Books » Bible & Sacred Texts

After the Flood depicts the plight of the descendants of Noah beginning around the time of his death. The central character is Abraham who follows a lifestyle and attitude exemplary beyond that of his contemporaries. It's important that of all the characters mentioned in the Bible, Abraham (originally named Abram) is unquestionably the one who has the most universal reverence. Abraham is still living in Ur of the Chaldees. But, he moves to Haran from his homeland. He lives and prospers there for many years and, then, ultimately completes his journey to Canaan. The novel suggests that the wanderings from Ur to Canaan were driven by a combination of strategic military objectives by Abraham's fellow Hebrews, and God's intention to found a theocracy of non-pagan people worthy of his government. After the Flood depicts the life of the Hebrews from the apparent start of Abraham's interaction with God until the probable first realization by Abraham that he had failed to fulfill God's objective to perfection. The story concludes at the time of the expulsion of his first son, Ishmael, and Ishmael's mother, Hagar, from the community. This sad event has a past and continuing affect on world affairs.

A magnificent new volume in Robert Alters award-winning, landmark translation of and commentary on the Hebrew Bible.Here, in Robert Alters bold new translation, are some of the most magnificent works in world literature. The astounding poetry in the Book of Job is restored to its powerful ancient meanings and rhythms. The account of creation in its Voice from the Whirlwind is beautiful and incendiaryan unforgettable challenge to the place of man in the universe. The serene fatalism that construes life as ephemeral and without purpose suffuses Ecclesiastes with a quiet beauty. The pithy maxims of Proverbs impart a worldly wisdom that is still sound and satirically shrewd. Each of these books conveys and undermines the universal wisdom that the righteous thrive and the wicked suffer in a rational moral

Pages: 324, Paperback, iUniverse

'THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD' IS MORE THAN JUST A CLICHe. God goes to great lengths to rescue lost and hurting people. That is what The Story is all about---the story of the Bible, God's great love affair with humanity. Condensed into 31 accessible chapters, The Story sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. Using the clear, accessible text of the NIV Bible, it allows the stories, poems, and teachings of the Bible to read like a novel. And like any good story, The Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance, and redemption---and this story's true! From the foreword by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee: 'This book tells the grandest, most compelling story of all time: the story of a true God who loves his children, who established for them a way of salvation and provided a route to eternity. Each story in these 31 chapters reveals the God of grace---the God who speaks; the God who acts; the God who listens; the God whose love for his people culminated in his sacrifice of Jesus, his only Son, to atone for the sins of humanity.' Features: * The story of the Bible---in its own words. Selections from the NIV Bible with short transitions to connect the reader to the continuing story. * Events, characters, and teachings of the Bible arranged chronologically * Timelines of Bible events * New International Version (NIV) Bible text Church families around the globe can now embrace The Story for a full ministry year through worship services, small group studies, and family activities. Learn more about this whole-church experience at TheStory.com. An excerpt from The Story: After Judas left, Jesus gave the disciples a glimpse of what was to come. He foreshadowed the fact that he was going to be 'broken' and 'poured out'---he was going to take humanity's punishment for sin on himself. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.' Jesus warned his disciples that he would be with them only a little while longer. He went on to comfort his confused followers. 'Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.' Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way' Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.'

Storyteller Recaptures the Mystery of the Ancient Scriptures, Launches Innovative Webcast Only God could tell a story this ludicrous and then claim that its true," says Steven James, who penned Story: Recapture the Mystery (Revell, Feb. 2006), which makes the Bible come alive in provocative ways, encapsulating the mystery of the Christian story. James, a professional storyteller from eastern Tennessee, grew up in a Christian homebut fell in love with Jesus at age 21 on Easter Sunday. Through 30 short chapters, James revisits key scenes from the Christian story: from the Garden of Eden to the Israelites plea for freedom and the love/hate struggles between people and God in the Old Testament. Story illuminates Jesuss miraculous birth and daring ministry on earth, building to the "rising terror" of the crucifixion and rediscovery of freedom following the resurrection. At one point, James paints the brutal murder of Abel in the Old Testament through the eyes of his brother Cain. He views Jesus dancing and turning water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana through the testimony of the bewildered bride. At another, he writes as a frightened onlooker as Jesus struggles to carry his cross to Golgotha, and captures the chaos sweeping through the Holy Land following the resurrection. All the while, James relates the events of the Bible to life on earth today. "Im thankful Jesus didnt come to start another religion. Jesus didnt arrive on earth to debate theology but to propose marriage. In a very real spiritual sense, God is courting us. Christianity is wild. Its intimate. Its heartbreaking and soul-mending," writes James. However, James believes the real meaning of Christianity, especially Easter, has been lost in the last 2,000 years. "Easter has evolved into just another nice, harmless, spineless, little holiday . . when its supposed to be about a wrestling match between life and death, a cosmic struggle between good and evil." James invites readers to meet Jesus againor for the very first time.

