LITMIR.BIZ

The close relationship between the Old Testament and archaeology goes without saying. However, the methodological nuances involved are often either underappreciated or ignored. Using William Dever's idea of convergence, this work attempts to flesh out details on how archaeology and Old Testament studies merge. It examines some of the most important archaeological finds to date and determines that, whether through a broad or narrow convergence, the history of research has shown that these two separate disciplines exhibit a tendency to inform one another. In the case of Old Testament studies, these convergences may even be paradigm-shifting. In every case, the convergences are historically and culturally informative, and therefore illuminate the depth of the biblical text.

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When is the last time you heard a sermon, Bible study, or even read the Letter to Philemon? For some the answer is «recently» but for too many the answer is «it has been a long time» or worse yet «never.» Why is it that Philemon, though included in the Christian canon, is not read and studied as a text with theological depth that is helpful for serious study and preaching? In A Companion to Philemon, Lewis Brogdon insists that a part of the reason is the interpretation that Paul is sending a thieving runaway slave back to his good master. This interpretation is not only problematic, it is also theologically limiting and offers the church very little to reflect on as we face mammoth issues of inclusion and fellowship such as racism, sexism, and classism. A Companion to Philemon challenges the church to reimagine the interpretation of Philemon by focusing on the role exclusion had in the events that led to his departure from Philemon. Using the issue of exclusion, Brogdon takes the interpretation of Philemon in new directions that not only invite the church to read Philemon but also challenge us to examine both our understanding and practice of Christian fellowship today.

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Preaching is a challenging, privileged, and awesome responsibility. As important as mining the text for its meaning and message and making connections to our twenty-first-century world is the responsibility to engage the imaginations of the people in the pews (or chairs). In this book, Ray Friesen–life-long preacher and retired pastor–has provided twenty examples of how to be creative and engage those imaginations. Most were written under the pressures of bi-vocational ministry (preaching forty times a year as half-time pastor and operating a mediation practice). They are offered to you, not as sermons for you to preach, but as examples of what is possible, even with all the other responsibilities you may have. Each sermon and type of creativity will create an opportunity to set your imagination and creativity free to engage the imaginations, hearts, and dreams of your parishioners.

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Mother Teresa said, «to have courage for whatever comes in life–everything lies in that.» When people think about courage, they often think about those who put their lives on the line for us every day, like first responders, firefighters, or police officers. But there are so many others who quietly endure, with steadfast courage, whatever comes their way in life. These people are like the anawhim in the Old Testament–the good, kind people whom very few know about, but who trust in the Lord. He is their strength. It is because of their faith in him that they live their lives with courage to face whatever comes their way. In over thirty years as a psychotherapist and spiritual director, Wilcox has often been amazed at the strength and courage of so many of his clients. Some have faced physical disabilities; others struggle with mental, emotional, or psychological problems; still others with personal, family or career issues. These people are what he calls «the hidden faces of courage.» Often, they are not well-known. They certainly receive no notoriety or press. Yet, they are always there, doing the best they can each day. This book is an invitation to understand and appreciate the unnoticed courage and strength of ordinary people. If we can «walk in their shoes,» it will help us to be courageous for whatever comes to us in life.

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In Revelation 21-22, John offered a resplendent portrayal of a new Jerusalem without a temple, in which he seemed to reference the final chapters of Ezekiel. The puzzling issue for interpreters is why John chose to utilize Ezekiel's temple vision if he wanted to dispense with the temple. Andrea Robinson delves into the complex relationship between these two visions of heaven and earth, examining parallels between Revelation 21-22 and Ezekiel 40-48. In the process, Robinson also explores a variety of apocalyptic works from the Second Temple period to determine the tenor of thought in regard to the concepts of the temple and the messiah in John's day. Ultimately, she helps readers understand how John utilizes Ezekiel's imagery to portray Jesus Christ as the eschatological temple–the place where heaven and earth unite. By uncovering how original hearers would have understood John's visions, Robinson's insightful study helps modern readers appropriate the same hope of a glorious future with the Messiah.

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How can we find our way through the complexities of life in the twenty-first century? Many Christians are familiar with the pointed directives of the Ten Commandments, and many will regularly read Proverbs for bite-sized pieces of God's wisdom. When we study Proverbs within the framework of the Ten Commandments, we hear both parts of God's Word speaking in ways that are refreshingly practical and eminently memorable. Wise shows how these ancient words relate to such diverse areas of life as worship and prayer, our words and money, marriage and sexuality, and our fears, loves, and desires. This book will instruct and encourage with the wisdom that comes from fearing God.

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The summons to live a radical life for God has led us away from doing the very basic things he has commanded. Instead of changing the world, our Lord Jesus calls us to change the way we approach relationships. Specifically, he challenges us to pursue reconciliation. Unreconciled: The New Norm invites Christians, especially those who are busy seeking to do great things for a great God, to remember the command «to go and be reconciled» and to renew their commitment to live in obedience to the things God has revealed. Perhaps by pursuing the seemingly ordinary, we will see God do extraordinary things in our pursuit to create cultures of reconciliation.

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This work is the first to address the living conditions of the mentally ill from the standpoint of social justice. It is the first for religion to partner with the psychiatric field from a spiritual vantage point to improve the lives of those afflicted with medical, social, and spiritual maladies. It is written by someone who has lived with the challenges of a marginalized human being, someone who has insights that no one in the mainstream has experienced. Professionals often write from the viewpoint of someone observing their patients from the outside. Instead, Ms. Murphy tells what it feels like from the inside–to be afflicted with emotional, physical, and social challenges that hinder development and success. This project offers solutions on many levels, unique by virtue of who and what the author is: someone that has been in the darkest depths of severe distress and who found that Christ is the only hope for the mentally afflicted; and the church as Christ's body, though imperfect, has a vital role in healing and restoration.

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The extraordinary will come through the regular practice of the ordinary. This holds true for so many things in life–including the work of gospel-ministry. The world will know the risen and exalted Lord when his people commit anew to the seemingly ordinary work of making peace. This devotional is an extended reflection on Paul's Letter to Philemon. Readers will be both moved and instructed in their call to serve as God's peacemakers. There is perhaps no greater need today among those who profess Christ as Lord and Savior than a renewed commitment to facilitate reconciliation in our divided world.

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Not so long ago it was taken for granted that God exists. Today, there is a blindness to him even though he makes his presence known to all. The book begins by showing how better to recognize his presence and understand how he reveals himself to us. The next three chapters discuss how we move from an awareness of his presence to beginning to know him, and through a knowledge of him, begin to know what his purpose is for us and how our lives are shaped by that knowledge. Having seen how he reveals himself to us and how we know the world and see the world through different eyes, we then look at how to apply our new view in the face of a society that remains blind to this knowledge. Chapters 5-7 explore truth first from the standpoint of its existence, then in how to recognize its counterfeits, and finally to understand the consequences of its loss. Chapters 8-10 look at how and why being able to see God's hand in all aspects of life, and to center life on him by faith in his son Jesus Christ, completely changes life for the better. Non-Christians often hear this claim made by evangelists. If they ask why, too often the answer is in «Christian-speak» that is foreign to them. The intent is to bridge from the place where they are and explain how Christians have found peace in times of suffering, even joy in the most horrific circumstances, enabling them to give thanks in all things. In a sense, the book finishes where it started, by looking at who we truly are, what kind of world this is, and how God has made all into his glorious plan.

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