LITMIR.BIZ

The ministry is more than preaching, but preaching is its priority. This conviction is one Dr. Ngien has lived and worked with. As a sequel to A Faith Worth Believing, Commending and Living, and Giving Wings to the Soul, Interpretation of Love: God's Love and Ours is a third collection of sermons and talks, preached with rigor and humor, reverence and relevance. Basic to the book is the assertion that the one possessed of a penetrating eye, coupled with a compassionate heart, could interpret, and thus be an effective agency of love.
We are saved not so that we might be good, but so that we are God's–chosen and set apart to be his holy, beloved family. Because we are his, we are to dress ourselves differently (Col. 3:12-13). The wardrobe of the holy saints is full of love. The imperative of the new self is to reflect Christ's holiness in the way that we relate to each other. The selfishness that was at the core of our existence now gives way to a loving self-sacrifice for the good of others, resulting in a theology of radical reversal, which is the theology of a holy life: (i) compassion instead of contempt for or indifference to others; (ii) kindness instead of malice; (iii) humility instead of arrogance; (iv) gentleness instead of rudeness; (v) patience instead of anger; (vi) forbearance instead of resentment; and (vii) forgiveness instead of revenge. This is the fruit of Christ's redemptive act on the cross manifest in those who live in joyous obedience and willful submission to the Holy Spirit. Readers will be drawn into the depth of biblical and theological truths presented with anecdotes and antidotes.

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Since his existence the human being has explored various ways in his quest for God. Part of this search is related to humanity's yearning for true harmony and joy in the world. Christian spirituality, as a unique spirituality one encounters today, imparts various ways one can respond to this longing. One of these ways is through allegorical narratives. Specifically, this study analyzes the spirituality of Hannah Hurnard (1905-1990) by intertextually perusing her most famous allegorical narrative «Hinds' Feet on High Places.» A Journey to the High Places is divided into four chapters. In chapter 1 the allegorical narrative is subjectively considered in all its aspects and the central themes are expressed without any reference to other secondary connections. Chapter 2 analyzes the allegorical narrative by relating this narrative with other material that Hannah Hurnard published. These other narratives provide the tools which Hannah employed in the composition of this allegorical narrative. Thus, chapter 2 presents an intertexual analysis between her other publications and «Hinds' Feet on High Places.» Likewise, chapter 3 presents another intertextual analysis between the many biblical abstracts and their relation to the narrative, in the hope of showing her biblical interpretations. Several spiritual themes that emerged from the preceding chapters are discussed in chapter 4, presenting a consistent spirituality. In presenting the themes one notes that the strong points and weaknesses of Hannah's spirituality are related to other Christian spiritual traditions. In order to conduct a comprehensive study the introductory section of this study deals with the significance of allegory and spirituality.

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Suitable for Advent or Lent, these meditations on pictorial images of light are navigational aids in the ascent to trust in the triumph. In a relatively late in life synthesis of her interests in art and religion, Sharon R. Chace explores art that evokes the light of a star, inclusion, forgiveness, caring, healing, speaking truth to power, transfiguration, and resurrection. Questions for individual or group consideration invite further reflection and discussion about the art and personal experiences. Living in the light is a way to participate in God-like healing love. Being lights in the world can help one another sustain trust in the implicit meaning of Christmas and Easter that is in the prologue of the Gospel of John (1:1-5). The Gospel writer concludes with a declarative sentence of promise: «The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.»

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Yung Suk Kim asks important questions in Biblical Interpretation: Why do we care about the Bible and biblical interpretation? How do we know which interpretation is better? He expertly brings to the fore the essential elements of interpretation–the reader, the text, and the reading lens–and attempts to explore a set of criteria for solid interpretation. While celebrating the diversity of biblical interpretation, Kim warns that not all interpretations are valid, legitimate, or healthy because interpretation involves the complex process of what he calls critical contextual biblical interpretation. He suggests that readers engage with the text by asking important questions of their own: Why do we read? How do we read? and What do we read?

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Living in this world can be hazardous to one's health. Struggles to deal with pain and suffering drive a number of people to counselors, pastors, and popular «how to» books on Christian living to find healing. The experience of feeling deeply wounded by life's events not only hinders people from enjoying life, it also undermines the idea that God has a plan for our lives that surpasses many of our wildest dreams. Grappling with the place of God's grace in our lives, how to effectively deal with our problems, and attaining authenticity of being and purpose in life blend into our daily walk as followers of Christ. Building upon the belief that there is far more to the Christian life than simply making it into heaven, Open My Heart, Heal My Soul: Living the Grace-Saturated Life helps readers who have found the journey of life to be frustrating and painful gain new insight into living. This book will inspire those who have felt discouraged by their attempts to overcome problems and provide guidelines for dealing with life's challenges as a Christian.

