Products in Category: Biblical Studies - Biblical History/Culture

Memory in Jewish, Pagan and Christian Societies of the Graeco-Roman World
The ten studies in this book explore the phenomenon of public memory in societies of the Graeco-Roman period. Mendels begins with a concise discussion of the historical canon that emerged in Late Antiquity and brought with it the (distorted) memory of ancient history in Western culture. The following nine chapters each focus on a different source of collective memory in order to demonstrate the patchy and incomplete associations ancient societies had with their past. Included are discussions of Plato’s Politeia, a “site of memory” of the early church, and the dichotomy between the reality of the land of Israel in the Second Temple period and memories of it.
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Do You Not Remember?: Scriptures, Story and Exegesis in the Rewritten Bible of Pseudo-Philo
The Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum, a "rewritten Bible" that follows the broad contours of Genesis to Samuel, includes numerous secondary, or out-of-sequence, episodes, and frequently juxtaposes unrelated biblical characters. The subtlety and significance of these inner-biblical linkages has up to now not been fully appreciated. Building on recent studies in intertextuality, Fisk shows how Pseudo-Philo is often guided by intertextual links and themes present within the canonical precursor, that he is heavily indebted to post-biblical midrashic traditions, and that 'secondary scripture' is a strategic means by which Israel's traditions are reconfigured in this enigmatic text.
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Of Scribes and Sages: Early Jewish Interpretation and Transmission of Scripture, Vol. 2
Of Scribes and Sages focuses primarily on early interpretation of Scripture, including the emergence of Scripture as Scripture in its various versions and contexts. It examines recent research into the relationship of the Old Testament to the New and how sacred Scripture was interpreted during New Testament times. It also provides stimulating examples to students, scholars, and clergy in how the task of interpretation is to be done.
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Of Scribes and Sages: Early Jewish Interpretation and Transmission of Scripture, Vol. 1
Of Scribes and Sages focuses primarily on early interpretation of Scripture, including the emergence of Scripture as Scripture in its various versions and contexts. It examines recent research into the relationship of the Old Testament to the New and how sacred Scripture was interpreted during New Testament times. It also provides stimulating examples to students, scholars, and clergy in how the task of interpretation is to be done.
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A History of the Jews and Judaism in the Second Temple Period, Vol. 1
In this volume, Lester Grabbe presents a comprehensive history of Judah (Aramaic Yehud) during the Persian Period. Among the many crucial questions he addresses are: What are the sources for this period and how do we evaluate them? And how do we make them “speak” to us through the fog of centuries? Yehud: A History of the Persian Province of Judah offers the most up to date and comprehensive examination of the political and administrative structures; the society and economy; the religion, temple and cult; the developments in thought and literature; and the major political events.
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The Antichrist Theme in the Intertestamental Period
What are the antecedents of the “Antichrist” figure and its associated themes in Jewish literature prior to the New Testament? In this volume, Lorein offers the texts and translations of all the relevant passages, together with a discussion of their meaning and significance. He concludes that the “Antichrist” theme arises in different currents within this literature, but has its sources in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible.
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How the Temple Thinks: Identity and Social Cohesion in Ancient Judaism
Beyond the political elites and the scribes, among the anonymous and unranked, the Jerusalem Temple provided the necessary social cohesion for Judaism and the Jewish people. It acted not only as edifice but also as system of thought, with its categories of pure and impure, of sacred and profane, extending beyond the sanctuary to the Land of Israel, from the sacrificial altar to the daily tables. The Temple was already an idea more than a reality in the Dead Sea Scrolls, and it came to an end in 70 CE. Yet even beyond this end, when Rabbinic Judaism takes shape, there remains the "Thinking of the Temple."
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The Septuagint as Christian Scripture: Its Prehistory and the Problem of Its Canon
The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament, was the 'Bible' of the early Christian Church. This is a comprehensive introduction to the issues surrounding the translation and development of the Septuagint. Professor Hengel first traces the history of the Septuagint. He explores the controversial discussion between Jews and Christians regarding its reliability, examining particularly the views of the church fathers relating to its authority, its inspiration, and its canon.
