Hebrews And James

Hebrews and James contain useful advice for Christians struggling to live a life of faith. In this book, Frances Taylor Gench guides readers through these two relevant - and inspirational - epistles. For believers who have grown weary or disillusioned with their Christian commitment, the letter to the Hebrews offers much practical assistance. In this day of dwindling church attendance and clergy burnout, a new reading of Hebrews offers an encouraging and renewed understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ. The letter of James deals primarily with the social and practical aspects of Christianity, reminding the reader that Christian faith touches every aspect of life. One of the most useful books in the New Testament, its concerns are grounded in day-to-day questions: How do we live? How should we live? and What are the implications of Christian faith for our lives? This epistle will challenge and encourage modern readers in search of a life of integrity.

"If you are in a position of positive influence, if you exercise leadership in any way, your faith in God gives you a power—a hidden power—that will allow you to make an enduring difference in the lives of other people and organizations. But how does that power work?" So says Mel Lawrenz in this fresh look at leadership which offers practical and biblical guidance to believers who want to have a deep influence and who want to know: What is the proper use of authority and power? Where do good ideas come from? How can we deal with failure? What does God expect of us? Drawing from more than thirty years of experience in pastoral ministry, Lawrenz writes for Christians in any position of influence. This book provides a new baseline for 21st century Christian leadership, addressing issues such as: • building integrity • seizing opportunities • exploring new horizons • speaking into crises • receiving power • accepting authority • promoting truth • managing expectations • dealing with criticism Using real-life examples, key Scripture passages, and history, Lawrenz shows that when believers align their responsibility to lead with the teaching of Jesus and the work of God’s Spirit, their spiritual influence will have integrity and enduring effectiveness. "Lawrenz gives us hope that the leadership pendulum which has swung from "over- spiritualized" to "de-spiritualized" in recent generations may have finally come to rest where it always belonged—upon Jesus Christ." - Skye Jethani, Senior Editor, Leadership Journal, from the foreword "It is exciting to think about believers at every level of society rising to a new call to exercise powerful spiritual influence. In his newest book, Spiritual Influence, Mel Lawrenz has given us all a new baseline for leadership that is personal, wise, and spiritual. It spans the generations and reaches across cultures. Just think what will happen if believers in positions of influence tie into the wisdom and the power that comes from God in order to bring restoration in our broken world!” - Mark Batterson, Lead Pastor, National Community Church in Washington, D.C.

In his commentary on the Letter to the Hebrews, New Testament scholar Edgar McKnight explores the two aspects of Hebrews as covenant-the appeal to the perfection and finality of Jesus Christ and the exhortation to faithfulness based on that appeal. He also highlights the interpretative strategies of the author-strategies that are often strange to modern readers. By bringing the ancient text into the world of present readers and to take readers back to the world of Hebrews, we are able to frame the author's treatment of the problems of our spiritual ancestors from the perspective of our modern world and problems presented in our pilgrimage.In his accompanying commentary on the Letter of James, New Testament scholar Christopher Church represents the letter as something of a biblical and historical fossil, a surviving representative of a once-flourishing Jewish Christianity, the living voice of a theological "dead end." The Letter of James exposes a form of early Christianity distinct from the Pauline line that later predominated. In the picture that is created of this early Christian community, we find concerns over ethical responsibility and social justice that still serve to define Christian communities today.Written by accomplished scholars with all students of Scripture in mind, this innovative new commentary series is designed to make quality Bible study more accessible. Pastors, professors and students of Scripture are discovering that this commentary is a wonderful new tool for enhancing interpretation.

Continuing a Gold Medallion Award-winning legacy, the completely revised Expositor's Bible Commentary puts world-class biblical scholarship in your hands. A staple for students, teachers, and pastors worldwide, The Expositor's Bible Commentary (EBC) offers comprehensive yet succinct commentary from scholars committed to the authority of the Holy Scriptures. The EBC uses the New International Version of the Bible, but the contributors work from the original Hebrew and Greek languages and refer to other translations when useful. Each section of the commentary includes: An introduction: background information, a short bibliography, and an outline An overview of Scripture to illuminate the big picture The complete NIV text Extensive commentary Notes on textual questions, key words, and concepts Reflections to give expanded thoughts on important issues The series features 56 contributors, who: Believe in the divine inspiration, complete trustworthiness, and full authority of the Bible Have demonstrated proficiency in the biblical book that is their specialty Are committed to the church and the pastoral dimension of biblical interpretation Represent geographical and denominational diversity Use a balanced and respectful approach toward marked differences of opinion Write from an evangelical viewpoint For insightful exposition, thoughtful discussion, and ease of use—look no further than The Expositor's Bible Commentary.

Hebrews, the second of eighteen volumes in the Paideia commentary series, brings the insight of a veteran teacher and writer to bear on a New Testament book whose rich imagery and memorable phrases have long shaped Christian discourse. The Paideia series approaches each text in its final, canonical form, proceeding by sense units rather than word-by-word or verse-by-verse. Each sense unit is explored in three sections: (1) introductory matters, (2) tracing the train of thought, (3) key hermeneutical and theological questions. The commentaries shed fresh light on the text while avoiding idiosyncratic readings, attend to theological meaning without presuming a specific theological stance in the reader, and show how the text uses narrative and rhetorical strategies from the ancient educational context to form and shape the reader.

New Edition of a Powerful Prayer Tool from Two Ministry Leaders If you long for spiritual breakthrough, use the method as tried and true as the Bible itself: Pray the Bible out loud before moving into silent communion with God. By Jesus' example, we know that praying the Scriptures aloud brings powerful results. It can also provide focus and direction for your prayer life. In this revised edition of Praying the Bible: The Book of Prayers, Wesley and Stacey Campbell take the ancient tradition of the prayer book and give it a modern twist. They present passages of Scripture that are actually prayers, divided according to eight categories--the prayers of Jesus, prayers of the apostles, prayers of wisdom, Psalms, and more. This gives you quick and easy access to 88 Bible prayers that speak to any situation in life. Each section includes an introduction and practical instruction on how to pray the specific type of prayer. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned intercessor, this unique prayer tool will lead you on a pathway to a deeper life with God. Endorsement "One of the most valuable tools that intercessors can use for prayer."--Cindy Jacobs

By the American Reverand who wrote with the intention to present a clear, concise, and yet comprehensive a view as possible, of the way of salvation as taught in the Scriptures, and held by the Lutheran Church.

One Abingdon's most beloved studies of the Bible has been updated!