Biblical Studies

Pre-order: This item is scheduled for release January 9, 2012. For an additional 20% discount on this item during the pre-order period, use the coupon code PRE at checkout.

When you hear the words “in the original text it says” or “in the original text this means,” it’s time to be wary. Those words often provide the introduction to misleading information. But how can the hearer discern just what is correct and what is misleading? How can pastors avoid giving their congregations misleading information?

“In the Original Text It Says” takes a look at word-study fallacies and how you can avoid them. Author Ben Baxter gives an introduction to word meaning and how word meaning differs between languages. He then examines a series of fallacies, errors that people make in assigning meaning to words in the original languages of the Bible.

But he doesn’t leave it with that theoretical examination. After providing the basis for how to understand Biblical words, he examines the discussion of specific words and phrases from passages in both the Old Testament and the New. He takes these examples from commentaries commonly used by pastors and teachers in sermon and lesson preparation. With each example, he shows how one might misunderstand the linguistic evidence provided, and also how one can properly apply this information.

This book is designed for readers who have had some contact with Greek or Hebrew, but will also be useful to those who have more language skill, but may not have studied linguistics or looked carefully at how to apply their knowledge in teaching.

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A Living Psalter: Creative Reflections on the Book of Psalms is one faith community’s atttempt to appropriate the ancient hymns of Israel in a postmodern context. This book is filled with poetry, art, photography, and short stories that provide creative reflections on the Book of Psalms. They invite the reader into a faithful, yet deeply human conversation with God. The creative work in this book covers the extremes of human emotion from exuberant praise to heart-heavy lament. It is a great resource for rediscovering the Psalter as the central prayer book of the church.

Learning and Living Scripture – Geoffrey Lentz & Henry E. Neufeld ($12.99) A pastor and a teacher team up to present the Participatory Bible Study Method, an approach to Bible study that is rooted in the conviction that God can and will speak to us in scripture.

The Gospel According to St. Luke – Geoffrey Lentz ($8.99) This study guide gives the seeker historical insight and a fresh look into the Jesus Christ that Luke sought and recorded. Rev. Lentz brings his love of Church history and great thought-provoking questions into a user friendly layout that promotes lively discussions and deep-rooted growth in a group study.

Ephesians: A Participatory Study Guide  – Robert D. Cornwall ($9.99) Following the outlines of the Participatory Study Method, here is a usable and challenging guide that does not skirt the difficult issues. Setting a foundation in history and background, Dr. Cornwall brings the letter into modern application and sharing in corporate study and worship.

Philippians: A Participatory Study Guide – Bruce G. Epperly ($9.99) From beginning to end, the student is invited to absorb the text and allow God’s message to change her or his life. At the same time, it maintains the series standard of providing a guide that takes account of current biblical scholarship and helps the student examine the text critically while also listening to and being guided by the Holy Spirit. Each lesson includes prayers, spiritual exercises, thought questions, and theological reflection.

Learning and Living Scripture – Geoffrey Lentz & Henry E. Neufeld ($12.99) A pastor and a teacher team up to present the Participatory Bible Study Method, an approach to Bible study that is rooted in the conviction that God can and will speak to us in scripture.

Ephesians: A Participatory Study Guide  – Robert D. Cornwall ($9.99) Following the outlines of the Participatory Study Method, here is a usable and challenging guide that does not skirt the difficult issues. Setting a foundation in history and background, Dr. Cornwall brings the letter into modern application and sharing in corporate study and worship.

Following the outlines of the Participatory Study Method, Dr. Robert Cornwall presents a study guide to the book of Ephesians that is both usable and challenging while not skirting the difficult issues. These eight lessons take you through the letter leading from the history and background to modern application and sharing in corporate study and worship.

Whether you are approaching this book as an individual, as a small group, or in a larger classroom setting, this study guide will provide you with direction, exercises, and questions for discussion and further investigation.

The Participatory Study Series from Energion Publications is designed to invite Bible students to become a part of the community of faith that produced the texts we now have as scripture by studying them empathetically and with an aim to learn and grow spiritually. The section Using this Book and the appendices are designed for the series and adapted to the particular study guide. Each author is free to emphasize different resources in the study, and individual students, group leaders, and teachers are encouraged to enhance their study through the use of additional resources.

It is our prayer at Energion Publications that each study guide will lead you deeper into scripture and more importantly closer to the One who inspired it.

132 pages.

