Newly updated and expanded by Christopher J. H. Wright, John Stott's classic book presents an enduring and holistic view of Christian mission that must encompass both evangelism and social action. Through a thorough biblical exploration, Stott provides a biblically based approach to mission that addresses both spiritual and physical needs.

Can you believe the Holy Bible? Understanding the answer to this question is one of the most important pieces of information you can possess. Yet people go through life unsure whether the Bible is fact or fraud. They simply don't take the time to address this life-altering question. Some say the Bible is just a collection of stories and fables. Some acknowledge that the Bible is good historical literature, but they don't think it applies in today's world. Others think it is OK to read as long as you don't have something else to do. But is this really a good way to treat information that can make a difference in this life as well as the one to come? Some people don't turn to the Bible until they find themselves in a severe crisis. Many a person in prison, held hostage, recovering from a drug addiction or experiencing a terrible tragedy finally turns to the Bible for encouragement and direction. But what good is this if we aren't sure that what the Bible says is true? You don't have to wait until you are in the middle of a severe crisis to read or prove the Bible's validity for today. Start today to understand how the Bible harmonizes with science, is verified by archaeology, and offers insight for the best life possible. Read this Bible Study aid booklet, Is the Bible True?, and start getting the answers! Chapters in this ebook: -- One of the World's Most Popular Books -- In Their Own Words: Great Men and Women Who Highly Respected the Bible -- The Bible in the Modern World -- Humanity's Bias Against the Supernatural -- The Bible and Astronomy -- Earth's Age: Does the Bible Indicate a Time Interval Between the First and Second Verses of Genesis? -- The Bible and Archaeology -- Cyrus of Persia: The Words of a Prophet Come to Pass -- A Staggering Archaelogical Discovery: The Mighty Assyrian Empire Emerges From the Dust -- King David's Existence Verified by Inscription -- Does Archaeology Confirm the Existence of Specific People Mentioned in the Bible? -- The Bible and Science -- The Biblical Authors: Men of God and Science -- Bible and Prophecy -- Modern Conditions Were Foretold in Scripture Many Centuries Ago -- The Bible and You -- Does the Bible Contain Errors? Inside this Bible Study Aid ebook: "Science cannot of itself tell us why the earth and the physical creation exist. Wrote Carl Sagan: “Why it happened is the greatest mystery we know. That it happened is reasonably clear” . But the Bible tells us why!" "Nutritionist David Meinz says that even though we may not understand all aspects of the biblical dietary laws, we would be wise to follow them." "The understanding of some major prophetic events is crucial as a guide to comprehending where we stand chronologically in God’s plan. The Bible is the lone trustworthy guide in these matters."

Understand where we came from. Whether you're an avid student of the Bible or a skeptic of its relevance, The Book That Made Your World will transform your perception of its influence on virtually every facet of Western civilization. Indian philosopher Vishal Mangalwadi reveals the personal motivation that fueled his own study of the Bible and systematically illustrates how its precepts became the framework for societal structure throughout the last millennium. From politics and science, to academia and technology, the Bible's sacred copy became the key that unlocked the Western mind. Through Mangalwadi's wide-ranging and fascinating investigation, you'll discover: What triggered the West's passion for scientific, medical, and technological advancement How the biblical notion of human dignity informs the West's social structure and how it intersects with other worldviews How the Bible created a fertile ground for women to find social and economic empowerment How the Bible has uniquely equipped the West to cultivate compassion, human rights, prosperity, and strong families The role of the Bible in the transformation of education How the modern literary notion of a hero has been shaped by the Bible's archetypal protagonist Journey with Mangalwadi as he examines the origins of a civilization's greatness and the misguided beliefs that threaten to unravel its progress. Learn how the Bible transformed the social, political, and religious institutions that have sustained Western culture for the past millennium, and discover how secular corruption endangers the stability and longevity of Western civilization. Endorsements: “This is an extremely significant piece of work with huge global implications. Vishal brings a timely message.” (Ravi Zacharias, author, Walking from East to West and Beyond Opinion) “In polite society, the mere mention of the Bible often introduces a certain measure of anxiety. A serious discussion on the Bible can bring outright contempt. Therefore, it is most refreshing to encounter this engaging and informed assessment of the Bible’s profound impact on the modern world. Where Bloom laments the closing of the American mind, Mangalwadi brings a refreshing optimism.” (Stanley Mattson, founder and president, C. S. Lewis Foundation) “Vishal Mangalwadi recounts history in very broad strokes, always using his cross-cultural perspectives for highlighting the many benefits of biblical principles in shaping civilization.” (George Marsden, professor, University of Notre Dame; author, Fundamentalism and American Culture)

Examines the daily life of the congregation of a Fundamentalist church in a suburb in the Northeast.