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The History of the Second Temple Period
This book represents the fruit of a long process of study and reflection, a powerful but subtle synthesis, by one of the most eminent scholars of Second Temple Judaism. Far from a conventional narrative history, it is organized around themes and seeks to uncover the essence of Hebraic/Jewish religious thinking while confronting the phenomenon of its division into several “parties” and traditions. Drawing also on recent studies of Christianity as a “Judaism,” Sacchi provides a stimulating perspective on the nature of ancient Oriental and Occidental thought and the intellectual and spiritual heritage of European civilization.
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The Covenant Formula: An Exegetical and Theological Investigation
An important contribution to a canonical interpretation of the Hebrew Bible. God's covenant with Israel is one of the most important themes of Old Testament scholarship: “I will be your God, you shall be my people.” Yet this has only rarely been the focus of a comprehensive study. Professor Rendtorff explores the different ways the covenant formula is used in the Bible, its structural and theological functions, the connections between covenant and election.
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Sanctified Aggression
Sanctified Aggression allies itself neither with the easy assumption that religions are by definition violent (and that only the secular/humanist/humane can offer a place of refuge from the ravages of religious authority) nor with the equally facile opposing view that religion expresses the “best” of human aspirations and that this best is always capable of diffusing or sublating the worst. Rather, it works from the premise that biblical, Jewish and Christian vocabularies continue to resonate, inspire and misfire.
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Violence in the New Testament
While much work has been done on the role of Jews in the crucifixion of Jesus in post-Holocaust biblical scholarship, the question of violence in subsequent community formation remains largely unexamined. This volume takes up crucial methodological questions about how to read passages suggesting violence among Jews in texts that eventually became part of the New Testament canon. It situates this intra-religious violence within the violence of the Roman Imperial order. It provides new readings of these texts that move beyond the “Jew as violator”/“Christian as violated” binary.
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Gems, Jewels & Precious Stones of the Bible
Gems, Jewels And Precious Stones Of The Bible.
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King Saul: The Man After the Flesh [DOWNLOAD]
Author Samuel Ridout looks expounds on 1 Samuel and King Saul's fall from greatness. (294 pages)
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The Kings of Judah and Israel [DOWNLOAD]
The Kings of Judah and Israel. (293 pages)
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Sacred Biography [DOWNLOAD]
Subtitled "The History of the Patriarchs," this time-honored resource is based on the lectures of Henry Hunter given over a period of several years. The style of the author has been preserved, and only the spellings updated where appropriate. The Subtitles were added by the editor to enable easier handling of the text. The original layout of the book had the verse text with each simple title, enabling the student to quickly ascertain the subject of each lecture.
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Palestine [DOWNLOAD]
Author John Kitto provides a history of Palestine (Israel) from the time of the Patriarchs to the 1800's. The first part of the book deals with Geography and Natural History of the Country, and on the Customs and Institutions of the Hebrews. The second part of the book deals with a treatment of the history chronologically with mention of other world persons and events.
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An Illustrated History of the Holy Bible (DOWNLOAD)
A history of the Bible and the remarkable events and characters of the Old and New Testament. Also the Jewish history of 400 years in between the Old and New Testaments. Covers 4,000 years of Biblical history. Over 300 woodcut illustrations.
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The Dictionary of Historical Theology
This valuable volume is a major reference work designed for anyone interested in the history and development of Christian theology. Featuring 314 articles on the key figures, theological movements, and significant texts that have shaped Christian thought, Dictionary of Historical Theology traces the doctrinal development of Christianity from the early church to the present. Varying in length from 500 to 15,000 words, these entries treat the intellectual antecedents and descendants of the figures or schools of thought covered as well as their influence on the wider development of the Christian tradition.
