Criticism and exegesis of sacred texts Books

Book SynopsisPreaching 2022 Book of the Year Haddon Robinson's widely used and influential text, Biblical Preaching, has influenced generations of students and preachers. In The Big Idea Companion for Preaching and Teaching, trusted leading evangelical homileticians, teachers of preaching, and experienced pastors demonstrate that Robinson's "big idea" approach to expository preaching still works in today's diverse cultures and fast-paced world. This accessible resource offers an insider's view on figuring out the big idea of each book of the Bible, helping preachers and teachers check their interpretation of particular biblical books and passages. The contributors offer tips on how to divide each book of the Bible into preaching and teaching passages, guidance on difficult passages and verses, cultural perspectives for faithful application, and suggested resources for interpreting, preaching, and teaching. Pastors, teachers, Bible study leaders, small groups, and college and seminary students and professors will find a wealth of valuable information in this resource.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction Matthew D. KimThe Old TestamentGenesis Casey C. BartonExodus Nathaniel M. WrightLeviticus Bruce W. FongNumbers Sid BuzzellDeuteronomy Patricia M. BattenJoshua Chris RappaziniJudges Gregory K. HollifieldRuth Patricia M. Batten1 Samuel J. Kent Edwards2 Samuel J. Kent Edwards1 Kings Steven D. Mathewson2 Kings Steven D. Mathewson1 Chronicles Gregory K. Hollifield2 Chronicles Paul A. HoffmanEzra Timothy BushfieldNehemiah Matthew D. KimEsther Scott M. GibsonJob Ken ShigematsuPsalms Kenneth LangleyProverbs Steven D. MathewsonEcclesiastes Calvin W. ChoiSong of Songs Pablo A. JiménezIsaiah Andrew C. ThompsonJeremiah Julian R. GotobedLamentations Casey C. BartonEzekiel Andrew C. ThompsonDaniel Scott A. WenigHosea Chris RappaziniJoel Andrew C. ThompsonAmos Joel C. GregoryObadiah Matthew D. KimJonah Matthew D. KimMicah Brandon R. CashNahum France B. Brown Jr.Habakkuk Heather Joy ZimmermanZephaniah France B. Brown Jr.Haggai Kenneth LangleyZechariah Gregory K. HollifieldMalachi Timothy BushfieldThe New TestamentMatthew Scott A. WenigMark Patricia M. BattenLuke Julian R. GotobedJohn Mary S. HulstActs Brandon R. CashRomans Calvin W. Choi1 Corinthians Joel C. Gregory2 Corinthians Casey C. BartonGalatians Paul A. HoffmanEphesians Sid BuzzellPhilippians Scott M. GibsonColossians France B. Brown Jr.1 Thessalonians Heather Joy Zimmerman2 Thessalonians Heather Joy Zimmerman1 Timothy Chris Rappazini2 Timothy Chris RappaziniTitus Scott M. GibsonPhilemon Paul A. HoffmanHebrews Pablo A. JiménezJames Joel C. Gregory1 Peter Alison Gerber2 Peter Gregory K. Hollifield1 John Joel C. Gregory2 John David A. Currie3 John David A. CurrieJude Kenneth LangleyRevelation David L. MathewsonConclusion Scott M. GibsonIndex

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Book Synopsis2023 Word Guild Award Winner (Biblical Studies) This paradigm-shifting study is the first book-length investigation into the compositional dates of the New Testament to be published in over forty years. It argues that, with the notable exception of the undisputed Pauline Epistles, most New Testament texts were composed twenty to thirty years earlier than is typically supposed by contemporary biblical scholars. What emerges is a revised view of how quickly early Christians produced what became the seminal texts for their new movement.Table of ContentsContentsIntroductionPart 1: The Synoptic Gospels and Acts1. Synchronization2. Contextualization and Authorial BiographyPart 2: The Johannine Tradition3. The Gospel of John4. The Epistles of John and RevelationPart 3: The Pauline Corpus5. Critical Matters in Dating the Pauline Corpus6. The Compositional Dates of the Pauline CorpusPart 4: Hebrews and the Letters of James, Peter, and Jude7. Hebrews and James8. 1 and 2 Peter and JudePart 5: Early Extracanonical Writings9. 1 Clement and the Didache10. The Epistle of Barnabas and the Shepherd of HermasConclusionIndexes

