Best of
Scripture

2009

The Book of Mormon: The Earliest Text


Royal Skousen - 2009
    . . this Yale edition aims to take us back to the text Smith envisioned as he translated, according to the faithful, from golden plates that he unearthed in upstate New York."—Stephen Prothero, Wall Street Journal “Will forever change the way Latter-day Saints approach modern scripture. Two hundred years from now… students of the Book of Mormon will still be poring over Skousen’s work. What he has accomplished is nothing short of phenomenal.”—Grant Hardy,  Journal of Book of Mormon Studies First published in 1830, the Book of Mormon is the authoritative scripture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its estimated 13 million members. Over the past twenty-one years, editor Royal Skousen has pored over Joseph Smith's original manuscripts and identified more than 2,000 textual errors in the 1830 edition. Although most of these discrepancies stem from inadvertent errors in copying and typesetting the text, the Yale edition contains about 600 corrections that have never appeared in any standard edition of the Book of Mormon, and about 250 of them affect the text's meaning. Skousen's corrected text is a work of remarkable dedication and will be a landmark in American religious scholarship.Completely redesigned and typeset by nationally award-winning typographer Jonathan Saltzman, this new edition has been reformatted in sense-lines, making the text much more logical and pleasurable to read. Featuring a lucid introduction by historian Grant Hardy, the Yale edition serves not only as the most accurate version of the Book of Mormon ever published but also as an illuminating entryway into a vital religious tradition.

Wesley Study Bible-NRSV


Joel B. Green - 2009
    Serve God with active hands.As God transforms readers through study, they will be inspired to transform the world. Contributors from across the Wesleyan family join together to help one experience God in fresh ways. The Wesley Study Bible offers easy-to-understand explanations of core terms that cover eternal life, forgiveness, grace, heaven, holiness, justice, and mission. The Bible has extended references to works by John Wesley.

The Scriptures


Institute for Scripture Research - 2009
    This translation differs significantly from most common English translations in that it has restored the original book order of the Hebrew Scriptures, the Tanakh, and restored the Name of the Most High, (יהוה) throughout.

Manuscript Revelations Books


Dean C. Jessee - 2009
    Revelations and Translations, Volume 1, features two manuscript books into which scores of Joseph Smith's revelations, dated from 1828 to 1834, were copied by early Church scribes. The revelations copied into these two books became the primary basis for the canonized books of Joseph Smith's revelations: the Book of Commandments, published in 1833, and the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants (1835). These revelation books are some of the earliest documents relating to the Restoration and the work of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and they rank among the most important documents in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints. In this oversized, full- color volume, the handwritten revelations will be reproduced on the left- hand pages, with the corresponding transcriptions (including annotations) on the right- hand pages. Many who have viewed the texts said they felt they were experiencing a rare "spiritual artifact." This landmark work will provide easy access to accurate and complete texts of these foundational documents.

The Pearl of Great Price Made Easier (The Gospel Studies Series)


David J. Ridges - 2009
    This incredibly useful guide to better understanding the Pearl of Great Price is a helpful, user-friendly tool for your scripture study. The full text of the Pearl of Great Price is included, with brief notes of explanation between and within the verses to aid your comprehension of the scriptures. Brought to you by best-selling author David J. Ridges, Your Study of the Pearl of Great Price Made Easier is an essential part of our popular Gospel Studies Series. With this convenient, informative guide, you will be better able to grasp the meaning of the Lord’s words as you feast upon them.

Ephesians


Peter S. Williamson - 2009
    This volume, like each in the series, relates Scripture to life, is faithfully Catholic, and is supplemented by features designed to help readers understand the Bible more deeply and use it more effectively in teaching, preaching, evangelization, and other forms of ministry.

Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: The First, Second, and Third Letters of St. John, and the Revelation to John


Scott Hahn - 2009
    John and the Book of Revelation (or Apocalypse). The three Johannine letters are explored first, with ample notes and reflections representing the best of contemporary and traditional scholarship and commentary. The largest portion of this volume is devoted to the Revelation to John, also called the Book of Revelation and the Apocalypse (from the Greek, meaning "unveiling"). Written in highly symbolic style, the Revelation to John is perhaps the most difficult book of the Bible to understand. Scholars have long debated whether the book is concerned mainly with a symbolic depiction of the struggle of good against evil or whether it applies to specific events in history—its own time, the general course of Church history, or the end of the world. The annotations and commentary on this volume draw on the best elements from each approach, while emphasizing the biblical author's immediate intention: to recount the heavenly vision he received as it applied to his own time. Modern scholarship, as well as insights from the Church Fathers and other classic commentators, help the reader make sense of what many people regard as a confusing book. The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible includes Topical Essays, Word Studies and Charts. Each page features an easy-to- use Cross-Reference Section. Study Questions are provided for each biblical book, which can be used for personal or group study of the Word of God. Each biblical book includes an introductory essay covering questions of authorship, date, destination, structure and themes. Also included are outlines of each book. The text of theIgnatius Catholic Study Bible is the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition.

