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Religion has influenced the development of science over the past two millennia. The Truth about Science and Religion tells the story of their interaction. The book examines the origin of the universe, evolutionary processes, Christian beliefs, the history of science, what being human really means, and what science and religion have to say about these ideas.
The Truth about Science and Religion is designed to help explore personal views on science and religion, offering questions for discussion at the end of each chapter. The book provides the historical and scientific background and the philosophical insight needed to think through issues of science and religion and their influences on personal beliefs. Metaphors, analogies, and comparisons are used to simplify complex topics so that any reader can engage with the key concepts. Unlike other books in this field, The Truth about Science and Religion follows a chronological scheme, treating increasingly personal topics as the book moves through cosmology, evolution, the life of Jesus, and the lives of several great scientists to regain a unified view of science and religion in today's world.

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In Seeking the Imperishable Treasure, Johnson tracks the use of a single saying of Jesus over time and among theologically divergent authors and communities. He identifies six different versions of the saying in the canonical gospels and epistles (Mark, Matthew, Luke, John, James, and Colossians), as well as the Gospel of Thomas and Q. After tracing the tradition and redaction history of this wisdom admonition, he observes at least two distinctly different wisdom themes that are applied to the saying: the proper disposition of wealth and the search for knowledge, wisdom, or God. What he discovers is a saying of Jesus–with roots in Jewish wisdom and pietistic traditions, as well as popular Greek philosophy–that proved amazingly adaptable in its application to differing social and rhetorical contexts of the first century.

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Michael Bird's commentary on Colossians and Philemon in the New Covenant Commentary Series pays close attention to the socio-historical context, the flow and dynamics of the text, their argumentative strategy, theological message, and the meaning of Colossians and Philemon for the contemporary church today. Bird situates Colossians in the context of Paul's Ephesian ministry and describes how Paul attempts to persuade a congregation in the Lycus Valley to remain firm in the gospel and to grasp the cosmic majesty of Jesus Christ over and against the views of certain Jewish mystics who have thrown the Colossians into confusion. He shows how, in the letter to Philemon, Paul intercedes for a slave estranged from his master through a carefully crafted feat of pastoral persuasion from a missionary friend of Philemon. The commentary combines exegetical insight, rhetorical analysis, theological exposition, and practical application all in one short volume. Bird shows Paul at work as a theologian, pastor, and missionary in his letters to the Colossians and Philemon.

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The fastest growing age group in the United States and Canada is seniors. As seniors go through the trials and tribulations that come with their advancing years, they are seeking peace, comfort, and hope. Beyond the Horizon contains a treasure chest of devotions that focus on these areas. This positive, encouraging book contains a compilation of devotional thoughts based on actual devotions presented to a group of seniors by a senior. The devotions follow a daily format. Included are devotions for Christmas, Easter, Valentine's and other special days. Beyond the Horizon is written in a straightforward style, making use of pertinent, thought-provoking illustrations to engage the interest of the reader. The numerous Scripture references are used effectively to clarify, enhance, and extend the theme of the devotions. These inspirational devotions will strengthen you and bring an increased consciousness of God's daily presence in your life.

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While there are many commentaries written today, most have been products of Euro-American scholars who have sought to address questions and concerns of the western church. The New Covenant Commentary Series (NCCS) has provided an opportunity for scholars from the non-majority communities in Biblical Studies to engage fully with NT writings without bracketing their diverse backgrounds in the interpretive process. Consequently, in Andrew Mbuvi's interpretation of Jude and 2 Peter, the author seeks to both be faithful in the first century Greco-Roman world setting of the letters while also allowing aspects of his postcolonial, African, and liberation theology interests to inform his hermeneutics. Mbuvi reads the epistles within the context of first century Greco-Roman Associations since the communities of Jude and 2 Peter seem to share significant commonalities with these groups. The Fusing Horizons sections address aspects of concern to the Church, with inclination towards issues that have occupied the church outside of the western world (the Global South), home to the majority of Christians today. Mbuvi's useful analysis shows that Jude's and 2 Peter's message remains as relevant today as when the letters were written.

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Dear child, have you read the Holy Scriptures? Have you wanted to know the entire scriptures, not just the popular portions? Here is a book of poetry from the scriptures for you to begin your learning of the whole Word of God, every word of which is right and blessed. You have read about David and Goliath, but you also want to ponder Jahaziel, Abigail, Esau, and many others–all the events and teachings of the scriptures. With this book, as a child, you can study some of the portions of scripture that are often skipped over, in this easily accessible, easily memorized form. Then you will be encouraged into the scriptures themselves, and you will have this door into them in your memory from the pictures and the poems, so that your learning stays with you, and so that you do not forget the entire, and entirely beautiful, Word of God.

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Believing that the needs of beleaguered Christian communities in turbulent times would be best met by resourcing the life of Jesus, Mark wrote a Gospel that was at once plain and subtle, fast-paced and yet profound. The essence of being a follower of Jesus was therefore clarified, so that such communities might differentiate the essential from the trivial and be fortified in their testimony to the one, true gospel. This commentary attempts to expound the artistry of Mark in achieving all this in its original setting, by focusing on the larger picture of themes and thrusts, paragraphs and plot, but without dodging important issues of interpretation. Following in the footsteps of this groundbreaking Gospel, this commentary also attempts to bridge the horizons of the then and the now, and show how it may still be a powerful resource for being a disciple of Jesus today. Sermonic suggestions are offered where appropriate, so that harried pastors may find a quick and effective way of sharing Mark with their congregations.

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You are writing a new chapter in the story of your life. It's called the «college experience.» There is so much that will go into your chapter–new friends, new experiences, new ideas, leaving the past, planning for the future, encountering wonderful surprises, and dealing with possible failures. You may find an unexpected variety of challenges to your Christian faith. The daily devotions in this volume offer several resources to help you cope with those challenges. The biblical writers found solutions to their lives as Christian disciples. These meditations invite you to bring your college experience into conversation with their writing and with Jesus Christ. Here is help for you to write your college chapter right in the midst of God's love and support in the presence of Jesus Christ, Lord and Teacher.

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Think of the most memorable week of your life. Was it tragic? Joyous? Heartbreaking? Inspiring? A combination of emotions swirled together and splattered across your heart, soul, and mind?
Reverend James Wheeler writes and reflects on such a monumental week. In the pages of his journal, he searches for peace in the shadows of the past and struggles with his current challenges. A man of tested faith, he hopes in the unseen and wrestles with paradox. As a Moravian pastor, husband, and father, Wheeler strives to embrace his loved ones, even as his anxieties threaten to push them away. Will he glimpse wholeness and harmony? Will he come to know healing?
Earning Innocence invites readers to wrestle with such questions and view their lives through the lens of friends, family, and faith. James Wheeler's aha!-moment is our revelation: certain stories are like candlewicks–common, ordinary, and seemingly of little value. Yet the candlewick carries the light.

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What would Wesley say? United Methodists have always looked to their founder for an example or a quick quote to justify their actions. The Secret Transcript of the Council of Bishops takes the readers inside the debate over homosexuality and church unity with John Wesley as their guide. Homosexuality raises a host of related questions about the nature and mission of the church, the meaning of membership, and the role of the episcopacy. The Secret Transcript of the Council of Bishops explores what Wesley had to say that can show us a more loving way to move forward.
Written as a dialogue among a group of fictitious United Methodist bishops, The Secret Transcript of the Council of Bishops explores the real-life implications of homosexuality on church unity. Every perspective in this complex and contentious debate is examined and respected as the reader explores how God might be speaking to us through the insights of John Wesley.

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