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Book Synopsis"This important study is the fruit of a lifetime of reflection, teaching, and writing on Paul. . . . [This is] the work of a mature master of his trade who has a firm grasp of an issue crucial to an understanding of the Pauline view. . . . A beautifully crafted publication."--Francis J. Moloney, SBD, Australasian Catholic Record This major contribution to Pauline scholarship by a widely-respected New Testament scholar is the culmination of over forty years of teaching on Paul. Brendan Byrne demonstrates that topics often discussed in Pauline studies and Christian theology go astray when the significance of the last judgment falls from view. Offering a fresh Catholic perspective that engages with centuries of Protestant interpretation, this book recaptures the significance of the motif of the last judgment for the interpretation of Paul.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction1. The Apocalyptic Background to Paul2. "Righteousness" in Paul3. The Last Judgment in the Letters of Paul aside from Romans4. The Last Judgment in Romans 1:1-3:205. The Last Judgment in Romans 3:21-4:256. The Last Judgment in Romans 9-117. The Last Judgment in Romans 12-158. The Last Judgment in Romans 5-89. The Universal Need for Salvation: Moment 110. The Sending of the Son: Moment 2a11. The Divine Act of Reconciliation: Moment 2b12. Living in Hope of Glory Revealed: Moment 313. Paul and the Economy of Salvation: Theological ReflectionIndexes

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Book Synopsis"This impressive analysis will resonate with any Christian interested in the evolution of biblical criticism."--Publishers Weekly What if the Bible, which has come to us through a complex process, is just the resource we need to speak to the challenges of living as Christians in a complex world? In today's era of significant cultural upheaval, studying the Old Testament can seem impractical or irrelevant. This book reclaims the Old Testament as a vital resource for today's church, showing how critical study of these texts helps us understand the Bible as a dynamic testimony for our changing future.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction1. The Bible's Dynamic Witness2. Adapting Popular Culture3. Rethinking Theological Assumptions4. Developing a New Genre5. Biblical Foundations for Creative ChangeEpilogueIndexes

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Book SynopsisThe Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture series has been widely acclaimed by leading Catholic scholars and popular Bible teachers. This deluxe boxed set includes special hardcover editions of the four Gospel volumes. Limited quantities are available. The set includes: The Gospel of Matthew by Curtis Mitch (MA, Franciscan University), St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and Edward Sri (STD, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome), FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) and Augustine Institute The Gospel of Mark by Mary Healy (STD, Pontifical Gregorian University), Sacred Heart Major Seminary The Gospel of Luke by Pablo T. Gadenz (STD, Pontifical Gregorian University), Mount St. Mary's Seminary & University The Gospel of John by Francis Martin (1930-2017; SSD, Pontifical Biblical Institute), Father Francis Martin Ministries and the Dominican House of Studies, and William M. Wright IV (PhD, Emory University), Duquesne University

