Bibles Bible Studies Books

Great Book - Highly Recommend for any woman wanting to mold her life around Christ Jesus and biblical teachings. It is a hard hitting book that really helps you to dive into the bible finding scripture and reading stories. The workbook offers 5 nights of study lessons that take about 20-30 minutes. You really work your way around the bible in each lesson. The author also offers a Yes, but how section that helps you to apply your lesson to life as you know it here and now. You really don't need to DVD study in order to complete the workbook but it is beneficial if you have it or can purchase it. The DVD lessons are one time weekly and they last about 25-30 minutes. Can't say enough good things about this workbook.

This is an excellent study. We are doing it in a group and it is wonderful

Dr. M. R. DeHaan has a keen insight into the Tabernacle. Every detail of the tabernacle and it's furnishings point to some aspect of the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. While Dr. DeHaan's work is not an in depth study of the tabernacle he offers an overview which whets the appetite of the serious Bible student to do more research on this inexhaustible subject which details both salvation and the Savior. Recommend it for a primer to deep study.

Every serious Bible student should read this book. The author does a great job showing the typology of the Tabernacle and how each item points to Jesus Christ. The book is pretty easy reading, too, though very academic.

No Christian should be without this book. Dr DeHann masterfully reveals the realities and meaning of the details and rituals of the Tabernacle, and how they clearly speak of the Measiah who would one day fulfill every detail of the redemptive plan of God.

This is a very interesting book of DAVID and SOLOMON. I wanted to study to know how they live on their lives. This is an excellent book.

It is so refreshing to read a book like this! For too long, biblical romantics have fantasized that archaeology would `verify' the history constructed by the biblical text itself; the narrative account. More recently, "revisionists" have argued that the biblical text is so divorced from history so as to be nothing more than an ideologically grounded fiction! Finkelstein and Silberman show, through a clear and readable account, just how far archaeology has come in demonstrating that the history out of which the Bible arose - in this case, the stories of David & Solomon - is different from the account given in the biblical text, while simultaneously revealing that the actual history behind the text; the stories of the two great heroes and many of the details of the books of Samuel and Kings--were not just "made up" by later writers. As such, archaeology is disproving both the biblical literalists (who think that history must reflect what the Bible says, and who therefore distort archaeology and history to their own ends) and those who dismiss the Bible as having no historical veracity at all.

This book is a must read for anyone - religious or not - who wants to understand the relationship between the biblical text and our growing understanding of what actually happened in the ancient Near East between 1000 BCE and the time of Christ.

The authors show how the two kingdoms - Israel and Judah - developed differently; how the writers of the stories of David & Solomon were responding to contemporary conditions and problems. Yet they also incorporated authentic details, remembered from earlier times, into what became the biblical text. Finkelstein and Silberman allow the reader to follow the development of the stories of David and Solomon, from the 9th and 8th centuries BCE down through the time of Christ and the early church; showing how the roles of David and Solomon have changed over the centuries. They even allude to the way David and Solomon are depicted in mediaeval art and the role their stories have played in modern politics and revolutions.

I actually talked with Israel Finkelstein prior to his publication of this book and I remember being very concerned.

In order to do proper biblical analysis, I think the application of two skill sets is most preferable:

1) An appreciation of the curated material that the Bible gives...or text analysis and

2) An appreciation of the extra biblical material including not only archeologicial findings but other preserved historical writings and traditions.

The reason I was concerned about this book when I talked with Finkelstein was because he didn't then give me the feeling that he was familiar with, let alone, respectful of the process of text analysis.

Traditional text analysis tells us that the Old Testament of the Bible was composed by five basic authors:

1) A J author, so called because he (she, according to Harold Bloom) consistently refers to god as Yahweh (or Jahweh/Jehovah as rendered by the original German text critics) throughout his tale of creation and exodus;

2) An E author, so called because he supposedly hailed from Ephraim or Israel, the northern Yahweh worshiping Iron Age Canaanite community and called his god Elohim (at least until he revealed his name to Moses at the opening of Exodus);

3) A P author so called because his textual emandations focused on matters of concern to Priests;

4) A D author connected with Deuteronomy and Samuel 1 and 2 and Kings 1 and 2...the Bible's so called Deuteronomistic history; and

5) An R author so called because he made the final redactions necssary to bring these materials together as a complete account.