The Joy of Knowing Christ: Meditations on the Gospels


Benedict XVI - 2009
    And the Holy Father is the bearer of good news in these fifty-five reflections on passages from the gospels. A strong advocate of lectio divina, the prayerful reading of Scripture, Pope Benedict has said this practice has the potential to bring about a "new spiritual springtime" in the Church. In this collection, taken from homilies and addresses since becoming pope, the Holy Father shows us by example how much nourishment and inspiration we can derive from meditating on Scripture as he opens our hearts and minds to God's love and its power to renew our world.

'Abdul-Bahá in London: Addresses and Notes of Conversations


Abdu'l-Bahá - 2009
    

Covenant and Communion: The Biblical Theology of Pope Benedict XVI


Scott Hahn - 2009
    There is an intensely biblical quality to his pastoral teaching and he has demonstrated a keen concern for the authentic interpretation of sacred Scripture.Here a foremost interpreter of Catholic thought and life offers a probing look at Benedict's biblical theology and provides a clear and concise introduction to his life and work. Bestselling author and theologian Scott Hahn argues that the heart of Benedict's theology is salvation history and the Bible and shows how Benedict accepts historical criticism but recognizes its limits. The author also explains how Benedict reads the overall narrative of Scripture and how he puts it to work in theology, liturgy, and Christian discipleship.

Jehovah and the World of the Old Testament: An Illustrated Reference for Latter-Day Saints


Richard Neitzel Holzapfel - 2009
    Richly illustrated with hundreds of images, including original artwork, artifacts, maps, and timelines, the book presents an indepth look at life in the ancient world and provides much- needed context to the biblical text. Discover the origins of the books of the Old Testament and learn how these teachings have been shared and preserved. Explore the role of prophets, prophecy, and politics, and examine scriptural issues that have been debated by scholars throughout the ages. More than 400 topics provide valuable insights into Old Testament times, from portraits of key personalities to controversial legends that have persisted to our day. This unique resource will enrich your study of the Old Testament as never before!

Judaism of the Second Temple Period: Sages and Literature, vol. 2


David Flusser - 2009
    This English edition makes more of Flusser’s insightful work available to a wider audience than ever before.

The Restored New Testament: A New Translation with Commentary, Including the Gnostic Gospels Thomas, Mary, and Judas


Willis Barnstone - 2009
    Barnstone preserves the original song of the Bible, rendering a large part in poetry and the epic Revelation in incantatory blank verse. This monumental translation is the first to restore the original Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew names (Markos for Mark, Yeshua for Jesus), thereby revealing the Greco-Jewish identity of biblical people and places. Citing historical and biblical scholarship, he changes the sequence of texts and adds three seminal Gnostic gospels. Each book has elegant introductions and is thoroughly annotated. With its superlative writing and lyrical wisdom, The Restored New Testament is a magnificent biblical translation for our age.

Sacred Space: The Prayer Book 2010


Ave Maria Press - 2009
    The ideal year-long prayer book for thoughtful Christians with busy lives, these daily scripture readings and meditations offer a refreshing introduction to Jesuit spirituality.

1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther


John H. Walton - 2009
    The cultural issues seem insurmountable and we are easily baffled by that which seems obscure. Furthermore, without knowledge of the ancient culture we can easily impose our own culture on the text, potentially distorting it. This series invites you to enter the Old Testament with a company of guides, experts that will give new insights into these cherished writings.Features include• Over 2000 photographs, drawings, maps, diagrams and charts provide a visual feast that breathes fresh life into the text.• Passage-by-passage commentary presents archaeological findings, historical explanations, geographic insights, notes on manners and customs, and more.• Analysis into the literature of the ancient Near East will open your eyes to new depths of understanding both familiar and unfamiliar passages. • Written by an international team of 30 specialists, all top scholars in background studies.

Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel


John H. Walton - 2009
    The cultural issues seem insurmountable and we are easily baffled by that which seems obscure. Furthermore, without knowledge of the ancient culture we can easily impose our own culture on the text, potentially distorting it. This series invites you to enter the Old Testament with a company of guides, experts that will give new insights into these cherished writings.Features include• Over 2000 photographs, drawings, maps, diagrams and charts provide a visual feast that breathes fresh life into the text.• Passage-by-passage commentary presents archaeological findings, historical explanations, geographic insights, notes on manners and customs, and more.• Analysis into the literature of the ancient Near East will open your eyes to new depths of understanding both familiar and unfamiliar passages. • Written by an international team of 30 specialists, all top scholars in background studies.