver? How do we care for ourselves and avoid either burn-out or rust-out?Paul Mallard has written Staying Fresh for everyone involved in ministry, at whatever level that may be. While he acknowledges the importance of conviction and competence, his primary emphasis here is on character. He is passionate about the importance of integrity, of persevering in prayer and discipleship, of never giving up in our battle with sin and our service for Christ.""But even if you are not a leader and never aspire to be one,' he says, 'I hope that what you learn here will help you to maintain the freshness of young love.""
Just as the Old Testament book of Genesis begins with creation, where humans live in the presence of their Lord, so the New Testament book of Revelation ends with an even more glorious new creation where all of the redeemed dwell with the Lord and his Christ. The historical development between the beginning and the end is crucial, for the journey from Eden to the new Jerusalem proceeds through the land promised to Abraham. The Promised Land is the place where God's people will once again live under his lordship and experience his blessed presence. In this stimulating study, Oren Martin demonstrates how, within the redemptive-historical framework of God's unfolding plan, the land promise advances the place of the kingdom that was lost in Eden and serves as a type throughout Israel's history that anticipates the even greater land, prepared for all of God's people, that will result from the person and work of Christ - and that will be enjoyed in the new creation for eternity.
'The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.' 'Thy word is a lamp to my feet.' 'Search me, O God, and know my heart!'Such phrases leap to mind each time a Christian lifts his heart to God. For many, in fact, the Psalms are the richest part of the Old Testament. Derek Kidner provides a fresh and penetrating guide to Psalms 1 - 72. He analyses each psalm in depth, comments on interpretative questions and brings out the universal relevance of the texts. He also gives special help on the psalmists' cries for vengeance. Together with its companion volume (Psalms 73 - 150), both of which were formerly part of the Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries series, this introduction and commentary will inspire and deepen personal worship.
This book explores the biblical conception of mystery as an initial, partially hidden revelation that is subsequently more fully revealed, shedding light not only on the richness of the concept itself, but also on the broader relationship between the Old and New Testaments. As such, it is a model for attentive and faithful biblical theology.
In this magisterial synthesis, Paul A. Rainbow presents the most complete account of the theology of the Johannine corpus available today. Both critical and comprehensive, this volume includes all the books of the New Testament ascribed to John: the Gospel, the three Epistles and the book of Revelation.While not proclaiming a definitive position on the question of authorship, this work seeks to shed light on the theology common to all the New Testament authors. John's root beliefs concerning God, humanity, sin, the world, and the significance of the Christ-event on eschatology unite the examined books with the rest of the New Testament canon. The Johannine corpus also highlights the important areas of Christology, soteriology and ecclesiology in a manner that is worth exploration.Organizing John's ideas by the main characters around whom they revolve, the Johannine universe consists of persons divine and human, and their relationships with each other. Father, Son, Holy Spirit, faithful believers and the rest of the world are the main cast of characters that make up the rich set of writings considered in this exhaustive analysis.
The book of Psalms is the heart of the Old Testament, the libretto of the most vibrant worship imaginable. It informs our intellect, stimulates our imagination, arouses our emotions and stirs us to holy thoughts and actions. It is also a pivotal witness to, and anticipation of, Jesus Christ. Tremper Longman's commentary interprets each psalm in its Old Testament setting, summarizes its message and reflects on its significance from a New Testament perspective, noting any citation and also providing a Christological reading.