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The Canon of Scripture
Author F. F. Bruce presents a thorough reexamination of the historical evidence for acceptance of the canon, focusing on the central issues of criteria of canonicity, the idea of a canon within a canon, and canonical criticism. Adept in both Old and New Testament studies, Bruce brings a rare comprehensive perspective to his task, as well as the wisdom of a lifetime of reflection and biblical interpretation to bear in answering the questions and clearing away the confusion surrounding the Christian canon of Scripture. Winner of two 1990 Christianity Today Awards and a 1989 ECPA Gold Medallion Award, this impressive work remains a significant landmark and touchstone for further studies.
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Among the Gospels and the Acts (Ainslie)
In this work, Peter Ainslie provides an excellent Bible reading companion by breaking up the Gospels and Acts into manageable sections and providing commentary on each section. Among the Gospels and the Acts can serve as a guide to inductive Bible study, offering aid where it's needed most but never getting in the way of your own interaction with the biblical text.
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Light from the Ancient East
Light from the Ancient East uses nonbilical, nonliterary Greek and Latin ancient texts to shed light on the social, cultural and religious setting in which the NT was written. The work is intended for the general reader or non-specialist. Author Adolf Deissmann is often mentioned in the same breath as James H. Moulton, George Milligan, A. T. Robertson, and Frederick W. Danker.
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The Life of St. Paul (Stalker)
First published in 1884, Stalker's Life of St. Paul became one of the most widely-read and respected biographies of the Apostle to the Gentiles. As an insightful compendium on the life of Paul, this work is of particular interest to pastors and teachers who desire to add realism and vividness to their account of one of the greatest Christians who ever lived.
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The Encyclopaedia of Judaism: Volumes 1-5
The Encyclopaedia of Judaism provides a full and reliable account of Judaism, beginning in ancient Israelite times and extending to our own day. These five volumes encompass much of what we know about Judaism, the religion, its diverse history, literature, beliefs past and present, observances and practices, and place in the context of society and culture.
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The Dead Sea Scrolls Study Edition Vol. I: 1Q1-4Q273 - Vol. II: 4Q274-11Q31
A practical reference tool to facilitate access to the Qumran collection of Dead Sea Scrolls. Newly edited Hebrew and Aramaic transcriptions and English translations of the non-biblical scrolls arranged by serial number from Cave 1 to Cave 11.
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Exploring the New Testament World
Drawing especially on information not available directly from the New Testament, Exploring the New Testament World plunges you into the social religious, intellectual, and political dimensions of that time, making many confusing NT ideas clear.
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The Works of Josephus
This is considered the best and most complete one-volume edition of the classic translation by William Whiston. The works of Josephus—the first century Jewish historian—are indispensable to a proper understanding of Jewish thought, background, and history up to and around the time of Christ. This co...
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Church History in Plain Language
It's about time that someone wrote church history that tells about people, not just about "eras" and "ages." Church History in Plain Language taps the roots of our Christian family tree. It combines authoritative research with a captivating style to bring our heritage home to us.
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Visual Survey of the Bible
Provides a complete bird's eye overview of the Bible in this exclusive set of visuals. Includes charts and time lines to explain how the Bible was written and collected in its modern-day format. Now anyone can study and teach the key truths of the Bible as they develop from Genesis to Revelation. In...
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Illustrated Manners and Customs of the Bible
This encyclopedic guide to the Bible's people, places, manners, customs, and times puts a wealth of information at your fingertips. Forty-five sections cover the people of the Bible and how they lived—from family life, to law, to transportation. Unlock the wonders and mysteries of the Bible with thi...
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The Works of Philo
Complete and unabridged, this updated version of The Works of Philo is the best and most complete one-volume edition of the writings of Philo Judaeus, a contemporary of Josephus. Now for the first time in nearly 140 years the translation of the eminent classicist C. D. Yonge is available in an easy ...
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Every Teaching of Jesus in the Bible
Comprehensive treatment of the teaching ministry of Jesus. Useful, up-to-date biblical scholarship for all Bible students, preachers, and teachers. Fresh insights into the historical/social setting of first-century Palestine make biblical persons and events more relevant than ever before. Contempora...
