Bibles Bible Studies Books

This is a very thorough book of the biblical holy days if you have never been introduced to them. I gave it only four stars because not all the holidays in the book are commanded to be observed by God. Two that are included are strictly Jewish in origin, and would not neccessarily apply to the children of Israel (God's chosen people), are Purim and Hanukkah. Purim is mentioned in the bible but not by God, just by the writer of one of the Old Testament books telling something that the people of that time did as ordered by their King and Queen, not by God. And Hanukkah didn't come about until many years after Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascention, being a man made holiday as well. While it's not bad to celebrate these if you're not Jewish, it would be like someone in another country celebrating America's Independence Day just because their ancestors were from the USA. The author did a good job explaining that the Holy Days are symbolic of God's plan for His followers and that anyone professing to be so should be honoring them the way He intended. I pray that the Spirit of God will be with any family embarking on these holy convocations that many today do not have the courage to celebrate.

After learning the origins of secular Holidays, I am so ashamed of participating in this.When I was younger I remember making Easter baskets in Sunday school, I look back and wonder what was the church thinking after learning the truth. I have prayed and repented because I took everything granite as being truth. I should have known better. However we no longer celebrate these pagan holidays in our home. I one day told my children, "Sorry Kids were going back to our roots" I tossed our artificial tree in the dumpster along with the easter baskets, and anything pagan.

Of coarse my daughter a year later was really sad we didn't have a tree and I asked her what was more important," serving Nimrod or honoring God'?

Today my children love the true festivals especially the 8 days of Hanukkah gifts.

The Christian Church needs to wake up and realize this great error by allowing Paganism to come into The Lord's house.
This book is awesome and will guide you to the truth. If you buy it, please send a copy to your pastor and tell him it's time for the sleepy church to awake.

For know we joined a Messianic Church so we can go back to the truth.
I recommend this book highly!

Family Guide to Biblical Holidays is exactly what it's title claims to be...a family guide. I wish it had been available when my children were young, but with grandchildren arriving I may still have a chance. I wish there was a more adult version of this book, but there are other books on the same subject available and now that I have started with this one, they will be easier for me to comprehend. This year was a perfect example of why it is important for christians to understand Judaism and the roots of Christianity. Millions of Americans celebrated Easter (sounds like Ishtar, and not a bit like resurrection) and unknowingly
observed the crucifixion and resurrection on a pagan festival holiday for a fertility goddess named Ishtar. Ignorance is one thing, but once a person is armed with the knowledge of Truth, the difference between the teachings of men and the Will of God, they have an obligation to proclaim and declare the Truth. I will celebrate the crucifixion and resurrection at the time of Passover, as it was intended to be as ordained by God, not the emporer Constantine as Easter, (first sunday after the first full moon after the spring equionox). The Family Guide to Biblical Holidays answers many questions, and it proves you are never to old to learn.

Wow, just one word describes this book. It truly excited me to receive this wonderful scripturally based book on the Biblical Holidays.

The authors go in depth on each of G-d's Holy Feasts from the Sabbath to Passover to Yom Kippur. They provide an practical explanation on how these biblical feasts relate to the Christian life and how to enjoy and celebrate with one and all.

There are activities for the kids and recipes for those who like to eat. I am in the latter category.

This book really opens up the Appointed Times and show us all, in the simpliest of terms, what we are missing by not celebrating.

Trust me, buy this book, explore your Jewish roots, you will not regret it.

This is one of THE best books out there on the subject of Biblical Holidays! The authors really did their homework and have put together a fantastic family friendly book with history/background of all the Biblical holidays and how they can be celebrated today. The info includes recipes, puzzle games, crafts and homeschool ideas, as well. You won't be disappointed witht his one if you are at all interested in learning and incorporating GOD's holidays for HIS people, into your life.

