Download or read book Left Behind and Loving It written by D. Mark Davis and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2011-08-15 with total page 121 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Left Behind and Loving It is a cheeky critique of popular writings about the end times. Rather than presenting a steroid-buffed Jesus wrapped in an American flag and "coming again in clouds of gunfire," Left Behind and Loving It invites readers to approach some of the most controversial and scary portions of the Scriptures with the utter confidence that "God's steadfast love endures forever." Rather than asserting a hope premised on a few chosen ones escaping the world, Left Behind and Loving It argues that if it is Jesus who is to return (and not his evil twin), then the second coming has redemption written all over it. Many today cannot accept the escapist, violent, end-of-the-world scenario envisioned by "Left Behind" theology. Left Behind and Loving It invites readers not to fear but to trust in God's steadfast love and look at the finitude of the world with hope in an infinitely loving God.

Download or read book Bartimaeus the Blind Beggar of Jericho written by George V. Sabol and published by Covenant Books, Inc.. This book was released on 2024-10-02 with total page 253 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Bartimaeus is the name of the blind beggar that was cured by Jesus at the gate of Jericho as Jesus traveled to Jerusalem where he was to be crucified a few days later. Although the gospels have many accounts of cures by Jesus, the cure of Bartimaeus is told in the synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Why did the three gospel writers include the same miracle narrative in their gospels, and most interesting, why are Bartimaeus and his father, Timaeus, named in the gospel? Could it be that Bartimaeus had a greater role in the early Christian church--a role that was known by the apostles but was not disclosed, possibly to avoid repercussions from the enemies of the church? The question of who Bartimaeus was and what role he played in the early church is the basis of the story. Bartimaeus's father, Timaeus, is a soldier in the palace guard of King Herod the Great at the time of the birth of Jesus. Timaeus unknowingly becomes a participant in the slaughter of the baby boys in Bethlehem at the order of Herod. After Timaeus discovered that Herod had ordered that tragic slaughter, he disappeared as he returned home to his wife and newly born twin boys, Bartimaeus and Barariel, in Jericho. Bartimaeus is raised by his mother in Jericho on the family horse breeding farm. Like his father, Bartimaeus becomes a soldier for Herod Antipas. He is struck blind in a fall from a horse, and because of that blindness, Bartimaeus is labeled a sinner by his brother-in-law, a fanatic Pharisee, Saul, who is later to become Paul the apostle. During his blindness, being rejected by his wife, Gamela, due to the condemnation of her brother, Saul, he is cared for by Monica, the widow of his twin brother. In their mutual grief, Bartimaeus and Monica struggle with their love for each other. Three years after being blinded, Bartimaeus is cured at the gate of Jericho as Jesus passed by on his way to Jerusalem. Jesus quickly departed after the cure, and Bartimaeus was unable to thank Jesus. A few days later, Bartimaeus traveled to Jerusalem to find Jesus and to thank him only to discover that Jesus had been crucified. With the help of the apostles, Bartimaeus learned of Jesus and is a participant in the early events of the apostles in Jerusalem as related in the Acts of the Apostles. When Saul is struck blind as he traveled to Damascus to arrest the early Christians, Bartimaeus, now a follower of Jesus, is sent by Peter to determine if the reports of Saul, now calling himself Paul and preaching in the synagogue, are true. Bartimaeus helps Paul escape from Damascus with the help of a man and his sons sneaking Paul out of the house, through the streets of Damascus, and over the wall in a basket. Bartimaeus draws the enemies of Paul away as he flees Damascus in a daring horse escape disguised as Paul. The mystery of the disappearance of Timaeus is interwoven in the story and is eventually revealed to Bartimaeus challenging his newfound Christian life. The man responsible for his father's death must be forgiven, and in so doing, Bartimaeus finds the grace to save the life of his adversary. The story is one of Bartimaeus's struggle to learn of Jesus and through that conversion to be an agent of good in the lives of others, including his brother-in-law, Paul. The author has maintained historical and biblical fact, where possible, while constructing a Christian novel intertwining fictional characters into the gospel narrative of the apostles. The author, an experienced horse trainer and competitor, incorporates horsemanship into the story, and horses are key elements in the escape of Paul from Damascus.

Download or read book The Gospel According to Mark written by and published by Canongate Books. This book was released on 1999-01-01 with total page 73 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The earliest of the four Gospels, the book portrays Jesus as an enigmatic figure, struggling with enemies, his inner and external demons, and with his devoted but disconcerted disciples. Unlike other gospels, his parables are obscure, to be explained secretly to his followers. With an introduction by Nick Cave

Download or read book Know Doubt written by John Ortberg and published by Zondervan. This book was released on 2009-12-21 with total page 194 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ortberg demonstrates how doubt is very much a part of faith and how uncertainty can lead to trust. "The beliefs that really matter," he writes, "are the ones that guide our behavior. We cannot hope without faith, and so we must not hope for something but someone--Jesus Christ.

