Professor deSilva's outstanding textbook sets a new standard for the genre. The usual topics of New Testament introduction are integrated with instruction in interpretative strategies and application to ministry formation. The attractive layout includes numerous maps, photographs and text-boxes.
Fourth Maccabees is a superbly crafted oration that presents a case for the Jewish way of life couched almost entirely in terms of Greek ethical ideals. Using an expansion upon previous scriptural narratives as an opportunity for philosophical exposition, its author delights in the Torah, the Law of Moses, as the divinely given path to becoming our best selves now. Moreover, drawing upon Greek logic tradition, he develops an elaborate rationalisation of that law based upon the promise of eternal life with God. In this collection of essays spanning two decades of study, David deSilva examines the formative training that produced such an author, the rhetorical craft present in his work, and the author's creative use of both Jewish and Greek literary resources. Finally, he demonstrates the book's enduring message and legacy in the Christian church, from theological influence on Origen to textual relations within Codex Sinaiticus.
In this historical novel, David deSilva paints a vivid portrait of Ephesus and brings to life the compelling struggles faced by early Christians. Supplemented by historical images and explanatory sidebars, this imaginative novel digs into the early Christians' conflict with the religious cults of the day as well as the Roman empire.
This comprehensive, up-to-date introduction to the Old Testament apocryphal books summarizes their context, message, and significance. The first edition has been very well reviewed and widely adopted. It is the most substantial introduction to the Apocrypha available and has become a standard authority on the topic. The second edition has been substantially revised and updated throughout to reflect the latest scholarship. The book includes a foreword by James H. Charlesworth.
This commentary examines 4 Maccabees as a contribution to the ongoing reformulation of Jewish identity and practice in the Greek-speaking Diaspora. It analyzes the Jewish author’s interaction with, and facility in, Greek rhetorical conventions, ethical philosophy, and literary culture, giving attention also to his use and interpretation of texts and traditions from the Jewish Scriptures and other Hellenistic Jewish writings. The commentary exhibits the author’s skillful weaving together of all these resources to create a text that interprets the Torah-observant life as the fullest embodiment of the best Greek ethical ideals. A distinctive feature is the examination of how the experience of reading 4 Maccabees in Codex Sinaiticus differs from the experience of reading the eclectic text.
For many across the world, the books of the Apocrypha are Christian Scripture. Learn more about them as you learn more about how Jesus thought and lived.
David A. deSilva demonstrates in this book how paying attention to the cultural themes of honor, patronage, kinship and purity opens us to new facets of the New Testament documents.
The Book of Hebrews helps us see the connection between God’s grace in our lives and the call to invest ourselves in God’s mission in the world. In doing so, we express gratitude for the salvation we have received and respond to God’s grace by being faithful to the One who delivers us. In Hebrews: Grace and Gratitude, author and New Testament scholar David deSilva takes you through a study of Hebrews, tracing the themes of grace and gratitude through this unique New Testament book. In the Book of Hebrews, you will discover a bold perspective on who Jesus is and what he has done, as well as a powerful reflection on the meaning and significance of his death and resurrection in light of the Old Testament. As you read and study this letter, you will receive a deeper appreciation for the salvation we have received through Christ and hear afresh God’s call to a life of gratitude and faithfulness. Additional components for a six-week study include a DVD featuring David deSilva and a comprehensive Leader Guide.
The Book of Hebrews helps us see the connection between God’s grace in our lives and the call to invest ourselves in God’s mission in the world. In doing so, we express gratitude for the salvation we have received and respond to God’s grace by being faithful to the One who delivers us. In Hebrews: Grace and Gratitude, author and New Testament scholar David deSilva takes you through a study of Hebrews, tracing the themes of grace and gratitude through this unique New Testament book. In the Book of Hebrews, you will discover a bold perspective on who Jesus is and what he has done, as well as a powerful reflection on the meaning and significance of his death and resurrection in light of the Old Testament. As you read and study this letter, you will receive a deeper appreciation for the salvation we have received through Christ and hear afresh God’s call to a life of gratitude and faithfulness. The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the six-week study including session plans, activities, and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options.
