Rhetorical criticism seeks to understand and comment on the way texts function in their social and cultural contexts. Holloway puts Paul's letter in the context of ancient theories and literary practices of 'consolation' and argues that Paul wrote to the Philippians in order to console them. Holloway shows that the letter has a unified overall strategy and provides a convincing account of Paul's argument. The book falls into two parts. Part I explores the integrity of Philippians, the rhetorical situation of the letter, and ancient consolation as the possible genre of Philippians, while Part II examines Phil. 1:3-11; 1:12-2:30; 3:1-4:1 and 4:2-23. The exegetical studies in Part II focus on the consolatory topoi and arguments of Philippians.

The NIV is the world's best-selling modern translation, with over 150 million copies in print since its first full publication in 1978. This highly accurate and smooth-reading version of the Bible in modern English has the largest library of printed and electronic support material of any modern translation.

Every year thousands of God's servants leave the ministry convinced they are failures. Years ago, in the midst of a crisis of faith, Kent Hughes almost became one of them. But instead he and his wife Barbara turned to God's Word, determined to learn what God had to say about success and to evaluate their ministry from a biblical point of view. This book describes their journey and their liberation from the "success syndrome"-the misguided belief that success in ministry means increased numbers. In today's world it is easy to be seduced by the secular thinking that places a number on everything. But the authors teach that true success in ministry lies not in numbers but in several key areas: faithfulness, serving, loving, believing, prayer, holiness, and a Christlike attitude. Their thoughts will encourage readers who grapple with feelings of failure and lead them to a deeper, fuller understanding of success in Christian ministry. This book was originally published by Tyndale in 1987 and includes a new preface.

Christian Publications is pleased to present a collection of ministry-oriented booklets carefully selected to address today's issues and provide concise, provocative, encouraging and motivating reading. Less than the price of many special occasion cards, these booklets fit into a #10 envelope. Priced for distribution one-on-one or through visitors' packets, literature racks, small groups, mail stuffers, special occasion give-aways, telethons, gift incentives and thank-yous, these materials will faithfully minister the truths of God's Word. Simpson Explains the meaning of how to be filled with the Holy Spirit and its ramifications in a believer's life.

In this monograph, Alex W. Muir shows how Paul and Seneca were significant contributors to an ancient philosophical and rhetorical tradition of consolation. Each writer's consolatory career is surveyed in turn through close readings of key primary texts: chiefly Seneca's three literary consolations and 'Epistles'; and Paul's letters, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Corinthians, and Philippians. A final comparative dialogue highlights the pair's adaptations and innovations within this tradition.

Joy in the Christian life has never been a divine suggestion but an indelible part of His new creation, yet we have found that much of what is today dubbed Christianity lacks this intrinsic feature. As to naming the source of the problem, we have found many views. But this author has but one to name, and that is the laziness of modern Christians in understanding their position in Christ. Christians do not make the study of the scriptures a lifestyle. Joy, as a concept, was God’s invention, not man’s, and yet today, people are convinced that they can obtain this blessing without Him. He gave it and outlined only in His Word how to get it and keep it. This is why I call it a theology and not a philosophy. It requires thinking biblically. A pastor of a local church and loves teaching the Bible verse by verse.