Download or read book Easton s Bible Dictionary written by M. G. Easton and published by . This book was released on 2017-08-19 with total page 526 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Easton's Bible Dictionary is a classic book of definitions which serves to explain and clarify the meaning of the names, places, and words found in the Bible. Many Christians and scholars who read the Bible often remain unawares of the meanings or significance of the Holy Book's vocabulary. Such words are often derived from Ancient Hebrew or other old scripts, which makes it even more difficult for readers who only speak English to understand. Location names, in the context of ancient geography, are likewise hard to scrutinize - yet Easton's Dictionary not only explains what these places are, but their size and overall impact across the entire Bible. First published in 1893, this dictionary uses the authoritative King James Bible as its source. As well as containing definitions and accounts of the many terms found throughout the Old and New Testaments, Easton's Bible Dictionary points out the significance of certain things and exactly where mentions of such phenomena appear in the Bible. The presence and significance of iron, for example, is noted in the Books of Genesis, Chronicles, Ezekiel, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Job, Joshua, Kings and in the Psalms. Individuals in the Bible are also given biographical definitions. Through Easton's referencing of the names, we can discover the exact Bible passages where such figures are mentioned. Likewise we hear of terms relevant to the life of the ancient peoples; the term 'Levy' for instance is shown to equate to a form of involuntary recruitment which kings ordered. Words in frequent use today, such as 'Schism', are also shown to originate from the Bible. Other words we use today - such as 'Teeth', are shown to have been informal terms: 'cleanness of teeth' in Amos 4:6 denotes an outbreak of famine, for example. Many of the parables and tales of the Bible are retold in abbreviated form in Easton's Bible Dictionary. These retold anecdotes reference other relevant passages, further evidencing how the various portions of the Bible are interconnected and related to one another. Such a style also gives this unconventional dictionary a flowing quality, making it easier for the reader to enjoy large tracts of this text without pause. The ancient world of the Biblical canon is given life and color by Easton's descriptions. Primarily however, Easton's masterwork is designed for reference. Yet it not only defines the individual entries, but places these entries in their proper context throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Owing to this wealth of information, the reader may perceive that Easton's Dictionary is not merely a book of definitions, but an authoritative and significant work of classic Christian literature.

Download or read book 40 Days 40 Ways written by Marcellino D'Ambrosio and published by Franciscan Media. This book was released on 2015-03-09 with total page 127 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: If you're looking for a new Lenten experience, here are forty fresh ideas. Some will challenge you to deepen your prayer life; others will open your mind to new ways to serve others. Each of the forty ways includes a reflection to help you understand more about Lent and why it matters. You'll learn how to have a more creative experience of Lent. You'll discover positive, proactive ways to take action instead of the same old routine of giving something up. The result will be spiritual transformation and a closer walk with Christ—not only during Lent but throughout the year.

Download or read book The Two Gospels of Mark written by Danila Oder and published by . This book was released on 2019-06-10 with total page 216 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A new theory: The Gospel of Mark began as a play performed in Rome 90-95 CE, and produced by Flavia Domitilla, a Roman aristocrat. Author takes a director's point of view to systematically uncover the play beneath Mark's condensed, literary text. Illuminates early Christianity. For scholars in biblical studies or ancient theater.

Download or read book Philo of Alexandria and the Timaeus of Plato written by Douwe (David) Runia and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2016-06-21 with total page 629 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book God the Son Incarnate written by Stephen J. Wellum and published by Crossway. This book was released on 2016-11-16 with total page 475 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nothing is more important than what a person believes about Jesus Christ. To understand Christ correctly is to understand the very heart of God, Scripture, and the gospel. To get to the core of this belief, this latest volume in the Foundations of Evangelical Theology series lays out a systematic summary of Christology from philosophical, biblical, and historical perspectives—concluding that Jesus Christ is God the Son incarnate, both fully divine and fully human. Readers will learn to better know, love, trust, and obey Christ—unashamed to proclaim him as the only Lord and Savior. Part of the Foundations of Evangelical Theology series.

Download or read book What Good Is God written by Philip Yancey and published by FaithWords. This book was released on 2011-01-26 with total page 215 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Journalist and spiritual seeker Philip Yancey has always struggled with the most basic questions of the Christian faith. The question he tackles in What Good Is God? concerns the practical value of belief in God. His search for the answer to this question took him to some amazing settings around the world: Mumbai, India when the firing started during the terrorist attacks; at the motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated; on the Virginia Tech campus soon after the massacre; an AA convention; and even to a conference for women in prostitution. At each of the ten places he visited, his preparation for the visit and exactly what he said to the people he met each provided evidence that faith really does work when what we believe is severely tested. What Good Is God? tells the story of Philip's journey -- the background, the preparation, the presentations themselves. Here is a story of grace for armchair travelers, spiritual seekers, and those in desperate need of assurance that their faith really matters.

