Binder explores both the Jewish congregations and the buildings they met in throughout the Middle East from the late sixth century BCE, and the earliest known synagogue (at the time of his writing) to 70 CE, which marks the cessation of the Temple cult, the abrupt termination of the high priestly hegemony that had mostly administered affairs in Palestine since the end of the Babylonian exile, and a major change in Jewish worship and community life throughout the Roman Empire. A companion website provides new information such as Ehud Netzer's March 1998 discovery of what may the oldest synagogue yet. The dissertation was for Southern Methodist University in 1997.

Who was Jesus? Historical sources portray a person who was complex, multi-layered, and often contradictory to the tidy portrait that much of modern Christianity paints him as. Even the gospel accounts render him as both judge and healer, teacher and temple, servant and savior. A Doubter's Guide to Jesus is a persuasive and often challenging investigation into the historical figure found in the earliest sources. These sources, which include references both direct and indirect—from Roman, Jewish, and Christian accounts—offer us more than simple evidence that Jesus existed; they begin to form a picture that is both deeply credible and profoundly counterintuitive. Each chapter explores the evidence for a different aspect of the most influential figure in human history, exploring: His words and their impact. The scandal of his social life. His preference for the poor and lowly. The meaning of his death and influence of his promises. The goal is not to turn Jesus into something neater, more systematic and digestible; but to see him more clearly as someone who stretches our imaginations, confronts our beliefs, and challenges our lifestyles. After two millennia of spiritual devotion and more than two centuries of modern critical research, we still cannot fit Jesus into a box—and this is as challenging as it is deeply compelling.

"This is the first commentary on the Gospel of Mark to systematically apply a multidisciplinary approach, called 'socio-literary method.' Myers integrates literary criticism, socio-historical exegesis, and political hermeneutics in his investigation of Mark--the oldest story of Jesus--as 'manifesto of radical discipleship'."--

Why do some people pray in agreement with Gods will, heart and timing, yet the desired answers do not come? Why would God not respond when we pray from the earnestness of our hearts? What is the problem, or better yet, what is the solution? Robert Henderson believes the answer is found in where your prayer actually takes place. We must direct our prayer towards the Courts of Heaven and not only the battlefield. Robert shows that it is in the courtrooms of Heaven where our breakthroughs can be found. When you learn to operate there you will see your answers unlocked and released. This book will teach you the legal processes of Heaven and how to operate in its courts. When you get off the battlefield and into the courtroom you can grant God the legal clearance to fulfill His passion and answer your prayers.

Jesus: His Story in Stone is a reflection on still-existing stone objects that Jesus would have known, seen, or even touched. Each of the seventy short chapters is accompanied by a photograph taken on location in Israel. Arranged chronologically, the one-page meditations compose a portrait of Christ as seen through the significant stones in His life, from the cave where He was born to the rock of Calvary. While packed with historical and archaeological detail, the book’s main thrust is devotional, leading the reader both spiritually and physically closer to Jesus.

A brave collection of essays by rabbis, educators, lawyers, and psychotherapists on sexual abuse within the Jewish clergy

2ND REVISED EDITION Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity was all but destroyed. It was in the time of Nehemiah, governor of the province of Judah or Yehud, that the grand reconstruction of the city took place. Jerusalem in the Time of Nehemiah takes us on an Archaeological Tour of Nehemiah's Jerusalem illuminating all the sites, gates and walls of the city. It is richly illustrated with models of reconstructions, photographs, drawings and illustrative maps.,

This milestone study is a thorough examination of the various cultic and social phenomena connected with the temple--activities connected with the temple's inner sphere and belonging to the priestly circle. The book also seeks to demonstrate the antiquity and the historical timing of the literary crystallization of the priestly material found in the Pentateuch. Contents: Prologue, The Israelite Temples, Temples and Open Sacred Places, The Priesthood and the Tribe of Levi, The Aaronites and the Rest of the Levitical Tribe, The Distribution of the Levitical Tribe, The Centralizations of the Cult, The Priestly Image of the Tabernacle, Grades of Sanctity in the Tabernacle, Temple and Tabernacle, The Ritual Complex Performed Inside the Temple, Incense of the Court and of the Temple Interior, The Symbols of the Inner Sanctum, The Non-Priestly Image of the Tent of Mo'ed, The Emptying of the Inner Sanctum, Pilgrim-Feasts and Family Festivals, and The Passover Sacrifice.

Why is worship the single most important thing a Christian can learn to do? How are we to worship the Lord? Only on Sundays? What is it that keeps us from worshipping? How is worship different from praise? What is the connection between worship and joy? How is it possible to restore "the joy of our salvation?" Worship is the single most important thing a Christian can learn to do, because it's the "key" to God's presence and the fullness of joy. Without worship, we'll not be able to enjoy His presence; and without His presence, we'll have no joy; and without joy, we'll have no strength.