Like many Christians, I've struggled with the place of various commands--particularly of the Pentatuch--and I've assumed most were given to govern the wilderness wandering and conquest of Canaan...which may be partially true, but Webb has opened up another possibility, that God was working in the existing culture towards an ideal; that He didn't give the ideal immediately but gradually was helping us to attain it. But not in every instance. The quiz at the beginning helps set the stage for considering the place of various commands in today's world, and forces us to come to some kind of conculsion as to what to make of it all. I found particularly convincing Webb's explanation of primogeniture, something Scripture seems to teach yet no one in today's world (to my knowledge) practices anymore. One can see how slavery was debated among Christians in England and America in days past. So how do we pick & choose among the commands? Which ones still apply today, and which ones were temporary? Jesus clearly made this progressive movement with His "you have heard" statements, and Paul hints at changes as well. I better understand the dangers of "static" interpretation. SW&H made me think and gave me a better understanding of how revelation is both progressive and redemptive. Any serious student of Scripture should benefit greatly from it.

I thought this was a very helpful book. William Webb advocates a redemptive hermeneutic, where you interpret the Bible on not only what it says, but where the general movement of the topic is heading. For example, the Old Testament and the New Testament assume the existence and practice of slavery. But Paul talks to the slave about securing his freedom if he can do so (1 Corinthians 7), and he goes on to say in Galatians 3:28 that in Christ, there is no slave or free. Therefore, the movement in the NT is toward the eventual liberation of slaves. Moreover, the pronouncement on the slave trader in 1 Timothy 1 also provides evidence of a move in this direction.

We see the same thing with regard to the role of women.

But unfortunately, we do not see the same movement for homosexuals. Webb goes on to report that with the exception of Sabbath observance, all sins that lead to the death penalty in the Old Testament are still sins in the New Testament.

Webb also mentions "breakout passages" as a sign of movement toward a higher moral oer ethical standard. For example, even though women appear to have had limited roles in the cultures of the Bible, the Binle itself mentions passages where fearless women leaders are highlighted (Huldah, Deborah, Priscilla, Phoebe, Mary, Junias, and others). These breakout passages lend credence to the idea that the role restrictions for women in both scripture and society reflect time bound values rather than timeless values. That is, they reflect the culture rather than the Christ.

The book begins with a checklist of biblical commands where the student can decide which commands are timebound and which are timeless. The book ends with what scholars of the past have said about some of these things. What is in between will enlighten casual students and challenge those who tenaciously hold to either patriarchal or egalitarian views. Highly recommended.

The most logical, systematic, and thorough analysis of some very difficult to understand issues and passages in the Bible. I was so impressed with the book that I purchased 6 extra copies to give to friends. It challenges you to think through issues and not take any position for granted. Since he is never confrontational like many authors of controversial issues, it makes him even more convincing.

I haven't finished this book, but I already really respect what the author has said about the title subjects. That is not the biggest reason I recomend this book though. The mentioned subjects are more of a means to explain a broader more useful topic: a redemptive hermeneutic. He gives the reader a framework to understand, dig into, and really get at the heart of many situations besides those mentioned in the book.

Webb takes a unique approach to this the issue of women in church leadership. Looking at the Scripture as a whole, he takes the approach of a "redemptive hermeneutic," looking at the development of an issue (ie, slavery) throughout biblical teaching. Everyone accepts some form of progressive revelation, for instance recognizing the New Testament as interpreting the Old. The value of this that I appreciated, was that Webb does not deny the meaning of Pauline texts that limit women's roles. He places them in a larger biblical context and shows the seeds in Scripture to move beyond limited roles in light of other texts. While striving to remain faithful to the Scriptures absolute authority, he shows how implications of the radical way the Old Testament and New treated women and draws out the direction for our further opening roles for them today. If you are tired of approaches that take the passages on women out of context to support greater egalitarianism, you may find Webbs analysis more convincing and true to Scripture. I know I did.

The way to tackle this book is first not to expect an easy read in the way of a 'companion read to Paul's Epistle to the Romans'. This is stuff for theologians. I have to admit that it was way above me. All I could rescue from its doomed oblivion were some quotations here and there. I think the first and second above reviewers give a good account of it: this is a break-up with liberal evangelicalism; it's no "make-you-feel-good" religion. I suppose it meant a lot by the time it was published; today we might take it for granted.

