Shocked By The Bible

Shocked by the Bible sets the record straight with well-researched, controversial, myth-breaking assertions about what the Bible really does—and doesn’t—say. And guess on which day the Bible says Jesus died. Believe it or not, the Good Book doesn't mention Friday, and even more surprisingly, while the Bible says Jesus rose from the grave, it does not say it occurred Sunday morning. Remember, Jesus' followers found an empty tomb then. But don't feel bad if you've always assumed otherwise. Like countless millions of people, you've just been misinformed, misled or even (dare we say) lied to about what the Bible actually says. In a stunning investigation, news veteran Joe Kovacs goes on a mission to help both Christians and non-Christians alike find out what the Bible really contains, and what it doesn't. "Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told" is an educational juggernaut that relies solely on the Holy Bible to reveal hundreds of Scriptural facts that many people of all persuasions simply don't know. The book instantly skyrocketed to the No. 1 position in three Bible-related categories on Amazon.com. "I'm among the biggest fans of the Bible of all time," says Kovacs. "My goal is to educate people about the solid truth of Scripture and to stop the spread of erroneous information. I want people to crack open their Bibles and see with their own eyes what's actually printed on the pages, and what's not. It's shocking!" According to Scripture, you won't find "Three Wise Men" mentioned anywhere in the story of Jesus' birth. For that matter, none are said to have shown up at the manger in Bethlehem. The truth straight from your own Bible is that an unspecified number of wise men first met Jesus as a "young child" in a "house," not a babe in a manger, and it might have been more than a year after He was born. Go ahead, look it up for yourself. Also, according to Scripture, you won't find a single mention of Easter eggs, but you will find God warning His people not to have anything to do with a pagan fertility goddess, whose name is synonymous with "Easter." "Yes, I'm a Bible-believing Christian," says Kovacs. "But I'm not here to convert anyone. People are free to believe whatever they wish and can come to their own conclusions. I just want to show them the biblical record is often very different from what many assume. Not only will Christians love this book, but I think Jews, Muslims and even agnostics and atheists will get a kick out of it as well."

The Bible contains more mind-blowing information than most of us can possibly imagine. And it's anything but trivia. It's tons of Biblical facts ... and big yet neglected ideas, that we all need to know and understand. Here are just a few examples: Did you know the Bible is the likely origin for the fear of the number 13 as well as Friday the 13th? Are you aware that some prayers are actually detestable to God? Did you have any idea that important Bible themes are secretly embedded inside famous Hollywood movies such as "The Matrix," "Star Wars," "The Big Short," "Blade Runner," "The Shawshank Redemption," "Groundhog Day," "The Truman Show," "The Walking Dead," and many others? These are just some of the surprising issues addressed in the highly anticipated Shocked by the Bible 2. Here are some others: The disturbing truth behind the little drummer boy; the horrifying origin of Yule logs; God's serious problem with "every green tree" used to worship him; the Bible's most shocking statement, and why it's avoided and suppressed by most pastors; Satan's destiny―it's is not what most people think; the three words of Jesus that most Christians don't believe; the destiny of unrepentant evildoers―it's completely different from what most churches teach; the resurrection that no one talks about; Judgment Day―it does NOT mean that everyone is thrown into a fire; the important reason why God allows evil, and many pastors don't even know what it is. In a fascinating, highly readable new sequel to his bestselling Shocked by the Bible (Thomas Nelson, 2008), author Joe Kovacs not only gives us key, meaty Biblical facts and ideas, but he connects the scriptural dots. Result? Readers can grow spiritually and perfect their personal characters. Most important, readers can come to a greater understanding about what God intends for us--eternal life, provided we adhere to the Bible's code for living in this, our physical world.

Many Christians view the Bible as an instruction manual. While the Bible does provide instruction, it can also captivate, comfort, delight, shock, and inspire. In short, it elicits emotion--just like poetry. By learning to read and love poetry, says literature professor Matthew Mullins, readers can increase their understanding of the biblical text and learn to love God's Word more. Each chapter includes exercises and questions designed to help readers put the book's principles and practices into action.

We live in a reactionary culture where divisive issues arise, people on either side throw stones, and everyone ends up more entrenched in their opinions than in reaching common ground--or even exhibiting common courtesy! If there ever was a time for Christians to understand and communicate God's truth about controversial and polarizing issues, it is now. Believers must develop convictions based on research, reason, and biblical truth--and be able (and willing) to communicate these convictions with a love and respect that reflects God's own heart. In Culture Shock, bestselling author, pastor, and radio personality Chip Ingram shows readers how they can bring light rather than heat to the most controversial and divisive issues of our day. Covering topics such as right and wrong, sex, homosexuality, abortion, politics, and the environment, Culture Shock is every engaged believer's must-have guidebook to replacing reactionary hate with revolutionary love.

"The authors are clear that the Bible matters. They have teamed to skilfully weave the stories of Scripture with the lives of contemporary people to shed the bright light of the Bible on our own lives. Their work is grounded in the Word written and the Word of life, Jesus Christ. "Blessing has to do with suffering and death and resurrection." This is the explosive challenge of this book for all Christians; indeed all people. It is an especially devastating notion for people whose world is one where personal comfort and well-being are regarded as a right. Challenging! And also the confronting truth." Jack Mechielsen - President, Christian Parent Controlled Schools Ltd

This book is to consider some of the special ques-tions and problems which surround the Bible itself--a book for which all blurbs are impossible.

The Signature of Jesus challenges the gospel of "cheap grace" and calls the church to radical discipleship. With passion and boldness, author Brennan Manning invites readers to risk living life as Jesus lived—committed to simplicity, purity of heart, and obedience to the gospel. As a radical alternative this book is offered to Christians who want to live by faith and not by mere “religion,” for those who recognize that many of the burning theological issues in the church today are neither burning nor theological; who see Christianity neither as a moral code or a belief system but as a love affair; who have not forgotten that they are followers of a crucified Christ; who know that following him means living dangerously; who want to live the gospel without compromise; who have no greater desire than to have his signature written on the pages of their lives. “Behold,” Jesus proclaims, “I stand at the door and knock.” You may have already met him at the door…but do you truly know him? Have you been transformed by His furious, passionate, unexplainable love? Join Brennan Manning, the bestselling author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, on a personal journey to experience Christ’s love and live with His passion.

Jesus Christ is the most famous man in human history, but exactly who was He? Some say a fable; others think just one option among many good teachers, or even a nice guy who taught morals. Do any of these descriptions capture the totality of who He was? Jesus Unmasked goes directly to the world’s greatest expert on Jesus Christ, Jesus Himself: Who Jesus said He was and why He said it the way He did What historical accounts and Biblical details reveal versus what we assume Why 4000 years of history, prophecy and chronology force every human being to render their verdict about this one man. When you encounter Jesus Unmasked, you will not be ambivalent. Jesus gives us clarity and insight into the nature of God. Interact with what Jesus taught about Himself and draw your own conclusions to the world’s most important question: “Who is the real Jesus?”