A startling exploration of the history of the most controversial book of the Bible, by the bestselling author of Beyond Belief. Through the bestselling books of Elaine Pagels, thousands of readers have come to know and treasure the suppressed biblical texts known as the Gnostic Gospels. As one of the world's foremost religion scholars, she has been a pioneer in interpreting these books and illuminating their place in the early history of Christianity. Her new book, however, tackles a text that is firmly, dramatically within the New Testament canon: The Book of Revelation, the surreal apocalyptic vision of the end of the world . . . or is it? In this startling and timely book, Pagels returns The Book of Revelation to its historical origin, written as its author John of Patmos took aim at the Roman Empire after what is now known as "the Jewish War," in 66 CE. Militant Jews in Jerusalem, fired with religious fervor, waged an all-out war against Rome's occupation of Judea and their defeat resulted in the desecration of Jerusalem and its Great Temple. Pagels persuasively interprets Revelation as a scathing attack on the decadence of Rome. Soon after, however, a new sect known as "Christians" seized on John's text as a weapon against heresy and infidels of all kinds-Jews, even Christians who dissented from their increasingly rigid doctrines and hierarchies. In a time when global religious violence surges, Revelations explores how often those in power throughout history have sought to force "God's enemies" to submit or be killed. It is sure to appeal to Pagels's committed readers and bring her a whole new audience who want to understand the roots of dissent, violence, and division in the world's religions, and to appreciate the lasting appeal of this extraordinary text.

Explores future visions under a universalizing empire that many thought would never die.

A controversial take on the Gospel of Matthew applies the text to history and discusses its implications for political power and spirituality. Original.

Study the entire Book of Romans, beginning with an introduction to Paul and following through his life and his call. Some of the major ideas explored are: his purpose and situation, righteousness and wrath, being set free from sin, new life in the Spirit, and a tolerant ethic. More than 3.5 million copies of the series have been sold. This revision of the Abingdon classic Genesis to Revelation Series is a comprehensive, verse-by-verse, book-by-book study of the Bible based on the NIV. These studies help readers strengthen their understanding and appreciation of the Bible by enabling them to engage the Scripture on three levels: What does the Bible say? Questions to consider while reading the passage for each session. What does the passage mean? Unpacks key verses in the selected passage. How does the Scripture relate to my life? Provides three major ideas that have meaning for our lives today. The meaning of the selected passages are made clear by considering such aspects as ancient customs, locations of places, and the meanings of words. The meaning of the selected passages are made clear by considering such aspects as ancient customs, locations of places, and the meanings of words. The simple format makes the study easy to use. Includes maps and glossary with key pronunciation helps. Updates will include: New cover designs. New interior designs. Leader Guide per matching Participant Book (rather than multiple volumes in one book). Updated to 2011 revision of the New International Version Translation (NIV). Updated references to New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible. Include biblical chapters on the contents page beside session lesson titles for at-a-glance overview of biblical structure. Include larger divisions within the contents page to reflect macro-structure of each biblical book. Ex: Genesis 1-11; Genesis 12-50; Exodus 1-15; Exodus 16-40; Isaiah 1-39; Isaiah 40-66. The simple format makes the study easy to use. Each volume is 13 sessions and has a separate leader guide.

The Oxford Handbook of Postcolonial Biblical Criticism is a comprehensive treatment of a relatively new form of scholarship-one of the most compelling and contested theories to emerge in recent times, and a topic that actively seeks to expand the ways in which the Bible can be studied, interpreted, and applied. Generally speaking, postcolonialism aims to critique and dismantle hegemonic worldviews and power structures, while giving voice to previously marginalized peoples and systems of thought. This approach, often varied in form, has inevitably engaged with the text and reception of the Bible, a scripture that Western colonizers introduced to-and often imposed upon-their colonial subjects. With a globally diverse list of contributors, the Handbook aims to cover the perspective and context of the authors of the Bible, as well as the modern experiences of imperialism, resistance, decolonization, and nationalism. Moreover, the volume includes both a theoretical overview and an exploration of how the field intersects with related areas, such as gender studies, race, postmodernism, and liberation theology.

The Knowing the Bible series is a new resource designed to help Bible readers better understand and apply God's Word. Each 12-week study leads participants through one book of the Bible and is made up of four basic components: (1) Reflection questions designed to help readers engage the text at a deeper level; (2) "Gospel Glimpses" highlighting the gospel of grace throughout the book; (3) "Whole-Bible Connections" showing how any given passage connects to the Bible's overarching story of redemption culminating in Christ; and (4) "Theological Soundings" identifying how historic orthodox doctrines are taught or reinforced throughout Scripture. With contributions from a wide array of influential pastors and church leaders, these gospel-centered studies will help Christians see and cherish the message of God's grace on each and every page of the Bible. The book of Romans was Paul's greatest literary achievement, a majestic letter in which the apostle expounds on crucial doctrines such as original sin, election, substitutionary atonement, the role of the law, and justification by faith alone. Plumbing the theological depths, Jared Wilson writes with a pastor's eye toward understanding and application as he explains the biblical text with clarity and passion, helping readers follow along as Paul recounts the history of salvation and illuminates the glories of the cross of Christ.