Except for Fornication is a brief study, less than 80 pages, of statements in the Gospels relating to divorce and remarriage. Dr. Parunak examines the background and context of the statements of Jesus regarding divorce, and relates them to the Old Testament commands on which Jesus was commenting. This historical depth and detailed linguistic analysis will prove useful to Bible students, whether or not they ultimately agree with the author’s conclusions.

This investigation is laid out as a mystery, with each aspect examined carefully in the light of historical and contextual clues. The author examines texts in the original languages and discusses the use of key words in the relevant literature.

Pastors and lay readers alike will benefit from this thorough study.

Soup Kitchen for the Soul – Renee Crosby ($12.99) “While serving in the soup kitchen, God revealed himself to me in a profound and miraculous way. It was in restudying the scriptures with this new heart knowledge of God that allowed me to see a message of a mission for His people that we lack a connection with today.” – Renee Crosby

Directed Paths – Myrtle Neufeld ($7.99) Giving you new strength and encouragement, each story reflects a Biblical principle or promise. Mrs. Neufeld openly shares her prayers and God’s answers.

Prayer Trilogy – Kimberly Gordon ($9.99) Set in the late 1800′s Colorado, this is the story of the Jenkins and Davidson families, one nearly starving on their farm and the other a prosperous business family in the city of Denver. Neither family is perfect but both rely on the power and comfort of prayer to pull them through times of struggle and heartache. The three related stories in this book follow the history of the two families until the surprising and encouraging conclusion.

Victim No More! – Shauna Hyde ($12.99) A Colorado native, Shauna Hyde grew up with three brothers, no sisters, and a father who was a pastor of a local community church. She was taught that women married for life and no woman she knew was a pastor. This ‘normal’ crashed around her when her first husband left her with a newborn baby to raise alone. Her second husband confessed his unfaithfulness; again her world hit a bruising reality wall despite her efforts to be the ‘best little wife’. Shauna started studying karate and began to see a correlation between the two disciplines that opened her soul to be empowered by the grace of God. God, in turn, taught her and used her to empower others.

Why Four Gospels? – Dr. David Alan Black ($11.99) Dr. Black presents the case for the early development of the gospels, beginning with Matthew, rather than Mark. Using both internal data from the gospels themselves and an exhaustive and careful examination of the statements of the early church fathers, he places each gospel in the context of the early development of Christianity. 

From Inspiration to Understanding: Reading the Bible Seriously and Faithfully  – Dr. Edward W.H. Vick ($24.99) The way in which we read the Bible grows out of what we believe the Bible to be. Thus it is impossible to discuss methods of interpretation without considering our view of inspiration, the gathering of the canon, and even the reception of the Bible by the community of faith. And so, Edward W. H. Vick starts this comprehensive discussion of hermeneutics—the interpretation of Scripture—by looking at what the Bible is, and what empowers its authority. He brings a lifetime of experience, teaching and writing to the task.

Who’s Afraid of the Old Testament God?  – Dr. Alden Thompson ($14.99)  The Old Testament God generally has a rather poor reputation, even in Christian circles. But as the author points out, The Old Testament Scriptures can remain alive and will lead us to a fresh appreciation of all that God has done for us.

Targeted to thoughtful readers, this book addresses a cluster of issues often troubling for the person who seeks to understand the Old Testament.

God’s Desire for the Nations: The Missionary Theology of John Piper – Dr. Philip O. Hopkins ($18.99)  John Piper is known for his support of missions. Many of his books devote sections to the advancement of missions, and almost all of his works have missions implications. Piper’s understanding of missions is based on his understanding of God’s glory, which flows from God’s righteousness.

Dr. Hopkins looks at John Piper’s background and thoroughly examines his written works to provide a clear and thorough discussion of Piper’s missiology and its foundation.

Evidence for the Bible – Elgin L. Hushbeck, Jr ($16.99) A discussion of the evidence for the inspiration and reliability of the Bible, and deals with objections. It is clear and forceful, but also invites dialogue on this key issue of the Christian faith.

Christianity vs. Secularism – Elgin L. Hushbeck, Jr ($16.99) The book focuses on the evidences for the Christian faith and the conflict between Christianity and secularism. Hushbeck believes that there is good evidence on which to base a belief in Jesus and in the basic doctrines of Christianity. He also believes it is important for Christians to understand their faith and to be prepared to defend it.

