Understanding and assessing the New Testament writings from Asian viewpoints provides a unique and original outlook for interpretation of the Christian Scriptures. To that end, An Asian Introduction to the New Testament is the first book of its kind to take full account of the multireligious, multiethnic, multilingual, multicultural, and pluralistic contexts in which Asian Christians find themselves. Into this already complex world, issues of poverty, casteism, class structure, ho...

The Gospel of John is one of the significant writings that appeals to Asian spirituality and ideals in a variety of ways. John’s unique features as a literary masterpiece encompass the feelings and aspirations of the Asian consciousness. The Gospel’s genre dynamism, features of setting, ideological constructs, character traits, plot structure, and point of view reflect and reveal its assimilative power to resonate with the situational aspects of Asian communities. John is better understood...

Are the Thomas references in the Gospel of John, the Thomas compositions, and the early Thomas traditions in northwestern and southern India purely legendary as biblical scholars have assumed or do they preserve unexamined historical traditions intermittently as the Thomas Christians in India have believed?Didymus Judas Thomas is one of the most misunderstood characters from the beginning of the New Testament history and interpretation. In this study, Thomaskutty addresses the foll...

Popular Author Provides the Market's Most Accessible Introduction to the World of Jesus' TimeTo understand Jesus' life and ministry, we need to understand the history and culture of his world. Marty, author of the popular The Whole Bible Story, provides readers with a thoroughly readable, easy-to-understand history of Israel leading up to the time of Christ. Each chapter ties closely to the events of the New Testament as Marty carefully answers such questions as•Wh...

A new view of Jesus as a Buddha-like wisdom teacher who taught the transformation of consciousness—with traditional contemplative practices you can do yourselfIf you put aside what you think you know about Jesus and approach the Gospels as though for the first time, something remarkable happens: Jesus emerges as a teacher of the transformation of consciousness.The Wisdom Jesus provides a new perspective on Christ and an expansive interpretation of ...

One of the most influential teachings in Christian history is Matthew 5-7, Jesus's Sermon on the Mount. Many pastors have delved into this passage, but none has offered such a comprehensive, up-to-date, and accessible exposition. Until now.Known for his keen insight and biblical understanding, Dr. R. T. Kendall offers an in-depth, verse-by-verse, and lay-friendly exposition of this matchless sermon. In fact, he gives the most thorough and comprehensive interpretation of this passag...

"The Parables of Jesus" is the first offering in the new series "Bible Study That Matters." This series was developed especially for those who are dissatisfied with the type of Bible study normally found in Sunday Schools, Bible study groups, and devotional guides. It's for those who want more than a few feel-good platitudes and want to dive in to the biblical text and see what's really there. Written in a clear, conversational style, "The Parables of Jesus" gives a close-up view of the ma...

This volume addresses the most important issues related to the study of New Testament writings. Two respected senior scholars have brought together a team of distinguished specialists to introduce the Jewish, Hellenistic, and Roman backgrounds necessary for understanding the New Testament and the early church. Contributors include renowned scholars such as Lynn H. Cohick, David A. deSilva, James D. G. Dunn, and Ben Witherington III. The book includes seventy-five photographs, fifteen maps,...

Building on the work of biblical scholars—Rudolph Bultmann, Raymond Brown, Jane Schaberg, and Robert Funk, among others—filmmaker Paul Verhoeven disrobes the mythical Jesus to reveal a man who has much in common with other great political leaders throughout history—human beings who believed that change was coming in their lifetimes. Gone is the Jesus of the miracles, gone the son of God, gone the weaver of arcane parables whose meanings are obscure. In their place Verhoeven gives us his vi...

In these Bible studies, Gladys Hunt looks at the Sermon on the Mount, showing how Jesus' message encapsulates all of New Testament teaching on how to live the Christian life.

Who was Matthew?Why did many Jews not recognize Jesus as the Messiah?What does the Gospel of Matthew say to us today?How does lectio divina move us to pray with Scripture?The evangelist Matthew writes to a Jewish-Christian audience and teaches us that Christ fulfills the promises of the Old Testament. The inheritance of the Messiah belonged to the Israelite people; however, many Jews didn't recognize Jesus, which is why Gentiles made up a large portion of the e...

Jesus Christ is the most extraordinary person who has ever lived. This six-week study will help readers consider why He came, what He said, and what He did, finding fresh inspiration for engaging with Him in life-transforming ways. Each lesson includes helpful, open-ended questions for small groups or individuals. Stonecroft recommends that those who are new to their studies start here.About This Series: Stonecroft Bible Studies encourage people to know God and gro...