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Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs
The most comprehensive, up-to-date, accurate information on life in Bible times available in one volume for the general reader.Accurate: Takes each of 20 historical epochs seriously—avoids a "one size fits all" approach to ancient cultures.Comprehensive: Considers ten distinct topics such as food, c...
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The Dead Sea Scrolls Today - James C. Vanderkam
An eminent Dead Sea Scrolls researcher, James C. VanderKam offers a popular, up-to-date introduction to the scrolls and the ongoing debate that surrounds their study. Chapters cover all the major subjects of scroll inquiry: the discoveries of the manuscripts and nearby archaeological remains during ...
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The Wycliffe Historical Geography of Bible Lands
A comprehensive reference work that presents the history, geography, and antiquities of all the Bible lands in one volume. Separate chapters are devoted to each of the ten areas significant for all Bible study: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Palestine, Phoenicia, Syria, Iran, Cyprus, Asia Minor, Greece, and I...
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The So That's Why! Bible
Making Sense of All the People, Places, and Events of the BibleTo really understand the Bible you need to know why things happened the way they did. That means you need to know the world in which the events took placeStep back into biblical times with The So That's Why! Bible.Learn how the Bible's h...
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Jewish Sects of the New Testament Era
What was Judaism like in the time of Jesus? Jewish Sects of the New Testament Era answers this question and brings readers into the Word and world of New Testament Judaism. Jewish believer Dr. Randy Weiss identifies the dramatic, undeniable, ancient connection between ancient Judaism and nascent C...
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The Theology of St. Cyril of Alexandria [DOWNLOAD]
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Symbols of Church and Kingdom DOWNLOADABLE
Robert Murray's classic work offers the fullest and most vivid picture yet available of the development and character of the culture, illustrating both its original close relationship to Judaism and its remoter background in Mesopotamian civilization. He is interested in the subsequent influence of Syriac Christian culture, particularly on European literature.
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Primitive Christianity [DOWNLOAD]
This is a critical account of the state-of-the-art of scholarship in earliest Christianity, and where and how it should move forward. It offers an authoritative account of contemporary scholarship and evaluates the work of all major scholars in the field, from Britain, America and around the world, as well as...
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The Origins of Christendom in the West DOWNLOADABLE
For well over a millennium the civilization of Western Europe was “Christendom.” Christianity was the dominant religion, buttressed by social and legal structures. This volume studies Christendom at its origins, bringing the insights of leading scholars in the fields of ancient history, theology, patristics, and liturgy to bear on aspects of Europe's Christianization.
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Neither Jew nor Greek? Constructing Early Christianity DOWNLOADABLE
Judith Lieu explores the formation and shaping of early Christian identity within Judaism and within the wider Graeco-Roman world in the period before 200 C.E. Bringing to bear the latest analytical methods, she particularly examines the way that literary texts presented early Christianity. She combines this with interdisciplinary historical investigation and interaction with the most recent work on Judaism in late Antiquity and on the Graeco-Roman world.
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The Lord's Prayer Through North African Eyes DOWNLOADABLE
Brown’s volume helps to explain why Christians throughout the ages have interpreted texts differently, especially cultic texts. Beginning with an imagined Graeco-Roman auditor of the Lord’s Prayer, Brown demonstrates how a Graeco-Roman’s understanding of the prayer would have been different from that of a Hellenized Jew in Palestine. Brown takes the reader into discussions...
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In Praise of Christian Origins DOWNLOADABLE
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Image and Reality DOWNLOADABLE
Judith Lieu examines the rhetorical function of Jews in the early texts of the second century and seeks to acknowledge the complex nature of an issue which is too easily proclaimed “Christian anti-Semitism.”
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A History of the First Christians DOWNLOADABLE
This work provides a survey of the history of the earliest Christian church in the period up to the fall of Jerusalem. It concentrates on: the figure of Paul; judicious and critical use of information in the Book of Acts; Judaizing versions of Christianity; and the Johannine tradition.