When People Speak for God – Henry E. Neufeld ($17.99) When someone claims they have a message from God, how do you decide whether to believe them? This question has been with people of faith at least since Abraham heard someone-God, as it turned out-telling him to leave home and go to a place he would be shown. Other people have left their homes thinking God was guiding them, and have ended up with nothing but trouble.

The way in which we read the Bible grows out of what we believe the Bible to be. Thus it is impossible to discuss methods of interpretation without considering our view of inspiration, the gathering of the canon, and even the reception of the Bible by the community of faith. And so, Edward W. H. Vick starts this comprehensive discussion of hermeneutics—the interpretation of Scripture—by looking at what the Bible is, and what empowers its authority. He brings a lifetime of experience, teaching and writing to the task.

In this examination, he takes up such diverse topics as inspiration, canonization, authority, infallibility, inerrancy, verbal inspiration, sola scriptura, tradition, myth, and many related topics. Dr. Vick always relates these elements to the overarching questions: How shall we read Scripture? How shall we understand it? How does it impact the way we live and act?

There are many books on how to read the Bible, but there are few that will offer this comprehensive and systematic study. If you apply the principles you find here to your own study, you will find the scriptures opening up in new ways. Dr. Vick will help you move beyond the assumptions that often stand in the way of our personal Bible study and see the remarkable variety and power that is mediated through this book we call the Bible.

A basic Christian claim is that God is active in human history to accomplish his purpose, which he will do in the end. This book considers some of the implications of this far-reaching claim.

Christian faith is bound up with our personal history but beyond that stretches far into the past. Faith is not identical with historical knowledge, for example with knowledge of the facts about Jesus, facts which must be established historically. That involves using the historian’s methods of investigation. What does ‘God reveals himself in history’ mean? Christians claim to find an ultimate meaning in history. But how can that be? How is it possible to find an overall meaning in history, theistic or otherwise? Since Christians appeal to the New Testament in making the claim that God revealed himself in Jesus, we must go beyond that book to the Christian community which existed before there was a New Testament and out of whose midst its writings came. To understand those books we must interpret. So where do our principles of interpretation come from, and how valid are they? This is the question of tradition.

This small book is an introduction to these interesting topics. Hopefully it will help to clarify important issues and lead the reader to investigate such central matters further.

Geoffrey Lentz and Henry Neufeld, a pastor and a teacher team up in Learning and Living Scripture to present the Participatory Bible Study Method, an approach to Bible study that is rooted in the conviction that God can and will speak to us in scripture.

They bring together their different experiences and perspectives to present this method of study in a practical, usable way.

There are three key elements to this study:

1. The integration of prayer and study
2. Serious questioning and research that is nonetheless within reach of the non-scholar
3. Study in community with both witness and accountability through sharing

In this guide you will learn to integrate prayer and scripture reading while also being faithful to the historical meaning of the text and its use throughout history by the community of faith. This method is not just about study and learning facts; it’s about letting the God, who gave scripture, live in and through you, as you learn and share.

Who’s Afraid of the Old Testament God? (Fifth Edition) – Dr. Alden Thompson ($14.99) The Old Testament God generally has a rather poor reputation, even in Christian circles. But as the author points out, The Old Testament Scriptures can remain alive and will lead us to a fresh appreciation of all that God has done for us. Some chapter titles: Don’t Let Your New Testament Get in the Way of Your Old Testament, Could You Invite a Canaanite Home to Lunch?, The Worst Story in the Old Testament – Judges 19-21, The Best Story in the Old Testament – The Messiah.

Character of our Discontent – Dr. Allan R. Bevere ($12.99) The book grew out of the author’s conviction that pastors do not preach enough about the Old Testament. The result is 19 chapters, each of which represents a sermon on an Old Testament character.

Why Four Gospels? – Dr. David Alan Black ($11.99) Dr. Black presents the case for the early development of the gospels, beginning with Matthew, rather than Mark. Using both internal data from the gospels themselves and an exhaustive and careful examination of the statements of the early church fathers, he places each gospel in the context of the early development of Christianity.

The Sacred Journey – Rev. Chris Surber ($12.99) A collection of insights, thoughts, and personal experiences centered on and emanating from the Beatitudes of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount.

