Old Testament Turning Points

Well-respected Old Testament professor Victor Matthews identifies eight landmark stories that shaped Israel's identity.

Adam and Eve, God's covenant with Abraham, the deportation of Judah and their eventual return to Jerusalem--these are the Old Testament stories most people remember, and for good reason. According to veteran Old Testament professor Victor Matthews, these stories are essential to the identity of Israel as God's people. Matthews identifies eight landmark stories that not only shaped Israelite identity but also continued to echo throughout the Old Testament as Israel grew into its role as the people of God. He examines the stories in detail, showing how they provide a foundation for later Old Testament stories and events. Helpful sidebars, a glossary, indexes, and a selected bibliography provide readers with tools for further exploration. This book will be of interest to serious lay readers, Bible students, and church leaders.

Symbolism in the song of Jonah.--Greenspoon, L. J. The origin of the idea of resurrection.--Purvis, J. D. The Samaritan problem.--Collins, J. J. Patterns of eschatology at Qumran.--Collins, A. Y. Myth and history in the book of Revelation.

Is there meaning to life? Is history just random? Where does my life fit in? These are topical questions in any age, but particularly so in our postmodern era. Vaughan Roberts addresses these questions and others by examining what the Bible presents as the "turning points" in history, from creation to the end of time.This does not read like a normal history book. It does something far more important, to help you see history as God does, so that you might fit in with His plans for the world.

Most of the men and women whose lives are revealed for us in the Bible had "turning point" experiences that led them to serve the Lord more faithfully. This workbook, suitable for adults and teens, focuses on the turning point events in the lives of several notable men and women of the Old Testament. From a study of these biblical, turning points, students of the Word will see more clearly how the Lord can use turning point events in their lives to help strengthened their resolve to serve God and to dedicate themselves to renew their Homeward journey.

In this volume, Donald McKim traces the historical and systematic development of eight major Christian doctrines from early centuries to the present. Clearly written and amply documented, this introductory handbook features primary sources and extensive endnotes. It covers: the Trinity, Christology, Ecclesiology, Anthropology, Soteriology, Authority, the Sacraments, and Eschatology, concentrating on the decisive points in the development of the Church's theology. This book is well structured for use as a basic text.

Explores twelve pivotal events in the history of Christianity ranging from the fall of Jerusalem and the coronation of Charlemagne to the Edinburgh Missionary Conference.

Foreword by James Schall, S.J. Cardinal Ratzinger addresses the challenges and responsibilities that both the Church and society in Europe face after the collapse of Marxism. Both liberalism and Marxism have denied religion the right to have any influence on public affairs and the common future of humanity. Since there is also a great spiritual emptiness growing in the West with the increased secularization, consumerism and hedonism, Ratzingerಙs comments apply as much, if not more, to the United States as well. With the downfall of Marxism, religion has been discovered anew as an ineradicable force for both the individual and society. While there is renewed interest in religion, the dangers also exist to lay hold of religion as an instrument to serve various political ideas. Ratzinger, whose theological work has often dealt with the ಜreasons for our faith,ಝ reflects upon the various problems facing humanity at this turning point of our history and offers genuine hope based upon a deep Christian faith. He also addressed the critical role that the Church has in relationship to the world and the essential task of bringing Christ back into our culture. ಜIn the present situation it is an absolute obligation for the theologian and for the pastor of the Church to enter the disputation about the correct understanding of the present time, and to both clarify faithಙs own proper sphere and to do justice to the share of responsibility that lies on him at this hour.ಝ Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger