Study Bible Commentary

In A History of the Bible, John Barton argues that the Bible is not a prescription to a complete, fixed religious system, but rather a product of a long and intriguing process, which has inspired Judaism and Christianity, but still does not describe the whole of either religion. Barton shows how the Bible is indeed an important source of religious insight for Jews and Christians alike, yet argues that it must be listened to in its historical context - from its beginnings in myth and folklore to its many interpretations throughout the centuries....

It is certainly true today that the "Do Nothings" outnumber "The Company of the Concerned," which in part explains why society is so confused and frightened. It's time for God's people to be concerned! Meet some concerned believers who made a difference in their time and who show you how to make a difference in your time.

UPDATED 10/21/24 The Book of Revelation - a modern day paraphrase. NIV meets MSG meets CSV meets Amplified meets NASB meets KJV meets Japanese, Chinese and Russian translations meets original koine Greek. Bill Belew spent twenty plus years in the Far East - Japan, China and Russia. The Book of Revelation - A Modern-Day Paraphrase is the result of what he reads when he compares these many translations. Enjoy The Book of Revelation - a modern day paraphrase and understand the meaning of this marvelous book when reading it in tandem with The Book of Revelation - A Complete Verse by Verse ...

Reading Revelation Responsibly is for those who are confused by, afraid of, and or preoccupied with the book of Revelation. In rescuing the Apocalypse from those who either completely misinterpret it or completely ignore it, Michael Gorman has given us both a guide to reading Revelation in a responsible way and a theological engagement with the text itself. He takes interpreting the book as a serious and sacred responsibility, believing how one reads, teaches, and preaches Revelation can have a powerful impact on one's own—and other people's—well-being.

A verse by verse commentary on the book of Isaiah (chapters 1-39), taking special care to notice the local circumstances surrounding the writing (the threat of Assyria, the growth of Babylon, the sins of Judah), while allowing the many references to the coming-Christ serve as the sizzle to the steak of the letter.

A comprehensive study guide with verse-by-verse commentary on all of Ephesians. Special features also included is a summary of the letter, Timeline, an article on the Calvinism Error, “Which Mystery?”, Parenting Tips, and The Blasphemy of the Holy Ghost and the Body of Christ. Then for enjoyment A Poem: What the Church is Not; Hymns: I Know I’m Seated in Heavenly Places, Onward Christian Soldier, In all Thy Work, O Lord, Thou didst.

Step into the final book of Scripture with fresh eyes and an open heart. This powerful, Spirit-led commentary walks you verse-by-verse through the book of Revelation — not as a puzzle to solve, but as a divine unveiling of Jesus Christ in all His majesty. With deep prophetic insight and a heart rooted in intimacy with God, David Martin Biggs reveals the true purpose behind Revelation: not fear, but worship. Not confusion, but clarity. Not chaos, but Christ enthroned.

How to pray, how to serve, how to overcome, how to love: Jesus taught the disciples these timeless lessons through hands-on experience and powerful parables that resonated in the hearts of multitudes. Most evident in John 13-21, however, is Christ's teaching on the transforming power of joy—how to have it, hold onto it, and never let it go.

Acts is a book of action. But whose actions does it follow? The most obvious answer is the Apostles’. The book’s full name is the Acts of the Apostles, for it recounts their efforts to take the gospel to the nations. Yet we can also think of it as the Acts of the Holy Spirit. Poured out like a mighty rushing wind (Acts 2:2), the Spirit empowered the Apostles’ witness and opened hearts to believe. In this volume, Dr. R.C. Sproul offers an in-depth study on the Spirit’s work through these Christians and in the growth and spread of the early church.

The book of Revelation stands out as one of the most intriguing, yet least understood books of the Bible. From the sobering letters to the seven churches to the amazing visions and epic battles, millions of Christians have toiled to understand the meaning of this mysterious book. Trust Dr. Warren Wiersbe, pastor and Bible teacher for over forty years, to take you chapter-by-chapter through the various topics in this important book, all the while, keeping a steady eye on the main message of the book: Christ is the victor, and in Christ, we are also victorious.