Who”s Afraid of the Old Testament God? (Fifth Edition) – Dr. Alden Thompson ($14.99)  The Old Testament God generally has a rather poor reputation, even in Christian circles. But as the author points out, The Old Testament Scriptures can remain alive and will lead us to a fresh appreciation of all that God has done for us. Some chapter titles: Don’t Let Your New Testament Get in the Way of Your Old Testament, Could You Invite a Canaanite Home to Lunch?, The Worst Story in the Old Testament – Judges 19-21, The Best Story in the Old Testament – The Messiah.

Why Four Gospels? – Dr. David Alan Black ($11.99) Dr. Black presents the case for the early development of the gospels, beginning with Matthew, rather than Mark. Using both internal data from the gospels themselves and an exhaustive and careful examination of the statements of the early church fathers, he places each gospel in the context of the early development of Christianity.

Philippians: A Participatory Study Guide is the sixth volume in the Participatory Study Series. From beginning to end, the student is invited to absorb the text and allow God’s message to change her or his life. At the same time, it maintains the series standard of providing a guide that takes account of current biblical scholarship and helps the student examine the text critically while also listening to and being guided by the Holy Spirit.

This guide contains eight lessons suitable for use by an individual student, but best used in a small group. The lessons are clearly written so that a laity-led class or small group can use them to advantage. In addition, there is a guide to using the book that provides insights into Bible study in general, and two appendices, one outlining the process of Bible study and one listing and describing useful resources.

Each lesson includes prayers, spiritual exercises, thought questions, and theological reflection. These are designed to help students learn to see the text in a new way and to realize their full potential through the power of the Holy Spirit. This book will not only impact your knowledge of scripture; it will change the way you pray, live, witness, and relate to your community of faith and the world.

Energion Publications catalog page

This study guide to Revelation is designed for individual or small group studies. Its flexible lessons are ideal for Sunday School classes, small study or prayer groups and Wednesday evening studies. The guide is based on the participatory method, developed by author Henry Neufeld to help lay people learn to understand the Bible better.

Features:

1. Clearly defined study method for individuals and groups.
2. Basic lessons with graded additional study allow you to choose the time spent on your study
3. Examination of different approaches to Revelation
4. References to study Bibles and standard reference materials
5. Emphasis on spiritual application-even if your group has problems agreeing on prophetic interpretation, you can share many spiritual lessons
6. Glossary of terms
7. Background references
8. Study questions and topics for discussion
9. Outline and notes for reference

Suggested uses:

• Personal study
• Sunday School classes

Small Group Resource

Energion Publications recommends this book as a small group resource.

The Character of Our Discontent grew out of the author’s conviction that pastors do not preach enough about the Old Testament. The result is 19 chapters, each of which represents a sermon on an Old Testament character. These sermons are lively, fast paced, and practical yet are rooted in sound scholarship and are examples of the homiletical art.

Christians who would like to learn how the Old Testament can enlighten and guide their Christian walk, and pastors who would like to learn how to preach more effectively from the Old Testament will both find these sermons an invaluable aid.

While Dr. Bevere specializes in the New Testament and theology, he believes that pastors (and academics as well) can preach and teach effectively outside their areas of specialty. Indeed, they must, and this teaching can enrich their own learning and the fields of study into which they venture.

The Character of Our Discontent is an adventure in preaching and it invites us into the adventure of living in relationship with God, an adventure that has similar characteristics whether we are learning about God’s call to Abraham or how a call to mission in Africa came to a contemporary English teacher nearing retirement.

Rite of Passage for the Home and Church – D. Kevin Brown ($13.99) An examination of the New Testament to find the truly radical and all-encompassing claims of God’s kingdom. In doing so, Dr. Black discovers that the character of this kingdom is widely different from what is commonly contemplated today. Its glory is revealed only through suffering — a point that Jesus’ disciples, then and now, have been slow to understand. This truth has tremendous implications for church life. There is only one way to victory and peace, and that way is the way of the Lamb.

Ultimate Allegiance (Areopagus Series) – Dr. Robert D. Cornwall ($9.99) In Ultimate Allegiance, Dr. Bob Cornwall takes us to the Lord’s Prayer, a short and simple prayer that is well-known and often recited. But in each of its major petitions, he finds deep meaning that challenges us to think and to change. In fact, this prayer of Jesus brings us to the ultimate question of just where we should place our ultimate allegiance.

The Jesus Paradigm – Dr. David Alan Black ($17.99) The church is in disarray. Theologians and commentators speak of the demise of evangelicalism. Are they alarmists? Is Christianity as we know it in the process of dying? To make the church and its members true servants of Jesus Christ again, we need to change our entire paradigm-to The Jesus Paradigm.