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Book SynopsisToo often, the church hasn't done justice to its own gospel because it has neglected how much the New Testament message is about deep involvement in life with God. Senior New Testament scholar Klyne Snodgrass offers a corrective, explaining that the church will never be what it is supposed to be without a recovery of the gospel. This brief, accessibly written, and timely book shows that the biblical message is about attachment to Christ, participation in his death and resurrection, and engagement in his purposes. Snodgrass demonstrates that understanding and appropriating the gospel of participation conforms with what the church's great thinkers have emphasized throughout history and enables the church to recover its true identity. This book brings the notion of participation in the gospel to a wider church audience. While other studies on this topic focus mostly on Paul's writings, You Need a Better Gospel shows that participation is the emphasis of the entire Bible, including the Old Testament. The real gospel, which offers participation in life with God, is astounding in its beauty and its power for life.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction1. Participation in Christ2. Is Faith as Participation a New Idea?3. What Is Participation, and Why Is It Important?4. Is the Gospel of Participation in the Old Testament?5. The Gospels in the Synoptic Gospels6. Deep Participation in John and 1 John7. The Gospel in the Book of Acts8. Paul's Letters: How Does Salvation Work, and for What Purpose?9. Paul's Letters: How Does Salvation Work, and for What Purpose?10. Striking Assertions of Participation11. So What?Appendix: The Relation of the Gospels of Jesus and Paul

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Book SynopsisIn this new edition in the award-winning BECNT series, leading evangelical biblical scholar Karen Jobes offers a substantive commentary on 1 Peter. The first edition, widely regarded as one of the leading commentaries on 1 Peter, has sold over 22,000 copies. The second edition takes recent scholarship into account and has been updated and revised throughout. Jobes takes a historical-grammatical approach to exegeting 1 Peter and considers the possibility that the original readers of the letter were actual exiles who had known Peter in some other location, probably Rome. She analyzes each discourse unit of the Greek text with a view toward not only what the letter meant in its original setting but how it speaks to readers today. As with all BECNT volumes, this commentary features an acclaimed, user-friendly design and admirably achieves the dual aims of the series--academic sophistication with pastoral sensitivity and accessibility--making it a useful tool for pastors, church leaders, students, and teachers.

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Book SynopsisThis contemporary classic by renowned scholar Gordon Fee explores the Spirit's significant role in Pauline life and thought. After Fee published his magisterial God's Empowering Presence, he was asked to write a more accessible volume that would articulate Paul's priorities for experiencing the life of the Spirit in the church. Fee's bestselling introduction to Paul and the Spirit, Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God, went on to sell over 70,000 copies. This book by one of the greatest evangelical and Pentecostal New Testament interpreters of our time argues that the presence of the Spirit is, for Paul and for us, the crucial matter for the Christian life. This repackaged edition features an updated design and packaging, includes new reflection questions, and adds a foreword by Dean Pinter, who commends the book to a new generation of readers.Table of ContentsContentsForeword by Dean PinterOverture--An Invitation to Read Paul Anew1. A "Theology" of the Spirit? The Spirit in Pauline Theology2. God Revisits His People--The Spirit as the Renewed Presence of God3. The Holy Who? The Spirit as Person4. God in Three Persons--The Spirit and the Trinity5. The Beginning of the End--The Spirit as Evidence of the "Presence of the Future"6. A People for His Name--The Spirit and the People of God7. Conversion: Getting In (Part 1)--The Spirit and the Hearing of the Gospel8. Conversion: Getting In (Part 2)--The Spirit at the Entry Point9. Conversion: Staying In (Part 1)--The Spirit and Pauline Ethics10. Conversion: Staying In (Part 2)--The Fruit of the Spirit11. The Ongoing Warfare--The Spirit against the Flesh12. Power in Weakness--The Spirit, Present Weakness, and Prayer13. To the Praise of His Glory--The Spirit and Worship14. Those Controversial Gifts? The Spirit and the Charismata15. Where to from Here? The Spirit for Today and TomorrowAppendix--Spirit Baptism and Water Baptism in PaulIndex