However, it is significant to point out that even these materials have been deemed to be predated under text analysis by other biblical materials most notably including:

1) Exodus 15...the Song of the Sea, dated by text analysis to around 13 to 12 hundred BCE;

2) Deuteronomy 33...the Blessing of Moses, dated by text analysis to around the time of the Song of the Sea;

3) Judges 5...the Song of Deborah, dated between the Song of the Sea and the Blessing of Moses and

4) The Blessing of Jacob...at the end of Genesis dated to around the time of King David.

As can be seen from the foregoing discussion, a text analysis, properly utilized could reveal much in terms of understanding the Bible's origins.

That's why I was very pleased to see that in his finished work, Finkelstein produced a product showing respect for not only the archeological field work he has been so connected with but also the text analysis that can be so helpful in rendering competent opinions on biblical origins.

Needless to say, what Finkelstein says about biblical origins does carry great evidentiary support. As a couple of for instances:

1) The David and Solomon monarchies were little more than country hill chiefdoms. This account, as he correctly points out, squares not only with the archeological evidence showing little growth in Jerusalem until some two hundred years following the time of David and Solomon, it also squares with other text evidence and text analysis he didn't even quote from. Again, citing the Song of Deborah, it is noteworthy to find that the tribe of Judah (David's tribe) is not even mentioned and when it is mentioned in older biblical text material (the Blessing of Moses) the notice is not very abbreviated...consistent with Finkelstein's claim of the humble origins of David and Solomon. This also squares with text analysis provided by Mark Smith in his The Early History of God wherein Smith makes the case that the early biblical representations of the miraculous origins of Yahweh worship were themselves later emandations from the times of Hezekiah and Josiah...again in accord with points made by Finkelstein in this book.

2) Judah and Israel were in reality two separate kingdoms for which a claim of mythic original unity was only made after the fall of Israel to Sargon II under King Hoshea in 721 BCE. Here again, a review of the Song of Deborah notably shows the absence of Judah as joining under the forces of Barak. And here again, Mark Smith's book would again easily harmonize with the Finkelstein thesis that a joint ancient Israel and Judah under David and Solomon was merely a later created myth of origins.

Admittedly, and particularly as to the second for instance just mentioned, there remains the notice in the Blessing of Moses which seemingly unites Judah with the Israelite tribes as part of a common entity. And admittedly there is also the scholarship of Richard Friedman (author of: Who wrote the Bible, The Hidden Book in the Bible, among others) whose text analysis fails to easily and fully harmonize with all the dating and all the suppositions made by Finkelstein.

However, these discrepancies serve like this book itself, not to hinder but to further one of the most fascinating of inquiries: the historical bonafides of the Bible itself.

First of all, while I disagree with the authors, this is a very entertaining book. It is well-written and their theory, as they present it, seems quite compelling. Indeed, I can't disprove their theory, which is certainly alluring in many ways.

However, I have several big issues with the authors. Primarily, they do not cite sources. Yes, the bibliography is nice, but having it doesn't mean that the authors cited agree with them or that they rightly appropriate what the authors wrote. I understand that it was written for a popular audience, but that doesn't let them off the hook.

In addition, they operate with assumptions that differ from a majority of biblical scholars. That would be okay if they were transparent. However, it seems that they would have the reader believe that their chronology (which is a couple of centuries lower than everyone else) is mainstream, when it is clearly not. (It is based on Finkelstein's ceramic chronology, which is rejected by the rest of the field.) Furthermore, they fail to justify their position on the late writing in Israel. In large part, their thesis hangs on these two highly disputed assertions.