This package includes all volumes to date.

Learning and Living Scripture – Geoffrey Lentz & Henry E. Neufeld ($12.99) A pastor and a teacher team up to present the Participatory Bible Study Method, an approach to Bible study that is rooted in the conviction that God can and will speak to us in scripture.

The Gospel According to St. Luke – Geoffrey Lentz ($8.99) This study guide gives the seeker historical insight and a fresh look into the Jesus Christ that Luke sought and recorded. Rev. Lentz brings his love of Church history and great thought-provoking questions into a user friendly layout that promotes lively discussions and deep-rooted growth in a group study.

Ephesians: A Participatory Study Guide – Robert D. Cornwall ($9.99)Following the outlines of the Participatory Study Method, here is a usable and challenging guide that does not skirt the difficult issues. Setting a foundation in history and background, Dr. Cornwall brings the letter into modern application and sharing in corporate study and worship.

Philippians: A Participatory Study Guide – Bruce G. Epperly (9.99) From beginning to end, the student is invited to absorb the text and allow God’s message to change her or his life. At the same time, it maintains the series standard of providing a guide that takes account of current biblical scholarship and helps the student examine the text critically while also listening to and being guided by the Holy Spirit. Each lesson includes prayers, spiritual exercises, thought questions, and theological reflection.

To the Hebrews: A Participatory Study Guide – Henry E. Neufeld ($9.99) This study guide to the book of Hebrews is designed for individual or small group studies. Its 13 lessons are ideal for Sunday School classes, small study or prayer groups and Wednesday evening studies.

Revelation: A Participatory Study Guide – Henry E. Neufeld ($9.99) This study exams different approaches to the book of Revelation. There are references to study Bibles and standard reference materials and emphasizes spiritual application-even if you may have problems agreeing on prophetic interpretation, you can share many spiritual lessons.

The Gospel of Saint Luke: A Participatory Study Guide is the newest installment to the successful Participatory Study Guide Series from Energion Publications. This series emphasizes individual and community involvement in the Bible story, inviting students to become part of God’s activity in the world by acting on and sharing what they learn.

Written by Geoffrey D. Lentz, associate pastor at First United Methodist Church, Pensacola, FL, this study guide gives the seeker historical insight and a fresh look into the Jesus Christ that Luke sought and recorded. Rev. Lentz brings his love of Church history and great thought-provoking questions into a user friendly layout that promotes lively discussions and deep-rooted growth in a group study.

Each lesson includes suggestions for prayer, exercises, thought questions, and basic background information on the passages studied. References to study Bibles and other useful resources are provided.

Useful for:

• Small group study
• Individual study
• Discussion and sharing

Small Group Resource

Energion Publications recommends this book as a small group resource.

The church is in disarray. Theologians and commentators speak of the demise of evangelicalism. Are they alarmists? Is Christianity as we know it in the process of dying?

Writer, scholar, teacher, and missionary Dr. David Alan Black thinks that the answer does not lie in the politics of the left or the right. In fact, he doesn’t think that Jesus tells us what our politics should be. He doesn’t see answers in Christian nationalism. But even further, he sees serious flaws in the very structure of our churches and denominations that prevent us from truly being obedient to the gospel.

The solution lies, not in renewal, revival, or even in reformation, but rather in restoration-a restoration of the church organized as Jesus intended it and according to the example provided by the earliest church sources in the New Testament.

To make the church and its members true servants of Jesus Christ again, we need to change our entire paradigm-to The Jesus Paradigm.

An EnerPower Press title.

The Messiah and His Coming Kingdom: A Biblical Road Map contains commentary addressing many Scripture topics concerned with the what, when, where, who, why, and how of God’s redemptive plan, including among others:

• Who were Jesus’ ancestors?
• Where and when did Christianity, Judaism and Islam start?
• How did we get the Bible?
• How can Heaven be attained?
• In what order did Biblical events occur?
• How and why did so many Christian denominations emerge?
• What are their main doctrinal differences?
• What is Judaism’s part in God’s plan?
• What will happen in the last days: Rapture, Second Coming, Final Judgment?
• When will God’s plan be finalized?
• Why must we be saved from our sins?

