Targeted to thoughtful readers, this book addresses a cluster of issues often troubling for the person who seeks to understand the Old Testament. Who's Afraid of the Old Testament God? speaks very frankly about some of these "problems," things like sin and the fall, Satan, "moral blemish" passages, strange laws, etc.

God loves to be sought after! ... There is nothing you can experience that is more invigorating than having God reveal Himself to you. -- S. J. Hill Bring your Bible and sit down to explore; get to know what God is really like!

Three's a Crowd brings together the three dialogue partners of Pentecostalism, hermeneutics, and the Old Testament. Previous attempts by Pentecostal academics to define a distinctive Pentecostal hermeneutic have focused on issues and application to the New Testament, consequently estranging the Old Testament from the conversation. This book engages the hermeneutical practices of Pentecostal and Charismatic groups in reading the Old Testament in ways that are representative, while critical, of their movement's ideological bases and visions. While the issue of understanding and developing a viable Pentecostal hermeneutic has continued to be debated within the academic journals of the community for over a decade, most discussion has focused on the prescription of ideals rather than on the actual practice of the contemporary community. By examining the reading practices of the Pentecostal and Charismatic community, this book suggests a unique and rounded reading method that maintains the strengths of Pentecostal reading practices while addressing their inherent weaknesses. In this way, the voices of the three dialogue partners emerge in a mutual fellowship that engages both the needs of the Pentecostal community and informs the wider ecumenical dialogue.

In this very readable sequel to his popular book Our Father Abraham — which has sold more than 70,000 copies — Marvin Wilson illuminates theological, spiritual, and ethical themes of the Hebrew scriptures that directly affect Christian understanding and experience. Exploring Our Hebraic Heritage draws from both Christian and Jewish commentary in discussing such topics as thinking theologically about Abraham, understanding the God of Israel and his reputation in the world, and what it means for humans to be created in God s image. Wilson calls for the church to restore, renew, and protect its foundations by studying and appreciating its origins in Judaism. Designed to serve as an academic classroom text or for use in personal or group study, the book includes hundreds of questions for review and discussion.

’Did Matthew ”twist” the Scriptures?’ ’Where did Satan come from?’ ’My Reading? Your Reading? Author (-ity) and Postmodern Hermeneutics.’ ’Paul and Moses: Hermeneutics from the Top Down.’ Learning from Ellen White’s Perception and Use of Scripture: Toward An Adventist Hermeneutic For The Twenty-First Century. Questions and issues like these are presented in this selection of papers and presentations from a Bible conference at Avondale College on the broad topic of intertextuality. More than 100 scholars and administrators convened and shared their research as well as their personal perspectives on how to read and apply holy Scripture in the 21st century. This anthology contains a representative sample of their studies and reflections.

This volume contains commentary addressing many Scripture topics concerned with the what, when, where, who, why, and how of God's redemptive plan.

The author reveals how grace is the heart of the gospel'a liberating, life-giving and comforting melody throughout the Bible. Grace is our certainty of eternal life and God's all-encompassing acceptance. Without grace, our religious beliefs are bad news, thus this book's advice, Grace: never leave home without it! Learn how God's grace is absolute and all inclusive; something we never deserve or earn! Grace offers the most refreshing peace we will ever know. Grace is the solution to every problem and menacing crisis threatening our planet. Rightly understood, grace points exclusively and continuously to Jesus. Then why is God's gift of grace so controversial or even difficult for Christians to accept? Could it be because grace is totally unbelievable, unexpected and undeserved? Is this why legalism, the enemy of grace, is so common and hard to recognize in ourselves? Grappling with these questions, the author reveals how, from Eden to our day, cradled at the very heart of the great controversy is grace.

Covering the Millerite movement of the 1830s and 1840s, sabbatarian Adventism prior to organization of the denomination, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church since its organization in 1861-63, this volume provides a comprehensive history of the denomination. The first major element of the book is a chronology of Adventist history that begins with William Miller's conclusion in 1818 that the Second Advent of Jesus would occur about 1843 and extends through the Science and Theology Conferences of 2002-04. The interpretive introduction that follows places the emergence of Adventism within the context of the Second Great Awakening, describes the development of sabbatarian Adventism from its early opposition to church organization to its highly institutionalized and bureaucratically structured contemporary form, and examines the denomination's geographical expansion from a small North American sect to a global church. The dictionary entries that constitute the bulk of the volume address individuals, organizations, institutions, and doctrines that have been important in the history of the church, including dissident movements and individuals who have emerged as critics of the denomination and its beliefs. Second, there are entries on the development and current situation of Adventism in many individual countries. Finally, thematic entries on such subjects as art, music, literature, health care, and women address other elements important to understanding church life. The dictionary entries are followed by a bibliography of scholarly and popular works published by the denomination, commercial and academic presses, and individuals and organizations.

God's Grace: A Gift Freely Given was written for each and every person who is trying to figure out what "amazing grace" is all about. Grace is God's special gift that has been purposefully packaged for you in the book called the Bible. In this book, you will discover that no matter who you are, what you believe, or what you've done, God's saving grace is yours, freely given. No strings attached. The author reveals the answers to questions such as: What is the meaning and purpose of God's grace? Why is grace entirely dependent upon the Creator for its existence? What is the relationship between God's grace and your obedience? Why does God's grace create such strife and contention? How does a false view of grace affect your view of God? What is the relevancy of God's grace in your daily life? If the answers to these questions pique your spiritual curiosity and palate, then this book's for you!

Is the Bible historically accurate? Are there any contradictions in the Bible? If we look too closely at the Bible might we find things that will destroy our faith? Should I be afraid that some new archeological discovery will prove the Bible wrong? How much freedom do I have to interpret the Bible? Combining history, Scripture, and an understanding of human nature, Dr. Thompson takes on the difficult questions regarding the Bible and inspiration. He goes beyond the question of whether you can trust the Bible to ask whether you can trust yourself as you study. This unique study of inspiration uses internal evidence from the Bible text, its history, collection, and transmission to look at the way in which God works through prophets and Bible writers. As an experiential lens, he uses the experience of the Seventh-day Adventist community, of which he is a part, and its reception and use of Ellen White as God’s messenger. This provides an example of someone who produced an incredible volume of written material in her lifetime, yet maintained a great humility and understood her own spiritual experience as one of growth. However, Inspiration: Hard Questions: Honest Answers is not just for Seventh-day Adventists. The lessons, drawn from the experience of one community, have wide applicability as we look at a range of views on biblical interpretation, experience, tradition, and contemporary claims of a prophetic word. All communities of faith would do well to ask the hard questions addressed in this book and to learn from the history and experience of others. Ultimately, the author is addressing a question that comes to all of us: What is God’s will and how can I know it? Can I be certain? To find the answers we need, Dr. Thompson reminds us “We cannot just know Scripture, we have to know God. In this Second Revised Edition, you will find a new “bridge” chapter, designed to invite readers outside of the Adventist tradition to join in the conversation, as well as a number of minor updates, and a set of beautiful photographs and drawings inspired by scripture, prepared for this edition by Wanda Thompson. It is not enough to determine how the inspiration of scripture works as a theological tenet or a doctrinal point. Ultimately, for God’s Word in scripture to accomplish its mission, we must each be inspired by it as well.