He points out, as Luther did, the "kernel" of the whole Epistle: "For there is no distinction: for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God" (3:23)

On sin: "Precisely when we recognize that we are sinners do we perceive that we are brothers."

Works vs Faith: "So long as we are swayed by any other motive except faith, we do not stand before God."

This is the book that brought an end to 19th century liberal theology's attempt to produce a neat synthesis of Christianity and culture, a psychological Christianity or an anthropologized Christianity. The project was a failure, and Barth tells us why and what should replace it -- a religionless Christianity? Not really a Biblical commentary. If you're looking for an exposition of the text, this isn't what you want. It's more like a manifesto, using Paul's epistle to the Romans as a place to begin the attack on cultural, non-prophetic Christianity. Written in a dialectical, highly expressive style. If you like Kierkegaard and Nietzsche, this is your kind of theologizing -- with a hammer. It can be exhausting, and you will either love it or hate it. Barth later changed his style and tone, but not his message.

Barth gives an intense view of Paul's Epistles to the Romans. Some background is needed to read and understand such as reading the Epistles and comparing your own thoughts on it. It is well written, and a good basis for reading further.

That's how Barth's Epistle to the Romans has been described.

Denominationalism was a hallmark of mid-20th century theology ... high on morality, fuzzy on the Way.

I tried this book after seeing it referred to in other texts where it was described as initiating a fundamental shift from moral sermonizing to Biblical based teachings.

The first chapter of Barth's Epistle to the Romans will reveal the `back to basics' rationale for Church. Barth simply dissects Romans. Rome was a desperate church that Paul kept alive, under extreme persecution through `back to basics' teaching. Barth takes modern readers back to the fundamentals that Paul uses to strengthen the Romans.

Barth's Romans revisit was apparently highly controversial when written. Barth's strong commentary of Paul's letter jumps from the pages. Barth's interpretations leave little wiggle room to debate anything but the straight up interpretation of Paul's letter.

Disenchanted with the gluttony of Evangelicalism and angry at its souless theology which I had studied for four years, I happened upon Barth's manifesto and was reborn. The reason I didn't read it in seminary was because the gaping holes in Evangelical theology today roughly equivocate to the same holes prevalent in 19th Century Liberalism: subjectivistic interpretation of Scripture, self-centered worship, and cultural syncretism.

If you want strong theology written in prose that can only be compared to listening to Master of Puppets, I heartily suggest this book. If you prefer Celine Dion, you might want to try someone else...maybe Max Lucado.

"The Gospel is not a religious message to inform mankind of their divinity or to tell them how they may become divine. The Gospel proclaims a God utterly distinct from men." KB, Epistle to the Romans, p. 28.

This is a book that I plan to use every year with my family. It really helps you create the spiritual mood of the Season without the crazy commercialization that takes place during this time of the year. Helps you to remember what Christmas is about.

Realy a good friend for those very important seasons of the year

This is a wonderful little devotion book for Advent. I have become a huge Henri Nouwen fan.....he always shares his journey and is transparent...I especially enjoy the Advent Action given with each devotion.....the daily devotions give just enough without being overwhelming, allowing me to reflect on it all day. Redemptorist Publishing always offer heart warming devotionals.

I have enjoyed every one of Joan Chittister's books that I have read. However this one truly spoke to my heart. I have only recently realized how important community is in my spiritual life. This books explains what I could never put into words myself regarding the special friendships of women. I have given it as gifts to five of my very special friends.

I gave a copy of this book to everyone in a group of women friends I have when we all went away for a weekend. We had fun reading about the friendship of the women of the Bible and why they are important in todays context, however we all wish that each story was much longer, more indepth and more detailed. Nice read for a weekend.

You may know about the women in the Bible that are written about, but the author brings you up to date with your own personal life...also a good discussion for small groups or a friend...another Chittister winner.

This small book is packed with information about the women in the Bible and how each personifies as aspect of friendship. There is a chapter on Ruth, a chapter on Anne, and some women that have received very little attention. There are interesting thoughts about each of them and how they represent different aspects of friendship. I am enjoying it so much that I only allow myself a chapter at a time to read and ponder. I think this will be the book I give to women friends this year. This is a keeper.

