Approaching the Bible in an original way—comparing biblical heroes to heroes in world literature—Elliott Rabin addresses a core biblical question: What is the Bible telling us about what it means to be a hero? Focusing on the lives of six major biblical characters—Moses, Samson, David, Esther, Abraham, and Jacob—Rabin examines their resemblance to hero types found in (and perhaps drawn from) other literatures and analyzes why the Bible depicts its heroes less gloriously than do the texts of other cultures: * Moses founds the nation of Israel—and is short-tempered and weak-armed. * Samson, arrogant and unhinged, can kill a thousand enemies with his bare hands. * David establishes a centralized, unified, triumphal government—through pretense and self-deception. * Esther saves her people but marries a murderous, misogynist king. * Abraham's relationships are wracked with tension. * Jacob fathers twelve tribes—and wins his inheritance through deceit. In the end, is God the real hero? Or is God too removed from human constraints to even be called a “hero”? Ultimately, Rabin excavates how the Bible’s unique perspective on heroism can address our own deep-seated need for human-scale heroes.

Features the stories of Bible heroes who fought on God's behalf and villains who fought against him.

Joel Baden, a leading expert on the Old Testament, offers a controversial look at the history of King David, the founder of the nation of Israel whose bloodline leads to Jesus, challenging prevailing popular beliefs about his legend in The Historical David. Baden makes clear that the biblical account of David is an attempt to shape the events of his life politically and theologically. Going beyond the biblical bias, he explores the events that lie behind the David story, events that are grounded in the context of the ancient Near East and continue to inform modern Israel. The Historical David exposes an ambitious, ruthless, flesh-and-blood man who achieved power by any means necessary, including murder, theft, bribery, sex, deceit, and treason. As Baden makes clear, the historical David stands in opposition not only to the virtuous and heroic legends, but to our very own self-definition as David’s national and religious descendants. Provocative and enlightening, The Historical David provides the lost truth about David and poses a challenge to us: how do we come to terms with the reality of a celebrated hero who was, in fact, similar to the ambitious power-players of his day?

Five stories from the Bible, retold by legendary actor and acclaimed author Kirk Douglas

Readers will discover the remarkable stories of those who have suffered for the cause of Christ throughout the course of history. This volume reveals what inspired the great heroes of faith and drove them to give their all.

This extensive, full-color guide to Bible characters includes fascinating facts and figures about the Bible’s most curious but sometimes relatable people. Including all-new illustrations from graphic artist Sergio Cariello, The Action Bible Heroes and Villains draws in young readers with: Colorful info about the crazy origins, amazing occupations, and strengths and failings of more than 75 Bible characters. Historical background and “Where Is It Now?” guides to ancient and modern-day locations. Diagrams, stories, and fun facts about food, clothing, traditions, individual quirks, and miraculous interventions. From Adam and Eve’s most embarrassing moment to the details of a Roman soldier’s armor to Zechariah’s hometown, the unique insights and dynamic illustrations in this jam-packed guide jump off the pages and into kids’ minds and hearts as they meet people just like them whom God used in His redemptive story.

Don’t trust your instincts—there is a better path to becoming a better man. It’s no secret: today’s men face a dilemma. Our culture tells them that their instincts are either toxic or salvific. Men are left with only two options: deconstruct and forfeit masculine identity or embrace it with wild abandon. They’re left to decide between ignoring their instincts or indulging them. Neither approach helps them actually understand their own masculine experiences nor how those experiences can lead them to become better men of God. The Bible doesn’t shy away from the reality of masculine instincts nor all of the ways those instincts can lead to destruction. Examining the lives of five men of the Bible, The 5 Masculine Instincts shows that these men aren’t masculine role models or heroes but are men who wrestled with their own desires and, by faith, matured them into something better. Through this book you’ll discover your own instincts are neither curse nor virtue. They are the experiences by which you develop a new and better instinct—an instinct of faith. By exploring sarcasm, adventure, ambition, reputation, and apathy, The 5 Masculine Instincts shows you how to better understand yourself and how your own instincts can be matured into something better. This is the path by which we become better men.

Approaching the Bible in an original way--comparing biblical heroes to heroes in world literature--Elliott Rabin addresses a core biblical question: What is the Bible telling us about what it means to be a hero? Focusing on the lives of six major biblical characters--Moses, Samson, David, Esther, Abraham, and Jacob--Rabin examines their resemblance to hero types found in (and perhaps drawn from) other literatures and analyzes why the Bible depicts its heroes less gloriously than do the texts of other cultures: * Moses founds the nation of Israel--and is short-tempered and weak-armed. * Samson, arrogant and unhinged, can kill a thousand enemies with his bare hands. * David establishes a centralized, unified, triumphal government--through pretense and self-deception. * Esther saves her people but marries a murderous, misogynist king. * Abraham's relationships are wracked with tension. * Jacob fathers twelve tribes--and wins his inheritance through deceit. In the end, is God the real hero? Or is God too removed from human constraints to even be called a "hero"? Ultimately, Rabin excavates how the Bible's unique perspective on heroism can address our own deep-seated need for human-scale heroes.

The Bible is filled with incredible and interesting characters—from Jesus to Eglon, Gabriel to Legion. The Ultimate Bible Character Guide brings 150 of them to life with comic-book style illustrations and hundreds of facts for kids to explore. Young readers will be captivated to read about both well-known characters of the Bible and some they have yet to discover. They'll learn what characters' names meant, what strengths God gave them, who they considered enemies, and what battles they fought. Which one was possessed by demons? Who wrestled an angel? Who never died? It's all here, the good and the evil, the famous and the infamous. In true encyclopedia form, characters will be arranged alphabetically and indexed so that favorites can be found easily. Contemporaries will be marked as such, and a timeline will help kids understand and place each story. Spreads will include full-length illustrations of each character, list of facts, descriptions, and background info.

Nobody knows their names . . . Except God--and perhaps several million (billion?) of their closest friends in heaven. The Bible gives us true stories about a large handful of fascinating, but nameless, people. You and I are like them. We too will be nameless to history. And we too have an opportunity to act in ways that have a profound effect for good on the way history unfolds on the earth. They are Nameless Heroes of the Bible. What do they have to teach us?