Paul looks to Illuminate basic faith, tradition and practice, offering direction to those who may feel dizzy in a world where cultural, political and religious landscapes seem to be changing by the minute. Paul covers such hot button topics as divorce, homosexuality, and abortion . . .[also] the Trinity . . .good and bad angels, the Sabbath, . . .tattooing and piercing . . . The author has an informal, conversational style that makes primarily for easy reading. Blueink Review Also discussed are the great stories of Adam and Eve, Noahs Ark, The Red Sea, the Feeding of 5000. How do these stories and lessons apply to todays society? Can the Bible really teach modern-day individuals about abortion, immorality, sexual indiscretion, and political progress? Can it still guide us to become better people, better parents, and better citizens? In Abused, Obscure, or Misused Scripture, these questions and more are answered through an engaging and diligent investigation and study into some of the most commonly misunderstood and misinterpreted Bible passages. From its ancient stories to its lessons of morality and character, a detailed and faithful analysis of these scriptures reveals how Gods Wordin any time and for any placemaintains a deep and abiding relevance. By guiding readers through the Word with careful attention to the language and different translations and versions of the Bible, author Steven Paul helps fellow believers both better understand and embrace fully the underlying meanings and applications of the sometimes exciting, sometimes confounding, but always inspiring scriptures.

Cienna is a strong-willed gal with an independent and assertive attitude. If anyone could have fought off an abduction, it should have been her. However, even she is unable to fight two able-bodied men and the drugs that they use to get her in the back of the van. Her journey begins as she awakes, and then is sold to a friendly man in a baseball hat named Mike, who promises to take her back to her family but instead ties her to a pole in his barn. Mike becomes her friend, saving her from the man who abducted her and violently took her innocence. But eventually she discovers Mike's secrets and realizes that he too is a monster. When she is finally rescued, she is left with a consequence of the men's sin and must decide along with her family what to do. Jasmine is sweet and kind and always berating herself for not being assertive like her friend Cienna. When Jasmine awakes, she is in a brothel, locked up in the "Trouble Room." Jasmine remains convinced for the rest of her journey that she has been very bad and sentenced to this place of horror. She deals with her plight by enjoying the drugs that her owners provide and developing a second personality. Her new friend dies at the brothel, but not before requesting a favor of Jasmine. When Jasmine is found, not only is she addicted to the narcotics she was given while in captivity, but she also must deal with trying to rid herself of her second personality, "Bay".

Why are spouse and child abuse so frighteningly common in the church? According to the findings of this book’s contributors, the main reason stems from misuse and misunderstanding of the Bible’s teachings on headship and submission. Based on a Christians for Biblical Equality conference, Women, Abuse, and the Bible shows that many abusers see no conflict between their behavior and their Christian beliefs. Some abusers even justify their behavior by citing biblical passages and religious principles. With input from counselors, biblical scholars, an abuser, and survivors, this eye-opening book will: —Compel Christians to recognize the existence of domestic violence. —Offer practical and creative pathways to healing. —Challenge churches to honestly address the issues of domestic, verbal, and clergy abuse, emotional cruelty, sexual harassment, and rape. This book speaks frankly of the way that the Bible can be used to hurt or to heal, to disperse God’s grace or to obstruct it. It serves as a sourcebook for all Christians courageous enough to address the problem.

IS SCRIPTURE CLEAR? IF IT IS, WHY DO PORTIONS OF IT SEEM SO OBSCURE? IF IT ISN’T, WHY HAVE THEOLOGIANS SPENT SO MUCH TIME DEFENDING THE NOTION OF ITS CLARITY? AND MORE IMPORTANT, ARE CHRISTIANS ENGAGED IN A FUTILE EFFORT IN TRYING TO READ AND UNDERSTAND IT? JAMES CALLAHAN OFFERS VALUABLE INSIGHT INTO THE COMPLEX NOTION of biblical perspicuity. He sets the issues within the history of the church and traces how the Bible's clarity has been understood practically and theologically over time. With precision and care he clarifies the role of historical context, authorial intent and reader response in a constructive articulation of how we come to understand Scripture's meaning. Contemporary literary studies inform his discussion and suggest the importance of intertextuality and intratextuality in the reading of Scripture. Ultimately, Callahan argues, Scripture must be viewed as a privileged text within a privileged community. Nevertheless, it must be read, not arrogantly, but with humility under the searching glance of the God who caused it to be written.

