Nijay K. Gupta – författare

In 15 New Testament Words of Life, biblical scholar Nijay Gupta explores some of the most important New Testament words:

These are familiar terms in the Christian vocabulary, but many don’t know the original background and theological importance of these words, and how they can be life-giving for Christian faith and life today. To access the deep meaning of these words in the theological vocabulary of the New Testament writers, Gupta discusses each word within a key text and interprets it in three contexts:

For those first hearers of the gospel who chose to follow Jesus, these words were the words of life, and they can be once again for Jesus-followers in the modern world. With Gupta’s skilled guidance, readers will find their engagement with the New Testament revitalized as they begin to understand how these inspiring ancient words can still be captivating, thought-provoking, and worldview-shaping words for real life today.

While the New Testament is full of depth and complexity, its most important ideas have a profound simplicity to them. In this collection of word studies, Nijay Gupta explores foundational themes in New Testament theology, but in a very accessible way. If you''re looking to deepen your understanding of some of the most essential concepts in Christian belief, this book is for you!

—TIM MACKIE, cofounder of the Bible Project

"Not only does Nijay Gupta define important New Testament terms and illustrate their significance for today, he also models a strategy for how a Bible reader might approach the exploration of biblical ideas. 15 New Testament Words of Life is an introduction to New Testament theology that invites readers to study the Bible by investigating key concepts that frequently appear in books, sermons, and even casual conversations. Gupta’s scholarship and cultural awareness combine to make the work a necessary resource for preachers, teachers, and all other curious Bible readers. I am eager for my students to read it."

—DENNIS R. EDWARDS, Associate professor of New Testament, North Park Theological Seminary

"Nijay Gupta has provided the church and its pastors with a remarkable resource. Wearing his deep learning lightly, he winsomely portrays how the New Testament writers draw on the Old Testament to theologize in ways that are immensely hopeful and intensely practical. A book like this is just what the church needs today—a rich biblical theology that speaks words of life to the lives of the people of God in our increasingly fraught and complex world."

—DERWIN L. GRAY, Cofounder and lead pastor of Transformation Church, author of How to Heal Our Racial Divide

"Do you suspect there''s more to the Christian faith than what you’re hearing? Dr. Gupta brings the best of biblical scholarship to the pews, where standard Christian ways of talking about things have grown stale. By highlighting these fifteen key words, he opens a whole new world of understanding that will reinvigorate Christian practice. If you are hungry to move beyond clichés, this book is your invitation to a nourishing feast."

—CARMEN JOY IMES, Associate professor of Old Testament, Biola University, author of Bearing God’s Name

Volumes in New Word Biblical Themes: New Testament series offer short, accessible studies of the key themes of each book of the New Testament.

Each volume offers an introduction to the book, a brief exposition of the text with its basic background and a survey of its contents, an overview of its themes, and a deeper look at 3-5 key themes for understanding the book and for preaching and teaching.

Theologians have not often mined 2 Corinthians for its theological gemstones, but careful reading uncovers significant doctrinal insights. It is not just an occasional letter that battles those inside and outside of the congregation who have belittled Paul for lacking power and glory. He writes as a pastor dousing the flames of dissension, disgruntlement, toxic leadership, and deviant theology.

Therefore, what he says can be meaningful to ministers today who may face the same kinds of problems and seek to live a cruciform ministry. The letter has relevance for the church universal, and Paul''s responses to the various issues are grounded in a well-developed theological substructure. The letter offers profound insights into the Trinity, atonement, reconciliation, being in Christ, cruciform ministry, and the hope of the resurrection.

The study of Galatians has had a massive impact on Christianity throughout the ages, especially in the Reformation and modern eras. The language of "justification by faith" has generated vigorous discussion among Protestants and Catholics for more than 500 years. It would be easy to reengage this conversation again. But in this inaugural volume of the New Word Biblical Themes series, Nijay Gupta argues that Paul has much wider interests in view in Galatians. He argues that Paul''s main theme in Galatians is family--who belongs within the household of God and how they are welcomed in.

While addressing additional key topics and themes like justification, faith, and freedom, Gupta skillfully unifies them under the overarching rubric of inclusion in God''s family through participation in the Sonship of Jesus Christ. In God''s household, the Son is the model, love is the culture, the cross is the family crest, and Christian brothers and sisters enjoy equal access, privilege, and status in the community in Christ.

The study of Paul''s Thessalonian letters is enjoying fresh interest today. These texts are considered by many to be amongst the earliest extant Christian documents. They are included in conversations about early Jewish and Christian apocalypticism. New insights are coming from examination of the religious, socio-cultural, and political contexts of Roman Thessalonica. And, looking back, these letters have played an important role in the development of Christian eschatology. This volumes serves as an up-to-date guide to these academic discussions and debates and much more.

This volume on 1 and 2 Thessalonians in the Zondervan Critical Introductions to the New Testament series offers a volume-length engagement with subjects that normally only receive short treatments in biblical commentaries or in New Testament Introductions. This volume addresses:

A new commentary for today''s world, The Story of God Bible Commentary explains and illuminates each passage of Scripture in light of the Bible''s grand story. The first commentary series to do so, SGBC offers a clear and compelling exposition of biblical texts, guiding everyday readers in how to creatively and faithfully live out the Bible in their own contexts. Its story-centric approach is ideal for pastors, students, Sunday school teachers, and laypeople alike.

Three easy-to-use sections designed to help readers live out God''s story:

Praise for SGBC:

"The editors and contributors set that table very well and open up the biblical story in ways that move us to act with sensitivity and understanding ... Well done."

-Daniel I. Block, Wheaton College and Graduate School

"[The] easy-to-use format and practical guidance brings God''s grand story to modern-day life so anyone can understand how it applies today."

-Andy Stanley, Senior Pastor, North Point Ministries

"Engagingly readable, it not only explores the biblical text but offers a range of applications and interesting illustrations."

-Craig S. Keener, Asbury Theological Seminary

"I love the SGBC series. It makes the text sing and helps us hear the story afresh."

-John Ortberg, Senior Pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church

"Pastors, Bible study leaders, and Christians of all types who are looking for a substantive and practical guide through the Scriptures will find these volumes helpful."

-Frank Thielman, Beeson Divinity School

"This commentary series breaks new ground ... Ideal for preaching and teaching."

-Craig Blomberg, Denver Seminary

"A perfect tool for helping every follower of Jesus to walk in the story that God is writing for them."

-Judy Douglass, Cru