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Book SynopsisHassell Bullock has studied, taught, and written successful texts on the Psalms for forty years. In this book, he walks through how the Psalms convey the grand story of creation and redemption, Scripture's two theological ends, and the underlying story of God and humanity in relationship. Bullock explains how the literal and metaphorical language in the Psalms work together to articulate the message and deepen our understanding. He presents interpretive principles gleaned from the psalmists themselves and shows how these writers make intertextual connections to other Scriptures, sometimes quoting but mostly alluding, which can help us make corresponding connections between Old and New Testament teachings. The Psalms are examples of applying wisdom and Scriptures to personal and national issues and of how God interacts and intervenes in real-life situations, which help us apply the Bible today. Bullock's mature reflections and guidance on understanding and applying the Psalms' theological message will complement any traditional introduction to the Psalms.Table of ContentsIntroductory MattersPart 1: God1. The Aleph and Tav of Psalmic Theology2. Hesed, God's Steadfast Love3. Thinking Comprehensively about God's Goodness (Tob)4. Yahweh's Condescension in the Psalter5. Judgment, the Other Side of Justice6. Covenant, the Intractable Bond7. The Laughter of GodPart 2: Humanity8. The Human Condition9. We Become Like Our God10. Shamed and Shaming11. Weeping for the Night, but Joy in the Morning12. Waiting on the Lord13. They Did Not Remember to Show KindnessPart 3: Redemption14. All in the Family: "For His Name's Sake"15. Finding God in the Fabric of the World16. The Fear of the Lord17. Praise of God, the Rehearsal Hall for EternityIndexes

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Book Synopsis"Seldom is a book published that reflects such bold independence of thought, such freedom from the fetters of tradition, and such complete objectivity in the study of the Scriptures. It is a book to be reckoned with by all serious students of the Bible."--from the Introduction by Dr. William W. Adams of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Internationally known among Bible scholars for his significant books in the field of biblical theology, Dr. Robert Shank here offers a penetrating study of all the pertinent New Testament Scriptures on the doctrine of perseverance. In doing so, he calls into question the popular doctrine of "eternal [unconditional] security."Are the proof passages used to support eternal security possibly misconstrued? Dr. Shank convincingly argues that the question confronting us is not, Is the believer secure? but rather, What does it mean to be a believer? If apostasy is an actual peril for every Christian, the Scriptural warning passages must be frankly accepted rather than interpreted into irrelevance or circumvented by theological hypothesis.

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Book SynopsisPaul wrote 2 Corinthians with a heavy heart, wrestling to maintain his relationship with the young church that he established.The way that Paul handled this painful situation provides an example for us today. When should we reconcile, and when should we walk away? How do we cut ties with darkness--whether in ourselves or in others?In this volume from the Transformative Word series, edited by Craig Bartholomew, John D. Barry explores how we deal with such scars in light of Jesus' example.Trade ReviewIn beautiful prose, John Barry offers a plethora of practical insights for our lives, relationships and ministries from 2 Corinthians. He shows how the letter as a whole fits together, and his heart for the world shines through as he provides illustrations from a range of cultures as well as what he has witnessed personally.--Craig S. Keener, F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary"In his work, Cutting Ties with Darkness, John Barry walks us through 2 Corinthians, opens our eyes to the heart of Paul, and connects his message to our world in language and illustrations anyone can understand. This is not like most commentaries. It is both stimulating and enjoyable to read. The clarity with which he communicates Paul's message demonstrates that he has delved deeply into each passage and thought through each one's implications. John Barry is masterful in bridging the cultural gap and making Paul's message contemporary and practical."--Gary W. Derickson, professor of biblical exposition and Greek Department Chair, Bible and Theology Corban University School of Ministry

