Cultural records such as dedications, honorific statues and decrees are keys to understanding the manifold and diverse social roles and religious functions of priesthoods in the cities of Asia Minor and the Aegean islands from the classical period to late antiquity. These texts and images indicate how the priests and priestesses saw themselves and were viewed by others. The approaches in this volume are historical, religious, and archaeological, and they elucidate the religious functions that the cult personnel fulfilled for the city, and the perception of priests and priestesses as citizens of the polis. The volume focuses on developments from the Hellenistic period into Imperial times. Subjects include: gendered priesthoods and family traditions, the topography of honorary statues and the presentation of funerary monuments, federal and civic priesthoods as well as priests of private cult-foundations, benefactions and social pressure, and the religious, social and political functions of priests and priestesses within cities.

What does “missional” mean for small Christian communities in a deeply secular society? Leading missiologist Stefan Paas asks what missional spirituality could possibly mean for today’s local church. This fully revised new international edition will make this an important introduction to contemporary thinking on mission and the church.

Foreign-born priests have always played a significant role in America. Only from 1940 to 1960 did the church produce enough native-born priests to serve its parishes. In the past, those priests usually came from Europe, most notably Ireland. In the future, most of the world will be served by priests from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, particularly India and Nigeria. Sixteen percent of the priests serving in the United States since 1985 are foreign-born and the number is rising. But many Americans prefer not to have them in their churches, saying the language and cultural differences are too great, and the screening isn't sufficient. International Priests in Americastudies this phenomenon from the perspective of parishioners, lay ministers, diocesan leaders, and priests. This groundbreaking book is guided by two questions: Should the Catholic Church in the United States bring in more international priests? If so, how should this be done?

In the wake of the conquests of Alexander the Great, the ancient world of the Bible—the ancient Near East—came under Greek rule, and in the land of Israel, time-old traditions met Greek culture. But with the accession of King Antiochos IV, the soft power of culture was replaced with armed conflict, and soon the Jews rebelled against their imperial masters, as recorded in the Biblical books of the Maccabees. Whereas most scholars have dismissed the biblical accounts of religious persecution and cultural clash, Sylvie Honigman combines subtle literary analysis with deep historical insight to show how their testimony can be reconciled with modern historical analysis by conversing with the biblical authors, so to speak, in their own language to understand the ways they described their experiences. Honigman contends that these stories are not mere fantasies but genuine attempts to cope with the massacre that followed the rebellion by giving it new meaning. This reading also discloses fresh political and economic factors.

The Hyksos drive south into the Nile Valley, sweeping all resistance aside. Bebi and Sobekhotep, grandsons of Harrubaal, assume command of the loyal Egyptian army and strive to stem the flood of Hyksos conquest. But even the cities of the south are divided against themselves. Abdju, an old capital city of Egypt reasserts itself, putting forward a line of kings of its own, and soon the city is at war with Waset, the southern capital of the Nile Valley, as the two cities fight for supremacy in the face of the advancing northern enemy. Caught up in the turmoil of warring nations, the ordinary people of Egypt must fight for their own survival as well as that of their kingdom.

ELLICOTT'S COMMENTARY ON THE WHOLE BIBLE is a practical and ideal commentary for Sunday school teachers, Christian workers, Bible students, libraries, and ministers. Each of the durably bound volumes in this handsome set is designed with an eye to the convenience of the user. The large, double-column pages are distinctive and easy-to-read. The helpful running commentary is always on the same page with the actual Bible text, making it simple for the user to locate the information he or she seeks. The comments in every case are crisply written and wonderfully practical and up-to-date. You, the user, will not have to read pages of extraneous material to get the important information. If you ever need help for: Sunday sermons Prayer Meeting talks Messages for Young People's Groups, etc. Sunday school lessons Personal Bible study Messages for special occasions you will find it in ELLICOTT'S COMMENTARY ON THE WHOLE BIBLE.

From the origins and exodus to the restoration and new hope, Kingdom of Priests offers a comprehensive introduction to the history of Old Testament Israel. Merrill explores the history of ancient Israel not only from Old Testament texts but also from the literary and archeological sources of the ancient Near East. After selling more than 30,000 copies, the book has now been updated and revised. The second edition addresses and interacts with current debates in the history of ancient Israel, offering an up-to-date articulation of a conservative evangelical position on historical matters. The text is accented with nearly twenty maps and charts.