Many people admire and even revere the Bible, but they simply do not understand what they read, much less how to study Scripture. Yet they wish they could. In this insightful and alternately amusing guide, Professor Mark Yarbrough shows how easy and gratifying it is to unlock the hidden truths of God's Word and to discover a world where reading the Bible doesn't just satisfy our curiosity, but changes our life. To do this, the reader will step into the seminary classroom and observe the practical principles-the tricks of the trade-for becoming a more effective student of the Bible. But Yarbrough has made sure that his writing style and general approach will be appealing to both academic students and those involved in lay-level Bible study. Real life is whacky and in-your-face. Studying Scripture should be too.

The relationship between the church and Israel has been the source of passionate debate among Christians throughout much of church history. In recent years the traditional pro-Israel stance of evangelicals has come under fire by those who support the Palestinian cause, calling for a new perspective and more nuanced approach by Christians who believe that the land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people by virtue of God’s covenants and promises. Israel, the Church, and the Middle East challenges the supersessionist drift of the modern church, showing that God retains a plan and purpose for the Jewish people while also addressing a number of the divisive issues raised by authors critical both of Israel and of those who affirm Israel's right to the land. The book explores the hermeneutics and wider effects of the conflict, such as the growing antipathy within the church toward the evangelization of the Jewish people. It provides readers with an objective and interdisciplinary treatment, which is irenic and respectful in tone. The book is directed toward pastors, global Christian leaders, theological students, and well-read lay Christians who are actively seeking guidance and resources regarding the Middle East conflict. The contributors represent a broad evangelical spectrum.

How will we be able to recognize the Messiah? Christians claim that Jesus is the Messiah, but how can we know if that is true? Jesus revealed the truth about himself through passages in the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings—which together comprise the Tanakh (the Old Testament). In Does the Jewish Bible Point to Jesus?, Messianic Jewish author David Brickner likewise guides us through twelve prophecies from all three sections of the Tanakh to show: why God promised a Messiah. how God planned to bless the whole world through the Jewish people. the location and strange circumstances of the Messiah's birth. how and why the Messiah would suffer and die. how the Messiah would exceed human limitations . . . and more. You’ll also find stories of contemporary Jewish people who discovered compelling connections to Jesus in their own Bibles. Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or a committed believer—if you are in search of truth, this book is for you. Come and see how God’s timeless plan to redeem and renew the world still shines as a beacon of hope today.

40 Questions About Women in Ministry charts a course for understanding differing views on the topic regarding the ministries of women. The accessible question-and-answer format guides readers to specific areas of confusion, and authors helpfully zero in on the foundations of varied beliefs and practices. Edwards and Mathews cover interpretive, theological, historical, and practical matters such as: -What did God mean by the woman as man's "helper"? -How is it that Christians reach different conclusions about 1 Timothy 2:11-15? -How did Western culture influence the role of women in society and the church? Combining a strong adherence to Scripture, vast academic and ministry experiences, and a commitment to Christ-honoring dialogue, 40 Questions About Women in Ministry is a valuable guide to pastors, ministry leaders, church groups, and seminarians. "Based on extensive research, the authors present various viewpoints fairly and clearly, and offer concise explanations to equip readers to draw their own conclusions on these pressing questions." --Lynn Cohick, Provost/Dean of Academic Affairs, Professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary "Raise the topic of women in the church and the roles they have and you better be prepared to have your blood pressure checked along with the person you are talking to about the topic. Here is a book that calmly lays out the view's pro and con for the array of options the topic yields. It does so evenhandedly." --Darrell Bock, Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Executive Director for Cultural Engagement for The Hendricks Center, Dallas Theological Seminary

Many people are intrigued by the biblical account of Jonah. Unfortunately, some view it as a simplistic moral tale, akin to a fish story or a child’s fable. In Jonah: Beyond the Tale of a Whale, author Mark M. Yarbrough leads readers into a deeper investigation of this significant biblical book, discovering in it encouragement to Christ- followers to evaluate their spiritual growth as they pursue the heart of God.

The ultimate goal of Jesus in Matthew 28:16-20 was for His disciples to make more disciples. This can be a daunting task, but all Christians are called to this work. This workbook was designed to help all believers grow in their own discipleship journey and have the confidence to help others grow in their walk as well. The topics in the book include salvation, assurance of salvation, developing your testimony, Bible study, prayer, Scripture memorization, accountability, and worship. Each lesson is designed to promote in depth Bible study and discussion with an emphasis on sound doctrine and practical application. A leader guide is included in the back of the book to help leaders facilitate each session. You can be a disciple who makes disciples, this resource will help. This work also contains a bonus lesson for new Christians.

Exploring Christian Scripture provides a robust introductory overview of the narrative of Scripture and guides to how to locate the particulars of each biblical book within this narrative. It offers a collection of resources to familiarize lay and student audiences with the structure, context, and content of each book of the Bible and instructs on how to read it, with an eye toward personal spiritual growth and practical application.

Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, now in its third edition, is a classic hermeneutics textbook that sets forth concise, logical, and practical guidelines for discovering the truth in God’s Word. With updates and revisions throughout that keep pace with current scholarship, this book offers students the best and most up-to-date information needed to interpret Scripture. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation: Defines and describes hermeneutics, the science of biblical interpretation Suggests effective methods to understand the meaning of the biblical text Surveys the literary, cultural, social, and historical issues that impact any text Evaluates both traditional and modern approaches to Bible interpretation Examines the reader’s role as an interpreter of the text and helps identify what the reader brings to the text that could distort its message Tackles the problem of how to apply the Bible in valid and significant ways today Provides an extensive and revised annotated list of books that readers will find helpful in the practice of biblical interpretation Used in college and seminary classrooms around the world, this volume is a trusted and valuable tool for students and other readers who desire to understand and apply the Bible.

Festschrift in honor of Arie de Kuiper, a Dutch theologian in Indonesia.