Leviticus is often seen as one of the most uninviting books of the Old Testament. Who wants to read about blood sacrifice, infectious diseases, or ancient dietary restrictions? Yet like visiting any foreign country, to truly appreciate its culture one must become familiar with the language, customs, and ways of the people. This book guides the perplexed reader through the foreign signs, symbols, and beliefs of the ancient Israelites. From blood and atonement to the loveable rock badger, we begin to discover the sacred world of Leviticus and its relationship to a holy God who dwells with his people. The rituals and commands God gave to Israel form the deep roots of the biblical tradition that were not meant to be left in the past. Tapping into these roots helps us understand the life and ministry of Christ and how we might pursue holiness today. Each chapter surveys key aspects of Leviticus and then explores how these relate to the New Testament and the life of faith in the twenty-first century. In this accessible and engaging travel log, Scarlata introduces the depth and beauty of Israelite practices prescribed by God that were further revealed in Christ and continue to speak to the life and faith of Christians today.
In a wide-ranging meditation on the Cain and Abel narrative, Mark Scarlata draws out theological motifs relevant to Christian discipleship in a modern Western context. Taking his cue from Augustine's City of God, Scarlata brings to light what it means for a Christian to be a citizen of the heavenly city in this midst of a twenty-first-century globalized society. He argues that Christians can no longer think of discipleship merely as a personal, individual undertaking, but must recognize their role and responsibility as citizens in a global community. Each chapter raises questions like: How do we offer our best in worship when we live in a world driven by consumerism? How can we love others through our participation in the global economy? Are our lifestyles treating the environment in a way that is pleasing to God? And, how do we authentically connect to each other in a digital age of social media and mobile technology? These and other issues are addressed in relation to scenes from the Cain and Abel story. Each discussion highlights ancient Jewish and Christian interpretation as well as how a particular topic is understood within the broader context of the Old and New Testaments. Scarlata then offers ways that Christians might respond to the cultural shifts experienced by this generation and encourages readers to rethink what it means to be a citizen of God's kingdom with a local and global awareness in every aspect of life.
Sabbath Rest' considers the theological foundations of Christian sabbath-keeping, in first and second temple Judaism, New Testament Christianity and in the early church.
C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity is a perfect example of one of the most effective aspects of critical thinking skills: the use of reasoning to build a strong, logical argument. ¶Lewis originally wrote the book as a series of radio talks given from 1942-1944, at the height of World War II. The talks were designed to lay out the most basic tenets of Christianity for listeners, and to use these to make a logical argument for Christian belief and Christian ethics. While Lewis was not an academically-trained theologian or philosopher (specializing instead in literature), his own experience of converting from atheism to Christianity, along with his wide reading and incisive questioning, power a charming but persuasive argument for his own beliefs. ¶Whether or not one agrees with Lewis’s arguments or shares his faith, Mere Christianity exemplifies one of the most useful aspects of good reasoning: accessibility. When using reasoning to construct a convincing argument, it is crucial that your audience follow you, and Lewis was a master at constructing well-organised arguments that are immediately understandable to readers. The beautifully written Mere Christianity is a masterclass in cogently walking an audience through an elegant and well thought-through piece of reasoning.
Written by the great medieval Jewish philosopher Maimonides, The Guide of the Perplexed attempts to explain the perplexities of biblical language—and apparent inconsistencies in the text—in the light of philosophy and scientific reason. Composed as a letter to a student, The Guide aims to harmonize Aristotelian principles with the Hebrew Bible and argues that God must be understood as both unified and incorporeal. Engaging both contemporary and ancient scholars, Maimonides fluidly moves from cosmology to the problem of evil to the end goal of human happiness. His intellectual breadth and openness makes The Guide a lasting model of creative synthesis in biblical studies and philosophical theology.
In a wide-ranging meditation on the Cain and Abel narrative, Mark Scarlata draws out theological motifs relevant to Christian discipleship in a modern Western context. Taking his cue from Augustine's City of God, Scarlata brings to light what it means for a Christian to be a citizen of the heavenly city in this midst of a twenty-first-century globalized society. He argues that Christians can no longer think of discipleship merely as a personal, individual undertaking, but must recognize their role and responsibility as citizens in a global community. Each chapter raises questions like: How do we offer our best in worship when we live in a world driven by consumerism? How can we love others through our participation in the global economy? Are our lifestyles treating the environment in a way that is pleasing to God? And, how do we authentically connect to each other in a digital age of social media and mobile technology? These and other issues are addressed in relation to scenes from the Cain and Abel story. Each discussion highlights ancient Jewish and Christian interpretation as well as how a particular topic is understood within the broader context of the Old and New Testaments. Scarlata then offers ways that Christians might respond to the cultural shifts experienced by this generation and encourages readers to rethink what it means to be a citizen of God's kingdom with a local and global awareness in every aspect of life.
Leviticus is often seen as one of the most uninviting books of the Old Testament. Who wants to read about blood sacrifice, infectious diseases, or ancient dietary restrictions? Yet like visiting any foreign country, to truly appreciate its culture one must become familiar with the language, customs, and ways of the people. This book guides the perplexed reader through the foreign signs, symbols, and beliefs of the ancient Israelites. From blood and atonement to the loveable rock badger, we begin to discover the sacred world of Leviticus and its relationship to a holy God who dwells with his people. The rituals and commands God gave to Israel form the deep roots of the biblical tradition that were not meant to be left in the past. Tapping into these roots helps us understand the life and ministry of Christ and how we might pursue holiness today. Each chapter surveys key aspects of Leviticus and then explores how these relate to the New Testament and the life of faith in the twenty-first century. In this accessible and engaging travel log, Scarlata introduces the depth and beauty of Israelite practices prescribed by God that were further revealed in Christ and continue to speak to the life and faith of Christians today.
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