If you want a really good review of this book, read Bill Dever's review of these two authors' first book, The Bible Unearthed. It's in the April 2001 edition of BASOR. Basically everything he says about that book applies to this one.

By the way, neither Finkelstein nor Dever identify themselves as religious.

As a side note, I'm dismayed by stuff like this. After first reading, I was at a loss. However, I had to do a critical review of it for class, and in so doing, I discovered weaknesses in their argument. I'm dismayed because most of the intended audience will not be assigned to review it, so they'll take Finkelstein (and Silberman) at their word. At least if the authors were honest, readers wouldn't assume that their claims are undisputed.

This book was extremely boring. It took a long time to finish because I had a hard time forcing myself to continually pick it up.
I appreciate differing views, but authors should at least be honest with their intentions. Despite what they say, the "facts" offered in this text contained loads of speculation and make a mockery of anyone that found evidence contrary to their own. The points that they seemed to weigh on the heaviest had less tangible evidence and more biased opinion then the rest. With all do respect to the authors, I found their arrogance to be very annoying and I do not plan on reading anything else published by them.

Alter continues here what he started in ' The Art of Biblical Narrative' and applies the techniques of literary criticism to the Biblical text. He does not discard Lowth's discovery of parallelism as the key technique of Biblical poetry but rather sharpens and intensifies the meaning of this concept. He shows the way different kind of parallelism operate in the text. He illustrates how intensification of meaning comes through repetition and variation. He closely reads some of the great Biblical poetry.
This is a wonderful work for all those who love the Bible and all those who love Poetry.

This is one of the books that I was supposed to read for a class but didn't get around to it until now. I am halfway through this book and it is one of the most readable academic books that I've read. It is no wonder that Robert Alter has set and will set the standards by which Biblical litery criticism is judged.

The Bible comes alive under his translations and his insights into the text make this old book new and exciting.

First Place Bible Studies are wonderful. Seems like whichever one you're working on is "the best one yet"

Excellent Bible Study. Not only is my group benefiting from it, but a friend has started a Bible Study using this book as well. I hope they will publish additional studies.

If you've had a hard time making the right choices, commitments and priorities in the First Place program or putting into practice the nine commitments, then you need to do this study. It's not for the faint-at-heart but for those who really need to 'Start Living'. This study gets right down to the heart of why we struggle so. Do you say "Yes, Lord" or "Yes, but...."? that's the question. It's all about moving what we've learned from our head to our heart. Application is key! It's a great study. Linda of a Spokane First Place

All of the First Place Bible Studies are great. Start Living is one of the best ones I have completed. This Bible Study was just what I needed in where I am in my walk with the Lord on the First Place journey. All of the First Place Bible studies address areas of life that will help you work to become all God created you to be as you learn to put Him first physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. You will never go wrong doing a First Place Bible Study. The studies are not indepth but they challenge you to apply the Scriptures to your own life.

Hello in this new mellineum,I am trying to ascertain if a bible of such is in existence.My search so far has led me to no avale.If there is a sight or book in your possesion inwhich i can reveiw please relay information to me.Thank you and happy new mellenium.

Though this book is edited by a heavy brother in Cain Hope Felder, each chapter is written by a different black scholar. This makes for some deep and fresh new perspectives of blacks in the bible, the bible itself, and how others see the race through the bible.

Chapters 7 & 10, I found, are the most interesting. Once you get into it, you won't be able to put it down.

Most other books try to talk "around" the bible by comparing it to other ancient writings, but this book goes straight to the source and deals directly with the bible, and its ancient writers and interpreters.

It's Good.

This is an awesome book! It's amazing how most American Christian theologians try to deny the impact of culture and society while promoting a staunch Eurocentric view that whitewashes the bible and which seeks to deny Africans, Asians, and Women their place in the Gospel. They just sustain the economic and political structures that oppress. This goes against the kingdom of God and all its prophets! Look at the current ethnic makeup in the movie, "The Passion of Christ!" Jesus never set foot in Europe and lived in Africa and Asia. Yet, some Christians are busy touting the historical accuracy of the movie!! . When the gospel reached Europe the work on the cross was done and Pentecost has already started!

