Curiosities and (Un)common Sense from the Bible


Book Description

The Bible. You've heard of it, yes? Maybe something about David and Goliath or Noah’s ark, or a baby in a manger? What if I told you there was tons of stuff in the Bible that you’ve never heard about? Things like talking donkeys, self-conscious magicians, and kings who think they’re cows. The Bible is a curious book full of deeply flawed people and a God who refuses to give up on them. Don’t believe me? Look for yourself. In these 60 devotions, we examine these unique stories, the circumstances and biblical truth around them, and what they reveal about the heart of God.




Bible Curiosities


Book Description

Don't ever think the Bible's boring. . .it's packed with amazing, mysterious stories--exactly the kind of wonders you'll find in Bible Curiosities. This fully illustrated guide to the amazing, odd, and shocking stories of scripture contains almost five dozen informative, intriguing, often humorously written entries. Find out more about the Bible's "Terminator". . .the other Noah. . .the "lost letter" of Paul. . .bad apples on Jesus' family tree. . .the mysterious death of Judas Iscariot. . .and much, much more. Appropriate for readers from junior high and up, Bible Curiosities promises entertainment, education, and edification--as every amazing story in scripture points us back to God's power and love.




The Bible Is Funny Card Game


Book Description

Since Bible verses are always being taken out of context, why not make a game of it? This hilarious card game of creating your own unexpected combinations is perfect for families, friends, and small groups--ages 12 and up! An excuse I would use to get out of going somewhere... I am very old. Joshua 23:2 My breath is offensive. Job 19:17 My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. Psalm 38:7 With 70 prompts and 165 Bible verses spread out across 200 cards, The Bible Is Funny Card Game invites players with an abundance of Bible knowledge as well as those with no prior Bible experience to match out-of-context biblical verses with prompts about everyday situations to win the funniest pairing. The verse cards in the deck feature obscure, ludicrous, or downright outrageous Bible verses pulled completely out of their original context. The prompt cards offer fun, contemporary situations into which those Bible verses can be inserted, with topics ranging from family dynamics and dating to popular culture and the workplace. Players can cast lots or go with the Noah (most pets) or Sarah (best laugh) rules to decide who will be the Theologian first, and then begin the battle to see who will earn the most "Treasures in Heaven" (points). From the creator of The Bible Is Funny podcast and Instagram and suited for Bible enthusiasts and novices alike, this card game will ensure that you never look at an out-of-context Bible verse the same way again!




Shocked by the Bible


Book Description

Shocked by the Bible sets the record straight with well-researched, controversial, myth-breaking assertions about what the Bible really does—and doesn’t—say. And guess on which day the Bible says Jesus died. Believe it or not, the Good Book doesn't mention Friday, and even more surprisingly, while the Bible says Jesus rose from the grave, it does not say it occurred Sunday morning. Remember, Jesus' followers found an empty tomb then. But don't feel bad if you've always assumed otherwise. Like countless millions of people, you've just been misinformed, misled or even (dare we say) lied to about what the Bible actually says. In a stunning investigation, news veteran Joe Kovacs goes on a mission to help both Christians and non-Christians alike find out what the Bible really contains, and what it doesn't. "Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told" is an educational juggernaut that relies solely on the Holy Bible to reveal hundreds of Scriptural facts that many people of all persuasions simply don't know. The book instantly skyrocketed to the No. 1 position in three Bible-related categories on Amazon.com. "I'm among the biggest fans of the Bible of all time," says Kovacs. "My goal is to educate people about the solid truth of Scripture and to stop the spread of erroneous information. I want people to crack open their Bibles and see with their own eyes what's actually printed on the pages, and what's not. It's shocking!" According to Scripture, you won't find "Three Wise Men" mentioned anywhere in the story of Jesus' birth. For that matter, none are said to have shown up at the manger in Bethlehem. The truth straight from your own Bible is that an unspecified number of wise men first met Jesus as a "young child" in a "house," not a babe in a manger, and it might have been more than a year after He was born. Go ahead, look it up for yourself. Also, according to Scripture, you won't find a single mention of Easter eggs, but you will find God warning His people not to have anything to do with a pagan fertility goddess, whose name is synonymous with "Easter." "Yes, I'm a Bible-believing Christian," says Kovacs. "But I'm not here to convert anyone. People are free to believe whatever they wish and can come to their own conclusions. I just want to show them the biblical record is often very different from what many assume. Not only will Christians love this book, but I think Jews, Muslims and even agnostics and atheists will get a kick out of it as well."