In the book of 2 Peter, the apostle writes under inspiration that another apostle, Paul, wrote "Things, in which are some things hard to be understood" (2 Peter 3:16). Imagine, one inspired apostle, speaking about another inspired apostle's writings. But such, as any Christian will testify, is the absolute truth about Scriptures-they can be hard to comprehend!In my years interacting biblically, there are three comments I would inevitably get about three Scripture portions that reflect the statement by Peter, two sections in Paul's letter to Romans (Romans 7 and 11) and one from the Apostle John-Revelation. With John's Revelation, difficulties are universal and always the same subjects of books and conversations: "How should we read and interpret the book of Revelation with all the symbols, visions, etc.?" Anyone today will be familiar with the Left Behind series and the work that spawned many such books-The Late Great Planet Earth of the early '70s. Ideas on this book are legion.I have expounded on the first eleven chapters of Revelation-verse by verse-to attempt to show that the intended edification John had in mind when writing this work (see Revelation 1:1-3 etc.) actually was understood and edifying to the saints of the first century (and also to us). I wrote to show that if we are careful to lean on the Old Testament and its style of writing (in particular the book of Daniel), the book of Revelation turns out to be quite a straightforward work especially if we let Scripture interpret Scripture (example: Revelation 6:16 compare Luke 23:27-30). Indeed I think the truths of Revelation chapters 1 through 11 are so self-explanatory that the chapters that follow (if we keep comparing Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures) will fall quite naturally into place. Details may be tough, but general themes come out much clearer.In my life, preaching and exhortation a section of the Bible somewhat akin to the subject of Revelation would arise day in and day out: what is the meaning of Romans 11:26a, "And all Israel shall be saved," and how does it speak to the future of Israel? This verse was the central text for our greatest expository thinkers, the Puritans, and from the 1600s through the 1800s and into our twentieth century. This chapter was the basis for what was known as Puritan PostMillennialism (as opposed to the PreMillennialism of men like Tim Lahaye and Hal Lindsay).In this book, the section on Romans 11 (like Revelation and Romans 7) is handled verse by verse and is expounded systematically and slowly so that the mysteries that have often hung over Christians here might be seen in a newer, clearer light. In my travels, I've found many books, and too many conversations, approach these passages without regard to surrounding ideas. There is a desire for answers to Bible verses that, as Peter said, were hard to be understood and, without some patience, we will twist to our own harm and misunderstanding.Views are abundant when the subject is Romans 7. The inevitable comment or question-asked in multiple ways is: who is that guy in Romans 7 that cannot do what he wishes to do? It was Romans 7:13-25 that this type question arose, and I discovered over a period of a year the various views of this passage as well as the beauty, power, and answer to the question of: who is that guy in Romans s7? Indeed the study and writing of just Revelation chapters 1-11; Romans 7:13-25; and Romans 11:11-32-verse by verse-bore the fruit I believe we all desire when the going gets tough.This book is the fruit of a slow and steady exposition of these three aspects of the Scriptures: Romans 7:13-25; Romans 11:11-32; and Revelation chapters 1-11. As in any work in the Word of God, the wonders and glories you gain are incalculable.

Confused by "end of the world" readings or put off by the dense and mysterious imagery, many readers hesitate to explore the Book of Revelation. Unveiling Empire offers a new entree into this troubling and controversial book of the Bible by examining the roots and social purposes of apocalyptic literature and Revelations own use of traditional imagery. In this way the authors provide readers with the tools for deciphering the texts message--and its urgent applications for Christians today living amidst a new kind of "empire."

To properly interpret the Book of Revelation, we must have a thorough understanding of the New Covenant Spiritual Life. We must learn to emphasize the spiritual over the material. We must have a Heavenly orientation, as opposed to an Earthly orientation, to life, history, and our future.

Study the entire Book of Romans, beginning with an introduction to Paul and following through his life and his call. Some of the major ideas explored are: his purpose and situation, righteousness and wrath, being set free from sin, new life in the Spirit, and a tolerant ethic. Leader Guide includes: A verse-by-verse, in-depth look at the Scriptures. Background material, including word studies and history of the biblical setting. Answers to questions asked in the Participant Book. Application of the Scripture to daily life situations. Discussion suggestions. A variety of study options. Practical tips for leaders to use. More than 3.5 million copies of the series have been sold. This revision of the Abingdon classic Genesis to Revelation Series is a comprehensive, verse-by-verse, book-by-book study of the Bible based on the NIV. These studies help readers strengthen their understanding and appreciation of the Bible by enabling them to engage the Scripture on three levels: What does the Bible say? Questions to consider while reading the passage for each session. What does the passage mean? Unpacks key verses in the selected passage. How does the Scripture relate to my life? Provides three major ideas that have meaning for our lives today. The meaning of the selected passages are made clear by considering such aspects as ancient customs, locations of places, and the meanings of words. The meaning of the selected passages are made clear by considering such aspects as ancient customs, locations of places, and the meanings of words. The simple format makes the study easy to use. Includes maps and glossary with key pronunciation helps. Updates will include: New cover designs. New interior designs. Leader Guide per matching Participant Book (rather than multiple volumes in one book). Updated to 2011 revision of the New International Version Translation (NIV). Updated references to New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible. Include biblical chapters on the contents page beside session lesson titles for at-a-glance overview of biblical structure. Include larger divisions within the contents page to reflect macro-structure of each biblical book. Ex: Genesis 1-11; Genesis 12-50; Exodus 1-15; Exodus 16-40; Isaiah 1-39; Isaiah 40-66. The simple format makes the study easy to use. Each volume is 13 sessions.