The Message Of Genesis 1 11

Where do we come from? What is our purpose? The key to how and why we are is found in the early chapters of Genesis. In The Message of Genesis 1–11, David Atkinson explores how the first eleven chapters serve as an overture to the rest of the Bible. They evoke wonder as God is portrayed in his creative power and beauty. They reveal God's loving mercy and salvation, even in his terrible judgment of those who turn from him and despoil the harmony of creation. With vivid insight, this Bible Speaks Today commentary illuminates how the meaning of Genesis is still resonant today—helping us understand both the greatness and the tragic flaw inherent in human beings. Although it was written thousands of years ago, the message of Genesis is one of timely urgency for the modern world: we are responsible participants in God's creation who must, like Noah, confront the possibility of global catastrophe. Part of the beloved Bible Speaks Today series, The Message of Genesis 1–11 offers an insightful, readable exposition of the biblical text and thought-provoking discussion of how its meaning relates to contemporary life. Used by students and teachers around the world, The Bible Speaks Today commentaries are ideal for those studying or preaching the Bible and anyone who wants to delve deeper into the text. This beautifully redesigned edition has also been sensitively updated with more current references and the NRSV Bible text.

Although the object of centuries of study, only relatively recently has Genesis 1-11 been analyzed with attention to its literary unity and theological purpose. With the latter twentieth century's increased attention to synchronic approaches, many scholars began to consider Genesis 1-11 from the perspective of a literary unity in its final form and, therefore, to consider matters of intent and theological content. Yet, in spite of these treatments, there have been virtually no attempts to view the entire section of Genesis 1-11 as a literary and theological unity presenting a coherent message. This book begins to fill this void by seeking to identify the message of these chapters through utilization of a literary-theological approach. The study focuses on literary features, including the broader issues of surface and deep structure, while other topics of special concern include rhetoric as the art of composition for the purpose of communication and persuasion, and the use of speech as an important indicator of key issues in Hebrew narrative.

To read Genesis intelligently, we must consider the questions, the literature, and the times in which Genesis was written. In How to Read Genesis Tremper Longman III provides a welcome guide to reading, studying, understanding, and savoring this panorama of beginnings—of both the world and of Israel. And importantly for Christian readers, we gain insight into how Genesis points to Christ and can be read in light of the gospel.

Genesis 1-11 contains some of the best-known stories in the world. To modern Westerners they may look like no more than entertaining tales that children can enjoy, but modern adults cannot take seriously. However, when read in the context of the ancient Orient, Genesis 1-11 looks very different. It turns out to be a truly revolutionary document. In retelling the history of the ancient world, it puts a new spin on it by introducing an all-powerful, all-knowing, unique God whose greatest concern is human welfare. The God who appears in Genesis 1-11 is the God presupposed by all the Old Testament writers, indeed by the New Testament as well. The gripping tales of Genesis thus provide the theological spectacles for a sympathetic reading of the Bible. They are the gateway to a valid understanding of its message and can even help modern believers construct a worldview that integrates both the discoveries of modern science and the insights of Christian theology.

"This book...is designed to make the Bible of Israel intelligible, relevant, and hopefully, inspiring to a sophisticated generation, possessed of intellectual curiosity and ethical sensitivity...It is based on the belief that the study of the Book of Books must constitute a mature intellectual challenge, an exposure to the expanding universe of scientific biblical scholarship...Far from presenting a threat to faith, a challenge to the intellect may reinforce faith and purify it."--from the Introduction

A new commentary for today’s world, The Story of God Bible Commentary explains and illuminates each passage of Scripture in light of the Bible’s grand story. The first commentary series to do so, SGBC offers a clear and compelling exposition of biblical texts, guiding readers in how to creatively and faithfully live out the Bible in their own contexts. Its story-centric approach is idea for pastors, students, Sunday school teachers, and all who want to understand the Bible in today’s world. SGBC is organized into three easy-to-use sections, designed to help readers live out God’s story: Listen to the Story; Explain the Story; and Live the Story. Praise for SGBC: “The easy-to-use format and practical guidance brings God’s grand story to modern-day life so anyone can understand how it applies today.”—Andy Stanley “Opens up the biblical story in ways that move us to act.”—Darrell L. Bock “It makes the text sing and helps us hear the story afresh.”—John Ortberg “This commentary breaks new ground.”—Craig L. Blomberg

This complete series of New Testament commentaries edited by John Stott is characterized by a threefold ideal: to expound the biblical text with accuracy, to relate biblical teaching to contemporary life and to be readable. Perfect for Sunday school teachers, small group leaders, seminary and college students and individual Bible readers.

Hailed as "the most radical repackaging of the Bible since Gutenberg", these Pocket Canons give an up-close look at each book of the Bible.