This was a very good Bible Study for our group.

This is a great first book for small groups. It reveals the important elememts of relationships and sets the stage for some good self examination coupled with the truth of Scripture. The leader notes and questions also make leading the group a snap. The study portion takes about 1 full hour each week.

This is the first curriculum chosen for our 350 member church's launching of 'small groups'. We used it in advance to train the Leaders and each Leader is now using it to kick off his or her own small group. It has been profoundly useful and inspirational. Each participant gets this book for study and note-taking. The Scripture content is exactly what the 'small group' movement requires as a Bible study component.

This book is a good tool to use for small groups, fellowship studies, or sunday school class. I used it for my college sunday school class to place emphasis on embracing our Christian community. While John Ortberg does a good job at painting the picture for us, it is basically his "The Life You've Always Wanted" book re-done for small groups in a practical way. I enjoyed using this guide but had to restructure the questions and format to cater to a sunday school environment. I would recommend making sure you know your group, and understand their needs, and perhaps come up with additional questions to meet the needs of your group.

This New Testament survey is a very helpful addition amidst the many other choices available to readers. I went to a Christian University and wish that this book would have been used in my NT survey class. In fact, I think it may be more useful to college students than some of the the many other choices available to readers, such as Gundry or Elwell/Yarbrough. Fifteen NT scholars from twelve evangelical colleges and universities contributed to the volume, thus allowing professors who are proven teachers and scholars to present the material in a readable and challenging manner. The work is written especially for undergraduate students (by undergraduate professors) and seeks to emphasize and focus on the concerns of the nine NT authors. What is rather unique about this survey is that there is a clear motive by the authors/editors to connect the cares of the NT authors to the our lives today. There are multiple sidebars throughout the book that apply the biblical text to contemporary issues and concerns. You can certainly tell that the goal was not just to explain the text for the sake of knowledge but to deepen the readers' relationship with Jesus. Also included are many color maps, pictures and other helpful visual aids. Each chapter begins by asking and briefly answering "who, why, when, and where" questions and ends with a "key words for review." Overall, this book will be an excellent resource for undergraduate NT courses and could even be used in similar settings in the church. Highly recommended.

This New Testament survey is a welcome breath of fresh air. While there are multiple good surveys of the New Testament (e.g., Elwell and Yarbrough's volume), they tend to campout on (important) scholarly issues and thus either (a) spend little time addressing the text of the New Testament itself, or (b) write a lengthy and complicated volume that functions more as an survey to New Testament studies than to the New Testament itself. This, however, is not the case with What the New Testament Authors Really Cared About. The uniqueness and the value in this volume is that it seeks to introduce the New Testament in light of the scholarly discussions rather than through them. Instead, the complicated issues of "Who? Why? When? & Where?" are condensed to a one page summary intended to illuminate the given book and not to distract from it. Also, by asking, "What does _____ (insert the name of a New Testament author) really care about?" this work is able to develop the theology of the New Testament authors and books on an individual basis. Furthermore, the individual articles are written by undergraduate Bible professors who have been "field proven"--so to speak--as careful scholars and good communicators. The result of these three unique features is a volume that clearly articulates the emphasis of each individual author and book that is written to be accessible not just for scholars, but the undergraduate student. In other words, the result is a true example of a "New Testament Survey."

I've had many Bibles, but this is by far my favorite one I've ever had. I'm going into college this year, and the questions on the side column are deep and thought-provoking for me. I think they are very direct with their answers without being childish. The research put into this is amazing. Anyone who isn't educated on the old testament very well would ESPECIALLY love this (and isn't that most of us?). If you are new or old to the Bible, this is a perfect book for anyone. It explains a lot of old customs and terms you might not know if you were just reading the Bible straight through. There's a lot to be read here and I would say that this is an amazing Bible for anyone. If you don't like the colors there's more editions of the Quest Bible, but I definitely loved the content as well as the look. The pages are sparkly silver and the inside pages have blue sides--so the pages look blue and sparkly. Gorgeous! :)

Mounce's work is an excellent update and modernization of an expository. "Vine's for the 21 century" accurately describes this work, which clearly shows the use of each word in its different contexts. This is most helpful as authors use words are used differently over time. I highly recommend this book for anyone wishing to plumb the depth of the Bible.