This guide for Bible study features:

• 14 full page chronological charts, “road maps” to the Biblical story.
• 37 smaller charts and lists illustrating particular issues in the charts
• 18 maps, designed by the author to feature key information that is helpful in understanding the Bible story
• A comprehensive index of topics, in which you can look up obscure Bible names and discover where they fit in history
• A selected scripture index to help you connect information with your daily Bible study

Many people feel overwhelmed when they look at the amount of information that is packed into the 180 8 1/2 x 11 pages of this volume. But don’t be put off! There are many approaches to this book that will make it of value to any Bible student.

• As a supplementary handbook while you read through the Bible, individually or with a group. Simple, uncomplicated geographical maps, and comprehensive chronological information will help you understand what you read.
• A chronological study. Look at the Bible in time order rather than in its canonical order. You can do this by following the references and commentary that accompany the charts.
• A resource for problem solving. Are you wondering about Luke’s and Matthew’s genealogies? You’ll find a discussion. What about the genealogies of Genesis? They’re here. Confused by the kings of Israel and Judah? There’s a straightforward explanation in this book.

This is the Black and White edition. A color edition is also available.

An EnerPower Press title.

The Messiah and His Coming Kingdom: A Biblical Road Map contains commentary addressing many Scripture topics concerned with the what, when, where, who, why, and how of God’s redemptive plan, including among others:

• Who were Jesus’ ancestors?
• Where and when did Christianity, Judaism and Islam start?
• How did we get the Bible?
• How can Heaven be attained?
• In what order did Biblical events occur?
• How and why did so many Christian denominations emerge?
• What are their main doctrinal differences?
• What is Judaism’s part in God’s plan?
• What will happen in the last days: Rapture, Second Coming, Final Judgment?
• When will God’s plan be finalized?
• Why must we be saved from our sins?

This guide for Bible study features:

• 14 full page chronological charts, “road maps” to the Biblical story.
• 37 smaller charts and lists illustrating particular issues in the charts
• 18 maps, designed by the author to feature key information that is helpful in understanding the Bible story
• A comprehensive index of topics, in which you can look up obscure Bible names and discover where they fit in history
• A selected scripture index to help you connect information with your daily Bible study

Many people feel overwhelmed when they look at the amount of information that is packed into the 180 8 1/2 x 11 pages of this volume. But don’t be put off! There are many approaches to this book that will make it of value to any Bible student.

• As a supplementary handbook while you read through the Bible, individually or with a group. Simple, uncomplicated geographical maps, and comprehensive chronological information will help you understand what you read.
• A chronological study. Look at the Bible in time order rather than in its canonical order. You can do this by following the references and commentary that accompany the charts.
• A resource for problem solving. Are you wondering about Luke’s and Matthew’s genealogies? You’ll find a discussion. What about the genealogies of Genesis? They’re here. Confused by the kings of Israel and Judah? There’s a straightforward explanation in this book.

This is the Black and White edition. A color edition is also available.

Pre-order: This item is scheduled for release January 23, 2012. For an additional 20% discount on this book during the pre-order period, use coupon code PRE2 at checkout.

A questioning approach lies at the heart of our relationship with God. That’s how God engages us. In fact, questioning (or free inquiry), is central to our being human. Yet the major monotheistic religions vary markedly on this matter. In The Questioning God, Dr. Greenham examines the three major monotheistic religions, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, to see how they relate to questioning, both the questions that God asks us, and the questions that we ask about God. His goal is to develop a biblical theology of questioning, avoiding a loss of direction and focus that results from selective questioning, and also a loss of humanity that results from bypassing our questions through an inappropriate submission.

The examination is wide ranging, including chapters on questioning in Islam, Judaism, evangelical and mainline Christianity, along with an examination of the consequences of a non-questioning culture. He ends the book with a proposal for a biblical theology and a look at the practical implications–just what does it mean to pursue this questioning culture.

The author finds that questions are not just valuable, they are essential for serious human interaction. “As questioning beings,” he concludes, “there is no limit to what we might ask, but our questions must always be anchored in the questioning God’s enduring concern to engage us.”

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The Sacred Journey is a collection of insights, thoughts, and personal experiences centered on and emanating from the Beatitudes of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount.

Within its pages we are invited to consider the radical love with which God pursues His creation. God in Jesus Christ was determined to make a way for sinners to be forgiven at the Cross. While man had sinned and caused a divide between himself and His creator, God has insisted that those who receive the grace and mercy offered in His Son shall be forgiven of sin and reconciled unto God in eternally secure love.

