In The Bible Cause, John Fea explores the American Bible Society (ABS) and the plucky Christians who built and sustained it. Published to coincide with the ABS’s 2016 bicentennial, the book offers a chronological institutional history peppered with quotations from letters written by supporters (and occasionally critics) and tales from agents working across the United States and the globe. At its heart, this book argues that two motivating commitments have driven the history of the ABS. Since its founding in 1816, it has sustained a belief in the power of the Bible to lead people to salvation and has maintained a cultural mandate to build a Christian society in the United States and throughout the world.…
When one views the life of the Apostle Paul in the New Testament it is evident that he had a heart to disciple others. The evidence at hand identified Paul as more than an individual who had doctrinal knowledge, for he was the quintessential model for living out the standards of Christian behavior. In his letter to the Church of Philippi Paul encourage them to “Whatever…
I read the book of James and was astounded at how much I learned in such a short period of time. James encourages us to rejoice in Christ and to persevere. The main themes prevalent in this book which are wisdom, faith, trials, speech and wealth, all pertain to us today and we can use the information this book gives us to benefit from it. The book’s structure, purpose, characteristics, and history really helped teach me how to deal with the trails and temptations we as Christians face from day to day.…
For these assignments, you will write a 150–170 word summary for 5 books from the Old Testament and 5 books from the New Testament. You may select which five books to summarize, but must include at least one book per genre in the following fashion:…
Paul the Apostle gave us not only some of the most profound pieces of early Christian theological reflection, but also some of the finest, poignant writing in history. Throughout Paul of Tarsus’ life, he has been able to contribute to the development of Christianity through his heritage, his personal encounter with Jesus and his life as a missionary for Jesus. AD 33, before Paul converted to Christ, Christianity grew only amongst disaffected Jews. A Jew himself, Paul spoke Greek and inherited Roman citizenship. This enabled him to put Jewish ideas into the language of the Gentiles, and because of his efforts, through his missionary journey’s throughout Asia, Macedonia and the West, Christianity grew from its beginnings in Israel to the rest of the Roman Empire.…
*** Bible text used: Romans 12:3-8, 1 Peter 4:10-11, 1 Corinthians 12 14, Ephesians 4:7-13***…
Paul start out by writing a thank-you not to the believers at Philippi for their help in his hour of need, and he than uses the occasion to send along-some instruction on Christian unity. With Christ as your model of humility and services, you can enjoy a, oneness of purpose, attitude, goal, and labor a truth which Paul himself illustrates from his own life, and one the Philippians needed to hear.…
While there is certainly debate about whether or not Jews were the primary audience for the gospel of John, there are many who do believe that John is the most Jewish of the four gospels. For example, Steve Wertheim, of Jews for Jesus related the following observation:…
64 and A.D. 67, likely occurring after the events of Acts. Paul writes this letter while enduring his second Roman imprisonment, realizing that his death was imminent. Paul, as a spiritual father to Timothy, writes to his son in the faith one final time to warn against false teaching and to provide instruction to the church at Ephesus through Timothy’s conduct and church life. Even though false teaching is addressed, Second Timothy differs slightly from the other two pastoral epistles in that this letter is written on a much more personal level than the others. Timothy, the intended recipient of Paul’s letter, served as one of Paul’s inner circle and accompanied him on his second and third missionary journeys. In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he provides encouragement in his role as minister and addresses his responsibilities for that office. He also warns against false teachings and exhorts Christians concerning their conduct. The encouragement provided to Timothy in the second letter implores him to suffer alongside the apostle (2 Tim. 1:8), hold firm and guard the faith, faithfully pass the Gospel message along, handle the Word correctly and to allow it to guide his teaching and life. Included in the closing chapter of Second Timothy, Paul also makes requests concerning travel and personal effects. As a final letter to a friend and co-laborer in ministry, Paul seeks to inspire steadfastness in…
The book of Luke is a Gospel that contains narrative, genealogy, sermons, parables, and some Prophetic oracles. Luke begins by telling us about Jesus’s parents (Mary & Joseph); the birth of His cousin, John the Baptist; Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, where Jesus is born in a manager, a common Christmas story, yet always fascinating; and the genealogy of Christ through Mary. Jesus’ public ministry reveals His prefect compassion and forgiveness through the stories of the prodigal son, the rich man and Lazarus, and the Good Samaritan. While many believe in this unprejudiced love that surpasses all human limits, many others especially the religious leaders challenge and oppose the claims of Jesus. Christ’s followers are encouraged to count the cost of discipleship, while His enemies seek His death on the cross. Passover arrives, and Jesus celebrates the traditional Seder meal with his disciples. Finally, Jesus is betrayed by one of his own (Judas Iscariot), He is tried, sentenced and crucified. Joseph of Arimathea buries him. On the third day some female followers of Jesus, including Mary Magdalene, go to his gravesite but find him gone. He resurrected and arose from the grave as He had miraculously raised others during His ministry.…
The Gospel of John, written by John the Apostle, is unlike from the other three Gospels and covers copious theological contented in respect to the being of Christ and the significance of faith. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are frequently mentioned to as the "Synoptic Gospels" for the objective that of their identical periods and comfortable, and meant at they suggestion a plan of the period of Christ. The Gospel of John twitches not thru Jesus' birth or worldly ministry but then through the action and features of the Son of God previously His becoming man (John 1:14). The Gospel of John highlights the divinity of Christ as is understood in his usage of such expressions as "the Word was God" (John 1:1), "the Savior of the World" (4:42), the "Son…
Though the Book of Romans is not a systematic theology, when one reads through Paul’s letter to these believers there is no doubt that Paul has delivered his message of grace with direction. As Paul opens this letter in chapter one he clearly explains his call, his…
In Paul’s epistle to the Romans he gives us the foundation of Christian life in regards to how we should not only see the world, but also how we should act in a world that rejects the gospel of Christ. In Romans 1-8 Paul teaches us how we are not able to come to a saving grace through our works, but that it must come from Christ alone, and not only to the Jews, but to the Gentiles also. Paul tells us however, that this will not be easy, but we that we need to remember who is ultimately in control of everything around us.…
In a world of chaos and destruction there is a book that illuminates the path of peace and tranquility, The Holy Bible. There are many reasons why The Good Book is interesting. It helps everybody make difficult decisions when there is no one there to help. As well, the sacred manuscripts can help people learn from others' past mistakes and there are rules in the divine novel that everyone can apply to their lives. It is not just about rules but also has very intriguing stories. Anyone who reads The Holy Bible will not want to put it down.…
The Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of John each present an illustration of Jesus in both humanity and divinity. However, each gospel portrays Jesus in a different way. The Gospel of Mark focuses on the mortality aspect of Jesus such as the concern of dying. On the contrary the Gospel of John focuses on the spirituality aspect of Jesus, and the revelation of Jesus and the Father being one. Despite the differences in portrayal of Jesus leading up to the Last Supper. Throughout this event both Gospels portrays Jesus’ crucifixion, however, Mark present Jesus similarly to the Passover Lamb. John on the other hand reveals Jesus’ parting in preparation of what to come so that they may believe.…