To navigate through every single verse of the New Testament, and show how they were put together in a book is not an easy task. To make sense of the life and death of Jesus is no less challenging. But not for Jon Valset! In about 700 pages and over 200 topics, one is exposed to stories and events that have been systematically and meticulously analyzed and cross-referenced. At times, irreverent and controversial, but without preconceived notions or doctrinal goals, he extends his probing to works by contemporary writers for more fascinating incidents related to Jesus, and the epoch in which he lived. He carries his research down to the smallest detail, connects the dots, fills in the blanks, and comes up with assessments and conclusions that are hard to dispute. Frequent annotations and insightful commentary throughout Probing the New Testament bring greater clarity and understanding of the Holy Text. In his journey for truth, Valset elaborates on many passages of the New Testament claiming prophetic credibility in the Old Testament. He turns his attention to the effects of the hatred Roman occupation of the land, and to other political and religious forces controlling everyone’s life. From here, it was only a short step to the harsh conditions that made inevitable Jesus’s death on the Cross. He, then, goes on to discuss in great detail how acceptance of new theological ideas by Gentiles led to the creation of early Christianity. Probing the New Testament is a real eye-opener, sure to please those with a keen and open intellect.

How did the Church get Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John instead of Thomas, Mary, Peter, and Judas? C. E. Hill presents evidence for how and why, despite the numerous Gospels that appeared in the earliest Christian centuries, four (and only four) Gospels came to be embraced by the Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox churches alike.

A veteran archaeologist sheds light on the biblical text by examining archaeological discoveries.

You can trust your Bible. Was the Bible born of a giant conspiracy? Many believe that the Bible was created as an instrument of domination by the Roman emperor Constantine and corrupt bishops seduced by political power. These men were not preserving orthodox Christianity. They were simply the winners--and thus the writers--of history. Is this Christianity's dirty secret? In Who Chose the Books of the New Testament?, Charles E. Hill examines the ancient evidence behind the formation of the New Testament. Hill retraces the origins of the canon and why certain books were privileged and others neglected. He concludes that the New Testament was inherited, not chosen. The early church preserved and proclaimed what they received. Learn how you got your Bible. The Questions for Restless Minds series applies God's word to today's issues. Each short book faces tough questions honestly and clearly, so you can think wisely, act with conviction, and become more like Christ.

Putting Jesus in His Place is designed to introduce Christians to the wealth of biblical teaching on the deity of Christ and give them the confidence to share the truth about Jesus with others.

This workbook accompanies The New Testament in Its World by N. T. Wright and Michael F. Bird. Following the textbook's structure, it offers assessment questions, exercises, and activities designed to support the students' learning experience. Reinforcing the teaching in the textbook, this workbook will not only help to enhance their understanding of the New Testament books as historical, literary, and social phenomena located in the world of early Christianity, but also guide them to think like a first-century believer while reading the text responsibly for today.

This lively, engaging introduction to the New Testament is critical yet faith-friendly, lavishly illustrated, and accompanied by a variety of pedagogical aids, including sidebars, maps, tables, charts, diagrams, and suggestions for further reading. The full-color interior features art from around the world that illustrates the New Testament's impact on history and culture. The first edition has been well received (over 60,000 copies sold). This new edition has been thoroughly revised in response to professor feedback and features an updated interior design. It offers expanded coverage of the New Testament world in a new chapter on Jewish backgrounds, features dozens of new works of fine art from around the world, and provides extensive new online material for students and professors available through Baker Academic's Textbook eSources.

This is no ordinary book. It is a set of probing questions (1,450 in fact) designed to help individuals or groups, especially groups, to dive deeply into Saint John’s Gospel. No answers are provided, but the questions are phrased in such a way as to set a person in a reliable direction for finding the answers. The questions correspond to the verses of the Gospel and require active and personal interaction. Some of the questions are easy, some difficult, and they are marked accordingly. Some questions include background information or hints that help the reader along. Some were written with a fair bit of humor. Any person or group using these questions to explore John will find themselves entertained as well as informed and inspired.

In this provocative book, historian Meic Pearse debunks the common misconception that religion causes war. He argues that while religion is often a significant generator of armed conflict both in the past and in the present, the two principal causes of human warfare are in fact culture and greed for territory, resources or power. Since culture and greed often clothe themselves in religion, wars fought for culture often appear to be fought for religion. With keen analysis of global history and current events, Pearse shows how irreligion has produced far bloodier wars than religion and how global secularism itself does violence to religion and traditional cultures. Ultimately, throughout history warfare has been waged over the shape of society itself. A crisis in meaning leads people to fight for what they fear may be lost. For a world weary of war, Pearse points beyond both cultural and secular metanarratives to an alternative hope. Market/Audience Church leaders Laypeople Evangelists and missionaries Seminary students and professors Features and Benefits Provides a global historical perspective on war, religion and culture Evenhanded and broad in scope Examines both historical and contemporary examples

An eight session curriculum to study the book by the same title. Includes eight 12 minute video clips. Explores the Old Testament.