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Book SynopsisAlthough the book of Esther contains no direct references to God, his fingerprints can be found all over it. In God Behind the Scenes, Wayne K. Barkhuizen helps us trace the unseen hand of God throughout the Esther narrative, while pointing out how the book is still relevant today. As we walk through the book, we'll see how God was indeed active in preserving the people through whom the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would one day come.Trade ReviewWayne Barkhuizen has produced a most helpful guide for anyone seeking more insight into the treasured story of Esther. This compact commentary is embedded with interesting nuggets while still keeping pace with the flow of the narrative. It's also a great reminder for someone like myself, with a Jewish/Gentile family background, of the rich heritage we have in a gracious God who has acted in history to save his people from bondage in Egypt, genocide in Persia and, ultimately, eternity in hell through the timely rescue of our crucified Messiah. This book will encourage you to rejoice and trust in the God who is always present, even when it seems like he is not!--Rt. Rev. Glenn Lyons, presiding bishop of REACH-SA"Wayne Barkhuizen has done the Church of Christ worldwide a great favor with his book God Behind the Scenes. Here is an excellent presentation of the message of the book of Esther. Written simply and very engagingly, Wayne puts Esther in historical perspective and also succeeds in putting flesh and blood on all the characters in the story. This book is a great reminder of the providence and sovereignty of God over all of life and his special care for his own people. Wayne reminds us that God's love, ultimately displayed through his Son our Lord Jesus on the cross, is shown in Esther to be constantly in action behind the scenes, even in the most precarious circumstances. Wayne puts the reader in touch with the main themes of the book--complete with occasional historical references that are very helpful--then skillfully draws all these themes together at the end. This is an altogether helpful book that will not only be a great help to individual Christians but also helpful for those who meet in group studies. I highly recommend it."--Rt. Rev. Frank Retief, former presiding bishop of REACH-SA"The book of Esther poses numerous challenges for Christian readers. Barkhuizen helpfully guides us through the story to understand the God who, though never named, stands behind it and with his people. This guidance, along with theological reflections throughout, shows how and why this book remains important today."--David Firth, author of The Message of Esther"Wayne Barkhuizen has given us a fresh and insightful take on the book of Esther. ... [T]he author takes us through the book as Christian Scripture, deepening our appreciation of the magnificent providence of God at work in the history of the Jewish people. Simply written, this book will be a help to preachers, teachers, and general readers."--Rev. Dr. David Seccombe, retired principal of George Whitefield College, South Africa"I feel privileged to commend Wayne Barkhuizen's wonderful little book on a wonderful Old Testament story. If you want the book of Esther to light up, this is the way in for you. I can't think of a better one. And the message where God is seen working in a sovereign and hidden way in the darkest of times comes through with deep relevance for us in these present times of deep national, international, and personal stress and distress. Wayne shows how this little Old Testament book speaks with deep meaning directly into our own contemporary and troubled context. This volume also vividly illustrates how big dynamite can come in a small package. Read, study, put a bomb under your seat, and be inspired."--Michael Cassidy, founder of African Enterprise, author of The Church Jesus Prayed For"Wayne Barkhuizen has written a highly readable and insightful guide for individuals or groups studying the book of Esther. The reflection questions are sure to inspire some lively thought--and debate! I can recommend it highly to Bible readers who want to begin digging deeper into this fascinating narrative."--Anthony Tomasino, author of Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary Esther and Evangelical Exegetical Commentary Esther

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The primary theme of Paul's letter to the Colossians is the lordship of Christ. Writing from prison, Paul urges the Colossian believers to remain focused on Jesus even as false teachers have infiltrated the church. In his letter to Philemon, a prominent co-worker in the Colossian church, Paul spells out some of the practical implications of Christ's lordship when it comes to relationships with others.In Colossians & Philemon Verse by Verse, Grant R. Osborne offers a clear exposition of these letters that takes seriously both their first-century context and what they mean today. Pastors, Bible study leaders, and invested laypeople will all benefit from Osborne's careful reading of the text and commitment to making sense of God's Word without scholarly jargon.The Osborne New Testament Commentary Series is a set of commentaries on every New Testament book. In each volume, Grant R. Osborne seeks to carefully exposit the text in plain language, bringing out the treasures in each book and making them accessible for today's readers.