High-Interest Guide Sure to Spark Curiosity and Conversation A surprising number of well-known Bible verses are commonly misused and misunderstood. Whether intentionally or not, people take important verses out of context, and pastor and Bible scholar Eric J. Bargerhuff has seen the effects: confusion, faulty decisions, sin being dismissed, and more. With a deft touch, he helps readers understand and apply sound principles of interpretation and application of twenty familiar verses. This concise high-interest approach appeals to the curious as well as readers concerned about incorrect theology.

A careful, well-researched exposition of the biblical texts which are used to manipulate women into remaining in situations of domestic abuse, together with scriptures which are liberatory to women in this situation Adopts a high view of scripture and engages honestly with passages which are traditionally viewed as oppressive to women Draws on interviews with women who have experienced domestic violence Pastoral, direct, highly accessible style of writing which seeks to engage abused women and enable them to take a fresh look at the situation they are trapped in Written by a biblical scholar and practising pastor with a track record of being able to communicate to audiences at all levels

Untwisting Scriptures to show the truth regarding false claims of "patriarchy" and "authority" made in Christian and pseudo-Christians homes and churches.

This is a valuable book on the topical subjects of love, sex and marriage, from a practical Christian perspective. The author uses clear, understandable language to point out the God-given purpose of sex in marriage, and some of the potential dangers of sexual abuse. He explores the early beginnings of new-born babies and their subsequent growth over the years to puberty and adolescence. Teenagers are like strangers in a foreign country. They are experiencing a difficult period of transition between childhood and adulthood. At this crucial stage of their development, young people have a keen interest in fashion, music and sex. Many are sexually active, and some begin to think about marriage and family life, although they often confuse love with lust, and they are not mature enough to assume the responsibility of parenthood.

This provocative new book provides the truth and perspective needed to remind us of how high the stakes can be when we get the Bible wrong. Throughout history and around the world, people have made bizarre or dangerous claims in the name of God. They continue to do so today, citing biblical passages out of context or inappropriately. Doing so has led to a wide range of disasters, from executing other Christians for theological differences, to wild activities in the name of evangelism, and more. Is the Bible at Fault? examines these historical errors, problematic biblical interpretations, and tragedies to reveal how and why the Bible has been misused to justify and rationalize profound acts of persecution, destruction, violence, human rights abuse, and downright strange behavior. Is the Bible at Fault? explores twelve different cases of abhorrent behavior in the name of Scripture. These terrible, destructive movements have led people astray, brought irreparable spiritual and emotional harm, and even cost countless people their lives. The members of the Ku Klux Klan had no doubt that their actions were justified in the eyes of God. The murderous armies of the Fourth Crusade rationalized slaying other Christians in the name of the church. Detroit's Prophet Jones locked his followers in all-night revival meetings and often wouldn't let them out until they made financial contributions to the cause -- the cause being his lavish lifestyle. Some Christian missionaries not only condoned the wholesale slaughter of Australia's native Aborigines people, they participated in it -- with a clean conscience. These are real, historical people and events, and we'll explore every one of them and more in these pages.

This Research Handbook examines the evolution of understandings and legal definitions of domestic abuse, illustrating the importance of expanding these beyond physical violence to encompass coercive control. Drawing on academic literature, legal doctrine and the lived experiences of victims and survivors, it highlights how responses to domestic abuse can be improved in civil, family and criminal justice systems.