We recognize the challenges churches face in engaging high school teens in deeper faith formation. Made up of 5 4-week studies, Canvas will captivate your students as they experience and explore the theological beliefs and foundational concepts that ground their faith. By working together to learn from history, tradition, and the Bible, students will uncover a portrait of God that will be an inspirational foundation to their own journey. This undated resource is designed to empower students to lead the lessons themselves, thus drawing students to not only learn about their faith, but put it into practice by serving and teaching others. Flexible to use as a continuation of confirmation, a small group resource, or student leadership resource. Canvas will inspire your students to paint the picture of their faith. The Holy Spirit is often one of the least discussed aspects of the Christian life. Sometimes the Spirit has been misunderstood, and at other times the work of the Spirit can be confusing or so quiet that it feels imperceptible. In Canvas: Holy Spirit, students will begin to understand the important role that the Holy Spirit plays in the Christian life every day. In this four-week study, they will examine the coming of the Spirit in Acts, discuss the ways the Church has experienced and talked about the Spirit throughout the centuries, and reflect on the experience of the Spirit that they have had in their own lives. They will also learn about how the Spirit invites us to work alongside God for the restoration of the world.
As David deSilva has experienced the ancient wisdom of the Book of Common Prayer, he's been formed spiritually in deep and lasting ways. In these pages, he offers you a brand new way to use the Book of Common Prayer, exploring how Christians can be spiritually formed by the sacraments of baptism, Eucharist, marriage and last rites.
New volume in a favorite Bible commentary series Writing a commentary on Galatians is a daunting task. Despite its relative brevity, this Pauline letter raises a number of foundational theological issues, and it has played a vital role in shaping Christian thought and practice over the centuries. In this replacement of Ronald Y. K. Fung’s 1988 New International Commentary volume, David deSilva ably rises to the challenge, providing a coherent account of Galatians as a piece of strategically crafted communication that addresses both the immediate pastoral challenges facing Paul’s converts in Galatia and the underlying questions that gave rise to them. Paying careful attention to the history, philology, and theology of the letter, and interacting with a wealth of secondary literature on both Galatians and the rest of the Pauline corpus, deSilva’s exegetically sound commentary will serve as an essential resource for pastors and theological students.
The book of Revelation has been received over the past several centuries with both fascination and aversion, but one thing is certain: it has profoundly shaped Christian history and culture. And the way it has shaped history and culture has been determined, in large part, by how the book has been variously—and sometimes irresponsibly—interpreted. David A. deSilva addresses the interpretation and reception-history of Revelation in this compact, up-to-date, and student-friendly introduction to the book of Revelation, focusing on its structure, content, theological concerns, key interpretive debates, and historical reception. Discovering Revelation draws on a range of methodological approaches (author-, text-, and reader-centered) as complementary rather than mutually exclusive ways of interpreting the text. DeSilva pays special attention to defining features of Revelation, such as its use of sequences of seven as a major structuring device, its nonlinear plotline, and its deployment of contrast and parody. As deSilva writes, “A text as rich and multidimensional as Revelation calls for its readers to adopt a rich and multidimensional approach that draws upon a variety of interpretative angles and skills.”.
A lot of mystery surrounds the book of Hebrews, especially regarding its authorship, date, and audience. But by asking the right kind of questions, one can move beyond the impasses typical of historical investigation. In this volume, David deSilva explores Hebrews through a social-scientific lens, asking one of the most important questions when interpreting letters and sermons: What was going on in the community to occasion such a response? DeSilva looks for clues concerning the anonymous author, his education level, the influence of the Greek environment, and his perception of his own authority. In addition, by forming a social profile of the audience that includes location, ethnicity, and class status, deSilva brings to light the author's aims of helping protect Christian converts from persecution and social shame. This book not only helps the sermon "to the Hebrews" take on flesh and blood for contemporary readers; it also expands the readers' tools for asking fresh questions and exploring new dimensions in biblical texts.
Amidst the fervor for popular apocalyptic books and unfounded "end-times" theology, New testament scholar David deSilva has written a book to help readers thoughtfully and properly approach Revelation as it was intended to be read. A very helpful treatise, deSilva's Unholy Allegiances: Heeding Revelation's Warning explores the world of first-century Roman Asia, the context in which Revelation was written, explaining why John wrote such a graphic and startling message to the people of God. While many books today offer innovative "decodings" of Revelation, deSilva reminds us that John's letter is, in fact, not a historical blueprint for prophecy and prognosticism but a letter about the dangers that the church faced under the rule of Rome following the resurrection of Jesus-a warning that is apt today as it was almost two-thousand years ago. The true power of the book of Revelation is not in a mystical unfolding of the future but in its confrontation with the unholy allegiances already at work in the world. It's time to pay attention without playing ender's games. It's time to take Revelation seriously.