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Most of the current scholarly literature on biblical intertextuality–or the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament–exhibits a high degree of variance regarding methodological approach. The variety of methods employed naturally yields a variety of results. Semiotics, or the study of signs and how they communicate, offers an avenue for approaching intertextual references that focuses on communication theory and meaning. In addition, semiotic theory provides an overarching methodological framework for examining intertextual references. As such, a semiotic approach can assist in creating greater methodological consistency and clarity for this nuanced area of New Testament study.
The purpose of this book is to explore the use of semiotics as a viable approach to biblical intertextuality. The intertextual references to Isaiah in 1 Peter will serve as the test case for an application of the method. A semiotic approach is promising because it offers a solution to the pervasive problem of methodology in intertextual studies. Moreover, the investigation of 1 Peter's use of Isaiah provides a fresh perspective on how Peter utilizes this important source in the construction of his epistle and the communication of his message.

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In the last few years I've read rants against the evils of feminism from some of the top Evangelical and Fundamentalist Christian leaders who blame women wanting to go to work, go into ministry, and be equals to their husbands for all the social ills happening in our country. If women would just stay home divorce rates would plummet, no abortions would happen, public schools wouldn't be in trouble, and all the world's ills would come to an end. There's just one little problem: Does the Bible really say all of that? What You Didn't Learn in Sunday School will introduce you to women in the Bible who: Were religious leaders. Disobeyed their husbands to obey Godde. Had careers. Made their own decisions. And guess what? The world did not end. Eight verses have been used to make women second-class citizens, and at times, virtual slaves to their husbands. The rest of the Bible is full of stories of strong women who led their families, their people, and their countries.

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The term «emerging church» causes confusion, conflict, and contention whenever it is used. Still, the emerging movement is spreading across America and around the world. Young adults from the millennial or mosaic generation are flocking back to church in droves, when the church speaks relevantly to them. The impact of emerging churches reaches far beyond the narrow walls of church buildings. The millennial generation is content with nothing less than a holy revolution in society. These eager young people purpose to transform the cities of America and the world through living the life of Jesus. Emerging believers are more concerned with life than with doctrine. They are committed to orthopraxy (true behavior) and not just dead orthodoxy. This propels them into situations foreign to most Christ followers. Their aim is a conquest of cities for Christ, and to that end they live out the Jesus life in every aspect of community. "Authenticity" is their watchword. They are resolved to be real in an unreal world. Members of the emerging churches keep each other honest before God, and they accept nothing less than committed Christian character. The result is a growing revival among the emerging churches.

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Have you ever wondered why there seems to be a built-in dissatisfaction attached to all human endeavor, such that no amount of wealth, pleasure, or success can free us from the nagging suspicion that there simply must be more to life than what we see around us? Whether displayed in film, art, popular music, or in the depths of our own hearts, human frustration with the status quo is inescapable.
Perhaps the reason for this is the fact that God has hardwired us for heaven and instilled within our souls a longing for eternal life that no earthly spoils can satisfy? Perhaps it is our future that defines us, rather than our past? Perhaps it is not the origin, but the destiny of the species that truly unlocks the mystery of who we really are?
It is these and many other questions that Jason Stellman explores in these pages in a way that is simple, provocative, and culturally engaging. If you've ever stopped to ponder the mystery of who we are and why we're here, this book is a must-read.

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The 13 lessons of this study guide help Christians develop an informed faith about supernatural evil and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each lesson refers the reader to significant teachings in Silencing Satan: Handbook of Biblical Demonology. In the book, the authors teach about the nature and strategies of Satan and the demons, and their defeat through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They advocate resisting the devil in his various guises–apparitions, voices, sensations, false doctrine, and immoral temptations–by reflexively turning to Jesus Christ and Scripture. The authors expose the half-truths and lies propagated by popular culture. They caution not to fill in gaps of understanding with extra-biblical sources. Does the study of Satan and the demons increase fear or give him too much attention? In fact, when presented from a biblical perspective, such knowledge can increase faith in Jesus Christ and enable Christians to effectively serve God and his church. Believers are challenged to live a radical life of faith, expressed through love and obedience to Christ. Seminarians, pastors, Bible teachers, Christian counselors, and lay leaders will find this study useful in individual and small group situations. A leaders' guide is available in the appendix.

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