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Book SynopsisBiblicism, an approach to the Bible common among some American evangelicals, emphasizes together the Bible's exclusive authority, infallibility, clarity, self-sufficiency, internal consistency, self-evident meaning, and universal applicability. Acclaimed sociologist Christian Smith argues that this approach is misguided and unable to live up to its own claims. If evangelical biblicism worked as its proponents say it should, there would not be the vast variety of interpretive differences that biblicists themselves reach when they actually read and interpret the Bible. Far from challenging the inspiration and authority of Scripture, Smith critiques a particular rendering of it, encouraging evangelicals to seek a more responsible, coherent, and defensible approach to biblical authority. This important book has generated lively discussion and debate. The paperback edition adds a new chapter responding to the conversation that the cloth edition has sparked.Table of ContentsIntroductionPart 1: The Impossibility of Biblicism1. Biblicism and the Problem of Pervasive Interpretive Pluralism2. The Extent and Source of Pervasive Interpretive Pluralism3. Some Relevant History, Sociology, and Psychology4. Subsidiary Problems with BiblicismPart 2: Toward a Truly Evangelical Reading of Scripture5. The Christocentric Hermeneutical Key6. Accepting Complexity and Ambiguity7. Rethinking Human Knowledge, Authority, and UnderstandingConclusionAfterwordIndex

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Book SynopsisCan Christianity and evolution coexist? Traditional Christian teaching presents Jesus as reversing the effects of the fall of Adam. But an evolutionary view of human origins doesn't allow for a literal Adam, making evolution seemingly incompatible with what Genesis and the apostle Paul say about him. For Christians who both accept evolution and want to take the Bible seriously, this can present a faith-shaking tension. Popular Old Testament scholar Peter Enns offers a way forward by explaining how this tension is caused not by the discoveries of science but by false expectations about the biblical texts. In this 10th anniversary edition, Enns updates readers on developments in the historical Adam debate, helping them reconcile Genesis and Paul with current views on evolution and human origins. This edition includes an afterword that explains Enns's own theological evolution since the first edition released.Table of ContentsContentsIntroductionPart 1: Genesis: An Ancient Story of Israelite Self-Definition1. Genesis and the Challenges of the Nineteenth Century: Science, Biblical Criticism, and Biblical Archaeology2. When Was Genesis Written?3. Stories of Origins from Israel's Neighbors4. Israel and Primordial TimePart 2: Understanding Paul's Adam5. Paul's Adam and the Old Testament6. Paul as an Ancient Interpreter of the Old Testament7. Paul's AdamConclusion: Adam Today--NineThesesAfterword: Adam, Evangelicalism, and the Metanarrative of EvolutionIndexes

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Book SynopsisLearn how God’s imprint on your heart can make a lasting impression on your children.Being a mom usually means being busy. Really busy. Whether you’re zipping from your children’s piano lessons to their next ballgame or nursing a baby while comforting a toddler, life is brimming with activities.  Yet one encounter can help shape every moment: time in the Word with Jesus. In Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood, you’ll learn how to nourish your own heart, mind, and soul with the wisdom you need to become the mother you long to be.   As you spend time with God through this eleven-week Bible study, you’ll gain life-shaping insights to help you. . . . • Understand and pursue your purpose as a mother • Live out your true priorities • Entrust your child to God • Bear the fruit of the Spirit in your everyday interactions • Recover from Perfect Mom Syndrome (PMS) Each week offers four days of study geared specifically to a mother’s concerns, with the Bible passages already printed out for your convenience. The fifth day is a warm-hearted devotional reading to help you reflect on and apply the truths you’ve learned. As your relationship with God deepens through prayer and studying His Word, you’ll discover how His imprint on your heart can make a lasting impression on your children.

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Book SynopsisOver 2 Million Sold in Series!Beginning With Christ, designed for new believers, provides a format for telling others about salvation and the Christian life. Topics include assurance of salvation, answered prayer, victory over sin, forgiveness, and guidance. Includes Scripture memory cards.

