English Bible History

“Information and context” meet “love story with the God of the universe”. If you are want to learn the facts of the Bible along with the passion and heart of the Bible, you will love “What is the Bible?”. One reader said, “I have read books that are hundreds of pages long that attempt to explain the Bible, but this succinct book covers all the basics in an easy-to-understand method.” This book brings a relevant, conversational approach to the Bible without being preachy or accusatory. It is perfect for both beginners and those who have walked the Christian journey for years....

This Very Short Introduction audiobook offers a clear, accessible, and concise account of the apocryphal gospels - exploring their origins, their discovery, and discussing how the various texts have been interpreted both by the Church and beyond.

How did we get the Bible? And why does it matter? History reveals that Scripture can be used for both life-giving and destructive purposes. Discovering the Bible’s origins makes all the difference for fostering redemptive interpretation of Scripture. Bringing together both historical criticism and theology, this investigation examines ancient scribal culture through the lens of faith. What we find is a divine-human collaboration that points to the character of God and the value of human agency.

King David’s life in the Old Testament was an incredible example of free will being lived out, for both good and evil in life and leadership. Unfortunately, the two chapters in 2 Samuel 11-12 would prove to be one of the greatest and most pivotal set of leadership failures for David. A series of selfish choices and far-reaching consequences that would not only shatter the innocence and lives of those caught up in them, but the innocence of his own heart and reputation as a man after God’s own heart. It was a death of innocence that would forever tarnish and weaken his trust as a leader ...

In this book Christie shares personal stories and encounters, mostly from her journals that span over three decades. Her discoveries will broaden your understanding of Scripture from their Jewish perspective and reveal to you the family and culture that Romans 11 says you have been grafted into. Most importantly, we pray your heart will be strengthened in the love story that is woven throughout all of the biblical feasts.

In this volume, noted Pentecostal biblical scholar, Roger Stronstad, turns his attention to the construction of an overarching biblical theology that runs from Genesis to Revelation. Bringing his considerable narrative and theological skills to this task, Stronstad makes the bold proposal that the entire canon, from creation to the new creation, reveals a rather clear and distinctive shape and content that may be traced by a series of seven turning points in redemptive history. These turning points include five found in the Old Testament – creation, the flood, Babel, wilderness, and exile...

Uniquely among the world’s religions, the central claims of Christianity concern not just timeless spiritual truths, but tangible historical events. At the heart of the of the Christian faith are things that are meant to have happened in Palestine between 5 BC and AD 30. It’s as if Christianity happily places its head on the chopping block of public scrutiny and invites anyone who wants to come and take a swing.

The belief in prophets is as old as religion itself, and the tradition of prophets is especially prevalent in Judaism and Christianity, with prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah being among the most famous historical figures in the Bible. God had prophets like Jeremiah perform symbolic acts that foretold future events, particularly hardships that the Israelites suffered at the hands of the Babylonians and Egyptians.

Two thousand years ago, a former construction worker wanders around the back streets of a third-rate country in the Roman Empire. For a couple of years, he preaches in obscure parables. He never writes anything down. He has a handful of close disciples—all of whom run away when he is arrested. He dies in ignominious agony, nailed to a cross as a criminal. That should be the end of that sad tale.

The women whose stories are in this audiobook display many exceptional traits. They are wise, dependable, thrifty, energetic, and unselfish. They are good wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends. Some will stand out in one or more of these spheres, while others will shine in different areas. But there is one thing they all have in common: They were all very courageous.

Each chapter focuses on roughly one century in the life of the Christian church, providing an even-handed view of Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity, and Protestant denominations. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter offer opportunities to reflect on parallels in contemporary Christian church life, considerations from a relevant Bible passage, and opportunities for application. This is an excellent text for a half-year study group.

Letters from Jesus: Studies from the Seven Churches of Revelation explores Christ’s warnings to the seven most prominent churches in Asia Minor in the book of Revelation. These letters date back to 95 AD, but they help us make a fascinating discovery about civilization: Life hasn’t changed that much over the last two millennia. Author Chris Palmer illustrates the truths contained in the Letters from Jesus using modern, everyday examples.

We are witnessing the end of Western Civilization. The present crisis in our culture is the greatest since the first century. Many commentators on the present scene believe that the entire world is moving into a period of neo-tribalism. In this striking book, theologian James B. Jordan argues that this cultural change is part of God's ongoing plan for humanity, the plan by which the Holy Spirit grows God's daughter, humanity, into a bride for His Son. The present crisis provides a tremendous opportunity for the Christian Church to challenge and transform the world as never before.

Dive into the profound exploration of the Pentateuch with Joseph Lumpkin's insightful study, "The Five Books of Moses." This work seamlessly blends scholarly analysis with literary critique, offering listeners a deeper understanding of the foundational texts of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. In Genesis, Lumpkin illuminates the themes of creation, covenant, and human nature, connecting ancient insights with contemporary interpretations to underscore the text's enduring relevance.

The text known as "Second Enoch," was discovered in 1886 by Professor Sokolov in the archives of the Belgrade Public Library. The Second Book of Enoch, or 2 Enoch was written in the latter half of the first century A.D. but had gone through alterations and additions to make it more acceptable to the Christian community. It was written in Slavonic, but had evidence of being translated from another language.

Dan Brown's International best-seller The DaVinci Code has raised many questions in the minds of readers. The DaVinci Code, in blurring the lines between fact and fiction, popularizes the speculations and contentions of numerous more serious books that are also attracting wide attention. How should we respond to such claims that we now have documents that reveal secrets about Jesus, secrets long suppressed by the church and other religious institutions?

In this short study, Lumpkin masterfully navigates the complex narrative where rebellion serves a dual role: initially, it liberates the Israelites from slavery, but later, it incites divine wrath. This duality mirrors the fine line between defiance and perseverance, the quest for personal freedom, and acts of treachery. The core lesson lies in the application of our will and intention.

The Bible is held to be both universal and specific, the source of fundamental truths inscribed in words that are exact and sacred. For much of the history of Judaism and almost the entirety of Christianity, however, believers have overwhelmingly understood scripture not in the languages in which it was first written but rather in their own—in translation. This book examines how saints, scholars and interpreters from ancient times down to the present have produced versions of the Bible in the language of their day while remaining true to the original.

On a cold, cloudy day in early February 1985, Shelley Wachsmann, then resident nautical archaeologist for the Israel Department of Antiquities and Museums, drove to Kibbutz Ginosar, an agricultural settlement near the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Two brothers, avid amateur archaeologists, had found a boat buried in the lake, its outlines revealed by receding lake waters. The boat was "possibly ancient," according to the handwritten note placed on Wachsmann's desk a day or two before.

A timely and compelling new look at three key women in the biblical narrative. Among the mostly male-dominated narratives in Scripture, the stories of women can be game-changing. In this book Debbie Blue looks closely at Hagar (mother of Islam), Esther (Jewish heroine), and Mary (Christian matriarch) - and finds in them unexpected and inviting new ways of navigating faith and life.