Christians who want to study the Bible need a resource that is both academically informative and spiritually vibrant. Using six practical steps, this guide helps students build a strong grasp of Scripture's meaning and then engage the practice of lectio divina as they consider how to respond faithfully to what God is saying to us today.
When it comes to the Christian life, what exactly can we expect with regard to personal transformation? In this NSBT volume Gary Millar explores the nature of gospel-shaped change, focusing on "life in the middle"—between the change that is brought about when we become Christians and the final change in which we will be raised with Christ.
In today's reading culture, it is easy to forget that we receive God's message far differently from how the original hearers would have heard it. D. Brent Sandy explores how oral communication shaped biblical writers and ancient hearers, and provides constructive ways for modern readers to be better hearers and performers of Scripture.
Edward W. Klink III presents a holistic understanding of creation, one that is unfolded throughout all of Scripture and is at the core of the gospel itself. Along with offering rich insights about God and his purposes for the world, a biblical theology of creation guides how we engage nature, culture, and life as embodied beings.
In this ESBT volume, Stephen Dempster traces the themes of kingship and kingdom throughout Scripture, illuminating the challenges, pain, and ultimate hope that the Bible offers. The story of God's kingship is ultimately the fulfillment of a promise to defeat sin and death and to establish a world of peace and justice.
The command to "be holy" is one of Christian life's most challenging and misunderstood commands. Three scholars from the Wesleyan tradition constructively argue for a "neo-holiness" that encourages the pursuit of Christian perfection while incorporating historic understandings of grace and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Biblical interpretation is both a science and an art, and it has powerful implications for what we believe and how we apply God's Word. In this accessible introduction to biblical hermeneutics, Nicholas G. Piotrowski presents a contextualized approach that equips students, pastors, and thoughtful readers to build a strong foundation for interpreting the Scriptures.
Who we are shapes how we read. Guided by an expert team of crosscultural scholars, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the influence of their own social location, building up self-awareness, other-awareness, and true dialogue in the process. Grow in your biblical wisdom as you read Scripture alongside the global Christian community.
How can sinful humans approach a holy God? In this ESBT volume, T. Desmond Alexander considers the often-neglected themes of priesthood and mediation and how Christ fulfills these roles. Through this study, students, church leaders, and laypeople alike will gain a richer understanding of concepts such as holiness, sacrifice, covenant, reconciliation, and God's dwelling place.
Is it really possible to enjoy the Old Testament? Eric Seibert understands why many Christians find this part of the Bible confusing, theologically troubling, or just uninteresting. Offering dozens of practical exercises for hands-on interaction with the text, this unique resource equips readers with a variety of creative approaches to bring even the seemingly dry passages to life.