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Book SynopsisWithin When Life Meets the Soul, Ivan D. Parke challenges believers to dig deeper, asking, “Is spiritual intimacy with God a memory, a reality, or a goal?”The Book of Job chronicles the ruin and recovery of the greatest sufferer before Jesus. To read it only after experiencing a tragedy, however, is itself a tragedy—a decision depriving readers of the essential lessons this Old Testament book teaches. Job’s story addresses more than suffering and teaches more than patience or “rainy” day lessons. Its content encompasses the essence of life, integrating the best of times and the worst of times. When Life Meets the Soul examines the Book of Job in twenty-four responses, addressing the universal question: “How should I live? Parke’s study of Job explains that to live well is to walk with God, whether on mountaintops or through valleys. His spiritual guide is designed for Christians and those seeking to pursue close encounters with God—without hesitation.

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Book SynopsisWhat can the modern church do to combat the insidious doctrines of devils that have crept into her sanctuaries to quench her ?ame? How can she recognise them? What is her protocol? Can she again arise as that glorious church and spotless bride?NEVER HAS THE OVERALL CHURCH been in more need of an OVERHAUL! The old ship of Zion is sailing in troubled waters beyond her capacity to remain buoyant. She is in need of a new hull, a new rudder, and a new chartered course! Her navigational skills have been too long under the controlling helm of satanic forces. It is high time for her captain and guide, the Holy Ghost, to return to her wheelhouse. Within the pages of Bats in The Bell Tower, the author takes us into the back rooms and boardrooms of the nefarious "principalities and powers" that have infiltrated the church in the past and have continued to do so until this very day. It is only there, in that backroom, that we can get a glimpse of the formulas and concoctions that have been implemented against her power and purpose. This book addresses these following principles that must be implemented and adhered to if we are to emerge from the fog of confusion and error within the church.1.We must be willing to apply the eye salve of honesty and look objectively into the microscope of doctrinal scrutiny again and denounce all recognised infiltrations of evil.2.The church must be willing to make a full acknowledgement and confession of its unwittingly naive contracts it has made with Satan through these false doctrines.3.She must be willing to tear up those said contracts and remove hisinfluence from the sacred spiritual real estate that alone belongs to God and His church.4.We must be willing to establish once again the foundational building blocks of repentance from dead works, faith towards God, and the truthof the gospel. We must not deviate from these basic truths.5.No longer can the body of Christ compromise its mission. God has standards, God has principles, and God has guidelines of absolute truth that the church must adhere to.

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Book SynopsisBestselling biblical historian, Jean-Pierre Isbouts, weaves the origin stories of Christianity and the Lord's Prayer into a reinvigorating and urgent rallying cry for unity in the modern church Modern Christianity is in the midst of a veritable schism along the fault lines of society's culture wars. Only if we understand the origins of this split can we find our way to unity. Though few may realize it today, Jesus’s ministry unfolded in a crisis very similar to the one society is now battling. In fact, were it not for the truly catastrophic conditions in early 1st century Galilee, his reimagining of the three quintessential virtues of the Torah – social justice; compassion toward one another; and an abiding love of God – would have likely failed to attract a wide following. Brilliantly tracing Jesus’s vision for the “Kingdom of God” from its origin up through modern times, Dr. Isbouts leads us to a possible antidote for the fiercely partisan moment in which we find ourselves: the Our Father. Then taking readers on a historically exhilarating tour of the Lord’s Prayer, The Fractured Kingdom shows us why the only doctrine Christians agree on might be our last hope for forging a more equal, compassionate, and loving society. What results is an eminently readable and undeniably essential work that addresses some of the most pressing issues now confronting communities of faith around the world.Trade Review“Dr. Jean-Pierre Isbouts hits the mark beautifully by pointing all of us living in an all-too divided nation to a different and better way forward, a way of love that is grounded in the familiar prayer that Jesus taught us. Readers will find a foundation for healing and wholeness in these pages.” —Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church and author of Love is the Way and The Power of Love"I never cease to be amazed at the extraordinary insights and expansive knowledge of Jean Pierre Isbouts. The Fractured Kingdom speaks to not one generation, but many—past and future—about the perils of religious division. But, instead of leaving us there, Isbouts invites us to grab hold of the promises that an authentic, godly and life-giving faith can offer the great divides of our time. With the craftmanship of a gifted maestro, Isbout’s book is a symphony of possibility that reaches a crescendo of hope." —Russell J. Levenson, Jr. OStJ, Rector, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, and author of Witness to Dignity: The Life and Faith of George H.W. and Barbara Bush"The one subject Jesus spoke about more than any other was the Kingdom of God. In The Fractured Kingdom, Jean-Pierre Isbouts, using the Lord’s Prayer as a lens, vividly explicates what Jesus meant by God’s Kingdom. I believe this is a book for all of us who call ourselves Christians, regardless of what branch of the Church we call home. Isbouts shows us that what unites us is bigger than what divides us and Jesus needs all of us to be about the work Kingdom building." —Randolph Marshall Hollerith, Dean, Washington National CathedralTable of ContentsGlossaryIntroductionPart I: Rediscovering the Historical Jesus1. A Land in Crisis 2. The Lost Years of Jesus’ Youth3. Along the Banks of the Jordan4. Jesus Launches His MinistryPart II: The Lord’s Prayer: A Blueprint for Unity5. Our Father, Hallowed Be Your Name6. Your Kingdom Come 7. Give Us Each Day Our Bread 8. And Forgive Us Our Debts/Sins 9. Do Not Bring Us to the Test10. Deliver Us from Evil 11. Reconstructing the PassionEpilogue: The Splintering of ChristianityChronologyFurther ReadingNotes