What does Oprah Winfrey have to do with the Book of Ruth? Why are Catholic priests (meant to be) celibate? Which king - other than Elvis - died on the toilet? The Bible: A Student's Guide answers these questions and more. Aimed at humanities students, it's a quick tour of the Bible: telling its most famous tales, quoting its most famous lines. Along the way it points to a few landmarks: everyday phrases we owe to the Bible, great literature and art it's inspired. So if your knowledge of the Good Book isn't so good, this is just the place to begin. Jon David has also published Be Happy! (...

The two books of Samuel form a basic foundational study in the Old Testament. An understanding of this basic history is essential, not only to understanding the Old and New Testaments, but in gaining a valid perspective of eschatological issues as well.

God loves people, but the people do not love him. He devises a plan, sends his son on earth to redeem the people. To save their souls. The son is an edgy person who moves around Jerusalem like he owns the place. He chooses twelve disciples, gives them power to cast out demons and heal the sick. But one of them, Judas Iscariot, his close friend, connives with the enemies of Jesus to murder him. The plot starts in the garden of Gethsemane...

For many, the Gospel according to "the Beloved Physician" is the most readable and complete account of the life of Christ. Known for its historical detail and precision, Luke was chosen by the Holy Spirit to communicate the Gospel to an educated and technological culture. The evidences of the truly "human" nature of Jesus Christ are littered throughout this treatise.

Perhaps of all the books in the New Testament, James most squarely focuses on results. His pull-no-punches approach to spiritual maturity, his preference for action over words, makes his text the perfect backdrop for a study of how to grow in our faith. Beloved author and teacher Warren Wiersbe leads you through this practical book with advice on how to overcome temptation, controlling the tongue, effective prayer, and how to practice what the Bible teaches.

Contemporary commentaries humorously interpret stories in the Old and New Testaments.

Throughout much of human history, our most important stories were passed down orally - including the stories about Jesus before they became written down in the Gospels. In this fascinating and deeply researched work, leading Bible scholar Bart D. Erhman investigates the role oral history has played in the New Testament - how the telling of these stories not only spread Jesus' message but helped shape it.

If the Bible isn’t a science book or an instruction manual, then what is it? What do people mean when they say the Bible is inspired? When Rachel Held Evans found herself asking these questions, she began a quest to better understand what the Bible is and how it is meant to be read. What she discovered changed her—and it will change you too.

Drawing on the best in recent scholarship and using her well-honed literary expertise, Evans examines some of our favorite Bible stories and possible interpretations, retelling them through memoir, original poetry, short stories, soliloquies, and even a short screenplay. Undaunted by the Bible’s most difficult passages, Evans wrestles through the process of doubting, imagining, and debating Scripture’s mysteries. The Bible, she discovers, is not a static work but is a living, breathing, captivating, and confounding book that is able to equip us to join God’s loving and redemptive work in the world.

The Epistle of James is all about Faith - real faith, living faith, active faith. Like the apostle Paul, James would have us work out our salvation with fear and trembling. This book endeavors to show just how that is done. According to James' epistle, real faith is based upon certain presuppositions. True faith finds joy in hardship. Faith brings unity in the body; it engenders self control; it benefits the individual and the world at large. 'Real Faith, Studies In The Epistle Of James' will enable you to read the letter of James with fresh eyes and allow you to apply this misunderstood ...

In a fast-paced, technology-based era when drive-thrus, cell phones, laptops, and Internet banking are the norm, it's sometimes hard to fathom that God doesn't appreciate our frail attempts at spiritual shortcuts. Through the pastoral epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus, with insight from Paul's letter to Philemon as well, Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe illustrates that working for God's Kingdom requires tenacity, never-ceasing prayer, and protective battle gear that only God can provide.