Fresh research, advancing further the work of numerous scholars over a great many decades, points convincingly to a new basis for explaining the Synoptic Problem: the Gospel of Matthew was published in stages.Scholars have long debated the Synoptic Problem--questions about why and how the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke share so much common material, and yet differ in so many ways.Assessing all the primary evidence, and the widely differing scholarly views about the Syno...

Fresh research, advancing further the work of numerous scholars over a great many decades, points convincingly to a new basis for explaining the Synoptic Problem: the Gospel of Matthew was published in stages.Scholars have long debated the Synoptic Problem--questions about why and how the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke share so much common material, and yet differ in so many ways.Assessing all the primary evidence, and the widely differing scholarly views about the Synoptic Problem, B....

A detailed treatment of the biblical teaching about marriage, sex, marital problems, divorce and remarriage. A major focus is the much-disputed question of divorce and remarriage. Dr Powers examiners in careful detail all the different views about this issue and concludes that we must follow the teachings of Jesus and of Paul in putting the emphasis where they put it: upon the separation or splitting apart of the marriage relationship. That is what is wrong; that is what must not be allowe...

A large amount of the debate about women's ministry results from the fact that we do not always distinguish things that differ. There are two areas in particular of potential confusion in our thinking about the question of the role of women in the church. I want to start by drawing attention to these two areas.The first area is our frequent failure to distinguish between authority and structure in the church on the one hand, as distinct from gifts and ministry.In the New Te...

Despite a strong belief in the institution and sacredness of marriage, studies show that Christian spouses experience divorce at least as much as the secular population.But whatever the reasons for a divorce--beyond the divorce itself--many Christians want to know: does the Bible support remarriage?The fact is that no consensus exists among evangelicals on their views of remarriage, leaving many Christians confused. This Counterpoints volume explores the bi...

This work is not a history of New Testament times, nor an account of New Testament religion. Nor does it proceed from a view that the New Testament was written as theology. We must bear in mind that the writers of the New Testament books were not writing set theological pieces. They were concerned with the needs of the churches for which they wrote. Those churches already had the Old Testament, but these new writings became in time the most significant part of the Scriptures of the believi...

THE NEW AMERICAN COMMENTARY is for the minister or Bible student who wants to understand and expound the Scriptures. Notable features include:* commentary based on THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION;* the NIV text printed in the body of the commentary;* sound scholarly methodology that reflects capable research in the original languages;* interpretation that emphasizes the theological unity of each book and of Scripture as a whole;* readable and applicable exposition.

In After You Believe, award-winning author and esteemed spiritual leader Bishop N.T. Wright (Simply Christian, Surprised by Hope) addresses the often neglected question of what happens after you believe, exploring how the development of Christian character is the key to a vibrant faith. Newsweek calls Bishop Wright "the world’s leading New Testament scholar," and After You Believe is an essential work of spiritual formation for fans of C.S. Lewis's M...

New Testament scholar N.T. Wright reveals how we have been misreading the Gospels for centuries, powerfully restoring the lost central story of the Scripture: the powerful arrival of the kingdom of God, where the coronation of God through the acts of Jesus was the climax of human history. Wright fills the gaps that centuries of misdirection have opened up in our collective spiritual story, tracing a narrative from Eden, to Jesus, to today. Wright’s powerful re-reading of the Gospels, a lan...

“Who could argue with the message the authors draw from the Bible’s Christmas stories? Light in the darkest time of the year, hope in a period of creeping despair—these are powerful and universal themes that can give everyone a stake in Christmas.”—USA TodayIn The First Christmas Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan—top Jesus scholars and authors of The Last Week—help us see the real Christmas story buried in the familiar Bible accounts. Basing ...

Seeking God's guidance is a focus for many believers. We want to know what God has planned for our lives. Are we making the right decision? Are we in his will? For some people, knowing God is guiding their lives makes them relax and enjoy the ride. But others fear making the wrong choice and find themselves paralyzed as they wait for signs from above.J. I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom answer these fears with God's Will. With solid biblical footing, they shed light on the not...

Get the most out of your Bible.In clear, simple language, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth helps you accurately understand the different parts of the Bible—their meaning for ancient audiences and their implications for you today—so you can uncover the inexhaustible wealth of God's Word.More than three quarters of a million people have turned to How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth to inform their reading of the Bible. This fourth...