Going Outside The Camp

Johnson's study of Hebrews is unusual in adopting a social-scientific analysis. By examining the implicit sociological data in the Epistle to the Hebrews, and locating the implied society within the context of the larger Graeco-Roman world, he concludes that the author of Hebrews advocates an ideal society that is both more open to outsiders and more willing to assimilate fully new members than was first-century ce hellenistic Judaism. According to the group/grid paradigm developed by Mary Douglas, the implied society can be categorized as +weak' group/'weak' grid, in contrast to +strong' group/'strong' grid Hellenistic Judaism. The critique of the levitical system in Hebrews can be seen as supporting the author's advocacy of that implied open society.

The second annual St. Andrews Conference on Scripture and Theology brought leading biblical scholars and systematic theologians together in conversation, seeking to bridge the growing gap between these disciplines. Reflecting the convergence of the Old Testament s cultic theology, Hellenistic ideas, and early Christian thinking, the epistle to the Hebrews provides a perfect foundation for this fruitful dialogue. / The contributors examine a number of key theological themes in the letter to the Hebrews: the person and nature of the Son, his high-priestly work, cosmology, the epistle s theology of Scripture, supersessionism, the call to faith, and more. Unlike many modern treatments, this substantial volume considers Hebrews in both its ancient context and against our modern backdrop. / Edward Adams, Loveday Alexander, Harold W. Attridge, Richard Bauckham, Markus Bockmuehl, Daniel Driver, Douglas Farrow, Trevor Hart, Richard B. Hays, Stephen R. Holmes, Morna D. Hooker, Edison M. Kalengyo, Mariam J. Kamell, Bruce L. McCormack, Nathan MacDonald, I. Howard Marshall, R. Walter L. Moberly, Carl Mosser, Mark D. Nanos, Nehemia Polen, John Polkinghorne, Ken Schenck, Oskar Skarsaune, Daniel J. Treier, John Webster, Ben Witherington III, Terry J. Wright.

This issue of The Ministry of the Word contains the last eight of the sixteen messages given during the fall 2023 term of the full-time training in Anaheim, California. The general subject of this series of messages is “The Crucial Points of the Truth in Paul's Epistles—First Corinthians.” The Announcements section at the end of this issue contains a list of upcoming conferences and trainings hosted by Living Stream Ministry and a website link for information related to similar events in Europe and Israel.

The Collected Works of Witness Lee, 1959, volume 5, contains messages given by Brother Witness Lee in November 1959 through January 1960. Historical information concerning Brother Lee's travels and the content of his ministry in 1959 can be found in the general preface that appears at the beginning of volume 1 in this set. The contents of this volume are divided into two sections, as follows: 1. Nine messages given in Taipei, Taiwan, in the fourth part of a training that began on October 5, 1959, and concluded on January 22, 1960. The messages in this section were given in November and December 1959 and are included in this volume under the title Synopsis of Exodus. 2. Thirty-seven messages given in Taipei, Taiwan, in the fifth part of a training that began on October 5, 1959, and concluded on January 22, 1960. The messages in this section were given from the end of December 1959 through January 21, 1960, and are included in this volume under the title Synopsis of Leviticus.

You've read the book; now do the study! We all long for victory. Victory over fear. Victory over guilt. Victory from bondage and oppression. Drawing on a variety of Bible stories and characters, respected Bible teacher Kasey Van Norman distills the singular truth that has existed since time began: while change and uncertainty are inevitable, God is always unchanging, and He is always faithful--even when our circumstances might tempt us to think otherwise. Wherever you are in your walk with Christ, you will find yourself encouraged and inspired as Kasey shows how you, too, can be victorious in Christ!

There is a road we have to walk – it is our spiritual journey through life. It is our Emmaus walk where we become aware of God’s Presence and we become aware of God’s indwelling Spirit within us. The goal of our spiritual journey is to realise God is real, that God is alive and God has always been present with man just as Jesus was present with those who walked to Emmaus. Secondly, we then need to endure on this journey and overcome to the glory of the Lord. The world is full of stories of Jesus, and the world is also full is lies and deception. We can only know the truth when we meet the Truth. Volume 2 in the Discipleship series offers a more in-depth guide to what it really means to be a disciple, exploring themes of holiness and authority, within the context of the Great Commission of Matthew 28.