This groundbreaking book looks at the major approved Marian apparitions of the last five centuries and relates them to important historical moments: the Reformation, the French and Russian Revolutions, the rise of Nazism. These Marian apparitions, and particularly Fatima, are not historically unimportant events, but rather follow a preordained plan: they have a crucial role in helping us to see how the modern world, with all its problems, has developed. Donal Foley makes clear the fascinating and intriguing connections between Marian apparitions and the Scriptural types of Mary found in the Bible, a crucial element in the theology and exegesis of the early Church Fathers. By understanding these biblical types and their symbolism we see that each of the apparitions has a much greater significance for both the Church and the modern world than has generally been recognised. Here is a convincing demonstration that the future of the Church, and the papacy, is intimately bound up with a proper understanding of the role of Mary: there will only be true peace in the world when her message is accepted and lived. If you thought you really understood how the modern world developed, and the role and meaning of Marian apparitions, then this book will make you think again. 'Donal Foley has written a book with an extraordinary message.' Aidan Nichols, O.P.

This engrossing book demonstrates that the "cradle" (James Barr) of biblical criticism really lay in the English-speaking world and that subsequent problems actually began in England in the period between the Reformation and the Enlightenment. During this time, attempts were still being made on a regular basis to reconcile the content of the Bible with the questioning of it which was evolving as the result of new scientific discoveries and the development of new moral criteria. In this interdisciplinary study, Professor Reventlow leads the reader into the total context of the life and thought in which new ideas about the Bible came to birth. Beginning with the insights of early humanism and the spiritualist movements of the Reformation, and moving through the Puritans to a climax with the Deists, Reventlow traces the fascinating and complex history of biblical criticism, always emphasizing the close connection between theology, philosophical systems, and church politics. He illuminates the significance of the intellectual and constitutional development in England for the modern understanding of the Bible, and conversely, he highlights the role of the Bible in that development. The importance of this book is threefold. It is historical. It gives us insight into the way biblical understanding is achieved. And it helps us "understand how we ourselves work and think" (James Barr). If we are to answer the theological questions of our time, it is Reventlow's contention that the reply must "pioneer its way out of its past." For "only a careful survey of the way we have come so far can clarify existing intrinsic presuppositions and help us to overcome them by making us aware of them." -- from back cover.

A literary history of our most influential book of all time, by an Oxford scholar and Anglican priest In our culture, the Bible is monolithic: It is a collection of books that has been unchanged and unchallenged since the earliest days of the Christian church. The idea of the Bible as "Holy Scripture," a non-negotiable authority straight from God, has prevailed in Western society for some time. And while it provides a firm foundation for centuries of Christian teaching, it denies the depth, variety, and richness of this fascinating text. In A History of the Bible, John Barton argues that the Bible is not a prescription to a complete, fixed religious system, but rather a product of a long and intriguing process, which has inspired Judaism and Christianity, but still does not describe the whole of either religion. Barton shows how the Bible is indeed an important source of religious insight for Jews and Christians alike, yet argues that it must be read in its historical context--from its beginnings in myth and folklore to its many interpretations throughout the centuries. It is a book full of narratives, laws, proverbs, prophecies, poems, and letters, each with their own character and origin stories. Barton explains how and by whom these disparate pieces were written, how they were canonized (and which ones weren't), and how they were assembled, disseminated, and interpreted around the world--and, importantly, to what effect. Ultimately, A History of the Bible argues that a thorough understanding of the history and context of its writing encourages religious communities to move away from the Bible's literal wording--which is impossible to determine--and focus instead on the broader meanings of scripture.

While Old Masters' paintings of biblical scenes held by major galleries in many countries are visited and seen by thousands, gems of biblical art in smaller, provincial galleries seldom get the recognition and attention they deserve. Over two years, assisted by funding from the British Academy, conferences were held at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham, and at the Manchester Art Gallery, highlighting some of the significant biblical paintings held in the collections of both galleries. The papers presented at these conferences, drawn from the worlds of biblical studies, art history, philosophy, sociology and music, and collected in this volume, reflect the interdisciplinary goals of the project. These essays serve not only to showcase biblical paintings by lesser known artists but also to illustrate the wide range of perspectives and insights brought by the different academic disciplines.

Using an array of biblical texts from both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, Not God's People explores how ancient Jews and Christians created their own identity in relation to others. The book analyzes how biblical texts define 'us' and 'them, ' how these texts differ in the way they define group identity, and how this process continues to be re-created by Jews and Christians today