What does it take to build character How do you instill godly qualities inside yourself that are displayed consistently through words, actions, and attitudes that reflect what Jesus himself is like Building Character Together takes you and your small group inside the Bible to learn character-building lessons from some of its most compelling figures. In six enjoyable, interactive sessions, each volume in this six-volume series helps you deeply explore the complex issues of developing Christian character. Combining study, discussion, and shared experiences, here is a pathway to growth both individually and as a group. Explore the lives of David, Mary Magdalene, Jacob, and other men and women of the Bible. Learn lessons from their successes and failures and from their relationships with God and other people that you can readily link to yourself and your own life circumstances. Enjoy frank discussions that draw you and other group members deeper into each others' lives. And put it all into action in a one-day group retreat, a service project, a mini-mission work, and other experiences that help you make the leap from good words to good works.

IS HOW WE WORSHIP TRULY BIBLICAL There's only one way to find out: see what the Bible has to say. And that's exactly what Called to Worship is all about. From Genesis to Revelation, every book in the Scriptures gives instruction and insight into God's plan for worship. With this book, you'll learn from Biblical heroes and ordinary people. Compare Old and New Testament practices. Glean insight from Biblical poetry and the Books of Wisdom. And most important, you'll see how the life of Christ serves as a living guide to worship. "A must read book for every student of worship, Vernon M. Whaley has completed a monumental task gathering the principles, processes and practices of worship drawn from scriptural narratives spanning the entire Bible." -Charles E. Fromm, Ph.D., Publisher of Worship Leader Magazine "Called To Worship is the most comprehensive book on Worship I've ever read. The depth of scriptures on Worship is incredible." -Dr. Ricky Skaggs, Bluegrass Musician and Worshiper of Jesus Christ

Based on the most recent scholarship, Bible Babel is a lively and very readable introduction to the Biblewhat it is, where it comes from, and what's in it. Why does the film Magnolia end in a downpour of frogs Is the serpent in the Garden of Eden the devil or just a snake How do people use the Bible to argue different sides of today's most controversial issues Who is the "queen of heaven" While watching The Ten Commandments, why did Metallica's bass player think, "Whoa, it's like creeping death!" thus naming a hit song Where does the fish symbol of the Christian faith come from Is there a "best" translation Who is the lamb with seven horns and seven eyes, who opens the seven seals of a cosmic scroll The Bible informs much of our culture, but most people know little about the book itself. In this intelligent yet humorous and highly accessible guide, religious studies professor Kristin Swenson answers the above questions and more as she provides readers with basic biblical literacy. Swenson incorporates contemporary pop referencesfrom Wall-E to Battlestar Galactica to rock music and morewith the latest findings of biblical scholarship to offer contextual understanding of the Bible's often complex, ambiguous, and seemingly contradictory texts. Her engaging and illuminating book does not aim to convert readers nor undermine their beliefs, but to offer basic knowledge needed to comprehend arguments and answer vexing questions about the Bible, appreciate artistic and literary references, and interpret the most talked about book of all time for themselves.

Do megalithic monuments and books of ancient wisdom predict the date the world ends Dozens of books have been published on the topic of 2012, mostly reflecting a "new age" perspective, proposing that their "pop" point of view is authoritative and reliable. This opinion is shaped by Mayan scholars, pseudo-archeologists, channelers, mediums, shamans, and alternative historians. Likewise, these pundits draw upon ancient sources which range from the Mayan calendar, the I Ching, The Kolbrin Bible, to Plato's Atlantis. The key to our future appears connected to the study of the past. However, upon a deeper look, today's pop apocalyptic writers continue an esoteric tradition thousands of years in the making. Is there a common thread running through the meaning of monuments, alien abductions, UFOs, crop circles, the New Age Movement, conspiracy theories, Freemasonry, and Pyramidology Decoding Doomsday argues that by studying the claims of the 2012 enthusiasts in light of apocalyptic history, we can make sense of the current clamor. Furthermore, flying in the face of conventional wisdom, the author asserts that the expectation of the Apocalypse can actually be a healthy concern, essential to the position of authentic Christianity. Finally, he maintains Doomsday is already decoded. History's last day is plainly disclosed in the Bible.

Along the way, Dr. Hayfords insightful and historically grounded teaching helps viewers put each place in scriptural context.Dr. Henrietta Mears classic Bible handbook What the Bible Is All About helps readers understand how Jesus Christ is revealed in every book of the Bible. Now individuals and groups can see for themselves where Jesus earthly life and ministry unfolded as they journey to the Holy Land with Dr. Jack Hayford as their guide. What the Bible Is All About Holy Land Tour DVD takes viewers to the top of the Mount of Olives, overlooking the ancient, holy city of Jerusalem, to the Kidron Valley and Jericho, to Jesus birthplace of Bethlehem and the site of His garden tomb, and to many more places of biblical significance.