This work has several objectives: to understand what the problem of idol meat at Corinth involved, to establish the attitude of the Corinthians to this issue - what course of conduct had they followed or proposed to follow and how did they seek to defend their position? - to explain the reply of Paul to the Corinthian inquiry, and, finally, in the process of the exegesis and in the conclusions this study will seek to identify fundamental norms and themes which are operative here as a part of Paul's ethical thought.

This historical and exegetical investigation strongly challenges the widely held view that Paul regarded idol food as a matter of indifference, to be avoided only for the sake of the spiritual health of the weak. An exhaustive treatment of early Christian material shows that early authors were deeply influenced by Paul's discussion in 1 Corinthians 8-10, and yet they were totally unaware of the subsequent traditional understanding that Paul regarded idol food as indifferent. Even those who advocated eating idol food did not once appeal to Paul's discussion for support. An alternative understanding is proposed: Paul considers conscious consumption of idol food a denial of one's allegiance to Christ. One must avoid idol food if, and only if, it is identified as such.

Each congregation has a unique mission field. Several tools for developing disciples and for engaging in discipleship are available to churches; however, the resources assume that the churches using them are similar to the church that created them. With Gospel Discipleship, individuals and churches learn how to engage in self-reflection, which then defines a path that fits their context. The discipleship path for each individual disciple is assessed and determined through the Gospel Discipleship Participant Guide while this Gospel Discipleship Congregation Guide guides the implemntation of the program and assesses the discipleship path for the congregation as a whole. Therefore, the program leader(s) needs the congregation guide while individual particpants need their own participant guide. With Gospel Discipleship, churches can identify a pathway for discipleship applied from one of the four Gospel storytellers: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Each had a distinct approach to discipleship which can be applied to a given church's identity, vision, and mission. As disciples are encouraged by the church to step beyond the door and engage the needs of people, they can be sent forth confidently with an awareness of personal, unique gifts, and insights into the actual mission field where they participate with God in changing the world.

Douglas Campbell has made a name for himself as one of Paul’s most insightful and provocative interpreters. In this short and spirited book Campbell introduces readers to the apostle he has studied in depth over his scholarly career. Enter with Campbell into Paul’s world, relive the story of Paul’s action-packed ministry, and follow the development of Paul’s thought throughout both his physical and his spiritual travels. Ideal for students, individual readers, and study groups, Paul: An Apostle’s Journey dramatically recounts the life of one of early Christianity’s most fascinating figures—and offers powerful insight into his mind and his influential message.

There is an increasing number of divisive issues in our world today, all of which require great discernment. Thankfully, God has given each of us a conscience to align our wills with his and help us make wise decisions. Examining all thirty New Testament passages that touch on the conscience, Andrew Naselli and J. D. Crowley help readers get to know their consciences—a largely neglected topic—and engage with other Christians who hold different convictions. Offering guiding principles and answering critical questions about how the conscience works and how to care for it, this book shows how the conscience impacts our approach to church unity, ministry, and more.

Featuring art from the bestselling NIV Beautiful Word(TM) Bible, the NIV Beautiful Word(TM) Bible Journal, Galatians, includes the full text of the book of Galatians, along with verse art and wide margins for journaling.

Abstract theology is overrated, for God can be found in even the most ordinary of things. Jesus used things like a lily, sparrow, and sheep to teach about the kingdom of God. And in the Old Testament, God repeatedly describes himself and his saving work in relation to physical things such as a rock, horn, or eagle. In God of All Things, pastor and author Andrew Wilson invites you to rediscover God in this way, too--through ordinary, everyday things. He explores the idea of a material world and presents a variety of created marvels that reveal the gospel in everyday life and fuel worship and joy in God--marvels like: Dust: the image of God Horns: the salvation of God Donkeys: the peace of God Water: the life of God Viruses: the problem of God Cities: the kingdom of God God of All Things will leave you with a deeper understanding of Scripture, the world you live in, and the God who made it all.

Winter (divinity, U. of Cambridge) is not concerned about where Paul went from there, but about what happened in Corinth after he was gone. He gathers all the extant material he can find from literary, nonliterary, and archaeological sources on what life was like in the first-century Roman colony, focusing particularly the important role culture played in the life of the Christians. c. Book News Inc.

Rhetorical Interaction in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10 is a formal analysis of Paul's rhetorical interaction with the Corinthians over the issues of participation in the cultic meal (1 Cor. 10:1-22) and the eating of idol food (1 Cor. 8:1-13, 10:23-11:1). The thesis is that Paul's theology and rhetoric are predicated on knowledge and love. Major portions of the book employ rhetorical, sociological, archaeological, and historical-critical approaches to examine the triangular interaction between Paul, the Corinthians, and the biblical texts, paying particular attention to the complex configuration of the Corinthian congregation, including the influence of proto-Gnosticism, as well as the ways Paul responded to the shifting situation and different issues. The two chapters on rhetorical-hermeneutical theory and criticism are especially creative as the author suggests a Chinese hermeneutic for cross-cultural dialogues, the issue of ancestor worship being a specific example.

Many people have misconceptions about the biblical teaching on clean and unclean meats. What does scripture really reveal on this subject? -- Inside this booklet: -- Clean and Unclean Meats: Does God's Word Draw a Distinction? -- How Should We Understand Scripture? -- Understanding 'Unclean' in Romans 14 -- Does the New Testament Abolish Meat Distinctions? -- Not Only a Matter of Diet -- Which Animals Does the Bible Designate as 'Clean' and 'Unclean'? -- A Matter of Health? -- A Matter of Proper Cooking? -- A Telling Event From Jesus Christ's Ministry