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The Elders: Seniority within Earliest Christianity DOWNLOADABLE
A groundbreaking study of the origins of the Church’s ministry, which focuses on the significance and role of the elders in the social world of the New Testament. Alastair Campbell challenges the consensus view...
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A History of the Jewish People in the Time of Jesus Christ, First Division, Vol. II DOWNLOADABLE
This classic text has been a trusted source of Jewish history for over 100 years, providing insight into the world in which Jesus and the apostolic fathers conducted their ministry.
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A History of the Jewish People in the Time of Jesus Christ, First Division, Vol. I DOWNLOADABLE
This classic text has been a trusted source of Jewish history for over 100 years. This volume begins nearly 2 centuries before the birth of Christ, and helps lay the framework for the world that Jesus would be born into.
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The Canvas Cathedral
The Canvas Cathedral is a book that would serve as both a history of evangelism as well as a personal history of the evangelical ministry of Billy Graham.Dr. Lewis Drummond carefully examines the history of evangelism and the methods used throughout history. He starts with the Apostle Paul and ends ...
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Sketches of Jewish Social Life in the Days of Christ
In this volume, Rev. Alfred Edersheim transports the reader into the land of Palestine at the time of Jesus and the apostles in order to show as vividly as possible the setting of the New Testament—the landscape, persons, events, habits, modes of thinking, and practices of teaching and worship—. As ...
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The Temple: Its Ministry and Services as They Were at the Time of Jesus Christ
"The Temple and its services form, so to speak, part of the life and work of Jesus Christ; part also of His teaching, and of that of His apostles. What connects itself so closely with Him must be of deepest interest. We want to be able, as it were, to enter Jerusalem ... to know exactly how the Temp...
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Introducing the New Testament
John Drane's Introducing the New Testament has long been recognized as probably the most authoritative and accessible survey of the subject, both for students and for general readers.The latest revision of this classic work takes full account of recent scholarly developments in areas such as the his...
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The New Manners and Customs of the Bible
For over 100 years, Freeman's Manners and Customs of the Bible has been the serious Bible student's choice.Short of enrolling in a course in ancient Hebrew civilization, The New Manners & Customs of the Bible is the quickest, easiest, and most enjoyable way to understand the people and culture o...
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Historia del Cristianismo, Tomo 2
Aprenda y estudie acerca del crecimiento de la iglesia cristiana en este volumen de uno de los libros mejor vendidos. Totalmente ilustrado. Volumen 2 de 2.
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Historia del Cristianismo, Tomo 1
Aprenda y estudie acerca del crecimiento de la iglesia cristiana en este volumen de uno de los libros mejor vendidos. Totalmente ilustrado. Volumen 1 de 2.
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Ancient Egyptian Literature, Volume 3
Miriam Lichtheim's carefully chosen book of readings from one of the earliest literatures in the world is designed to show the evolution of that literature by selections translated and arranged in chronological order. Its appeal is to both scholars and readers with a general interest in the humaniti...
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Ancient Egyptian Literature, Volume 2
Miriam Lichtheim's carefully chosen book of readings from one of the earliest literatures in the world is designed to show the evolution of that literature by selections translated and arranged in chronological order. Its appeal is to both scholars and readers with a general interest in the humaniti...
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Ancient Egyptian Literature, Volume 1
Miriam Lichtheim's carefully chosen book of readings from one of the earliest literatures in the world is designed to show the evolution of that literature by selections translated and arranged in chronological order. Its appeal is to both scholars and readers with a general interest in the humaniti...
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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE 1979-1995) on CD-ROM
The four-volume, 1979 version from Eerdmans contains nearly 1500 photos, 342 maps, and a wealth of other information.
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Christ in the Tabernacle
Written by W. W. Rugh, the founder of The Bible Institute of Pennsylvania (now Philadelphia Biblical University), this book explains, in brief and simple manner, the typical teaching concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ, as represented in the Old Testament tabernacle. A helpful reference for ...
