New Testament History

Each of the first three Gospels calls attention to the Roman centurion--Longinus--who officiated at the Crucifixion, and it is through the life-changing story of this duty-bound soldier that Leonard Wibberley (author of The Mouse That Roared and himself a devout Catholic) achieves, with a shrewd appreciation of human motives, a thoroughly fresh interpretation of the Gospel story of Christ's ministry and Passion. "The Oldest Story Given Fresh Vigor."--Los Angeles Times ★★★★★ "Wonderful book. It gives new insight into the life of Christ and how he influenced those around him. Sure, ...

A sound grasp of the background and contents of the New Testament is imperative for any serious following of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament we find answers to some of the most basic questions of life, including who God is, how the world was created, how sintered the world, and how God chose to create men and women to walk with him in a covenant relationship. Yet is only in the New Testament that we get the full revelation of Jesus Christ, the Son of God sent into the world to seek and save lost humanity (Luke 19:10). In this fourth book in the Teach Me Your Paths series, we follow up on...

Cleopatra’s sister was murdered here. Cicero received a hero’s welcome here. Mark Antony caused a scandal here. And all of this happened before the apostle Paul even arrived—in Ephesus. Getting ready to teach 1 Timothy, the book of Ephesians, or about Revelation’s seven churches? Or would you simply like to enhance your own study of the Bible? Whatever your reason, check out this concise background on the city where Paul spent more than three years. Ephesus had great significance in the ancient world from its beginnings in the eighth century BCE through the fall of Rome, and *The ...

Excerpted from OT and NT Biblical Studies, Student Edition -- Who are the Essenes? Where is the Nag Hammadi Library? Can sacred texts be found in a desert dump? What does an island in the Nile have to do with Ezra and Nehemiah? Was Miles Coverdale the Main Man of the Age of English Bible translations? Follow the history of the Bible, its translations and manuscripts, from Cuneiform Tablets to the Spanish inquisition and see the miraculous preservation of God's Word.

Back Cover Description Jesus Christ was a Jew. His earthly parents were Jews, and he was raised within a Jewish culture. In addition, all of the men chosen by Jesus to lead the church he created were Jews. Understanding Jewish culture at the time of Christ, and knowing what the Jews of that time believed and taught, is crucial for anyone striving to know Jesus as a person. This book will help you understand the religious doctrine the Jews believed prior to the birth of Jesus, and will detail many of the specific laws and rites every Jew was required to perform. It will also give you the ...

In this concise, engaging book, noted New Testament scholar Luke Timothy Johnson takes listeners on a journey back to the time of the early Roman Empire, when the New Testament was written in ordinary Greek (koine) by the first Christians. The author explains how the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, and Revelation evolved into the canon of sacred writings for the Christian religion, and how they reflect a reinterpretation of the symbolic world and societal forces of first-century Greco-Roman and Jewish life.

The Revised Geneva Translation of the Holy Bible is a faithful 21st century update to the Geneva Bible of the 1500's, the very first widely-distributed Bible in English. It is specifically designed to be spoken and heard, repeatedly, and is built on the premise that a crucial key to revival in the present can be found in one simple practice from the past: speaking God's Word back to each other in community.

Top Jesus scholars Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan join together to reveal a radical and little-known Jesus. As both authors reacted to and responded to questions about Mel Gibson's blockbuster The Passion of the Christ, they discovered that many Christians are unclear on the details of events during the week leading up to Jesus's crucifixion. Using the gospel of Mark as their guide, Borg and Crossan present a day-by-day account of Jesus's final week of life. They begin their story on Palm Sunday with two triumphal entries into Jerusalem.

In The Misunderstood Jew, scholar Amy-Jill Levine helps Christians and Jews understand the "Jewishness" of Jesus so that their appreciation of him deepens and a greater interfaith dialogue can take place. Levine's humor and informed truth - telling provokes honest conversation and debate about how Christians and Jews should understand Jesus, the New Testament, and each other.

Millions of readers have turned to Elaine Pagels for her clear and insightful books about the Gnostic Gospels, the teachings of Jesus that have been lost for centuries. Sounds True is proud to present the first widely available audio recording of this extraordinary scholar as she explores the text that has changed the way many of us think about the message of Christ: The Gospel of Thomas.

