Scripture Matters

Popular author and scholar Dr. Scott Hahn has released a collection of essays on the study and interpretation of Scripture from a Catholic perspective. Aptly titled Scripture Matters: Essays on Reading the Bible from the Heart of the Church, Dr. Hahn takes a penetrating look into the depths of Scripture, showing the reader how to uncover its many layers of meaning and inspiration. Scripture Matters serves both as an instructional guide to reading the Bible and as a delightful meditation on the grandeur of God's Word. Dr. Hahn effectively illustrates his discussion with the writings of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Josemaría Escrivá, Cardinal Ratzinger, and other exemplary scholars of Scripture who truly speak "from the heart of the Church."

"John Burgess has written a book of immense help to the church in this time of great conflict and division. It is wise, probing, and highly readable. . . . A combination of authentic piety and remarkable scholarship characterize this book, which is full of concrete suggestions for persons and and congregations. --Douglas W. Oldenburg, Moderator, 210th General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA) and President of Columbia Theological Seminary

Marketplace theology expert R. Paul Stevens revisits more than twenty biblical accounts -- from Genesis to Revelation -- exploring through them the theological meaning of every sort of work, manual or intellectual, domestic or commercial. --from publisher description.

Dr. Michael S. Heiser presents fifteen years of research on what the Bible really says about the unseen world of the supernatural, unfiltered by tradition or by theological presuppositions. Who were the sons of God? Who were the Nephilim? Where do angels fit into the supernatural hierarchy? What relation does Jesus bear to the rest of the supernatural world? Heiser tackles these questions and many more as he shines a light on the ancient context of Scripture. After reading this book, you may never read your Bible the same way again. In Supernatural, Heiser takes the core message from his recent best-seller, The Unseen Realm, and presents it for the person in the pew. He offers the same approach to reading and understanding Scripture, but without all the extra footnotes and supporting information needed for the scholarly treatment. “We can’t believe what we don’t understand. In Supernatural, Michael Heiser helps us to do both. It may open your eyes to the scripture in a new way.” —John Ortberg, author of If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat

Mike Erre, the teaching pastor of a large, culturally relevant church in Southern California, offers intelligent answers to the questions emerging generations are asking about the Bible: How can the Scriptures be relevant to the post-Christian, postmodern world? Does objective truth even exist? With so many viewpoints, translations, and theologies out there, how can anyone today know what the Bible really means? Many 20- and 30-somethings are suspicious of the way the Bible has been used by some people in the Christian community. But on the other hand, they don't necessarily buy into modern revisionist criticisms either. This unique guide provides the middle ground, upholding the authority of the Bible in creative, engaging, and intellectually satisfying ways. It addresses the specific biblical questions, concerns, and issues that are so important to the under-40 crowd. Erre's contagious enthusiasm and deep respect for the Scriptures match his first-rate scholarship.

Join a cold-case detective as he uncovers the truth about Jesus using the same approach he employs to solve real murder cases. Detective J. Warner Wallace was skeptical of the Bible's claims about Jesus. But he'd investigated several no-body homicide cases in which there was no crime scene, no physical evidence, and no victim's body. He wondered if the truth about the historical Jesus could be investigated in the same way. In Person of Interest, cold-case detective and bestselling author J. Warner Wallace describes his own personal investigative journey from atheism to Christianity as he carefully sifts through the evidence from history alone, without relying on the New Testament. In this book, you'll: Understand like never before how Jesus—the most significant person in history—changed the world and why he still matters today. Learn how to think like a cold-case detective by using an innovative and unique "fuse and fallout" investigative strategy, which you can also use to examine other claims of history. Explore and learn how to respond to common objections to Christianity. Creative, compelling, and fully illustrated, Person of Interest will strengthen the faith of believers while engaging those who are skeptical and distrusting of the New Testament gospel accounts.

This book guides readers into conversation with Paul’s letter to the Romans. The author helps readers listen to what that letter said to the people to whom it was written and to hear what it says to us today. Readers will bring their own reflections, personal concerns, and questions to the table as we let this letter challenge us with meaning—letting it read the reader. The thesis of this book is that the letter has demonstrated transforming power to renew lives and the church through a focus on worship; a rigorous assessment of the human condition, especially the failure of human religiosity; a claim of transforming power in the ongoing life of Christ; an expansive vision of who is included in God’s life and love; a call to practical application and proclamation of the gospel.