This highly original commentary, part of the New International Commentary, is unique for the way it combines concerns with first-century culture in the Roman world with understanding the text of Luke as a wholistic, historical narrative.

    Today's world is very different from the Greek, Roman and Jewish world of Jesus and the New Testament writers. Scholars devote their lives to the study of languages, archaeology and history in order to better understand the Bible and its cultures. But often the results of their studies are found only in academic libraries. For the first time, Craig Keener's Bible Background Commentary: New Testament provides the fruit of scholarly labors in a single volume arranged in convenient verse-by-verse format, covering the entire New Testament. Based on ten years of in-depth study, the Bible Background Commentary will be valuable for pastors in sermon preparation, for Sunday-school and other church teachers as they build lessons, for missionaries concerned not to import their own cultural biases into the Bible, for college and seminary students in classroom assignments, and for everyday Bible readers seeking to deepen and enhance their study of Scripture.

    Massive and scholarly, but written for scientific and theological lay persons, this book combines the findings of many disciplines.

    To those familiar with the work of Bruce K. Waltke, the significance and value of Genesis will be instantly apparent. Others who are unfamiliar with Waltke have only to read the first few chapters to understand why he has earned the reputation of a scholar’s scholar, and why this masterful volume stands like a monolith among Old Testament commentaries.Exploring the first book of the Bible as "theological literature," Waltke illuminates its meanings and methods for the pastor, scholar, teacher, student, and Bible-lover. Genesis strikes an unusual balance by emphasizing the theology of the Scripture text while also paying particular attention to the flow and development of the plot and literary techniques--inclusion, irony, chiasm, and concentric patterning--that shape the message of the "book of beginnings".GenesisModels the way to read and interpret the narratives of the book of GenesisProvides helpful exegetical notes that address key issues and debates surrounding the textIncludes theological reflections on how the message addresses our contemporary theological and social issues, such as ecology, homosexuality, temperance, evil, prayer, and obedienceAddresses critical interpretive issues, such as authenticity, date, and authorshipFor all the author’s formidable intellect and meticulous research, Genesis is amazingly accessible. This is no mere study tool. Lucidly and eloquently written, it is a work of the heart that helps us not only to understand deeply God’s Word in its context, but also to consider how it applies to us today.

    The words, the miracles, and overarching message of the Messiah come alive in flowing and detailed chronology, set against the cultural, political, and religious setting of his day. You'll gain new understanding of why Jesus came, how he operated, and what he accomplished. Above all, you'll acquire a deeper appreciation for the love that guided his path, beginning in a manger in Bethlehem, leading through three and a half years of ministry that ended abruptly at the cross on Golgotha, and blazing forth in eternal triumph at the resurrection. Drawing liberally on the works of others who have written about Christ, such as Alfred Edersheim, J. W. Shepherd, W. Graham Scroggie, and Frederick Faraar, Dr. Pentecost reveals in his own writing a familiarity with the subject that comes from years of teaching. Yet he writes, not as one who knows all there is to know about Christ, but with the restraint of one who knows that Jesus is to be worshiped and adored as the great King, and that no book can do more than begin to tell all the wonders of his being and his love.

    The Bible is a story, not a lexicon of systematic theological definitions. With this in mind, The Through New Eyes Bible Commentary Series builds on the foundational Biblical-theology work of James B. Jordan and other like-minded scholars in bringing you a set of commentaries that will help you read, teach and preach through the Bible while picking up on the rich symphonic themes and the literary symbolism of the Scriptures. Because they are written for thoughtful Christians without being overly academic, these commentaries will serve as valuable resources for family worship, Sunday school or Bible studies.

    But with so many books on the apostle, where do you start?Paul the Apostle is the ideal choice if you want a solid understanding of Paul’s life, ministry, and writings without getting weighed down with minutia. Author Robert E. Picirilli, who taught college courses on Paul for over twenty-five years, found that most books on the apostle were either too technical or too basic, so he wrote a book that strikes a happy medium. It offers:A profile of Paul in his historical and cultural contextOutlines and explanations of his missionary journeysIntroductions and brief analyses of each of his epistlesUseful for individual study or as a textbook (as it is in many universities today), Paul the Apostle is a great one-stop study of the man who wrote half the New Testament, spread the gospel to the heart of the known world, and gave his life for the Kingdom.

    Christians often go through the motions of prayer because it is expected of them, but they are often left wondering, Did God hear me? Does he even care?In his book Praying the Lord's Prayer, an excerpt from Growing in Christ, J. I. Packer presents a powerful truth: prayer is a natural activity between the Heavenly Father and his children. As Packer works through each phrase of Christ's pattern of prayer, readers will begin to grasp the basic principles and guidelines of prayer. As readers apply the truths of this book to their prayer lives, they will experience intimate communication with God and will strengthen their own conversations with their Father in heaven.

    Do you know the Most Amazing Passage in the entire Bible?In this study of Daniel's 70 Weeks, you will discover this amazing prophecy in the Old Testament predicted the very day that Jesus presented Himself as the Meschiach Nagid, the Messiah the King, to Jerusalem.The Seventy Week Prophecy of Daniel 9 includes the most incredible validation of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, which He held them accountable to have known.In a confidential briefing to His disciples, Jesus also highlights this passage as the key to understanding all other prophecies concerning His return.It is essential to understanding the Book of Revelation and other related passage

    Lisa Harper's first video Bible study with LifeWay focuses on God's mercy. On our worst day, God doesn't walk away from us. And His love for us is not determined by our performance. No matter how many times we mess up, God loves (and never leaves) broken people. "I the LORD do not change" Malachi 3:6 Women taking this Bible study will gain a fresh perspective on the Book of Malachi. It is more than a book in the Bible about tithing. Lisa brings the Scripture to life through dynamic storytelling.

    Ched Myers has produced a commentary that is potentially as revolutionary as the very gospel account it portrays." — Sojorners"Myers has produced a commanding and coherent political commentary on the Gospel of Mark, distinguished in its grasp of biblical and social scientific scholarship and amazing lucid in its style and argument... A cogent and venturesome biblical embodiment of liberation theology." — Norman K. Gottwald"Twenty years later Binding the Strong Man still has the ability to push its readers into a fresh new perspective on what it means to be in discipleship with the Human One who seeks to realize the Reign of God in our social, historical, spiritual, and political landscape." — Brian Blount, President, Union Theological Seminary"This book is a primary source used the Holy Spirit Among Us for the building of the Beloved Community of God on earth as it is heaven." — Ed Loring, The Open Door CommunitySince its publication in 1998, Binding the Strong Man has been widely recognized as a landmark in contemporary biblical criticism. Applying a multidisciplinary approach called "socio-literary method," Myers integrates literary criticism, socio-historical exegesis, and political hermeneutics in his investigation of Mark as a "manifesto of radical discipleship."

    Gifted Bible preacher and inspiring teacher Jon Courson effortlessly combines both in this easy-to-read, verse-based devotional commentary on the New Testament.Pastor Jon's years of immersion in God's Word, as he regularly preached from the Bible, produced faithful, valuable teaching that is both a scholarly work and an encouragement for living the Christian life. His application commentaries combine the following elements in a unique blend of pertinent information and needed inspiration:Deep love for God's wordColorful cultural insightsInsightful historical informationApplicable topical studiesVivid illustrations and storiesHumorous, practical, and inspiring life lessonsJon Courson's devotional commentaries offer thorough and comprehensive teaching along with practical, in-depth topical studies in a very readable and comfortable expositional style.

     John Wesley's explanatory notes on the Old Testament were written several years after his notes on the New Testament, and are based on the earlier works of Matthew Henry's 'Exposition of the Old and New Testaments', and Matthew Poole's 'English Annotations on the Holy Bible'. Extracts from both of these works are paraphrased and abridged by Wesley for the Explanatory Notes on the Old Testament, unlike the Explanatory Notes on the New Testament, which were entirely of his own composition. The Notes Upon The New Testament is considered to be one of John Wesley's principal works, and its readability, influence and popularity has remained since the time of its publication until today. First printed in 1755 by William Bowyer, John Wesley's Notes Upon The New Testament were entirely his own work, written during a period of illness which forced him to abandon his usual routine of travel and preaching. He would write from 5 am - 9 pm every day, unless he was riding, eating, or taking his personal devotion time (5 - 6 pm each evening). Charles Wesley assisted in some ways, including his translations of the gospels and in other unspecified ways. Wesley cites his influences for the New Testament Notes as the Gnomon Novi Testamenti of Bengel, the Paraphrase of Dr Guyse, the Theological Lectures of Dr Heylin and the Family Expositor of Dr Doddridge. The fourth and fifth editions of the Notes contained corrections by John & Charles Wesley and others. This edition features active table of contents and sub-menus optimized for e-readers, for ease of navigation to the specific book and chapter required. This is a very large book, please be patient when downloading.

    Prepared by some of the world's leading scholars, the series provides an exposition of the New Testament books that is thorough and fully abreast of modern scholarship yet faithful to the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God.

    There is no dust cover. Only a couple of wrinkles in the binder (near top in picture above title of book) and a little discoloration of page edges at bottom corner where it sat on my shelf.