In a day and age where individualism and self-sufficiency is prided as characteristics of success and power, a voice that reminds us of the true role and import of friendship needs to be heard - and Joan Chittister offers one such voice. Using women biblical figures as a springboard and chapter mastheads, Chittister develops a short reflection on what the true meaning of friendship is and how is should be cultivated today.

From a refreshingly feminine perspective, Chittister approaches the topic of true friendship from the projected experience of the women for whom each chapter is named. While in no way a scholarly or academic work (most observed in the lack of authoritative scripture references, scholarly endnotes/footnotes or exegetical analysis of implicit scriptural references - although she does list the biblical passages at the end of the book where each woman could be found mentioned in scripture), this book is a wonderful meditative tool for one's own reflection on friendship.

In the spirit of full-disclosure, I should note that I am a male in religious life (in contrast to the author, a female in religious life, and the audience which appears to be primarily women). This perhaps limits my ability to fully appreciate the impact this work has on a female reader. I can attest to the fact that two very close women friends have read and recommended this book to me and they have found great solace and inspiration from it. I enjoyed it very much and it has allowed me to reflect on both friendship and women in the Bible in new ways.

I really liked this bible study, I do them on my own and enjoy the quiet time studying. Thought provoking questions, that can make you think before you act, shouldn't the bible do that anyways? To give you an example to pursue peace in our lives, we need to make decisions in our lives that will bring about peace in the future. Another chapter when we take on less its then easy to take on more and get overwhelmed again, we need to pray first before we take on more.

I think this study would be fine for an individual but it is a bit light for a group study. I'm a fan of the Women of Faith organization, however, I was a bit disappointed in the content. There could have been so much more.

The Bible stands alone and needs no review.

The study notes included in this Bible are an excellent source of practical Godly wisdom and so with the content of this study Bible I am more then satisfied.

The binding however is a poor quality. I am not sure if the intent was to save the consumer money by binding it in cheaper stiff leather but this quality leather will not hold up to the use a person gives to a study Bible. In addition I ended up returning the first one I ordered because after a week of use the corners of the front cover came unattached from the glued cover. This happened only after very little use. I sent for an exchange but at examining the new Bible I received it also showed sings of the same corner problem. This was either a flaw in the cutting or just another result of cheap binding. They were already showing signs of coming loose from the glued page. I am very very sorry that better quality binding was not used. I would have paid more to get a Bible that I could have confidence in to last. I ended up having to return the exchanged one. Sadly, I will not be ordering another.

This is a very readable new translation. Noted evangelical scholars, J.I. Packer and Wayne Grudem, were involved in this translation, which is a revision of the RSV, making it the conservative counterpart to the New Revised Standard Version. Orthodox evangelicals should be completely satisfied by this translation. Moderates and liberals won't be so pleased. The translators have avoided inclusive language. A number of the scholars behind this are against ordaining women, and one has to suspect a secret motive at work. Even the great conservative scholar, Ben Witherington,III, describes this translation as an attempt to rewind the clock to a time when the world had a lower opinion of women. Their bias comes across in several key scriptures such as Exodus 21:22 where they prefer the words "her children come out" over NRSV's "miscarriage" because the latter implies that the Jews did not consider the fetus to be a person. In reality, the NRSV's translation is more plausible. Premature infants did not survive prior to modern medicine. Just ask your doctor. Moreover, ESV has a tendancy to retroact Christian theology into the translation. Instead of NRSV's "a wind from God" in Genesis 1:2, you get "Spirit of God" in the ESV. If none of this bothers you, no problem. Otherwise, what you have here is a very readable literal translation. You might like the Holman Christian Standard Bible or NASB just as well

There is a certainly a shortage of study Bibles in the ESV....this edition is better than okay but not wonderful, in my opinion. It's also very heavy compared to what I'm used to. However, I still highly recommend this one over the other (few) ESV study Bibles out there.