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The Rabinnic Messiah
Rabbinic Messiah is a collection of traditional Jewish Messianic belief quotes, as proclaimed by the Rabbis down through the centuries. The quotes are taken from the most commonly used Jewish literature resources. These Messianic belief statements are arranged in canonical order, i.e. according to t...
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The Amarna Letters
The Amarna Letters consist of diplomatic correspondence of Canaanite and other rulers with the Egyptian Pharaoh. Dating to the 14th century B.C., these letters are primary source material for the political and military situation of Canaan and the ancient Near East roughly in the age of Moses and the...
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The New Testament Milieu
A basic understanding of the world in which the New Testament came into being is a must for every serious student of the Bible and of emerging Christianity. This volume is intended as a reliable guide through this multifaceted landscape. Starting with the question "Why study the New Testament backgr...
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The Outpouring: Jesus in the Feasts of Israel
This volume, The Outpouring, is in keeping with a central commitment of The Friends of Israel to view Scripture through the prism of the cultural, historical setting in which it was cast by the Holy Spirit. John's Gospel, in its treatment of the interaction between the Messiah and Israel's great fea...
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The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ
The subject of the historical Jesus is of primary interest today, both in scholarly and popular circles. More attention has been given to various aspects of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection than has been the case in many years. This interest has even extended across the theological spectrum. The...
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Photos from the Holy Land
A spectacular collection of Holy Land slides to help make the Bible come alive for you. Included are images of people, places and animals of Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Greece that will enhance one's understanding of the scriptural setting of biblical accounts. An invaluable visual resource that can ...
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Bible History: Old Testament
One of the most marked and hopeful signs of our time is the increasing attention given on all sides to the study of Holy Scripture. Those who believe and love the Bible, who have experienced its truth and power, can only rejoice at such an issue. They know that "the Word of God liveth and abideth fo...
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A Time Travel to the World of Jesus
A Time Travel To the World of Jesus opens up a new world to the reader. The authors use twenty-six windows to show us as clearer picture of the Bible's meaning. What does the Bible mean by describing salvation as birth and adoption? What does reconciliation with God really mean? Biblical hospitality...
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Images of the Holy Land
Images of the Holy Land takes you on an exciting photographic tour of the places associated with Biblical personalities and events—Nazareth, Bethlehem, the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus was born and grew up, and where He preached and performed his miracles. Jerusalem, site of His ...
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Traveling In Holy Land: Through Stereoscope - Jesse Lyman Hurlbutt
Traveling in the Holy Land: Through the Stereoscope is a 100 photo tour of Palestine prepared by Jesse Lyman Hurlbutt around the turn of the century. Admittedly, this is something of a novelty product, but it has a rare quality of antiquity. It is like looking not at 100 year old photos, but at thou...
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The Tabernacle: Shadows Of The Messiah - David M. Levy
Those who study the Tabernacle often find it extremely difficult to put their research into a systematic format that adequately conveys its true meaning and typology as fulfilled by Christ. For this reason, the author has tried to approach the subject simply, systematically, and scripturally. Unlike...
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The Dead Sea Scrolls And Modern Translations Of Old Testament
With all the recent news about the new publications of the Dead Sea Scrolls, thousands are aware of them but few know how these discoveries have impacted Bible translation. This book is unique because it provides complete information about all the biblical material in the Dead Sea Scrolls and what i...
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The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times
The Bible was written in a culture and land vastly different from our own. It is essential that we understand the manners and customs of the time in order to fully understand scripture. The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times will open your eyes to the life-styles and customs of the Bible's write...
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Josephus and the New Testament by Steve Mason
Understandably, throughout Christian history, the Works of Josephus have been indispensable in helping us reconstruct the history and the world of the New Testament. Arguably, apart from the New Testament itself, Josephus has helped us understand the life and times and the world of Jesus and the apo...
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A History of Israel Third Edition by John Bright
A scholarly analysis of historic Israel from foundations of civilization in the ancient orient through the New Testament period. This is a volume rich in historical resource material for the serious Bible student. It is especially useful for its treatment of contemporaneous cultures.
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