We all love stories.In a world where people are often hostile to the good news, telling stories is an ideal way to communicate the gospel warmly and winningly. Those who would never listen to a sermon or a gospel presentation are often enthralled by the same message told as a story.Of course, that's just what Jesus did in his parables. Our Bibles are filled with stories that communicate deep truths in a moving and powerful way. But how can we, too, use the power of stories to get gospel truths across in fresh ways, and to teach biblical truth in memorable and life-changing ways?Martin Goldsmith discovered early in his career as a missionary that stories were the most effective way of sharing the gospel - especially in places where evangelism was illegal. But, since then, he's discovered that they are also often the best way of sharing it with our neighbours in the West, who are suspicious of religious truth and hate being preached at.Full of colourful stories from a lifetime of sharing the gospel, this book shows us how to do the same. The author demonstrates how the Bible teaches its theology through story, and how other faiths are shaped by their storytelling - giving us a deeper understanding of how we can reach others and teach real and significant truths in an enthralling way.If we want to win hearers for the gospel in today's world, it is vital to become compelling and persuasive tellers of the gospel story once again.
When Jesus walked with his confused disciples on the Emmaus road, he began with Moses and all the Prophets and explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself - and their hearts burned within them (Luke 24).Contemporary people, too, can find their hearts burning as they hear God speak through the Old Testament texts. However, preaching from this part of the Christian Bible brings significant challenges and raises a number of issues, and hence can be neglected.This stimulating volume offers guidance for expository preaching from the Old Testament, and practical suggestions for how to understand the message of its diverse literature and to apply it today. The chapters cover narrative, plot and characters, along with the main Old Testament genres and two special topics: preaching from 'difficult' texts, and preaching Christ.The aim is to encourage use of all the Bible's rich resources, in the power of the Holy Spirit, in preaching the good news of the kingdom of God worldwide.The contributors are internationally respected evangelical Old Testament scholars, from a wide range of church traditions, who are also active in preaching: Daniel I. Block, David G. Firth, Grenville J. R. Kent, Paul J. Kissling, Alison Lo, Tremper Longman III, Ernest C. Lucas, R. W. L. Moberly, Laurence A. Turner, Federico G. Villanueva, Gordon Wenham, H. G. M. Williamson and Christopher J. H. Wright.
A careful study of righteousness and justification in Paul - examining the theological issues at stake in the New Perspective.
After a survey of the biblical evidence, Professor Blocher discusses two key texts. First, he considers the relation of the Eden story of Genesis 2-3 to modern scientific, literary and theological thinking. Then he offers an interpretation of Romans 5, where Paul discusses Christ and Adam.
How do the Old Testament and New Testament fit together? David L. Baker explores the theological relationship between the Old and New Testaments.
Does the Bible favour one particular model for God's relationship with the created order? Is it intellectually responsible or credible to talk of 'special divine action'?Such questions are explored by Dr C. John Collins, who provides a thorough exegetical foundation for discussing God's action in the world, and offers a concise examination of key philosophical, theological, scientific and apologetic questions which arise from it.Dr Collins begins by presenting and contrasting the main options within traditional Christian theism, then examines the biblical passages which support, or seem to support, these options. He offers a wide-ranging evaluation of the biblical teaching on miracles, 'nature', 'cause' and special divine action. He ably defends the biblical view from empiricist, rationalist or postmodern critiques.
This compendium is a Christian response to the controversies and some of the texts with which undergraduates and postgraduates in English studies are grappling.
Helps you encounter the living Jesus for yourself.
A study of the 'imprecatory' Psalms and their relevance for the Christians.
In this third and final volume in an authoritative history surveying the mutual influence of Christianity and Western thought since the birth of Christianity, two expert philosopher-theologians examine significant philosophers, ideas and movements in the twentieth century.
'We are all flawed masterpieces,' says Derek Tidball. 'In one way or another, and to one degree or another, the image of God in which we were formed has become marred and corrupted. Holiness is about the restoration of that image. In his innermost nature God is holy, and to be fully and truly human is to conform to and reflect his holiness in our lives.'The concern for 'holiness' has been central to the evangelical movement since its inception - and the way evangelical Christians have understood it has been far from uniform. In this wide-ranging volume, Tidball expounds key biblical passages by letting them speak for themselves, rather than adopting a systematic perspective. His ultimate objective is to see the lives of God's people increasingly transformed, in conformity with his character.
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