I am very happy with the Reformation Study Bible. The study notes are very enlightening. The font is very readable and not fatiguing to the eyes.

I love how this is written and is close to the original Hebrew and Greek, as well as the Sovereign God and Grace oriented study notes.

There is alot of information in this book. Pretty much everything you would ever need to do to a research paper on any book in the N.T. Only it is very wordy, with long and redundent sentences and I made the mistake of reading this book in my bed, hence it will make you fall asleep.

Paul Achtemeier, Joel Green, and Marianne Meye Thompson are respected New Testament scholars at Union Theological Seminary (Virginia), Asbury Theological Seminary, and Fuller Theological Seminary respectively. "Introducing the New Testament" is (as you might guess) an introductory textbook for those just beginning their study of the New Testament; their intended audience appears to be theology majors and those just beginning seminary.

The format of the book lends itself well to classroom use. Of this books 25 chapters, 18 deal with a particular book (or highly related books, e.g. 1, 2, 3 John)--covering its content, its context, its author, and its recipient. It then traces the literary flow of the New Testament book, showing what the author's major purpose and themes are. The section follows with an introduction to some scholarly debates concerning the Biblical book, and some helpful resources for further reading.

The remaining 7 chapters are more topical in nature and are titled "Chapter 1: What is the New Testament?" "Chapter 2: The World of the New Testament," "Chapter 3: The Nature of the Gospels," Chapter 8: Jesus of Nazareth," "Chapter 10: Letters in the New Testament," "Chapter 11: Paul and His World," and "Chapter 25: The Formation of the New Testament Cannon." Each of these covers its subject from a variety of angles and introduces various schools of thought on the subject, while the authors do come down on particular sides of debate, they do so in such a way as to leave the questions open so that the reader can come to his own conclusions. Again, there is a concluding summary and resources for further reading.

This book has been helpful for this reader in many ways. When reading commentaries, it is easy for one to "lose the forest for the trees." That is to say that when one narrow his focus too narrowly--to one particular verse in a Biblical book or the like--he can lose the general argument and flow of the book. Achtemeier, Green, and Thompson do a great service by keeping each book's major argument/theme in mind and show how the particular outline of the book and even particular verses serve to advance that argument/theme. Often, they are good at providing the reader with a memorable summary statement in the book's narrative which speaks to the heart of the issue at hand. Also, this reader appreciated the generous amount of pictures, maps, charts, and "shaded boxes" that speak to tangential issues.

However, while this book has many merits, it is not without its flaws. While its treatment of the Gospels and Catholic (non-Pauline) epistles were excellent, their treatment of Paul's letters was disappointing. Throughout the book, the authors seem to make a conscious effort to attract a wide readership by avoiding doctrinal issues (a bit of a problem in itself), but in the Pauline epistles, they break this pattern and come down forcefully on a particular issue. This issue is not communion, baptism, the relationship between faith and works, or the like, but rather they come down strongly in favor of womens' ordination. In so doing, they appeal to Galatians 3:28 (out of context), they appeal to 1 Corinthians 14(?!), and even appeal to the idea that Ephesians was written by a women, not Paul (?!?!)! Because of these poorly developed, illogical, and speculative arguments, the authors do lose a degree of credibility. Other negative aspects of the book are relatively few and far between. The only others that really stick out are their argument that Scripture is fallible (e.g. p. 456) and that the Book of Revelation is primarily about the first century Church's struggle against the Roman Empire, and not so much about the modern Church's situation.

In all, those who are interested in beginning New Testament scholarship would do well to read this book. Professors who are looking for a basic textbook would do well to assign this one, but I would recommend Martin Franzmann's similar (and more orthodox) "The Word of the Lord Grows." Mildly recommended.

This is a great book and should be a standard text for all seminarians. It reads clearly and serves as a good introduction to the books, epistles and general theology of the New Testament. Another great aspect of the book is its wide margins... plenty of room to write notes and keep track of ideas while reading.

The text is wordy and often redundant. Some issues are discussed with far too much detail and reiteration while others are statements without meaningful diatribe.