God in salvation is singly focused on reconciling all who will place their trust, their faith, and their hope in that sacrifice. It is not we who make our way to God through good works, right belief, perfectly ordered creedal statements, or any other edifice of human composition. It is God who pursues us heatedly to receive the radical beauty of the violence of the Cross.

God has pursued, forgiven, and reconciled us unto Himself. Through the wrath which was poured out upon Jesus, mercy was poured out on us. Salvation is purely the work of God’s mercy and grace. We who have received Him have done so by faith when we have responded to the pull of God on our hearts. Grace rests upon us because God has loved us. What, in response to such a violent grace, should our reply to God be?

Surber, Christopher D

Chris Surber is pastor of the First Congregational Church in Peru, IL. With a B. S. degree in Religion from Liberty University and Master of Divinity from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (Cum Laude), Rev. Surber has a passion for preaching and teaching the Bible with a focus on discipleship, evangelism, and outreach. The Sacred Journey is Rev. Surber’s second publication, following Sweet Potatoes in my Coffee (2008). Rev. Surber and his wife, Christina, have three sons and a daughter.

Author Page

This study guide to the book of Hebrews is designed for individual or small group studies. Its 13 lessons are ideal for Sunday School classes, small study or prayer groups and Wednesday evening studies. The guide is based on the participatory method, developed by author Henry Neufeld to help lay people learn to understand the Bible better.

Features:

1. Clearly defined study method for individuals and groups.
2. Basic lessons with graded additional study allow you to choose the time spent on your study
3. References to study Bibles and standard reference materials
4. Study of Old Testament quotations
5. Glossary of terms used in Hebrews
6. Background references
7. Study questions and topics for discussion
8. Translation and notes for reference

Small Group Resource

Energion Publications recommends this book as a small group resource.

Henry E. Neufeld writes about Bible translations from his knowledge as a student of Biblical languages, and his experience teaching them to laypeople and discussing them on the internet. Many people have questions about translations because they do not understand how translations are produced. Much of the material available is either polarizing, or is provided to advocate a particular version.

What’s in a Version? strives to provide a basis for lay students to understand how translations are made so they can understand the arguments and become confident of the Bible version they choose to use for reading and study.

When someone claims they have a message from God, how do you decide whether to believe them? This question has been with people of faith at least since Abraham heard someone-God, as it turned out-telling him to leave home and go to a place he would be shown. Other people have left their homes thinking God was guiding them, and have ended up with nothing but trouble.

And what about books? When someone claims a book is inspired by God how do you determine whether they are right or wrong? Very often they will be telling you that your eternal destination depends on believing what they say, and yet others will say that their book is right. Is it possible to know?

Interpretations of those books can be equally difficult to judge. People with special interpretations of scripture often claim just as much authority as those who claim to be prophets. If you reject their interpretation, you are rejecting God himself. How do you make a wise decision?

Writer and Bible teacher Henry Neufeld wrestles with these questions in these pages. You may not like some of the answers, but you will be challenged as he calls us each to focus first on the conversation with God and then to each be responsible for learning God’s will for our individual lives.

The Old Testament God generally has a rather poor reputation, even in Christian circles. But as the author points out, The Old Testament Scriptures can remain alive and will lead us to a fresh appreciation of all that God has done for us.

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. The chapter titles follow:

1. Don’t let your New Testament get in the way of your Old Testament
2. Behold it was very good and then it all turned sour
3. Whatever happened to Satan in the Old Testament
4. Strange people need strange laws
5. Could you invite a Canaanite home to lunch?
6. The worst story in the Old Testament – Judges 19-21
7. The best story in the Old Testament – the Messiah
8. What kind of prayers would you publish if you were God?

This new, fifth edition leaves the text unchanged, but has larger type and wider margins.

Note: This replaces ISBN 1-893729-07-9 / 978-1-893729-07-0.

In Why Four Gospels? noted Greek and New Testament scholar David Alan Black, concisely and clearly presents the case for the early development of the gospels, beginning with Matthew, rather than Mark. But this is much more than a discussion of the order in which the gospels were written. Using both internal data from the gospels themselves and an exhaustive and careful examination of the statements of the early church fathers, Dr. Black places each gospel in the context of the development of the early church.

Though Markan priority is the dominant position still in Biblical scholarship, Dr. Black argues that this position is not based on the best evidence available, that the internal evidence is often given more weight than it deserves and alternative explanations are dismissed or ignored. If you would like an outline of the basis for accepting both early authorship of the gospels and the priority of Matthew, this book is for you.