This volume examines the reasons that prompted the New Testament writers to create the texts which would become the formation of the Christian religion, exploring the possibility that certain religious experiences were understood as revelatory, and consequently inspired the writing of texts which were seen as special from their inception. Mark Wreford uses Luke-Acts and Galatians as test-cases within the New Testament, reflecting both on the stated importance of religious experiences – whether the author's own or others' – to the development of these texts, and the status the texts claim for themselves. Wreford suggests that Luke-Acts offers a helpful example of the relationship between religious experience and the creation of Scripture, as an extensive narrative which reflects on early Christian claims to Spirit-inspired witness and which begins with an explicit authorial statement of purpose. Similarly, in Galatians, Paul's autobiographical account of God's revelation of Christ to him is the foundation of a letter that is intended to play an authoritative role in shaping its addressees' own faith and practice. Wreford argues that religious experiences are presented as the driving force behind the creation of the texts, examining how such religious experience links with notions of scripture and canonicity. He then asserts that both Luke and Paul understood themselves to be creating new scriptural writings on the basis of their relationship to new religious experiences, citing the experience and speech at Pentecost, the inclusion of gentiles in the experience, and Paul's own conversion experience as key elements behind the self-understanding of these New Testament authors.

UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE AS A SCRIPTURE IN HISTORY, CULTURE, AND RELIGION The Bible is a popular subject of study and research, yet biblical studies gives little attention to the reason for its popularity: its religious role as a scripture. Understanding the Bible as a Scripture in History, Culture, and Religion integrates the history of the religious interpretation and ritual uses of biblical books into a survey of their rhetoric, composition, and theology in their ancient contexts. Emphasizing insights from comparative studies of different religious scriptures, it combines discussion of the Bible’s origins with its cultural history into a coherent understanding of its past and present function as a scripture. A prominent expert on biblical rhetoric and the ritualization of books, James W. Watts describes how Jews and Christians ritualize the Bible by interpreting it, by expressing it in recitations, music, art, and film, and by venerating the physical scroll and book. The first two sections of the book are organized around the Torah and the Gospels—which have been the focus of Jewish and Christian ritualization of scriptures from ancient to modern times—and treat the history of other biblical books in relation to these two central blocks of the Hebrew Bible and New Testament. In addition to analyzing the semantic contents of all the Bible’s books as persuasive rhetoric, Watts describes their ritualization in the iconic and expressive dimensions in the centuries since they began to function as a scripture, as well as in their origins in ancient Judaism and Christianity. The third section on the cultural history and scriptural function of modern bibles concludes by discussing their influence today and the controversies they have fueled about history, science, race, and gender. Innovative and insightful, Understanding the Bible as a Scripture in History, Culture, and Religion is a groundbreaking introduction to the study of the Bible as a scripture, and an ideal textbook for courses in biblical studies and comparative scripture studies.

Andrew McGowan examines the evangelical understanding of the nature and use of Scripture. McGowan emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit in relation to Scripture, and argues that we should speak of "spiration" rather than inspiration of Scripture.

The American Religious Experience offers a short, accessible introduction to American religious history by an award-winning writer. Recognizing the inter-denominational, inter-religious and multi-cultural perspectives that all contribute to the American religious landscape, this book explores the tension between the central, dominant streams of American Christianity and those groups relegated to the periphery. On the edges of the American mainstream we find the histories of groups rooted in visionary traditions, emotionalized forms of religious practice, and ever-expanding ethnic and racial perspectives. The complexity of the religious scene in the United States now, ongoing tensions between identity and diversity, and the many voices that inform American religious practice today grow directly out of the dynamic history that unfolds in these pages.

This book presents a new paradigm for distinguishing psychotic and mystical religious experiences. In order to explore how Presbyterian pastors differentiate such events, Susan L. DeHoff draws from Reformed theology, psychological theory, and robust qualitative research. Following a conversation among multidisciplinary voices, she presents a new paradigm considering the similarities, differences, and possible overlap of psychotic and mystical religious experiences.