Most Christians sense that something vital is missing from their walk with the Lord. We are easily discouraged and bogged down in busyness, boredom, mediocrity, and routine. In this energizing new book, Dr. Jeremiah opens our eyes to how we can live a life that exudes an attitude of hope and enthusiasm . . . a life of passion . . . a life wide open!
In this addition to the well-received Paideia series, two respected New Testament scholars offer a practical commentary on James and Jude that is conversant with contemporary scholarship, draws on ancient backgrounds, and attends to the theological nature of the texts. This commentary, like each in the projected eighteen-volume series, proceeds by sense units rather than word-by-word or verse-by-verse. Paideia commentaries explore how New Testament texts form Christian readers by • attending to the ancient narrative and rhetorical strategies the text employs • showing how the text shapes theological convictions and moral habits • commenting on the final, canonical form of each New Testament book • focusing on the cultural, literary, and theological settings of the text • making judicious use of maps, photos, and sidebars in a reader-friendly format Students, pastors, and other readers will appreciate the historical, literary, and theological insight that John Painter and David deSilva offer in interpreting James and Jude.
In the blank pages between Malachi and Matthew, the course of an entire nation was changed... His brother, the high priest Honiah, enjoyed the authority of the high priesthood, and all important decisions needed his approval. But it was Jason who was shaping the future of Jerusalem and with it, all Judea. He breathed in again, imagining that he could feel the wave of destiny impelling him forward toward his vision as he exhaled... The Greeks have taken over the world, but Jerusalem is still the same backwater city Jason has always known. He wants to help his hometown rise to a new age of prosperity and influence. If that means stretching the terms of the city’s divine covenant, so be it. But how far is he willing to go to achieve Greek greatness for this Jewish city? It will take the willingness of a handful of Jews to die rather than violate the covenant in order to turn the tide back to God. Written by an internationally recognized expert in the period between the Testaments, Day of Atonement invites readers into Judea during the tumultuous years leading up to the Maccabean Revolt. It was this pivotal decade that reminded Jews of the centrality of the covenant to their national security and taught them that the covenant was worth dying for. The story is so foundational, it is still told every year at Hanukkah. The lessons learned during this turbulent time also shed light on just what was at stake in the ministry of Jesus, whose radical message seemed to threaten the covenant once again. Day of Atonement joins the perennially successful novels Pontius Pilate and The Flames of Rome by renowned historian Paul Maier on Kregel’s premier list of captivating and historically accurate biblical novels.
The Hope of Glory: Honor Discourse and New Testament Interpretation invites the reader to examine how the New Testament sought to shape the ambitions, behaviors, and social interactions of honor-sensitive people. How did these texts help the early Christians set their hearts on gaining honor and self-respect before God, and withstand society's pressure to return to its values? How may those who share commitment to Jesus support one another so as to offset society's erosion of their commitment? What is the source of the believer's honor, and how can he or she preserve it intact?
Journey inside the pages of Scripture to meet a personal God who enters individual lives and begins a creative work from the inside out. Shaped with the individual in mind, Immersion encourages simultaneous engagement both with the Word of God and with the God of the Word to become a new creation in Christ Immersion, inspired by a fresh translation--the Common English Bible--stands firmly on Scripture and helps readers explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of their personal faith. More importantly, they’ll be able to discover God’s revelation through readings and reflections.
Jews have sometimes been reluctant to claim Jesus as one of their own; Christians have often been reluctant to acknowledge the degree to which Jesus' message and mission were at home amidst, and shaped by, the Judaism(s) of the Second Temple Period. In The Jewish Teachers of Jesus, James, and Jude David deSilva introduces readers to the ancient Jewish writings known as the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha and examines their formative impact on the teachings and mission of Jesus and his half-brothers, James and Jude. Knowledge of this literature, deSilva argues, helps to bridge the perceived gap between Jesus and Judaism when Judaism is understood only in terms of the Hebrew Bible (or ''Old Testament''), and not as a living, growing body of faith and practice. Where our understanding of early Judaism is limited to the religion reflected in the Hebrew Bible, Jesus will appear more as an outsider speaking ''against'' Judaism and introducing more that is novel. Where our understanding of early Judaism is also informed by the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha, Jesus and his half-brothers appear more fully at home within Judaism, and giving us a more precise understanding of what is essential, as well as distinctive, in their proclamation. This comparative study engages several critical issues. How can we recover the voices of Jesus, James, and Jude from the material purporting to preserve their speech? How can we assess a particular text's influence on Jews in early first-century Palestine? How can we be sufficiently sensitive to the meanings and nuances in both the text presumed to influence and the text presumed to be influenced so as not to distort the meaning of either? The result is a portrait of Jesus that is fully at home in Roman Judea and Galilee, and perhaps an explanation for why these extra-biblical Jewish texts continued to be preserved in Christian circles.