Good Book


Book Description

“Hilarious. . . . It’s Cliff Notes for Scripture—screenplay by Plotz, story by God. . . . In the end, though, the book is made by the spirit of the writer.” — The New York Times Book Review “Like the Bible itself, Good Book contains multitudes—it is by turns thought-provoking, funny, enlightening and moving.” — A. J. Jacobs, author of The Year of Living Biblically “Plotz is a genius writer.” — Franklin Foer, author of How Soccer Explains the World A whip-smart, laugh-out-loud tour through the most important book in the world, a book most people have never read: the Bible.




A Surrendered Yes


Book Description

Even when circumstances feel wildly out of your control, you can make the decision each day to say yes to who God says you are in Him. This 52-week devotional from bestselling author Rebekah Lyons offers practical advice and spiritual wisdom to help you find renewed freedom in your daily rhythms as you intentionally focus on what God has for you in every moment of life. Rebekah found new freedom in discovering that yes in her own life as she and her husband made a cross-country move and adopted a child with Down syndrome. Along the way, she realized that when we say yes in even the small, ordinary moments of life, we experience renewed spiritual vitality for every aspect of God's calling. In A Surrendered Yes, Rebekah draws on biblical truths and her personal story to inspire you to: Say yes to God, yourself, and others Find freedom from the approval of others Use your time and energy to live a life of intention Practice Sabbath to maintain your emotional, physical, and spiritual health Release control to find God's presence in play and laughter Experience the truth that God is enough Each entry in this year-long devotional includes: A Bible verse A thoughtful devotion from Rebekah A journal prompt to help you apply that week's theme in your daily life A Surrendered Yes features a beautiful cover design and includes a ribbon marker, making it an encouraging gift for a family member, friend, or yourself. Discover the delight of living from a place of freedom in your daily routines and lifelong dreams. Live with joy instead of regret. Freedom instead of fear. Rest instead of striving. Say yes. Look for additional inspirational books and resources from Rebekah Lyons: Rhythms of Renewal You Are Free




A History of the Bible


Book Description

A literary history of our most influential book of all time, by an Oxford scholar and Anglican priest In our culture, the Bible is monolithic: It is a collection of books that has been unchanged and unchallenged since the earliest days of the Christian church. The idea of the Bible as "Holy Scripture," a non-negotiable authority straight from God, has prevailed in Western society for some time. And while it provides a firm foundation for centuries of Christian teaching, it denies the depth, variety, and richness of this fascinating text. In A History of the Bible, John Barton argues that the Bible is not a prescription to a complete, fixed religious system, but rather a product of a long and intriguing process, which has inspired Judaism and Christianity, but still does not describe the whole of either religion. Barton shows how the Bible is indeed an important source of religious insight for Jews and Christians alike, yet argues that it must be read in its historical context--from its beginnings in myth and folklore to its many interpretations throughout the centuries. It is a book full of narratives, laws, proverbs, prophecies, poems, and letters, each with their own character and origin stories. Barton explains how and by whom these disparate pieces were written, how they were canonized (and which ones weren't), and how they were assembled, disseminated, and interpreted around the world--and, importantly, to what effect. Ultimately, A History of the Bible argues that a thorough understanding of the history and context of its writing encourages religious communities to move away from the Bible's literal wording--which is impossible to determine--and focus instead on the broader meanings of scripture.




Jesus Never Existed


Book Description




The Most Misused Verses in the Bible


Book Description

High-Interest Guide Sure to Spark Curiosity and Conversation A surprising number of well-known Bible verses are commonly misused and misunderstood. Whether intentionally or not, people take important verses out of context, and pastor and Bible scholar Eric J. Bargerhuff has seen the effects: confusion, faulty decisions, sin being dismissed, and more. With a deft touch, he helps readers understand and apply sound principles of interpretation and application of twenty familiar verses. This concise high-interest approach appeals to the curious as well as readers concerned about incorrect theology.




Red Storm Rising


Book Description

From the author of the Jack Ryan series comes an electrifying #1 New York Times bestseller—a standalone military thriller that envisions World War 3... A chillingly authentic vision of modern war, Red Storm Rising is as powerful as it is ambitious. Using the latest advancements in military technology, the world's superpowers battle on land, sea, and air for ultimate global control. It is a story you will never forget. Hard-hitting. Suspenseful. And frighteningly real. “Harrowing...tense...a chilling ring of truth.”—TIME