In a world full of suffering and death, humans long for abundant life. In this ESBT volume, Jeff Brannon explores how the hope of life after death is woven throughout Scripture. As we follow the biblical themes of creation, fall, and redemption, we begin to understand the doctrine of resurrection and what it means for Christian faith and discipleship.

The soul is so closely connected to life that one cannot think that it could ever be separated from life and, consequently, be mortal. Therefore, it can only be immortal. This argument from Plato's Phaedo for the immortality of the soul exhibits both a great strength and a great weakness. Its strength is that it is dif ficult for anyone to think that the soul could ever exist without life. Its weakness is, first, that not all religions accept a soul that remains the same as the center of the person - thus one speaks, for instance, in Buddhism of a "soulless theory of the human being" - and, second, that what is true does not depend on what we can think, but on what we recognize in experience and thought. The religions believe in the existence of a power that can work contrary to our experience that the soul in death is not separated from life. How the reli gions believe they can establish this continued life after death and how faith in this life is related in the religions to the interpretation of history, its progress, its apocalyptic end, and its eschatological completion and transfiguration is the theme of this book. In the culture of the West in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, faith in the secular progress of the technological control of nature and the economic or ganization of society was the enemy of faith in the immortality of the soul.

What happens when we die? Will we simply dissolve into nothingness, or will we survive death in some other form? Issues of death and dying have consumed humanity from time immemorial. In our modern western culture, we have tended out of fear to deny and push death away. And yet, a healthy consideration of this issue can help us embrace and understand what happens to us when we die. There is Life After Death is Tom Harpur’s classic examination of death and dying. Now fully revised and updated, here is a new edition of a book that weighs the scientific, religious and anecdotal evidence of survival of death and what happens after we die. The likelihood of death being a portal to other forms of existence is argued persuasively. Tom Harpur looks at the witness of near-death experiences, and examines the idea of reincarnation, as well as the claims of channelers and spirit mediums. Most importantly, the author looks at how the great world religions from Christianity, Judaism and Islam to Hinduism, Buddhism and Native Spirituality among others, deal with life after death. This book is a powerful summary of what we know and believe about death. There is Life After Death is both illuminating and comforting in its message and conclusions — and goes a long way in putting to rest one of the last great taboos of our culture.

Life After Death takes an in-depth look at the important issues surrounding death. Does it matter what we believe? Why do we avoid talking about it? Can we confidently assume there is life after death? This book presents the Christian view of death and what lies beyond. It doesn't avoid the difficult questions of judgment and the possibility of missing out on all that God has planned for his people. However, for those who are searching for a real relationship with the living God, Life After Death presents a glorious message of hope and certainty. You don't have to go through life with any doubt about the future. On the contrary, if you are willing to accept all that God offers, on his terms, you will be able to look forward to an endless future in which you will experience all that God, in his infinite love and wisdom, has planned for you. You will also find a hope that will transform your goals, values, and understanding of every part of this present life.

This book offers a way to engage with the Bible as a set of sacred texts that can serve as a song sheet for believers in exile-those people Bishop John Shelby Spong calls the "church alumni association." This includes those internally displaced persons of faith who have not yet become spiritual refugees but who feel the pressure to conform to traditional expressions of faith that no longer serve as springs of living water for the journey of life. These ancient texts come from another world and another time, but they can serve as maps for the journey of life. They can best do this when the sacred wisdom of the Bible is accepted as permission to voice the new questions we face today in the confidence that authentic faith has always required such boldness. Religious progressives are people who live the questions, not dodge them. Our task is not to guard a set of traditional answers, but to live life boldly, taking risks for God's sake and our own. One of the hallmarks of this book is that the problems posed by the Bible are acknowledged. In particular, the contributions of recent critical scholarship are embraced, rather than being ignored or neutralized by pious ambivalence. The intended reader of this book is not a traditional believer, secure in her assumptions about God and salvation, but someone struggling to live with integrity in a time when traditional religion seems increasingly irrelevant. The goal is not to persuade the reader that the Bible is credible but-more modestly-to offer an account of the Bible that may encourage religious progressives to reclaim the Bible as a valued part of our spiritual baggage.

This book has been prepared for use as a textbook for Methodist Local Preachers on Trial, but there are few readers at any stage of development or attainment who would not find its pages informative and helpful. A valuable introduction deals with various aspects of the New Testament, and the teaching of Jesus according to the Synoptic Gospels is the subject of a separate chapter. Thereafter, the author offers comments on selected New Testament passages. These comments--terse, pithy, shrewd, and factual--will be of the greatest help both to preachers and to all who desire to understand their Bible.

An encyclopedic guide to the interpretation and understanding of biblical literature. Though written by members of the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion, the 1,450 original entries by some 225 contributors are diverse in viewpoint and devoid of theological prescription. They're

Deep within the pages of "Bible Study Guide: John Volume I," an extraordinary journey awaits. It's a journey that invites you to embark on a profound exploration of the Gospel of John, chapters 1 to 10, and to foster an unparalleled relationship with Christ as the Son of God. This guide is not just a book; it's a key to unlock the treasures hidden within Scripture. As you delve into its chapters, you'll walk in the footsteps of those who witnessed Jesus' divine presence, and you'll be captivated by His powerful "I Am" statements that unveil His true nature. Miraculous signs and teachings will unveil His sovereignty and boundless love for all of humanity. But this guide is more than just a study; it's a bridge to deeper, more meaningful encounters with Christ. Through diligent reflection, prayer, and contemplation, you'll deepen your connection with the Savior. Each verse is a stepping stone towards a relationship that transcends words, drawing you closer to the divine. "Bible Study Guide: John Volume I" is your trusted companion, leading you through the profound teachings, miracles, and truths contained in the Gospel of John. It's an opportunity for you to strengthen your faith, enhance your understanding of Christ, and embark on a journey toward a deeper relationship with Him. Prepare to embark on a life-altering expedition—a journey that will unearth the depths of your relationship with our Savior. "Bible Study Guide: John Volume I" is not just a book; it's an extraordinary encounter with Christ Himself.

Tom Harpur is one of the world’s great writers on the topics of Christianity and ethics and the author of many bestselling books. This special four-book bundle collects: Water Into Wine: An Empowering Vision of the Gospels, an examination of the story and meaning of Jesus’ life; Born Again: My Journey from Fundamentalism to Freedom, in which Harpur relates the personal story of his spiritual development; the perennial bestseller The Pagan Christ: Recovering the Lost Light; and There Is Life After Death, Harpur’s classic examination of death and dying. This is an essential collection from a compelling author, not only for Christian readers, but any reader with a deep interest in philosophy and ethics. Includes: Born Again The Pagan Christ There Is Life After Death Water Into Wine