This edited collection considers the concept of power in the New Testament and early Christian writings.Ron Clark, Stanley N. Helton, Anne Moore, and their contributors contend that power in ancient Southwest Asia and North Africa was not only a desired commodity, but an important tool to navigate the historical honor/shame culture. The essays herein explore the positive uses of power to foster peace and shalom in Early Christian communities. Drawing from sociologic...

When Jesus spoke at his local synagogue he boldly proclaimed that he was the one sent to free those who were oppressed. He came to provide hope, peace, and safety to those suffering in the world. When he left this earth, his followers were left with the task of continuing this ministry. Statistics suggest that in America one in four women has experienced physical violence in an intimate relationship. Dating violence, intimate-partner violence, and child abuse rank as some of our nation's l...

When a boy cries, his father trains him in the way of the ancients. He is taught to "man up," and rejects anything feminine in his life. Thus he begins the process of becoming a man in the image of his culture. This transformation comes at the expense of his own calling to reflect the image of God. Men and women, however, were both created in this divine image and were meant to live in harmony rather than enmity. Recently, influential Christian writers and leaders have suggested that men h...

When Paul came to Corinth he found a culture emerging from the ashes of Roman power. As Julius Caesar rebuilt the fallen city he brought Roman culture to this Greek community. Likewise, Paul's message of salvation in Jesus rebuilt the fallen lives of people dominated by a culture of power. This power was displayed in violence, discrimination, sexuality, and spirituality. As this city emerged from the ashes of humiliation the church emerged, by God's hand, from of the humiliation of Jesus a...

What happened to the Ark of the Covenant? It's not stored in a warehouse in Area 51. It's not listed in any conquering nations' treasure inventory. An Ancient letter penned by the Prophet Jeremiah offers clues that leads Josh Winslow and Caleb O'Connor on a dangerous serach for the Jewish Tabernacle and the articles of worship it once contained. It it is found, it may open the floodgates of Jewish immigration back to Israel. Dark forces of a new world order and Islam await to prevent their...

This book is a manual for raising up and equipping elders or shepherds. It provides resources for identifying emerging leaders, for training elders and their wives, and for beginning an elder development program in a congregation. A vital resource for a neglected area of church life.'In the leadership literature the question is asked, Are people born leaders or do we train them to become leaders? I suggest a third option. Leaders emerge. When we begin to offer training and developm...

When the people of Judah were taken captive by the Babylonians, their world was drastically changed. While in exile they experienced shame, guilt, fear, and displacement. However, their God had been traumatized by their behavior and also grieved with them. Yet, Yahweh gave them a second chance by forgiving them and bringing them home. God offered them hope, mercy, and love. The prophets were God's chosen messengers, not only to provide a new vision of what could be, but to suffer with the ...

The Spirit of Jesus Unleashed on the Church is the third book in a series concerning the restoration of Jesus' people in a world where the marginalized classes longed for reconciliation to God. After Jesus' ascension the early Christians fulfilled Luke's epic theme of restoration in their new empire, inclusion of outcasts, and endurance during the resistance. As Jesus journeyed to Jerusalem, so Paul and the mission of God followed the journey to the capital of the Roman world. God's people...

Luke's narrative of Jesus was presented to Christians who had already heard and read stories of Jesus and the birth of this new movement, Christianity. Luke seemed to rewrite the story of Jesus similar to ancient epics of the history of a nation, a movement, and the tale of a hero. Jesus and the church emerged in occupied Judea, a nation that was not only oppressed but was in exile. Occupied Judea, however, struggled for power and honor and in turn, for marginalized people who needed God. ...

In the midst of hectic and fast paced families, one stable element that can bring grace, love, and joy is the table. Biblically, the table was a place of mercy, unity, and hospitality. Marriage also is a uniting of male and female, to complement and partner, to create a new family, ministry, and community. When the marriage table becomes a central element, sacred and safe spaces are created for individuals, couples, and families to thrive and mature as God intended. Ron and Lori Clark shar...

Planting Daisies is one of those books in which reader and character become friends in the face of their shared struggles. Personal stories that tell the plight of the women of the Daisy Retreat mirror the emotional dilemmas of those who have been victims of emotional and physical abuse. Take time to grow with the women of the Daisy Retreat as they become stronger as a result of the human challenges they face.

When Ron Clark walked into his fifth-grade class in rural North Carolina, he was confronted with a tremendous challenge. The children had little interest in learning, and were sorely lacking in guidance. How would he transform a group of apathetic kids into disciplined, thoughtful, and curious students? He quickly realized that they needed to learn some basic rules.Clark compiled a list of 55 lessons, and soon, his fifth-grade students--who once struggled to read at the third-grade...