Irresistible


Book Description

A fresh look at the earliest Christian movement reveals what made the new faith so compelling...and what we need to change today to make it so again. Once upon a time there was a version of the Christian faith that was practically irresistible. After all, what could be more so than the gospel that Jesus ushered in? Why, then, isn't it the same with Christianity today? Author and pastor Andy Stanley is deeply concerned with the present-day church and its future. He believes that many of the solutions to our issues can be found by investigating our roots. In Irresistible, Andy chronicles what made the early Jesus Movement so compelling, resilient, and irresistible by answering these questions: What did first-century Christians know that we don't—about God's Word, about their lives, about love? What did they do that we're not doing? What makes Christianity so resistible in today's culture? What needs to change in order to repeat the growth our faith had at its beginning? Many people who leave or disparage the faith cite reasons that have less to do with Jesus than with the conduct of his followers. It's time to hit pause and consider the faith modeled by our first-century brothers and sisters who had no official Bible, no status, and little chance of survival. It's time to embrace the version of faith that initiated—against all human odds—a chain of events resulting in the most significant and extensive cultural transformation the world has ever seen. This is a version of Christianity we must remember and re-embrace if we want to be salt and light in an increasingly savorless and dark world.




How to Understand and Apply the Old Testament


Book Description

The Old Testament was Jesus' Bibleand it's all about him. As he explained to the disciples on the Emmaus road, a correct understanding of those Scriptures is vital to our faith and hope. For anyone looking to interpret the Old Testament wisely and well, Jason DeRouchie provides a logical twelve-stage process to deepen understanding, taking us from an analysis of a passage's genre all the way to its practical application. Hebrew grammar, historical context, biblical theologyand much moreare also studied. Learn how to track an author's thought-flow, grasp the text's message, and apply the ancient Word in this modern world, all in light of Christ's redeeming work. Then plunge into DeRouchie's recommended resources to go further in your studies every step of the way.




The Books of Haggai and Malachi


Book Description

Verhoef's study on the Books of Haggai and Malachi is part of The New International Commentary on the Old Testament, a series which devotes considerable care to achieving a balance between technical information and homiletic-devotional interpretation. The commentary itself is based on the author's own translation of the Hebrew text.




Nelson's New Testament Survey


Book Description

Essential information for understanding, interpreting, and applying each book of the New Testament. This concise tool for quick reference and book-by-book insight—organized in book, chapter, verse order for ease of use—is an essential addition to any personal, pastoral, or church library. Like many other Bible handbooks, Nelson's New Testament Survey includes the essential orientating data points, such as authorship for each book, date it was written, where it was written, the audience it was written to, and a general overview of that book’s content. But this New Testament survey goes one step further and includes both careful interpretation and practical application, allowing you to become more familiar with the New Testament than ever before. Features Include: Concise information for each book—from Matthew to Revelation. Careful analysis of every paragraph of the New Testament. Careful mapping of each New Testament author's purpose in writing. Sidebars and inserts offer other valuable reference material such as lists of the parables of Jesus, the miracles of Jesus, and key theological principles. Current bibliographies for further study.




Contours of Old Testament Theology


Book Description

In this masterwork, one of America's leading biblical scholars takes a fresh look at the theology of the Old Testament. Anderson cuts his own path and provides us with creative new insights on all the major sections of the Old Testament. He illuminates the nuances of the various covenants and theological shifts in a highly readable style. His conversation partners include the formative contributors from both the Christian community (Eichrodt, von Rad, Childs) and the Jewish community (Heschel, Herberg, Levenson) while interacting with the most recent developments in the field, especially Walter Brueggemann's Theology of the Old Testament.




Interpreting the Pentateuch


Book Description

In this latest addition to the Handbooks for Old Testament Exegesis series, Peter T. Vogt continues the tradition of excellence established by previous volumes. Divided into three parts, Interpreting the Pentateuch first provides an overview of the major themes of the Pentateuch. In the second part, Vogt offers resources and strategies for interpreting and understanding the first five books of the Bible by exploring its genres-law and narrative. Finally, Vogt shows that, although the Pentateuch is a collection of ancient texts, it still has contemporary significance. Vogt also includes two samples-one from law and one from narrative-of exegesis, giving students a start-to-finish example of the techniques he has illustrated for effective exegesis.




An Introduction to the Old Testament


Book Description

An upper-level introduction to the Old Testament that offers students a thorough understanding of three key issues: historical background, literary analysis, and theological message. This second edition of An Introduction to the Old Testament integrates recent developments in Old Testament scholarship. It has many distinctive features that set it apart from other introductions to the Old Testament: It's committed to a theologically evangelical perspective. Emphasizes "special introduction"—the study of individual books. Interacts in an irenic spirit with the historical-critical method. Features points of research history and representative scholars rather than an exhaustive treatment of past scholarship. Deals with the meaning of each book, not in isolation but in a canonical context. Probes the meaning of each book in the setting of its culture. Including callouts, charts, and graphs, An Introduction to the Old Testament is written with an eye to understanding the nature of Old Testament historiography. Perfect for seminary students, professors, and Bible teachers and ministry leaders, as well as anyone looking for an in-depth and balanced approach to Old Testament study.




The Essence of the Old Testament


Book Description

Leading biblical scholars from Liberty University offer a thorough survey of the complete Old Testament, with book introductions, theological concepts, practical applications, word studies, and more.