Though removed from the frontlines, Cleveland played an active role in national events before, during, and after the Civil War.President Lincoln visited this abolitionist hotbed after his 1860 election. Following his assassination five years later, his funeral train made a stop there. Cleveland and Cuyahoga County sent over 9,000 troops to war. More than 1,700 never returned. Born just outside Cleveland, James Garfield emerged from the war to become President of th...

For almost two centuries, the historic Tremont neighborhood has rested on a bluff overlooking Cleveland's industrial valley. The sleepy farming community was transformed in 1867, when Cleveland annexed it. Factories attracted thousands of emigrants from Europe, and industrialization gave rise to a class of wealthy businessmen. After the city prospered as a manufacturing center during World War II, deindustrialization and suburbanization fueled a huge population loss, and the neighborhood d...

An Introduction to the Theology and Themes of Philippians“To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). This bold and countercultural statement captures the central message of Philippians. In this New Testament letter, Paul offers practical advice for godly living and encourages believers to stay connected to the gospel amid hardship. Because the church shares in the sufferings of Christ, believers can experience joy even in suffering as they wait for ...

An Introduction to the Theology and Themes of MatthewWho is Jesus, and how can I become more like him? These fundamental questions echo through the ages, shape the Great Commission, and lie at the heart of the Christian life. Thankfully, the Gospel of Matthew offers a compelling answer, presenting Jesus as King, Teacher, and Messiah, while showing what it looks like to live faithfully in response to his call.In this volume of the New Testament Theo...

An Introduction to the Theology and Themes of 1 and 2 ThessaloniansLike Paul’s other early churches, Thessalonica experienced great societal pressure to conform to the surrounding culture. But amid persecution, the Thessalonians remained faithful to their call to holiness as they patiently awaited Jesus’s return. These epistles provide a positive and practical example of what Christians should believe and how they should behave today.In this volume of the N...

An Introduction to the Biblical Theology of HebrewsThe book of Hebrews can be intimidating for modern-day Christians due to its connection to Old Testament text. However, once understood, this New Testament epistle offers great insights into the superiority and sufficiency of Jesus―rightly justifying his place as high priest.In this addition to the New Testament Theology series, scholar Dennis E. Johnson highlights the main biblical-theological themes of He...