What Old Testament texts are quoted in the New Testament, how are they used and what might such analysis mean for the (contemporary) reader? Focusing in particular on the passion narratives in the Synoptic Gospels, According to the Scriptures seeks to engage with these questions.

This challenging work by a notable theologian explores the origins of the Christian gospel in Israel's scriptures and calls for a reevaluation of the Old Testament and its role in the church. Paul van Buren defends the view that the early gospel arose when the disciples discovered in the story of the binding of Isaac (Gen. 22) words and images that allowed them to turn the crucifixion of Jesus and following events into the realities of Good Friday and Easter. The final statement of van Buren's respected career, According to the Scriptures offers hope that Jewish and Christian communities can be drawn closer through mutual respect for each other's interpretive traditions.

If something is commanded in the Bible, the command must surely be obeyed if we are to be true to the Bible. This is what many people think, especially when they hear representatives of churches today arguing about moral issues. In fact, the matter is not as simple as this, and at various periods of history, churches have had quite differing views on how biblical commandments should be understood, and on whether they can be applied to their situations, if at all. The book falls into two sections. The first sketches the history of the use of the Bible in social, moral and political questions from the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament, to the present day. The second part looks at some case studies, including human and sexual relationships, life issues, attitudes to lawful authority, and the changing of interest.

Truth . . . According to the Scriptures is an easy-to-read way to examine some basic Bible teachings while also providing study outlines for further personal study. The nine topics addressed in this book are presented in a clear and straightforward manner pointing the reader, not to the ways of man or religion, but directly to the truth of God’s Word. The book of Isaiah proclaims that God’s thoughts and ways are far above any man’s, and it is with that idea in mind that great lengths have been taken to let the author of the Bible, God, explain His truths with His own words rather than use the ideas or thoughts of man. God proclaims in 2 Peter 1:20 that His Word is not open to any “private interpretation”; it says what it means and means what it says, and it doesn’t say one thing to one person and something else to another. The focus of this book is to examine Bible truths as they actually are, not in a twisted or perverted way that man or religion sometimes tries to interpret them to be. It would do us all good to stop making the Bible say what we want it to say and just accept God’s truth . . . according to the scriptures.

Letter & Spirit is an annual journal of Catholic Biblical Theology. We strive to publish work that is academically rigorous but accessible to the motivated lay reader. This twelfth volume, According to the Scriptures: The Mystery of Christ in the History of Salvation, is focused on current exegesis as well as the pre-modern reception of St. Paul. Articles include “A Few Obscure Men: Augustine’s Reception of Saint Paul’s Ignobilitas” by Fr. David Vincent Meconi, S.J.; “The Spiritual Experience of St. Paul in the Monastic Theology of St. Bernard” by Fr. Thomas Esposito, O.Cist.; “Paul’s Rhetorical Purpose in Ephesians 4:9-10: Upsilon Vector Mimēsis” by William Bales; and “Exegesis and Ecclesiology in Augustine’s City of God” by John Cavadini.

Jesus made many startling claims. Among the most startling, however, must be his assertion that the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms contain things written about him. Ask any Christian to point to Old Testament verses that contain things written about Jesus and you’ll see just how startling a claim this is. The first Christians, however, faced no such problem. As the book of Acts demonstrates, the early church preached Jesus from the Old Testament. In fact, in 1 Corinthians 15 Paul tells us that Jesus not only died according to the Scriptures but that he was raised according to the Scriptures. Paul asserts here that the Old Testament foretells Jesus’s resurrection. Contemporary scholars will warn us to be wary about reading Jesus back into the Old Testament. They’ll suggest that resurrection and the afterlife is an alien concept in the Old Testament. Paul, however, clearly invites us to search the Scriptures for precursors, promises, and prophecies about the resurrection. So, let’s follow the lead of Paul and find Easter in the Old Testament.

Jesus the Christ: A Study of the Messiah and His Mission According to the Holy Scriptures Both Ancient and Modern is a study on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and is widely appreciated by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The book consists of 42 chapters, each focusing on important aspects of the life and mission of Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus the Christ has been viewed by the LDS Church as a classic text on its teachings and beliefs concerning the life and ministry of Jesus.

What are you treasuring in your heart, and is your heart good ground? I believe the condition of our hearts will determine how much of the power of God will continually work in our lives. The condition of your heart does not affect how much God loves you or how he sees you. God sees us perfect in Christ Jesus. The condition of your heart will affect how you relate and see God. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). “God never condemns us but loves us unconditionally” (Romans 8:1). The heart is affected by what we are looking at, the people we hang out with, what we are listening to, what we are reading, what we are watching, whom we are speaking to, the universities we attend, or what we are focused on. When our heart is like the heart of God, the power of the Holy Spirit freely flows and is not restricted. The Bible says, “We access grace by faith,” but unbelief and doubt in the heart will choke faith, and so we are not as fruitful. Remember in Galatians 4:6, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father.” If our hearts are defiled with unbelief, doubt, fear, or a sinful conscience, we restrict the power of the Holy Spirit. This occurs because the heart is like a conduit for the power of the Holy Spirit to flow out to our mind, body, soul, and all that God desires to do in and through us. If we put the world in, we get the world out, which leads us to a defeated life and keeps us from entering into His rest. The author uses scripture after scripture to show his point. If you are a person who wants not just the author’s opinion but also Scripture to back everything up, this book is for you.

This is a reference book to provide Christians/believers and pre-believers guidelines and information on: 1. What to do after salvation: as an individual, as part of a family (as a husband, wife, parent, or child), and at the business/workplace (as an employer, employee or worker)? (Prayer samples included.) 2. What are some of God’s covenants, commandments, and laws that Christians must obey? 3. What are, and how to renounce, reject & break down/destroy evil/ungodly strongholds, idolatry, generational sins/spirits & soul ties? (Prayer samples included.) 4. How to prepare and share the Gospel, i.e., the good news of salvation? (Salvation tract included.) 5. Useful topics for Bible knowledge and sharing the Gospel, e.g.: a. What is the Bible? Is everything in the Bible true and from God? b. What is the purpose of life? c. Who is God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost/Spirit? What is the Trinity? d. What happens after we die? e. What are the signs and events in the End Times and the End of the World? What are God’s judgments? Book of Revelation. f. What must we do to be saved and have an eternal life of joy? g. Cults & false prophets/teachers/Christs. How to identify them? The information provided in this book is based on Scriptures taken from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. Words in CAPITAL LETTERS, ITALICS, AND INSERTED IN PARENTHESES are added to clarify and explain the Scriptures. Isaiah 55:11 11 So shall my (GOD’S) word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Mark 12:30 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mark 16:15 15 And he (JESUS CHRIST) said unto them (HIS DISCIPLES), Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (EVERYONE). Ephesians 3:14-21 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he (GOD) would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might (POWER) by his Spirit in the inner man (IN YOUR INNER BEING); 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints (GOD’S HOLY PEOPLE/CHRISTIANS) what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth (SURPASSES) knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him (GOD) that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end (FOREVER & EVER). Amen. Colossians 2:6-7 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished (STRENGTHENED) in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All scripture (IN THE BIBLE) is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable (USEFUL) for doctrine (TEACHING), for reproof (REBUKE), for correction, for instruction (TEACHING/TRAINING) in righteousness: 17 That (SO THAT) the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished (EQUIPPED) unto all good works. Please read the whole Bible. God’s Word is powerful and 100% true. God bless!