Over the past half century, it has become clear that mission is a central theme in the Bible's narrative and, moreover, is central to the very identity of the church. This book significantly widens and deepens the emerging conversation on missional hermeneutics. Essays from top biblical and missiological scholars discuss reading the Scriptures missionally, using mission as a key interpretive lens. Five introductory chapters probe various elements of a missional hermeneutic, followed by sections on the Old and New Testaments that include chapters on two books from each to illustrate what a missional reading of them looks like. Essays in two concluding sections draw out the implications of a missional reading of Scripture for preaching and for theological education. (Publisher).

Why does the Christian walk often feel like an ongoing struggle and why does God’s creation include imperfection, let alone forces that are intent on thwarting God’s creative work? In seeking a response to these questions, this book argues that the biblical accounts describe creation in terms of a progressive transformation process whereby the initially incomplete created order will reach perfection only in the fulfillment of new creation. The following discussion then outlines a comprehensive framework for the biblical theology of humanity’s struggles, centered on three key themes: corporeal temptation, deficient social structures, and the much-debated notion of spiritual warfare. The book presents an overarching canonical narrative that threads together a series of diverse biblical topics, from Job's temptation to the Atonement. The final part surveys biblical teaching on how human conduct can be aligned with God’s creative purpose, and discusses three “assignments” from Jesus to believers: to celebrate the Eucharist, to pray the Lord’s Prayer, and to fulfill the Great Commission.

The letter to the Ephesians is missional to its core. It effectively exhorts its readers to understand, support, and participate in God’s mission to rescue humanity and all creation from the damage and distortion of sin, and so bring about a renewed creation filled with God’s glorious fullness. Working at the creative intersection of biblical studies and missiology, this study adopts a missional hermeneutic to overcome the scholarly neglect of mission in Ephesians. The book systematically explores each passage in Ephesians, delving into the characterization of God and his mission; allusions to Old Testament missional texts in Ephesians; and the portrayal of the apostle Paul and believers as participants in God’s mission. A multi-faceted vision of mission emerges which encompasses God’s actions in salvation history; the church as mediator of God’s glory, reconciliation and grace to the nations; prayer; ethical witness; and verbal proclamation of the gospel. Reading Ephesians through this missional lens yields fresh insights into its purpose and context, and the richness of its portrait of mission.

Presents selections of literary criticism devoted to the Bible.

Why does the church engage in missions? Where in the Bible do we find support for this work? These questions have been asked and answered by many throughout the centuries, though rarely does the investigation span across the entire canon of Scripture. In this study Newkirk explores the breadth and depth of biblical teaching concerning God's mission for his people and the church's call to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. By beginning with creation and ending with new creation, this study reveals that rather than simply deriving from a few "missions verses," the church's call to missions is grounded in the full spectrum of biblical revelation.

With more than 2 million copies sold, it's no secret that the NKJV Study Bible is a reliable guide for your journey into God's Word. This beautiful full-color Bible provides a complete resource for study, including thousands of notes, articles, extensive cross-references, and features contributed by top evangelical scholars. These multilayered study tools, combined with the accuracy and clarity of the New King James Version, make this Bible a perfect choice to help you understand and deeply engage with Scripture. Features include: Over 15,000 verse-by-verse study notes Bible times and culture notes Word studies with Strong's numbers Extensive cross-reference system In-text maps and charts Book introductions, outlines, and timelines Full-length articles, a concordance, and color maps Clear and readable Thomas Nelson NKJV Comfort Print®

Addressing difficult questions in a readable, pastoral style, Father Harrington helps you draw meaningful and personal connections between Scripture and your own experience. Why Do We Suffer? helps you understand the concepts and context of suffering in the Bible.

The main premise of the book: It was written to destroy ignorance and myth. It was written to separate fact from fiction and truth from folklore. It was written to highlight knowledge and establish it as a necessity of production, happiness and fulfillment of life. The book is a testimony that "the most violent element in society is ignorance," "A mind is a terrible thing to waste and if you think education cost, try ignorance!" It was written to correct the historically dangerous sentiment that "What you don't know won't hurt you." But, let it be proclaimed from every mountain, hill and housetop, "What you don't know can not only hurt you, but, destroy you."

Would a loving God really send people to hell? Can we really trust what the Bible says? Is Jesus really the only way to heaven? Becoming a Christian does not mean that all of the questions about faith are instantly answered. In fact, more questions are likely to follow. However, not having knowledge about certain issues can dampen your faith and rob you of the joy that comes from confidently sharing it with others. 10 Questions Every Christian Must Answer provides responses to the toughest conversations regarding one's inward faith as well as the outward expression of it and is relevant to new believers and longtime Christ followers alike. Led by respected scholars Elmer Towns and Alex McFarland, readers can be sure this content is backed by sharp minds, deep thinking, and the unchanging Word of God.