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Book SynopsisThe Tragic Mistake of Moral SurrenderWe live in a day when many people are modifying their beliefs and tossing their faith to the wind to accommodate their family and friends. Even though these believers once stood firm on the Word of God, they are surrendering to the "woke" atmosphere in society today to retain their standing with loved ones who have changed what they believe. What should YOU do if your friends or loved ones have changed their beliefs and you now feel distance between yourself and them? In this five-part series The Tragic Mistake of Moral Surrender, Rick Renner covers: The tragic mistake of moral surrender  Moral surrender for opportunity Moral surrender and embracing inclusivity and tolerance Moral surrender for society''s acceptance God''s promise to people who help wandering saints get back on track  No matter how far someone you love has wandered from the truth of the Bible, there is hope to get them back on track. Are you ready to stand your ground on God''s Word and make a big difference in your life and in the lives of those you love?

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Book Synopsis“Doing” theology ought to be deep, creative, and awe-inspiring. Big theological questions should be asked in the most genuinely helpful manner. Often, and inevitably from a human perspective, we ask questions such as “Why doesn’t God…?” or “Why does God allow…?” or, perhaps more appropriately, “What is the best way to conceive of God through His engagement with creation?” In Real Divine Insight and Human Consciousness, Andrew Bigg considers the logical and eschatological consequences of the pivotal union of “perspectives” in the Christian concept of Incarnation. The systematic approach proceeds as “according to a whole,” or both theologically and scientifically relevant.We are aware, not least through Biblical texts, that there is a divine viewpoint of creation. The Bible says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways…For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Furthermore, “the Lord does not see as mortals see” (1 Samuel 16:7), and we even hear the charge “you thought that I was one just like yourself” (Psalm 50:21).Humanity, however, asks questions about God’s “perspective,” while God asks rhetorical questions about human perspectives. In the Incarnation, however, these conflicting perspectives are somehow established in union with one another. From this divine-human perspective, Christ asks His disciples the incisive opening question “What are you looking for?,” followed by the invitation “come and see” (John 1:37-39). Engaging theologically, learning what best to ask and how best to ask it, is inseparable from a journey of formation, preparation, and growth towards that ultimately shared self-knowledge to which Christ’s invitation directs us, pointing towards a nuanced way of “seeing” and, eventually, “seeing together.”

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