This commentary is the first to fully apply the resources of socio-rhetorical analysis to Hebrews. Insights into the cultural and social world of the audience are combined with analysis of the author's rhetorical strategy and ideology to create a rich, three-dimensional reading that helps unravel key issues in the interpretation of the epistle. David deSilva's reflections on application concluding each section also make his commentary valuable to seminarians and pastors seeking to make Hebrews relevant to today's world.
Fourth Maccabees is a superbly crafted oration that presents a case for the Jewish way of life couched almost entirely in terms of Greek ethical ideals. Using an expansion upon previous scriptural narratives as an opportunity for philosophical exposition, its author delights in the Torah, the Law of Moses, as the divinely given path to becoming our best selves now. Moreover, drawing upon Greek logic tradition, he develops an elaborate rationalisation of that law based upon the promise of eternal life with God. In this collection of essays spanning two decades of study, David deSilva examines the formative training that produced such an author, the rhetorical craft present in his work, and the author’s creative use of both Jewish and Greek literary resources. Finally, he demonstrates the book’s enduring message and legacy in the Christian church, from theological influence on Origen to textual relations within Codex Sinaiticus.
Deep in our souls we all want our lives to count-but do you know why? Because God made you. He crafted you with purpose. Inside your DNA is not just the code for your hair color, height, athletic ability, intelligence, or any other such things. Those are just the things that we can see and measure. No, in your very makeup are the seeds of greatness that God intended for you to cultivate and grow to bring his light into this dark world. In Where Are the Davids? author David Ayer challenges you to become more than just a casual liver of life, observing the ordinary and experiencing the average-because that is not what God intended. Where Are the Davids? is the key to unlocking the door of destiny in your life. This book is the culmination of years of study and over twenty years of ministry experience. Understanding King David's life as the spiritual model revealing how God raises His warriors from obscurity to reign, this book will show you how to become the champion that He created you to be. Do you want to change the world? Do you want to escape the ordinary and achieve the greatness that God has intended for your life? Then let the original giant-killer, David, show you how. For more information go to: davidayer.me
In-depth twenty-four week group study of the whole Bible, emphasizing the concept of covenant as a unifying pattern through all the books in the Old and New Testament. Three participant guides each contain eight episodes, showing what to read and offering space to interact personally with the book introductions, daily Bible readings, prayers, and weekly meditations. In the videos, textual material is discussed by pastors Christine Chakoian and Shane Stanford and a number of biblical scholars.
We recognize the challenges churches face in engaging high school teens in deeper faith formation. Made up of 5 4-week studies, Canvas will captivate your students as they experience and explore the theological beliefs and foundational concepts that ground their faith. By working together to learn from history, tradition, and the Bible, students will uncover a portrait of God that will be an inspirational foundation to their own journey. This undated resource is designed to empower students to lead the lessons themselves, thus drawing students to not only learn about their faith, but put it into practice by serving and teaching others. Flexible to use as a continuation of confirmation, a small group resource, or student leadership resource. Canvas will inspire your students to paint the picture of their faith. As humans, we understand that we are incredibly complex beings. We're told in Genesis 2 that God formed us with God's own hands and breathed the breath of life into our lungs, but we also know that we rebelled against God. In Canvas: A Portrait of Humanity, your students will delve into the myriad complexities of human nature and our relationship to God. Over four weeks, students will unpack what it means for humans to be made in the image of God, how that image has been distorted by our sinful nature, and why God continues to offer us a path back to redemption.
