'The essence of Jewish life is not the bland performance of the Torah's commandments, but rather love of Torah and the way of life to which it is the guide.' Tap into the wisdom of one the world's ancient religions by meditating on Rabbi Wittenberg's engaging, contemporary, spiritual, social and ethical insights to the Torah. Rooted in decades of devoted immersion in Jewish learning, humanist literature, concern for people at all ages and stages of life, environmental activism and a love of nature, Rabbi Wittenberg offers wisdom relevant to Jews, Christians and spiritual seekers of all and no faiths. Over the hundred and more passages, key issues considered include: Compassion and kindness; Creation and wonder; Emotional struggles; Environment and our relationship to nature; Ethical challenges; Illness and suffering; Identity and community; Justice and Social Justice; Refugees and strangers; Remorse and repentance; Responsibility; Searching for meaning; Seeking God.

Listening for God proceeds from the authors belief that, across a wide spectrum of outlooks, people are attracted to religion, yet wary of it. The book is intended to speak, in an honest and reflective way, to those who have conflicting feelings about religion, and are put off by the needlessly polarized and blithely self-assured style of much writing about it. Grounded in his won religious tradition yet manifesting great respect and appreciation for other traditions, Lesnick recounts the odyssey of his own encounter with religion, from a mild form of conventional adherence to Conservative Judaism as an adolescent, to a long period of alienation from all religion, to a gradual and deepening re-engagement with Judaism through his sympathetic exposure to religions. Lesnick articulates the ways in which the author has found it illuminating to turn to religion as an aid to discernment of moral truth, rather than as a source of metaphysical knowledge or belief. The God of which he speaks is both the repository of truth about moral life and force that draws him to struggle to discern and follow it. The book offers the reader a bridge between apparent polarities too often found in the world and ourselves-between emotion and reason, experience and authority, knowledge and belief, faith and doubt, ethics and ritual, hope and despair. Written by a teacher of law, it asks, where do moral imperatives come from, and how do the answers found in religion and in law affect one another? Listening for God is a record of, and a grateful prayer for, sustaining courage and hope in a fallen world.

In Hearing the Old Testament world-class scholars discuss how contemporary Christians can better hear and appropriate God's address in the Old Testament. This volume is part of a growing interest in theological interpretation of the Old Testament. Editors Craig G. Bartholomew and David J. H. Beldman offer a coherent and carefully planned volume, a truly dialogical collaboration full of up-to-date research and innovative ideas. While sharing a desire to integrate their Old Testament scholarship with their love for God - and, thus, a commitment to listening for God's voice within the text - the contributors display a variety of methods and interpretations as they apply a Trinitarian hermeneutic to the text. The breadth, expertise, and care evidenced here make this book an ideal choice for upper-level undergraduate and seminary courses. Contributors: Craig G. Bartholomew David J. H. Beldman Mark J. Boda M. Daniel Carroll R. Stephen G. Dempster Tremper Longman III J. Clinton McCann Jr. Iain Provan Richard Schultz Aubrey Spears Heath Thomas Gordon J. Wenham Al Wolters Christopher J. H. Wright

For those seeking a fresh, contemporary approach to the stories and themes of Genesis, this book offers an inspiring gateway into the heart of the ancient text. Both newcomers and seasoned readers will benefit from Rabbi Leila Gal Berner’s invitation to personal contemplation. Basing her work on a Christian method of reading Scripture—lectio divina (reading the holy)—Rabbi Berner’s adaptation for Jews as kriat ha-kodesh (reading the sacred) is welcoming and accessible to readers of all faiths. After retelling each story from a very human perspective, Rabbi Berner advances rabbinic perspectives that have illuminated each biblical saga over the centuries. In addition, she brings the text to life with contemporary stories of real people whose experiences echo the biblical stories. A final section to each chapter suggests probing questions for personal contemplation and meditation, which can be used both by individual readers as part of a spiritual practice and also by groups of spiritual seekers. Group leaders will find a helpful facilitator’s guide to structure their sessions. Beginning with Rabbi Berner’s own classes, groups have formed throughout North America using her method.

Ancient-Future Bible Study incorporates contemporary study of the Bible with an experience of the church's most ancient way of reading Scripture, lectio divina. This time-honored practice consists of five basic movements: biblical study (lectio), reflection (meditatio), prayer (oratio), discernment (contemplatio), and contemplative action (operatio). In six clearly written volumes, bestselling author Stephen Binz helps readers study the Bible in a way that leads to spiritual transformation and brings them closer to God. Binz leads readers in a vivid study of key biblical characters, including Abraham, Paul, Peter, David, the women of the Torah, and the women of the Gospels. He shows all Christians who desire to have a transforming experience with the inspired Word of God how studying Scripture through lectio divina can enrich their discipleship. This ecumenical Bible study, designed for use by individuals or groups, includes questions for personal reflection and suggested action. Each volume includes leader's notes for guiding a study over the course of six sessions.

This Festschrift honours Günter Stemberger on the occasion of his 75th birthday on 7 December 2015 and contains 41 articles from colleagues and students. The studies focus on a variety of subjects pertaining to the history, religion and culture of Judaism – and, to a lesser extent, of Christianity – from late antiquity and the Middle Ages to the modern era.

Essays on key themes from the book of Isaiah. ""Social Injustice: When Leadership Fails"" ""Jews in a Non-Jewish World"" ""Isaiah and the Messianic Era"" and others. Also includes a chapter-by-chapter summary and a thematic index of Isaiah.

This volume brings together a diverse group of scholars, including biblical, systematic, and historical theologians, to honor Gareth Lee Cockerill, longtime professor of New Testament at Wesley Biblical Seminary (Jackson, MS) and distinguished scholar of the book of Hebrews. The essays focus on various aspects of Hebrews' theology, ranging from the nature of "rest" in Hebrews to the interpretation of Hebrews in early Methodism. Readers will find resources to hear and comprehend Hebrews afresh and will be challenged to draw near to the throne of grace with confidence (Heb 4:16).

Creatively bringing the songs, prayers, and poetry of Leonard Cohen into conversation with Scripture, this book deeply grounds Cohen’s work in the landscape of the biblical imagination, paying special attention to Jesus together with the prophetic and priestly voices of Scripture. What emerges is a compellingly lyrical work of theology that deepens our understanding of both Cohen and biblical faith. Leonard Cohen has undoubtedly been a liturgist for our time, a cantor singing for all those clothed in rags of light, a prophet in the ruins, and a priest who greets us “from the other side of sorrow and despair.”

This resource provides 64 complete and ready-to-use sessions for children's worship. It will enable children to acquire a familiarity with the life of Christ and the events of the church year in a vivid and memorable way.