Mounce's Dictionary is by far the best on the market for evangelical scholars. Mounce does an excellent job of defining sords from the Old and New Testaments. This is a must have for any college, university, or seminary student, as well as all ministers!

The title says the dictionary is "Complete," and the cover blurbs call it "Vine's for the 21st Century," and say that compared to Vine's, Mounce's work is "More accurate," "More user-friendly," has "More up-to-date definitions" and a "More complete numbering system."

Undoubtedly these things are all true. It also features, in my opinion, a more readable layout, more contemporary and reader-friendly wording, and the fact that OT and NT words are not divided into entirely separate sections of the book is logical and convenient.

Finally, the inclusion of concise, "Strong's-like" lexicons at the end of the book is a nice touch.

The complaints:

Despite its claims of being "complete," it is most certainly not so. Only when closely examining the Introduction does one understand the curious inability to locate certain words: "It includes all Greek words occurring TEN times or more, all Hebrew words occurring FIFTY times or more, and other words occurring less if they are exegetically or theologically significant." (Emphasis added by reviewer.)

This makes sense if and only if concision is the overriding goal. After a bit of consideration, it is easy to realize that it is often those words LEAST used that are MOST in need of careful definition and exposition. This is a significant drawback, and in my opinion makes the title of the book misleading if not outrightly untruthful.

Involved in a debate about the Biblical teaching about homosexuality? Sorry, except for the very brief entry in the Strong's-type lexicon in the back of the book, you won't find any mention of "arsenokoites" in this tome.

In contrast to Vine, Mounce also seems to provide "exposition" that avoids some of the ongoing controversies in Christianity.

Trying to suss out whether Heaven and Hell really are "everlasting" or merely "age-long" as various "eonian" proponents claim? Vine frames parts of his definitions in such a way that they seem intended to directly address claims posited by some eonians and Universalists; Mounce's definitions are clear and adequate, but less "direct" in terms of addressing controversies.

Late to arrive was Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Zondervan, though copyrighted 2006). This is very similar to a recently produced (2005), Vine-replacement dictionary from Hendrickson, Stephen Renn, ed., Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Word Studies for Key English Bible Words Based on the Hebrew And Greek Texts. Both dictionaries do different things. For instance, Mounce has a Hebrew-English and Greek-English Dictionary in the back that gives a more substantive definition (with scriptural references) than Renn, who simply indexes each Strong's entry (original language) with its English counterpart. Thus, words not covered in Vine's (Renn) get some coverage in Mounce.

In the body proper, however, Renn is more substantive: first, in that many entries have an "Additional notes" section that describes the transition of word meaning from the OT to the NT; second, Renn is more comprehensive in words covered. For instance, under "Sacrifice," the noun %ag is also covered under OT words (though its primary referent is "feast"), while the adjective eidôlothyton is covered under NT words. However, Mounce has the advantage of deriving from the NIV rather than KJV. Sometimes this advantage becomes apparent, as when one reviewer of Renn decries a lack of entry for apostasia when, in fact, it could be found under "Forsake" when checking the index. However, in Mounce, apostasia (2x) is only found in the Greek-English dictionary in the back.

I found an obvious error after spending only ten minutes with it.
On page 754 under the heading "UNBELIEVING, UNBELIEVER" 24 lines down it misquotes the Bible as saying, "speaking in tongues is a sign, not for unbelievers, but for believers (1 Cor. 14:22-24)". Of course, the correct quote should have been the exact opposite, "speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers".

I think such carelessness puts the integrity of the entire book in question.