To Christians worldwide, the man Jesus of Nazareth is the centerpiece of history, the object of faith, hope, and worship. Even those who do not follow him admit the vast influence of his life. For anyone interested in knowing more about Jesus, study of the four biblical Gospels is essential. The second edition of Four Portraits, One Jesus has been updated throughout to meet the needs to today's students. It is a thorough yet accessible introduction to the four biblical Gospels and their subject, the life and person of Jesus. Like different artists rendering the same subject using different styles and points of view, the Gospels paint four highly distinctive portraits of the same remarkable Jesus. With clarity and insight, Mark Strauss illuminates these four books addressing the following important areas: First he addresses the nature, origin, methods for study, and historical, religious, and cultural backgrounds of the Gospels. He then moves on to closer study of each narrative and its contribution to our understanding of Jesus, investigating things such as plot, characters, and theme. Finally, he pulls it all together with a detailed examination of what the Gospels teach about Jesus' ministry, message, death, and resurrection, with excursions into the quest for the historical Jesus and the historical reliability of the Gospels. This textbook together with its workbook, video lectures, and laminated sheet gives students everything they need for a thorough and enriching study of Jesus and the Gospels.

In this readable, engaging introduction to the Old Testament, a veteran biblical scholar shows the lay reader how the field of biblical scholarship uses the historical method to understand biblical texts.

Bestselling and controversial bishop and teacher John Shelby Spong reveals the subversive, mystical wisdom of the writer of the Gospel of John and how his teachings point us forward in the twenty-first century In The Fourth Gospel: Tales of a Jewish Mystic, Spong turns his attention to the Gospel of John, the fourth Gospel in the Bible. Contrary to what is most often believed, he writes that this gospel was misinterpreted by the framers of the fourth-century creeds to be a literal account of the life of Jesus. In fact, it is a literary, interpretive retelling of the events in Jesus’ life through the medium of Jewish worship traditions and fictional characters, from Nicodemus and Lazarus to the “Beloved Disciple.” The Fourth Gospel not only recaptures the original message of this gospel, but also provides us with a radical new dimension to the claim that in the humanity of Jesus the reality of God has been met and engaged. This book offers a fresh way to read the Gospel of John and a unique primer about how to be a Christian in the post-Christian twenty-first century.

The director of the Navarre Bible project at the University of Navarre in Spain brings together his thoughts on one of the most intriguing Gospel writers, St. John. St. John has been called “the theologian” because of the theological depth of his writing. He is often symbolically represented as an eagle because his writings soar to the heights of the divinity just as the eagle soars upward to the sun. If the Gospels are “the heart of all of Scripture,” and therefore the object of special veneration and study, then the Gospel of St. John deserves special attention as the summit of the four.

Have you ever asked yourself what difference it would have made if Jesus had not risen from the dead? I hope this 10-lesson Bible Study will answer that question for you...or that you will be better prepared to answer that question for someone else. Over twenty years ago my husband, Ken, had a business acquaintance ask him: "What difference would it have made if Jesus had not risen from the dead?" Ken was only too glad to sit down with Jack that day, answer his question, and also tell him what it meant to put his faith in Jesus. When Jack realized all that Jesus had done for him, that Jesus was without a doubt God Himself, that He had been murdered, but then raised from the dead, and was alive today, Jack gave his heart and life to Jesus Christ. Two years later Jack died...but didn't. His body is in the grave, but Jack went to be with His Lord. He's living with Jesus today, and will for eternity.

Giovanni Boccaccio's 'The Decameron: Collector's Edition' is a timeless masterpiece that consists of 100 bawdy, witty, and thought-provoking stories told by ten young Florentines who have fled the city to escape the Black Death. This literary work is written in a frame narrative style, showcasing Boccaccio's innovative storytelling techniques and his keen understanding of human nature. These tales cover a wide range of topics such as love, betrayal, humor, and morality, making them relevant to readers of all ages. The book serves as a vivid portrayal of 14th century Italy, offering valuable insights into the social and cultural norms of the time. The three different translations by John Payne, John Florio, and J.M. Rigg presented in this collector's edition provide readers with diverse interpretations and perspectives on Boccaccio's classic work. Each translation captures the essence of the original text while adding unique nuances that enhance the reading experience. Giovanni Boccaccio's 'The Decameron' is a must-read for lovers of classic literature, history, and storytelling, as it continues to captivate audiences with its timeless tales and universal themes.

This carefully crafted ebook: "The Decameron: 3 Different Translations by John Florio, John Payne and J.M. Rigg in 1 eBook" is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents. The Decameron (c.1351) is an entertaining series of one hundred stories written in the wake of the Black Death. The stories are told in a country villa outside the city of Florence by ten young noble men and women who are seeking to escape the ravages of the plague. Boccaccio's skill as a dramatist is masterfully displayed in these vivid portraits of people from all stations in life, with plots that revel in a bewildering variety of human reactions. Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375) was an Italian writer and humanist, one of the founders of the Renaissance. He studied business but abandoned it eventually to pursue his literary interests. In 1350 Boccaccio met Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) (1304-1374), one the most important figures in the beginnings of the Renaissance and Humanism.