I did enjoy the historical presentations but the spiritual presentations were difficult to cull through and not very enlightening.

Generally a good survey of the NT - historical and cultural backgrounds sections are especially well done. Actual text analyses and discussion are good in parts, but miss or ignore major thematic issues that most other NT surveys spend a lot of time on (the conflict in the early Church between Judaic and Hellenized Christians in Acts for instance). Also, the organization is pretty haphazard; Raymond Brown's NT Intro is a lot better organized and also provides a lot more in-depth discussion of a wider range of issues. This book loses one star for its poor organization and occasional neglected topics.

The authors are generally fair and balanced, except on the issue of women's ordination as raised by another reviewer. The section on 1 Corinthians 14 is especially ridiculous, with the authors interpreting the passage to read the exact OPPOSITE (i.e. men should not criticize the women who speak up in church) of what every other translation I have ever read. NIV, King James, NRSV, NAB, RSV = all wrong, and the authors of this book evidently are brilliant Greek linguists. Pretty unlikely! Rather the authors are blatantly twisting Paul's words to agree with their own agenda. Loses another star for this ham-fisted partisanship...

All in all, not a terrible book, has some merit, but the author's lack of structure and deliberately obtuse interpetation of some aspects of the Pauline epistles make this a less than optimal intro to the New Testament.

My granddaughter went to a Good News Club Retreat for three days. She learned about the Retreat in an after school program. This is the Bible they used. Her birthday came up now and this is the gift she wanted from me. She is just 10 but I don't think she is to young to understand this Bible. Thanks for helping me make her birthday special.

I gave this to my niece for christmas and she LOVES it!! She feels it relates to her. It is really pink, she makes it all the best for her. I totally recommend it!

We bought this as an Easter gift for our 7 year old daughter and she loves reading it, as well as it's beautiful pink cover that is wonderfully made and textured. I really enjoy this Bible as well!
The teaching throughout is extremely helpful in helping us connect to each other and to God. The stories and teaching help her APPLY God's Word to her life, and gives us an opportunity to talk about how she's feeling and what she's personally going through-then, allowing her to see it through God's eyes; helping her to make decisions pleasing to God in the "smaller things" in life-preparing her for a life-time of applying His Word to her life and making godly decisions about all things, great and small!
For memory verses I sometimes prefer other versions, but for praying, Bible reading and teaching, I really LOVE the New Living Translation-it really makes God's Word easily understandable using todays language, especially for kids.
I almost always use this translation for Praying God's Word-I used it in my "Alphabet Prayers" book and have received a great response from Moms, Grandmas and girls using them! For older Christians using this translation, it gives a deeper meaning, or newer explaination (I love digging deeper into a verse by comparing Bible versions) and for new Christians it's translated to this new generation with current language.
There are some things a bit more applicable for older girls, we'll just save those for later. Over-all this is a very wonderful Bible for girls of all ages-with timeless principles, relevant stories, and adaptable to many ages. I am very glad that we got her this Bible-and believe that she'll use and keep this one for years to come! It is ALREADY BEARING FRUIT IN HER HEART & MINE!
Tammy M Price
AUTHOR "Alphabet Prayers-the Power of Praying Scripture into the Hearts You Love."
"PRAYING GOD'S WORD for the WORLD-Lighting Pathways of Blessing." and "40-Day Journey to the Heart of God-an Adventure in Prayer"

My twelve year old and I picked out this bible after we did some joint research and it is great. The graphics are just her size, not too childish and the bible asks questions like,"Did you get that girlfriend, God loves you." It interacts with guided bible studies in the back and I am looking forward to me and her doing some of those together. I also like that it is a hard back version which allows her to take it to school and not get it bent up like a paper back. I love this book and I am getting ready to get the boys version for my six year old, it is never to early to teach directly from the bible especially with tools as great as these.

I got this bible for my [...] daughter for Christmas. She really likes it and we enjoy reading the side stories at night and talking about them. Some of the scenarios in this bible might be a little too mature for a preteen though. I would recommend this more for 14 and up.