This is volume 27 of Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture published by The Interpreter Foundation. It contains articles on a variety of topics including: The Book of Mormon Witnesses and Their Challenge to Secularism, Their Imperfect Best: Isaianic Authorship from an LDS Perspective, “I Kneeled Down Before My Maker”: Allusions to Esau in the Book of Enos, Two New Studies of Biblical Repentance A Modern Translation of Genesis 1–11 in the Traditional Sense, “How long can rolling waters remain impure?”: Literary Aspects of the Doctrine and Covenants, Gazelem the Jaredite, Should We Apologize for Apologetics?, Marjorie Newton on “The Mormons in Australia” — A Retrospective Review, The Divine Council in the Hebrew Bible and the Book of Mormon Miracles in the Book of Mormon, Barlow on Book of Mormon Language: An Examination of Some Strained Grammar, “He Did Go About Secretly”: Additional Thoughts on the Literary Use of Alma’s Name, Janus Parallelism in the Book of Job: A Review of Scott B. Noegel’s Work, An Important Year in History, Heralding a New Age of Book of Mormon Scholarship Jacob’s Protector, Christmastime: When Our Souls Can Sing.

The Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics is an essential resource for anyone seeking to defend the Christian faith with clarity and confidence. This comprehensive volume offers in-depth explanations of key topics and arguments within the field of apologetics, making it an invaluable tool for pastors, teachers, students, and laypeople alike. Organized alphabetically for easy reference, each entry addresses significant theological issues, common objections, and the core truths of Christianity. Whether you're responding to questions about the existence of God, the reliability of Scripture, or contemporary challenges such as atheism and moral relativism, this encyclopedia provides biblically grounded, logically sound, and practically applicable answers. With over 220 books authored, Edward D. Andrews draws from his extensive experience and study to offer readers well-researched and scripturally supported content. The Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics not only equips you to answer critics but also deepens your understanding of the Christian worldview and strengthens your faith. In a world where questions about faith and truth are more pressing than ever, this encyclopedia is a trusted guide to help you stand firm in the truth and proclaim the gospel boldly.

A mix of thematic essays, reference entries, and primary source documents covering the role of religion in American history and life from the colonial era to the present. Often controversial, religion has been an important force in shaping American culture. Religious convictions strongly influenced colonial and state governments as well as the United States as a new republic. Religious teachings, values, and practices deeply affected political structures and policies, economic ideology and practice, educational institutions and instruction, social norms and customs, marriage, and family life. By analyzing religion's interaction with American culture and prominent religious leaders and ideologies, this reference helps readers to better understand many fascinating, often controversial, religious leaders, ideas, events, and topics. The work is organized in three volumes devoted to particular periods. Volume one includes a chronology highlighting key events related to religion in American history and an introduction that overviews religion in America during the period covered by the volume, and roughly 10 essays that explore significant themes. These essays are followed by approximately 120 alphabetically arranged reference entries providing objective, fundamental information about topics related to religion in America. Each volume presents nearly 50 primary source documents, each introduced by a contextualizing headnote. A selected, general bibliography closes volume three.

Considerations about the existence and nature of God are given far too much weight in contemporary discussions of philosophy of religion. Against prevailing orthodoxy, this introduction to philosophy of religion urges a broader perspective that attends seriously to a wide range of religious and non-religious worldviews.

The Bible throughout the Ages examines several crucial issues related to the Bible: its status as God's truth and revelation, the history of reading and interpreting Scripture, and its ongoing relevance in the world today. This edited volume is the result of collaboration between English- and French-speaking scholars, who collectively address a range of issues regarding Scripture, including literal vs. metaphorical interpretations, how theologians like Augustine, Aquinas, and Calvin read the Bible, and how Scripture continues to shape the Christian faith today.