Study Commentaries

Marilynne Robinson has built a sterling reputation as a writer of sharp, subtly moving prose, not only as a major American novelist, but also as a rigorous thinker and incisive essayist. In When I Was a Child I Read Books she returns to and expands upon the themes which have preoccupied her work with renewed vigor.

Editors Denis Alexander and Alister McGrath gather other intelligent minds from around the world to share their startling commonality: Richard Dawkins and his fellow New Atheists were instrumental in their conversions to Christianity. Despite a wide range of backgrounds and cultures, all are united in the fact that they were first enthusiasts for the claims and writings of the New Atheists. But each became disillusioned by the arguments and conclusions of Dawkins, causing them to look deeper and with more objectivity at religious faith.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke are synoptic in portraying the savior’s humanity in different aspects with his deity. Since Mark presents the savior as a slave, he does not tell his genealogy and status, because the ancestry of a slave is not worthy of note. Furthermore, in contrast to Matthew, who presents to us the savior’s marvelous teachings and parables concerning the heavenly kingdom, and John, who presents his profound revelations of the divine truths, Mark’s intention is not to impress us with the slave’s wonderful words, but with his excellent deeds in his gospel service.

It's never too late for a new beginning. Look closely and you'll see that theme all through the Bible. Page after page, God delights in turning tragic endings into new beginnings. A childless woman conceives in her old age; a fearful, self-conscious shepherd becomes a leader of millions; and a prostitute becomes a wife and mother in the lineage of Christ. Every biblical fresh start reveals the amazing, awe-inspiring hope we have for our own new beginnings in God's plan for our lives.

Welcome to "Genesis: The Beginning of Everything"! In this book, we will explore the first 10 chapters of the Bible's book of Genesis in detail. Genesis is the very first book of the Bible, and it tells us the story of how everything began. From the creation of the world to the first people who lived on earth, Genesis lays the foundation for understanding our origins and God's plan for humanity. As we journey through these chapters, we will discover how God spoke the world into existence, forming the heavens, the earth, the oceans, and all the living creatures. We will learn about the first...

Many pastors, students, and teachers have come to know and depend upon James Montgomery Boice’s scholarly yet accessible commentaries on the most popular books of the Bible. Here is an addition to the Boice commentaries that has a unique focus. Instead of examining an entire book of the Bible, it provides listeners with an in-depth look into Matthew 5-7, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

Want to dive into the Bible’s mysterious and captivating book of Revelation? Revelation Bible Study offers a fresh perspective on this enigmatic prophecy, guiding you through its complex imagery and profound messages. Forget the typical attempts to predict the future or connect historical events to John's vision. Instead, Bible teacher Peter DeHaan challenges readers to embrace Revelation as relevant for today. Receive it as a glorious mystery, focusing on the ultimate triumph of God over evil. Through short readings, application questions, and bonus content, this book will help you ...

Nick Neely chronicles his 650-mile trek on foot from San Diego to San Francisco, following the route of the first overland Spanish expedition into what was soon called Alta California. Led by Gaspar de Portolá in 1769, the expedition sketched a route that would become, in part, the famous El Camino Real. It laid the foundation for the Golden State we know today, a place that remains as mythical and captivating as any in the world.

We can endure just about anything if we know our future hope is certain. Paul had used a letter to stabilize the Thessalonians concerning their hope of being “caught up,” the enemy then used a forged letter to destabilize them. The truth in this book will comfort our hearts and stabilize our minds. Features: Three steps to understanding the Rapture. The Rapture versus the Second Coming. The difference between prophecy and mystery. Verse-by-verse commentary on First and Second Thessalonians. Why God kept the mystery a secret. Several helpful maps. An abbreviated history of the Paulicians...

This second volume on the Gospel of John shows how Jesus dealt with the hostility that began to arise among the religious leaders in regard to various practices of faith and how he didn’t allow their hostility to deter him from his path. In so doing, Christ provided the ultimate example for living in the Father’s name.

An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of the Scriptures. Explore each verse of this narrative of the life of Jonah as He is called by God to preach salvation to the Ninevites. Organized as four individual Bible studies that are intended for about 30 minutes of personal study, or about one hour of small-group discussion. Table of Contents 1:1-16. Running from God. 1:17 - 2:10. Turning to God. 3:1-10. Obeying God. 4:1-11. Playing God. Bibliography.

Galatians is the clearest letter for distinguishing the difference between “prophecy” and “mystery.” The Lord Jesus Christ has two ministries: one on earth to Israel as recorded in the four gospels and early Acts, and the other from heaven to the Body of Christ as recorded in Romans to Philemon. The Galatians had “fallen from grace” and gone back under the law. This legalistic error is prevalent among Christians today. This error prevents believers from functioning as God intends them to and from rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

This powerful, incredible, enjoyable study guide with a map, pictures, timelines, and many other features, will bless many and help them to be "rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15) and to understand Paul's letter to the Galatians better.

Story captures our hearts and feeds our imaginations. It reminds us who we are and where we came from. Story gives meaning and direction to our lives as we learn to see it as an affirmation of God’s love. Drawing upon her own experiences, well-known tales in literature, and selected narratives from Scripture, Madeleine L’Engle gently leads the way into the glorious world of story in The Rock That Is Higher. Here she acknowledges universal human longings and considers how literature, Scripture, personal stories, and life experiences all point us toward our true home.

It takes courage to walk out our faith. Courage to stand for what we believe. To set our standards on Biblical truth, not cultural trends. To pursue a life defined by integrity and character. And we find no greater profile in courage than in the life of Christ. This study follows our Savior as he faced opposition, challenged critics, and courageously chose to make the ultimate sacrifice.

If you have not read the Bible, consider this, that it is the best seller of all best sellers, the #1 most printed book every week of every month of every year. It is estimated that over five billion complete copies of the Bible have been printed in 349 languages and with partial copies additionally printed in another 2,123 languages (https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/best-selling-book-of-non-fiction). Consider carefully that something inside the Bible must be profound and compelling since hundreds of millions if not billions of people have read it. Over the centuries, the ...

Even people who are not professing Christians think they are familiar with the story of the Nativity. Every Christmas, displays of Jesus resting in a manger populate lawns and churchyards, and songs about shepherds and angels fill the air. Yet despite the abundance of these Christian references in popular culture, how many of us have examined the hard edges of this biblical story? Timothy Keller takes listeners on an illuminating journey into the surprising background of the Nativity.

Atheist? Believer? Uncertain? No matter: The Portable Atheist will engage you every step of the way. From the number one New York Times best-selling author of God Is Not Great, comes this provocative and entertaining guided tour of atheist and agnostic thought through the ages with original pieces by Salman Rushdie, Ian McEwan, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali.

Traveling along the Yukon as the salmon migrate, a four-month journey through untrammeled landscape, Adam Weymouth traces the fundamental interconnectedness of people and fish through searing and unforgettable portraits of the individuals he encounters. He offers a powerful, nuanced glimpse into indigenous cultures and into our ever-complicated relationship with the natural world.

Christ's ministry from heaven to the Church, the body of Christ is through Paul, “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13). He is our “pattern” (1 Timothy 1:16). The dispensation of grace in which we live was FIRST and ONLY revealed to Paul. Second Corinthians is a look into the heart of the apostle Paul and how the “God of all comfort” comforted him. Paul said, “without were fightings, within were fears.” Paul had to warn the church at Corinth not to follow false ministers, but him. As we turn our eyes upon Jesus in His word to us through Paul, we will have the peace of ...