New Testament History

Ready for the Rapture presents a powerful and inspiring in-depth study of two of the most important and revelatory books of the Bible with respect to end-time events or eschatology in theological terms - first and second Thessalonians. While from a theological perspective this two-part volume is an exegetical treatise of these two vital New Testament books, it is masterfully narrated in a way that makes the Pauline letters' doctrine-rich content readily understandable and intriguing to listeners with as little as an elementary education.

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.

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.

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 ...

This is a basic workbook on different topics related to the Bible such as Christian Ministry or Ministerial Formation, Old & New Testament, History of the Christian Church, Systematic Theology, Biblical Greek: Pronunciation and Leadership in the Local Church. You will have a general biblical knowledge of the different topics discussed in the book. Enroll in our Bible studies courses at: https://biblestudy.gnomio.com/

Transported two thousand years into the past, readers are introduced to Antipas, a Roman civic leader who has encountered the writings of the biblical author Luke. Luke's writings spark Antipas's interest, and a correspondence transpires between them. As the two delve deeply into each other's lives, Antipas begins to see things in fresh ways, causing him to rethink the values upon which his life had been founded.

Bridging the end of the Old Testament period and the beginning of the New Testament period, this book surveys the history and theological developments of four significant eras in Israel's post-exilic history: the Late Persian Era (465-331 BC), the Hellenistic Era (332-167 BC), the Hasmonean Era (167-63 BC), and the Roman Era (63-4 BC). In doing so, it does away with the notion that there were four hundred years of prophetic silence before Jesus.

An exegetical and theological exposition of the New Testament Epistles of Paul to the Galatians and Ephesians. A sequential exploration of the scriptures, presented within the historical and literary context of the writing. The text is organized as twenty-two chapters, each a comprehensive presentation of a passage that is useful for about thirty minutes of personal study or about an hour of small-group study and discussion. The text is also useful as a resource for a facilitator of the study of these passages. Table of Contents _________________________________________ Galatians 1:1-24. ...

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” ...

Best-selling author and national radio host Dr. Andrew Farley is known to challenge legalistic and lifeless interpretations with his discerning take on controversial scriptures. In Twisted Scripture, Andrew skewers sacred cows and shatters destructive lies, bringing the undiluted truth about God's love and grace in a colorful and conversational look at the most controversial passages in the New Testament.

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.

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.

Combining research from Asian scholars with his many years of experience living and working in East Asia, Brad directs our attention to Paul's letter to the Romans. He argues that some traditional East Asian cultural values are closer to those of the first-century biblical world than common Western cultural values. In addition, he adds his voice to the scholarship engaging the values of honor and shame in particular and their influence on biblical interpretation.

The earliest traditions around the narrative of Jesus' resurrection are considered in this landmark work by Dale C. Allison, Jr, drawing together the fruits of his decades of research into this issue at the very core of Christian identity. Allison returns to the ancient sources and earliest traditions, charting them alongside the development of faith in the resurrection in the early church and throughout Christian history.

While the Christian tradition has subordinated John the Baptist to Jesus of Nazareth, John himself would likely have disagreed with that ranking. In this eye-opening new book John the Baptist in History and Theology, Joel Marcus makes a powerful case that John saw himself, not Jesus, as the proclaimer and initiator of the kingdom of God and his own ministry as the center of God's saving action in history.

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.

James was a vegetarian, wore only linen clothing, bathed daily at dawn in cold water, and was a life-long Nazirite. In this profound and provocative work of scholarly detection, eminent biblical scholar Robert Eisenman introduces a startling theory about the identity of James - the brother of Jesus - who was almost entirely marginalized in the New Testament.

William Barclay brings to these "best-known stories in the world" new force and significance for the modern reader/listener. Each chapter analyzes an individual parable - identifies its theme, explains it in the light of the language and customs of the ancient world, and clearly interprets its meaning for us today.

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.