Download or read book Selected Sermons of George Whitefield written by George Whitefield and published by London : Religious Tract Society. This book was released on 1904 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Holy Ground written by Gordon W. Lathrop and published by Fortress Press. This book was released on 2009-07-01 with total page 258 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Holy Ground illumines how the central symbols and interactions of Christian liturgy yield a new understanding and experience of the world and contribute to a refreshed sense of ecological ethics-a Christian sense of the holiness of the earth itself.

Download or read book When God Stops written by Derek Grier and published by Thomas Nelson. This book was released on 2019-08-13 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What Does It Take to Grab God’s Attention? When God Stops shares the key to living a life that honors the Lord and jumpstarts your faith. Dr. Derek Grier dissects the extraordinary God-encounters of eight ordinary men and women in the Bible and reveals them as “hidden figures” of the New Testament. The retelling of the biblical accounts from a new perspective will uncover the answer to the age-old question: What makes God stop and pay attention? The answer is faith. Whether it was a man with leprosy, a sick child, or a short tax collector sitting in a tree, they all had one thing in common—a burning desire to get God’s attention. Dr. Grier adds to the narrative by sharing the details of his personal pilgrimage. Growing up angry at God and looking for an identity, Grier eventually attended college and found the kind of faith that made him feel loved and centered for the first time in his life. Each chapter includes insightful verse-by-verse biblical teaching, compelling personal testimony, a section of practical application, and a thought-provoking discussion guide.

Download or read book Almost Christian written by Kenda Creasy Dean and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2010-07-16 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Based on the National Study of Youth and Religion--the same invaluable data as its predecessor, Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers--Kenda Creasy Dean's compelling new book, Almost Christian, investigates why American teenagers are at once so positive about Christianity and at the same time so apathetic about genuine religious practice. In Soul Searching, Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton found that American teenagers have embraced a "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism"--a hodgepodge of banal, self-serving, feel-good beliefs that bears little resemblance to traditional Christianity. But far from faulting teens, Dean places the blame for this theological watering down squarely on the churches themselves. Instead of proclaiming a God who calls believers to lives of love, service and sacrifice, churches offer instead a bargain religion, easy to use, easy to forget, offering little and demanding less. But what is to be done? In order to produce ardent young Christians, Dean argues, churches must rediscover their sense of mission and model an understanding of being Christian as not something you do for yourself, but something that calls you to share God's love, in word and deed, with others. Dean found that the most committed young Christians shared four important traits: they could tell a personal and powerful story about God; they belonged to a significant faith community; they exhibited a sense of vocation; and they possessed a profound sense of hope. Based on these findings, Dean proposes an approach to Christian education that places the idea of mission at its core and offers a wealth of concrete suggestions for inspiring teens to live more authentically engaged Christian lives. Persuasively and accessibly written, Almost Christian is a wake up call no one concerned about the future of Christianity in America can afford to ignore.

Download or read book Jesus A Very Short Introduction written by Richard Bauckham and published by OUP Oxford. This book was released on 2011-07-28 with total page 144 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Two billion people today identify as Christians, with the implication that Jesus is the focus of their relationship with God, and their way of living in the world. Such followers of Jesus are now more numerous and make up a greater proportion of the world's population than ever before. Despite its decline in the West, Christianity is rapidly increasing in areas such as Africa and China. Richard Bauckham explores the historical figure of Jesus, evaluating the sources and concluding that they provide us with good historical evidence for his life and teaching. In order to place Jesus in his proper historical context, as a Jew from Galilee in the early first century of our era, Bauckham looks at Jewish religion and society in the land of Israel under Roman rule. He explores Jesus' symbolic practices as well as his teachings, looks at his public career and emphasises how his actions, such as healing and his association with notorious sinners, were just as important as his words. Bauckham shows that Jesus was devoted to the God of Israel, with a special focus on God's fatherly love and compassion, and like every Jewish teacher he expounded the Torah, but did so in his own distinctive way. With a discussion about the way Jesus understood himself and what finally led to his death as a criminal on a Roman cross, he concludes by considering the significance Jesus has come to have for Christian faith worldwide. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Download or read book BARTIMAEUS THE BLIND BEGGAR OF JERICHO written by GEORGE V. SABOL and published by . This book was released on 2023 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Morning and Evening written by Charles H Spurgeon and published by Hendrickson Publishers. This book was released on 2010-10-01 with total page 769 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over one hundred years later, Spurgeon's classic devotions continue to encourage Christians with the message of God's love. Each meditation is founded on a single verse of Scripture, inspiring and exhorting readers to rely upon God's care and to respond with deeper service and trust. NIV edition with ribbon marker, Subject and Scripture indexes.