Biblical Culture

When it comes to religion—and more specifically, Christianity—”God” is a divisive issue. Either you’re a believer who loves him, or an atheist (or other spiritual believer) who denounces his existence and hates him. Who is right? Which side got it correct? Is there even a right answer, or does that become a philosophical question of what “faith” truly is? In Dr. DuWayne A. Carlson’s new book Atheistic Christianity, the topic of “God” transcends conventional belief systems as the author encourages listeners to cultivate a different view.

It’s not often that you come across a document of such religious and historical importance as The Septuagint Genesis – in fact its significance would be hard to overstate. But what is the Septuagint? Well, its name refers to the “seventy’ (actually 72) translators – six from each tribe of Israel – who translated the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek, the primary language of Jews in Egypt at the time. This, the oldest and arguably most important translation, was the version of The Bible that Jesus himself would have read – and the one from which almost all the New Testament’s writers were quoting.

Read by the author. Dietitian and nutrition therapist Leslie Schilling turns diet culture on its head with a radical new message: We aren't designed to diet. Diet culture is a system of oppression that values only certain types of bodies and equates thinness with health. It permeates American...

In fearful, uncertain times, how can we find significance in something greater than ourselves? Award-winning social entrepreneur Justin Zoradi was once haunted by this question as a young person daunted by the world's needs, yet wanting to make a difference. But when some friends from across the...

If anyone had good reason to join the league of the “Nones,” the “Dones,” and the deconstructionists, it would be Zach Hoag. After growing up and out of the compound walls of a Texas cult, and becoming a failed church planter in one of the most post-Christian cities in America, Zach was...

Christians need a compelling way to share their faith that combines the timeless practices of Jesus with timely perspectives about our post-everything era. In a post-Christian, post-modern, post-truth society where Jesus followers aren't often well regarded, modern evangelism methods and efforts...

In this book, Jake challenges and emboldens men to be who God created them to be. Diving into Scripture, ancient traditions, and the mythological story of Parzival, he uncovers twelve time-tested pathways God uses to train you to own the radical responsibility He's placed on men-no matter the cost; use your unique perspectives and personality to fight the evil around you; hold your ground with confidence, courage, and conviction; no longer be sidelined by shame, addiction, depression, and disconnection; and live with purpose, clarity, integrity, and boldness.

Conventional wisdom has it that the origins of the horror genre are found in the nineteenth century, in works like Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In this paradigm-shaking new book, Bible scholar and cultural historian Brandon Grafius argues that the Bible is, among other things, the world's first work of horror literature. The tropes and themes that we find in slasher movies, body horror, folk horror, and zombie apocalypses were kickstarted by the Bible. Before Godzilla, there were the monsters arising from the sea in the book of Daniel.

If you are of Caucasian-European background, a magnificent bequest awaits you. It is a little known fact that Anglo-Saxon and related people of central and northwest Europe are direct genetic descendants of the ancient Israelites. Although this is not a new idea, it has been largely forgotten. This book presents powerful evidence from historical documentation, archaeology, linguistic analysis, as well as internal biblical evidence from both the Old and New Testament. The implications of this thesis will alter the way you view yourself, the Bible, and the world we live in.

In Eyewitness: Tears of the Saints, John 9 comes alive with the story of the blind man, blind from birth, who is given new eyes by the Christ. But the miracle and blind man has a history. He came from Bethany, a little village less than two miles from Jerusalem. His village is the home to many other notable figures from the Scripture. The blind man's testimony will change the lives of many people, even those living 20 centuries later. It is a bible story of a spiritual journey that will inspire the faith of Christians and non-Christians alike.

This book takes a deep dive into the Old Testament and New Testament's use and development of the Wedding Metaphor in Scripture. The book develops the importance of the Wedding Metaphor in understanding the heart and character of God Himself. Additionally, we learn some amazing aspects of the plans and purposes of God regarding the Creation from beginning to the end of time.

Each chapter focuses on roughly one century in the life of the Christian church, providing an even-handed view of Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity, and Protestant denominations. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter offer opportunities to reflect on parallels in contemporary Christian church life, considerations from a relevant Bible passage, and opportunities for application. This is an excellent text for a half-year study group.

What are the feasts and festivals of the Messiah? They are not just “Jewish holidays” that are defunct for Christians because the Law of Moses is fulfilled and the Jerusalem temple destroyed. Rather, the ancient feast and festival days were given to all of Israel to keep forever. Ezekiel and Zechariah prophesy that both the Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles will be kept during the Millennium. If that is true, what do we need to know and understand about them?

What does the Bible say about sexuality? How have traditions of biblical interpretation influenced our understanding of sex and gender? What the Bible Says About Sex answers that and many other questions. Not shy, it analyzes why the Church claimed dominion over marriage, while the female body remained a source of potential evil. It wrestles with how sexuality is used to reinforce notions of honor, and how it can be used to manipulate others. It looks brazenly at the pornographic and the erotic passages of the Bible, and how traditions of interpretation veiled them.

If you think you know Bible history, you could be stunned by many findings in this book. From what Trinity means, to the day Jesus died, to mislabeled silent years, it will shock the senses with omissions in Bible studies and church services. From misguided preachers to those in it for celebrity status, radio programs, book deals, and speaking engagements, Jesus would admonish many churches and leaders for lack of discipline and rigor. You might be outraged that what is routinely taught covers less than 50 percent of the New Testament, and far less of the Old Testament.

This book explores a systematic bias in translating the Bible and in interpreting its teachings, which suggests that men are inherently suited to be leaders in the home, church, and community, while it is God's plan for women to submit to men's leadership. This erroneous understanding of the Bible has been promoted by certain influential evangelical Christian leaders in order to push back the growing influence of feminist attitudes, the expansion of women's leadership roles, and the increase in egalitarian relationships among evangelicals in English-speaking North America.

The many voices in scripture form a dialogue with readers, which produce theological truths that are larger than the individual parts. This introduction is informed by both literary theory and theology. It groups sections of the whole Bible together by genre. Each section identifies and describes the genre (such as historiography, poetry, prophecy, gospel, letter, apocalypse), and then moves into a discussion about the literary characteristics and theological insights.

God's faithfulness to Israel is an incredible affirmation of His unconditional goodness, and as we discover His heart for His chosen people, we better understand His heart for us. Israel's story begins with God's promise to make Abraham a great nation, and to this day, His hand continues to guide and protect the Jewish people. Israel Always is a sweeping journey through Israel's prolific history, its modern-day influence, and its promised future, highlighting the continuous throughline of God's provision for His people.

In this inspirational book, Stones Crying out, Gertrude Garrow elucidates clearly and concisely the origin and authorship of the books of the Bible using historical and archaeological evidence to show its reliability. Added to this, she reveals the astonishing accuracy of fulfilled prophecy and takes a brief look at future predictions.

John Montgomery examines Martin Luther and the German Reformation; Ulrich Zwingli and the Swiss Reformation; the principles for interpreting the Bible by comparison of the approaches of Zwingli and Luther; the life, times, and thought of John Calvin; and the influence of the Bible Reformers, especially Martin Luther, on artists such as Bach and Mendelsohn compared to 20th century artists such as Picasso.