The Pentateuch is one anchor of the Western religious heritage, a rich source of theological and spiritual instruction capable of being plumbed again and again. In "Treasures Old and New" accomplished biblical scholar Joseph Blenkinsopp engages twelve topics of great interest to thoughtful people today, and does so in dialogue with texts from the Pentateuch. In keeping with the view that the Pentateuch is far too multiplex to be encapsulated in a single theological system, Blenkinsopp has written "Treasures Old and New" as a sketchbook of theology in the Pentateuch. This fruitful approach allows him to consider themes that easily fall through the cracks of more systematic works of biblical theology. Among the many interesting subjects Blenkinsopp explores are the role of memory in the construction of the past, the dependence of Christianity on Judaism, the close connection between sacrifice and community in Old Testament Israel, the proper meaning of human stewardship of the world, and belief (or lack of belief) in a meaningful post-mortem existence. Blenkinsopp believes that scripture is infinitely interpretable, and that we are free to read the Bible in more flexible, fascinating, and exciting ways. In keeping with the great variety of discourses in the Pentateuch, the standard historical-critical method must coexist with other, and in some cases, much older interpretive approaches to texts. Blenkinsopp here ably demonstrates this perspectival approach to scripture by reading well-known texts from less well-known angles. The Garden of Eden story, for example, gains in resonance when read together with "Gilgamesh," and the laws governing diet and cleanliness come clearer in thelight of current ecological concerns. Blenkinsopp's approach also throws new light on such important yet enigmatic stories as the Creation, Cain and Abel, the Flood, the Tower of Babel, the Call of Abram, Sodom and Gomorrah, and others. Blessed with an extraordinary ability to transmit complex issues in concise and lucid fashion, Blenkinsopp has put forth great effort to make this sketchbook accessible. Footnotes have been kept to a minimum, and Blenkinsopp has transliterated the few Hebrew references and used his own, more idiomatic translations of biblical texts wherever they seemed clearer than the standard translations. As a result, this volume can be pursued profitably by scholars, students, and readers alike. Above all, "Treasures Old and New" shows that serious engagement with biblical texts, while sometimes demanding, can be intellectually and religiously rewarding.

A delightful collection of 20 folk tunes from around the world arranged for unison and beginning 2-part voices with Christian lyrics for the entire year. Book includes classroom activities, scriptures, and 20 reproducible sheets with lyrics, puzzles, mazes and art projects. Fully orchestrated recordings are also available. Great for concerts, worship or classroom funtime!"

What Do the Five Points of Calvinism Really Mean? Many have heard of Reformed theology, but may not be certain what it is. Some references to it have been positive, some negative. It appears to be important, and they'd like to know more about it. But they want a full, understandable explanation, not a simplistic one. What Is Reformed Theology? is an accessible introduction to beliefs that have been immensely influential in the evangelical church. In this insightful book, R. C. Sproul walks readers through the foundations of the Reformed doctrine and explains how the Reformed belief is centered on God, based on God's Word, and committed to faith in Jesus Christ. Sproul explains the five points of Reformed theology and makes plain the reality of God's amazing grace.

In Treasures Old and New Gail Ramshaw illuminates forty primary images from the three-year lectionary. With each of the images she considers related terms, exploring a total of nearly two hundred words and phrases in light of biblical history, typological relationships, poetic nuances, metaphoric meanings, and liturgical year connections. Sample constellations of images include: Creation: beginning, creation, firstborn, new creation, virgin birth Fire: ashes, burning bush, fire, tongues Light: blindness, darkness, day, light, morning star, night, sight, star, sun Treasure: gifts, gold-frankincense-myrrh, pearl, rich fool, treasure, widow's coin Water: exodus, flood, Jordan, river, sea, water, well Treasures Old and New offers a guide to rich symbolic speech for those who preach and teach, yet remains accessible and inviting to the reader seeking a resource for devotion and meditation on the scriptures. Extensively indexed to support the Revised CommonLectionary as well as the Roman Catholic lectionary.

Essays represent a range of contemporary redaction-critical studies on the Gospel of Matthew. They deal with the Gospel as a whole and specific passages, and major issues that have occupied redaction critics for the past several decades, such as the community of Matthew and the relationship of that community to the law and the synagogue. Other topics include the literary and theological function of the genealogy in Matthew's Gospel, and its wisdom passages. No index. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Arguably the oldest book in the Bible, the book of Job has a surprising amount to say about some of the newest scientific discoveries and controversies. Far from a book that is just about suffering, Job is filled with rich insight into both ancient and modern questions about the formation of the world the difference between animals and humans cosmology dinosaurs and the fossil record how to care for creation and more With careful consideration and exegesis, internationally known astrophysicist and Christian apologist Hugh Ross adds yet another compelling argument to the case for the veracity of the biblical commentary on the history of the universe, Earth, life, and humanity. Hidden Treasures in the Book of Job shows that the Bible is an accurate predictor of scientific discoveries and a trustworthy source of scientific information, and that both the book of Scripture and the book of nature are consistent both internally and externally.

More than 100 years after the first movie delighted audiences, movie theaters remain the last great community centers and one of the few amusements any family can afford. While countless books have been devoted to films and their stars, none have attempted a truly definitive history of those magical venues that have transported moviegoers since the beginning of the last century. In this stunningly illustrated book, film industry insiders Ross Melnick and Andreas Fuchs take readers from the nickelodeon to the megaplex and show how changes in moviemaking and political, social, and technological forces (e.g., war, depression, the baby boom, the VCR) have influenced the way we see movies.Archival photographs from archives like the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and movie theater ephemera (postcards, period ads, matchbooks, and even a "barf bag") sourced from private collections complement Melnick's informative and engaging history. Also included throughout the book are Fuchs' profiles detailing 25 classic movie theaters that have been restored and renovated and which continue to operate today. Each of these two-page spreads is illustrated with marvelous modern photographs, many taken by top architectural photographers. The result is a fabulous look at one way in which Americans continue to come together as a nation. A timeline throughout places the developments described in a broader historical context."We've had a number of beautiful books about the great movie palaces, and even some individual volumes that pay tribute to surviving theaters around the country. This is the first book I can recall that focuses on the survivors, from coast to coast, and puts them into historical context. Sumptuously produced in an oversized format, on heavy coated paper stock, this beautiful book offers a lively history of movie theaters in America , an impressive array of photos and memorabilia, and a heartening survey of the landmarks in our midst, from the majestic Fox Tucson Theatre in Tucson, Arizona to the charming jewel-box that is the Avon in Stamford, Connecticut. I don't know why, but I never tire of gazing at black & white photos of marquees from the past; they evoke the era of moviemaking (and moviegoing) I care about the most, and this book is packed with them. Cinema Treasures is indeed a treasure, and a perfect gift item for the holiday season. - Leonard Maltin"Humble or grandiose, stand-alone or strung together, movie theaters are places where dreams are born. Once upon a time, they were treated with the respect they deserve. In their heyday, historian Ross Melnick and exhibitor Andreas Fuchs write in Cinema Treasures, openings of new motion-picture pleasure palaces that would have dazzled Kubla Khan 'received enormous attention in newspapers around the country. On top of the publicity they generated, their debuts were treated like the gala openings of new operas or exhibits, with critics weighing in on everything from the interior and exterior design to the orchestra.' Handsomely produced and extensively illustrated, Cinema Treasures is detailed without being dull and thoroughly at home with this often neglected subject matter. Its title would have you believe it is a celebration of the golden age of movie theaters. But this book is something completely different: an examination of the history of movie exhibition, which the authors accurately call 'a vastly under-researched topic.'" - Los Angeles Times