Historical introductions to the New Testament typically devote careful attention to its ancient context, exploring these texts against the backdrop of Jewish and Hellenistic thought. But biblical scholars have been slower to appreciate the pluralistic setting in which students of all ages read the New Testament today. Students today bring to the study of the New Testament an increasing sense that its message, while dominant in the Western world for millennia, is now just one voice among many religious (and philosophical) options. In this book, students encounter the New Testament in relation to the wider landscape of sacred traditions—both ancient and contemporary. What is more, they will reflect on the ways in which both writers and interpreters adopt, adapt, and elaborate on common views and practices in their own cultural settings. Rather than a repository of doctrinal beliefs, the New Testament emerges as a lively conversation partner in the human quest for meaning and purpose. Several features distinguish The New Testament Conversation from other introductions to the New Testament. The book combines standard historical and literary scholarship on New Testament writings—presented in the body of the work—with selected excerpts from non-Christian traditions. In addition, students will encounter diverse interpretations of selected New Testament passages across time and place. Finally, this book presents historical, literary, and theological questions as mutually illuminating, rather than oppositional. This book describes the New Testament’s contents as inherently religious responses to the realities of the Roman world—both in occupied Palestine and beyond. Jesus appears in these texts as a savior who is apocalyptic prophet, messianic figure, and community organizer. As a divinely-sanctioned agent of God’s coming reign, Jesus elicits allegiance to a divine, rather than human, ruler in ways that carry both religious and socio-political implications. Thus, more than other books, this textbook highlights the communal context and implications of each writing.

The Learning Church series offers a range of brief and accessible introductions to the key themes of Christian discipleship and theology. Conversations with the New Testament introduces the major themes and critical issues of the New Testament in a way that relates them to current experience, context and culture. The starting point is the reader's own experience and engagement with Scripture in a variety of different contexts.

Suppose you could ask God any question and get an answer. What would it be? Young people all over the world have been asking those questions. So Neale Donald Walsch, author of the internationally bestselling Conversations with God series had another conversation. Conversations with God for Teens is a simple, clear, straight-to-the-point dialogue that answers teens questions about God, money, sex, love, and more. Conversations with God for Teens reads like a rap session at a church youth group, where teenagers discuss everything they ever wanted to know about life but were too afraid to ask God. Walsch acts as the verbal conduit, showing teenagers how easy it is to converse with the divine. When Claudia, age 16, from Perth, Australia, asks, "Why can't I just have sex with everybody? What's the big deal?", the answer God offers her is: "Nothing you do will ever be okay with everybody. 'Everybody' is a large word. The real question is can you have sex and have it be okay with you?" There's no doubt that the casual question-and-answer format will help make God feel welcoming and accessible to teens. Conversations with God for Teens is the perfect gift purchase for parents, grandparents, and anyone else who wants to provide accessible spiritual content for the teen(s) in their lives.

This new translation of the New Testament is based on the best available Greek manuscripts, with extensive footnotes to Restoration scripture, new maps, historical notes, and short introductory essays to each book of scripture that describe the authors, the purpose for writing, and connections to Restoration beliefs.

The world is full of chaos. Frustration. Fear. Do you want your life to be different? Through the practical wisdom of God’s Word, you can gain a fresh focus and purpose, become a person of character, and shine a light into the darkness. You can experience a life beyond amazing—starting today. Why is there such a gap between how Christ wants us to live and how we are living? In A Life Beyond Amazing, bestselling author and gifted Bible teacher Dr. David Jeremiah uncovers God’s strategy for change and challenges you to make nine important decisions that will transform your heart, your life, and your world. This life-changing book explores the nine qualities of character that carry us forward. Three of these have to do with our relationship with ourselves, three deal with interactions with other people, and three focus on our relationship with God. A Life Beyond Amazing: Provides much needed wisdom in a divisive world of low tolerance Emphasizes the danger of concentrating more on what you DO rather than who you ARE Sounds a wake-up call to believers everywhere on how they are responding to culture Offers a renewed sense of purpose to Christian believers A Life Beyond Amazing answers the questions that keep us up at night and shows us that the way forward is a reminder of who we are in Christ and why it matters. With Dr. Jeremiah’s sound biblical teaching, inspiring stories, and practical suggestions, you’ll discover how you can live a life beyond amazing. Don’t miss out on the life that the Lord has for you—a life of peace, joy, and victory. You don’t have to wait for heaven to impact your world.

This guide to the New Testament, like its companion volume, A Guide Through the Old Testament, combines the background information of a textbook with the format of a workbook to create a unique resource for studying the New Testament. By eliciting as much active response from the reader as possible, Celia Sinclair provides the basis for personal hands-on study, direct reading of the scripture (including Old Testament references where appropriate), and a study guide for group discussion.