A popular introduction to archaeology and the methods archaeologists use to reconstruct the history of ancient Israel.

For years, Douglas Stuart's Old Testament Exegesis has been one of the most popular ways to learn how to perform exegesis--the science and art of interpreting biblical texts properly for understanding as well as proclamation. Completely updated and substantially expanded, this new edition includes scores of newer resources, a new configuration of the format for the exegesis process, and an entirely new section explaining where to find and how to use the latest electronic and online resources for doing biblical research. Stuart provides guidance for full exegesis as well as for a quicker approach to provide information specifically tailored to the task of preaching. A glossary of terms explains the sometimes bewildering language of biblical scholarship, and a list of frequent errors guides the student in avoiding common mistakes. No exegetical guide for the Old Testament has been more widely used in training ministers and students to be faithful, careful interpreters of Scripture.

From two leading Christian apologists, here is a fascinating survey of the most important Old and New Testament archaeological discoveries through the ages. Biblical archaeology has always stirred excitement among believers and curiosity among unbelievers. The evidence dug up with a spade can speak volumes—and serve as a powerful testimony of the reliability of Scripture. Norm Geisler and Joe Holden have put together an impressive array of finds that confirm the biblical peoples and events of ages past. In a user-friendly format written in popular style, they... examine the latest finds and explain their significance include more than 150 photographs provide an instructive chart of artifacts (along with fast facts) sample a variety of finds—papyri, inscriptions, scrolls, ossuaries, and more If readers are looking for just one book to cover this topic both concisely and comprehensively, this is it!

In this new edition of a successful book (over 120,000 copies sold), now updated throughout, a leading expert on the social world of the Bible offers students a reliable guide to the manners and customs of the ancient world. From what people wore, ate, and built to how they exercised justice, mourned, and viewed family and legal customs, this illustrated introduction helps readers gain valuable cultural background on the biblical world. The attractive, full-color, user-friendly design will appeal to students, while numerous pedagogical features--including fifty photos, sidebars, callouts, maps, charts, a glossary of key terms, chapter outlines, and discussion questions--increase classroom utility. Previously published as Manners and Customs in the Bible.

In this completely updated revision of an extremely successful book, Stuart provides a step-by-step guide to writing an exegetical paper on the Old Testament. This book takes into account the latest advances in methodology as well as resources. Illustrations.

"David Bauer's Annotated Guide to Biblical Resources for Ministry is without doubt the most complete and up-to-date practical bibliographic compendium on the Bible now available. All interpreters of Scripture--pastors and teachers--will find the information provided here useful and accessible. Especially valuable are the annotations of selected books, which offer careful and informed judgments about the usefulness of the works and provide succinct, but informative and accurate, descriptions and evaluations of each book. While Bauer is a New Testament teacher, his choices and assessments in the Old Testament bibliography are as good as any Old Testament scholar could produce. I do not know of any comparable work for pastors and teachers." --Patrick D. Miller, Charles T. Haley Professor of Old Testament Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary "This is one of those rare bibliographic guides that every student of religion, seminarian, and minister will want to have on his or her bookshelf. The focus of this guide is on biblical studies. It contains entries on 2,200 books written by 1,300 scholars. Annotations describe and evaluate books that are highly recommended. Virtually every topic in biblical studies is noted: commentaries on each book of the Bible; biblical histories, theologies, and ethics; books on the canon, archaeology, early Judaism, and interpretive methods; and technical books such as grammars, concordances, Bible dictionaries, and atlases. The great strength of this guide is not only that it provides the reader with a wealth of information but also that the format it follows is eminently reader-friendly. The Guide is invaluable for assisting the student, seminarian, or minister in building a personal library. I highly recommend it! --Jack Dean Kingsbury, Professor Emeritus of Biblical Theology, Union Theological Seminary in Virginia This book provides pastors and church workers with a map for navigating the maze of biblical studies. It offers an extensive list of resources, with helpful comments and recommendations that help readers discover which books will be of most interest to them. The consistent focus is on volumes that are attentive to faith concerns and thus most promising for use within faith communities. A valuable tool for any minister or church worker committed to taking the Bible seriously! --Mark Allan Powell, Professor of New Testament, Trinity Lutheran Seminary

"The Oxford Handbook of the Bible in Orthodox Christianity investigates the various ways in which Orthodox Christian, i.e., Eastern and Oriental communities have received, shaped, and interpreted the Christian Bible. The handbook is divided into five parts, including the introduction ("Balancing Tradition with Modernity") that sets the tone and scope of the volume. Part I: Text The Orthodox Church has never codified the Septuagint or any other textual witnesses as its authoritative text. Textual fluidity and pluriformity, a characteristic of Orthodoxy, is demonstrated by the various ancient and modern Bible translations such as, Syriac, Coptic, Ethiopian, Armenian, etc. Part II: Canon Unlike the Protestant and Roman-Catholic situations where the canon of the Bible, specifically the Old Testament canons which are "closed" and limited to 39 and 46 books, respectively, the Orthodox canon is "open-ended" consisting of 39 canonical books and 10 or more (e.g., Ethiopian canon) anaginoskomena "readable" books (Septuagint additions). Part III: Scripture within Tradition Unlike the classical Protestant view of sola scriptura and the Roman Catholic way of placing Scripture and Tradition on par as sources / means of divine revelation, the Orthodox view accords a central role to Scripture within Tradition, with the latter conceived not as a deposit of faith but rather as the Church's life through history. Part IV: Towards an Orthodox Hermeneutics and Part V: Looking to the Future The last two parts survey Orthodox "traditional" hermeneutics consisting mainly of patristic commentaries and liturgical interpretations found in hymnography and iconography, and the ways by which Orthodox biblical scholars balance these traditional hermeneutics with modern historical-critical approaches to the Bible"--

In 2014, aerial photography revealed a structure that appeared to be in the shape of a basilica submerged beneath Lake Iznik, near the ancient city of Nicaea. Including excavation images and dig site maps, biblical scholar and archaeologist Mark Fairchild's work reveals what he argues is likely the location of the First Council of Nicaea.

The close relationship between the Old Testament and archaeology goes without saying. However, the methodological nuances involved are often either underappreciated or ignored. Using William Dever's idea of convergence, this work attempts to flesh out details on how archaeology and Old Testament studies merge. It examines some of the most important archaeological finds to date and determines that, whether through a broad or narrow convergence, the history of research has shown that these two separate disciplines exhibit a tendency to inform one another. In the case of Old Testament studies, these convergences may even be paradigm-shifting. In every case, the convergences are historically and culturally informative, and therefore illuminate the depth of the biblical text.

This reliable guide lists and ranks approximately 800 Bible commentaries and 1,200 printed volumes, as well as numerous computer resources related to biblical interpretation, theology, and church history. Commentaries are categorized by level and approach and recommended titles are highlighted. A unique and special studies section lists works of significance for each book of the Bible.