Significant Discoveries Biblical Archaeology Embark on a fascinating journey through time with "Important Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology." This book delves into the groundbreaking findings that have shaped our understanding of the ancient world and the Bible. From the sands of Egypt to the ruins of Jerusalem, each chapter unveils artifacts, inscriptions, and sites that illuminate the historical context of biblical events, bringing ancient stories to life with vivid detail and scholarly insight. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a student of theology, or simply curious about the ...

The Apostle Paul famously wrote that if Jesus did not rise from the dead, then the Christian faith is in vain. In this volume, Dr. Jeffrey Morrow examines the historical evidence for Jesus' resurrection. Dr. Morrow's thorough investigation examines the arguments and weighs the evidence, demonstrating that the Christian confession of Jesus' resurrection best explains the known historical facts. The main narrative is accessible to a wide lay audience. The book includes detailed endnotes and bibliography for the interested scholar. “Dr. Jeffrey Morrow is a brilliant theologian whose work on ...

Most of the errors pastors and teachers make in teaching the Bible are because they have not studied the book of Acts carefully. This informative book is packed with great features: Commentary on Christ’s Acts ministry through Peter and Paul (chapters one through nine). Helpful tips on understanding the order of the books of the Bible. The heart of the Bible is the wisdom and poetry books (there are several snapshots for understanding those books.) Details of Daniel's timeline for Israel. Incredible pictures and insight related to the history of Israel. Psalm 2 and the “Our Father” ...

Elaine Pagels explores the surprising history of the most controversial book of the Bible. In the waning days of the Roman Empire, militant Jews in Jerusalem had waged anall-out war against Rome’s occupation of Judea, and their defeat resulted in the desecration of the Great Temple in Jerusalem. In the aftermath of that war, John of Patmos, a Jewish prophet and follower of Jesus, wrote the Book of Revelation, prophesying God’s judgment on the pagan empire that devastated and dominated his people.

Often seen as the author of timeless Christian theology, Paul himself heatedly maintained that he lived and worked in history's closing hours. His letters propel his listeners into two ancient worlds, one Jewish, one pagan. The first was incandescent with apocalyptic hopes, expecting God through his messiah to fulfill his ancient promises of redemption to Israel. The second teemed with ancient actors, not only human but also divine: angry superhuman forces, jealous demons, and hostile cosmic gods.

Historians know virtually nothing about the two decades following the crucifixion of Jesus, when his followers regrouped and began to spread his message. During this time the man we know as the apostle Paul joined the movement and began to preach to the gentiles. Using the oldest Christian documents that we have - the letters of Paul - as well as other early Christian sources, historian and scholar James Tabor reconstructs the origins of Christianity.

Established in 2000, The purpose of the Journal of Biblical Theology is to provide an outlet for theologians and theology students in the field of Biblical Theology to share their research in a peer-reviewed journal environment. Consequently, papers are invited to be submitted by graduate students and those who have completed graduate degrees in any field of Christian theology and/or biblical studies. Each volume of the Journal contains a minimum of twelve articles submitted by authors from around the world that address a wide range of topics in the field of Christian Theology. The Journal ...

Paul was a Hebrew of the Hebrews, steeped in the learning of his people. But he was also a Roman citizen who widely traveled the Mediterranean basin, and was very knowledgeable of the dominant Greek and Roman culture of his day. These two mighty rivers of influence converge in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. With razor-sharp attention to the text, Kenneth Bailey examines the cultural milieu and rhetorical strategies that shaped this pivotal epistle. Familiar passages take on a new hue as they are stripped of Western interpretations and rendered back into their ancient setting.

They’ve been called legalists, hypocrites, and the ultimate villains of the Gospels. But what if everything you think you know about the Pharisees is wrong? For centuries, they’ve been cast as rigid enforcers of outdated laws, standing in opposition to everything good and true. But history tells a different story. The Pharisees weren’t just rule-makers—they were the architects of a religious revolution. They took Judaism out of the Temple and into the home, shaping a faith that could survive war, exile, and destruction. Their debates laid the groundwork for modern Jewish thought, ...

From the manger in Bethlehem to the cross in Jerusalem, Philip Yancey presents a complex character who generates questions as well as answers—a disturbing and exhilarating Jesus who wants to radically transform your life and stretch your faith. The Jesus I Never Knew will engage your heart, mind, emotions, and senses, preparing you for a new, life-changing encounter with the real Jesus described in the Gospels.