We recognize the challenges churches face in engaging high school teens in deeper faith formation. Made up of 5 4-week studies, Canvas will captivate your students as they experience and explore the theological beliefs and foundational concepts that ground their faith. By working together to learn from history, tradition, and the Bible, students will uncover a portrait of God that will be an inspirational foundation to their own journey. This undated resource is designed to empower students to lead the lessons themselves, thus drawing students to not only learn about their faith, but put it into practice by serving and teaching others. Flexible to use as a continuation of confirmation, a small group resource, or student leadership resource. Canvas will inspire your students to paint the picture of their faith. From beginning to end, the Bible is the story of God. It tells us who God is, and how we should relate to this all-powerful cosmic deity. Theology is no different. The very word translates as "the study of God." In Canvas: A Portrait of God, your students will begin an adventure to encounter God and learn more about who God is and how God has been revealed both in the Bible and throughout history. Over four weeks, students will read through the Psalms, unpack the essence of the Trinity, and learn how we can talk about the God who created the universe and who loves us more deeply than we can imagine.
A modern translation with introductions by David A. deSilva. The Lexham Old Testament Apocrypha includes: Tobit (Vaticanus and Sinaiticus) Judith Greek Esther (Greek) Wisdom of Solomon Wisdom of Sirach Baruch Letter of Jeremiah the additions to Daniel (Old Greek and Theodotion), including the Prayer of Azariah, Susanna, and Bel and the Dragon 1–4 Maccabees 1–2 Esdras the Prayer of Manasseh Psalm 151 Psalms of Solomon Greek 1 Enoch Beautifully typeset in a single-column format, the Lexham Old Testament Apocrypha provides a literal and contemporary translation for modern readers. David A. deSilva briefly introduces each book, providing context and insight. This volume includes works typically omitted from other editions of the Apocrypha, such as the Psalms of Solomon, the Greek text of Enoch, and multiple versions of Tobit and the additions to Daniel. The Apocrypha has been highly esteemed throughout history. While its canonical status is disputed, it has been embraced by Christians over centuries for personal study, devotion, and worship. The diverse writings in the Apocrypha contain biblical and post-biblical history, historical fiction, wisdom, and liturgy. These books shed light on Second Temple (intertestamental) Judaism and the New Testament, and they continue to inspire readers today.
Explore the writings of the New Testament using the story of Jesus as the starting point. This survey of the testament looks at how the early church took ownership of and was shaped by the story of Jesus and how the church learned how to develop as disciples and create communities of faith. Participants find a deeper conversation with the writers of the New Testament and a renewal of our commitment to be shaped — personally and communally — by the story of Jesus. The study is accessible for adults with little prior Bible experience. In the weekly video segments, listen as scholars fascinate you with facts and information that opens new understanding and enlightenment for your group. In the second video, sit in on a table conversation between guest scholars and debate key issues in the text. Participants gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the New Testament as an integral part of the Christian Bible and a renewed discovery of our identity in God and God's vision for all things. This eight-week study includes a participant book outlining daily reading assignments for group preparations, a leader guide suggesting discussion activities for use in the 60–90-minute weekly meeting, and a video component providing interpretation and context for the biblical texts. Sessions: Jesus Calls Us Into God's Redemption Story Jesus Calls Us to a Transformed Life Jesus Calls Us to Minister to a Hostile World Jesus Calls Us to Complex Communities of Faith Jesus Calls Us to Serve One Another Jesus Calls Us to a New Relationship With Tradition Jesus Calls Us to Live in Light of His Coming Again Jesus Calls Us to Experience the Gifts of His Dying and Rising
A New York Times bestseller! Do you want to live a life of unstoppable strength, unmovable faith, and unbelievable power in the face of every challenge? Learn how to become an Overcomer—starting right now. We live in a time of deep uncertainty, and yet the Bible promises that we were created to enjoy lives of freedom, even in times when the world around us seems filled with darkness. You were not made to live in disappointment, disillusionment, and defeat, and God has given you the tools to live a life defined not by your trials, but by your victories. In Overcomer, beloved Bible teacher Dr. David Jeremiah offers his insights on one of the most quoted but least understood passages of the Bible: the apostle Paul’s admonition to the Ephesians to take up the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). With his signature depth, wisdom, and compassion, Dr. Jeremiah explores the powerful relevance of spiritual armor as a critical tool each day as we confront the specific challenges in our lives and of our time. Overcomer contains: Examples of how the people of God have overcome their enemies in the past Inspiring stories of victorious Christian living today Specific strategies you can practice armoring yourself in God’s strength In Christ, believers have everything necessary to live a victorious, overcoming life. If you’ve had enough of living in defeat, it’s time to find renewed strength and claim the promises of God’s Word to overcome life’s greatest threats.
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