Faithlife Corporation – förlag

OVER 175,000 COPIES SOLD ● To celebrate its tenth anniversary, The Unseen Realm Expanded Edition features a deluxe hardcover format and new content from Heiser never before available in print, further unveiling the unseen realm.If it's weird, it's important.Talking snakes. Giants. A heavenly council. Imprisoned spirits. Your Bible is filled with strange things, but what do they mean and why do they matter? In The Unseen Realm, Michael Heiser unveils the supernatural worldview of the Bible. Heiser shows how understanding the Bible's ancient context reveals surprises hiding in plain sight. By reading the Bible with the mindset of an ancient Israelite, you will learn new things about God, yourself, and the world and discover answers to unusual questions, including:● Why wasn't Eve surprised when the serpent spoke to her?● How did descendants of the Nephilim survive the flood?● Who are the assembly of divine beings that God presides over?● Why do Peter and Jude write about imprisoned spirits?● Why does Paul describe evil spirits in terms of geographical rule?● Who are the "glorious ones" that even angels dare not rebuke?With The Unseen Realm, you may never read your Bible the same way again."How was it possible that I had never seen that before? Dr. Heiser's survey of the complex reality of the supernatural world as the Scriptures portray it covers a subject that is strangely sidestepped."--John Goldingay, David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament, School of Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary "There is a world referred to in the Scripture that is quite unseen, but also quite present and active. The Unseen Realm seeks to unmask this world."―Darrell L. Bock, Executive Director of Cultural Engagement and Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

In The Unseen Realm, Dr. Michael Heiser examines the ancient context of Scripture, explaining how its supernatural worldview can help us grow in our understanding of God. He illuminates intriguing and amazing passages of the Bible that have been hiding in plain sight. You'll find yourself engaged in an enthusiastic pursuit of the truth, resulting in a new appreciation for God's Word.Why wasn't Eve surprised when the serpent spoke to her?How did descendants of the Nephilim survive the flood? Why did Jacob fuse Yahweh and his Angel together in his prayer? Who are the assembly of divine beings that God presides over? In what way do those beings participate in God's decisions? Why do Peter and Jude promote belief in imprisoned spirits? Why does Paul describe evil spirits in terms of geographical rulership? Who are the "glorious ones" that even angels dare not rebuke? After reading this book, you may never read your Bible the same way again."There is a world referred to in the Scripture that is quite unseen, but also quite present and active. Michael Heiser's The Unseen Realm seeks to unmask this world. Heiser shows how important it is to understand this world and appreciate how its contribution helps to make sense of Scripture. The book is clear and well done, treating many ideas and themes that often go unseen themselves. With this book, such themes will no longer be neglected, so read it and discover a new realm for reflection about what Scripture teaches."

Did Jesus rise from the dead? Is resurrection even possible? Raised on the Third Day approaches these questions with critical and believing eyes. A variety of contributors--including J. P. Moreland, William Lane Craig, Craig A. Evans, Beth M. Sheppard, and Sean McDowell--evaluate scriptural, historical, moral, and apologetic issues related to Christ's death and resurrection. Readers will better appreciate how Gary Habermas has shaped the discussion and how scholarship can be moved forward. Study of Christ's resurrection is far from exhausted.Gary R. Habermas is one of the most influential Christian philosophers and apologists of the later twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. His life's work has focused on matters pertaining to the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus, and it is widely agreed that Habermas is the foremost authority on the subject. This festschrift is a tribute to that work.

The Bible is filled with passages that are so baffling we tend to ignore them. Yet the passages that seem weird might be the most important. This collection of essays from Bible Study Magazine will shock you, intrigue you, and completely change the way you view the Bible. Dr. Michael S. Heiser visits some of the Bible's most obscure passages, unveiling their ancient context to help you interpret them today. Read this book, and you'll never be bored by the Bible again.Part One: Old TestamentThe Ancient's Guide to the GalaxyWalk Like an IsraeliteEven the Bible Needed UpgradingSpellchecking the BibleWhy Circumcision?The Abandoned Child and the Basket CaseA Tale of Courage We Never TeachCounting the Ten CommandmentsIs There Really a Sin Offering?There's a Devil in the DetailsLove Potion: Numbers 5Is My Bible Right?The Most Horrific Bible StoryRighting a WrongWhen Giants Walked the EarthThe Divine ArrowPromise Undelivered?Sanctified Dirt1003 BC Census: Who Authorized It-God or Satan?Cookin' the BooksSlaying the Sea MonsterDoes God Need a Co-Signer?The Witness in the CloudsWho Wrote the Book of Proverbs?Immanuel's Mother: Virgin or Not?Standing in the CouncilJeremiah: Double Vision?Why the Ark of the Covenant Will Never Be FoundHe, Him, Me, Myself, and IBizarre Visions for the Worst of TimesDo the Dead Sea Scrolls Answer the Canon Question?Part Two: New TestamentBurying HellMy Guardian AngelThe New Testament Misquotes the Old Testament?"I Saw Satan Fall like Lightning": When?The Healing SerpentWho Took Verse 4 out of My Bible?What Walking on Water Really MeansBorn Again ... and Again and Again?Dumbledore Meets Philip & PeterPaul's Lost LettersDestiny & DestinationA Female ApostleSigned, Sealed, and Delivered-to Satan?Treason & TranslationCharlton Heston Had CompanyWhen Abraham Met JesusHow Many Times Is Jesus Coming Back?What's Jesus Waiting For?God's Right-Hand Woman? Wisdom in HebrewsBaptism as Spiritual WarfareJesus Is God: Jude and Peter Tell Me SoWhen Angels Do TimeTough LoveJesus, God, a.k.a., The Name666: What Theories Add Up?Perspective Changes EverythingConstantine, Conspiracy, and the Canon

A fresh, modern translation of key works of the apostolic fathers.The "Apostolic Fathers" wrote what has become some of the most important literature in the early church--letters and epistolary documents, homilies and theological tracts, documents on church order, and apocalyptic literature. In fact, some texts came close to inclusion in the New Testament canon. These translations by Rick Brannan are perfect for use by students, scholars, and everyday Christians interested in these treasures of the early church.Lexham Classics are beautifully typeset new editions of classic works. Each book has been carefully transcribed or translated from the original texts, ensuring an accurate representation of the writing as the author intended it to be read.This volume includes:The First Letter of Clement to the CorinthiansThe Second Letter of Clement to the CorinthiansIgnatius to the EphesiansIgnatius to the MagnesiansIgnatius to the TralliansIgnatius to the RomansIgnatius to the PhiladelphiansIgnatius to the SmyrnaeansIgnatius to PolycarpPolycarp to the PhilippiansThe Didache (The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles)Epistle of BarnabasThe Shepherd of HermasThe Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp (by the Bishop of Smyrna)Epistle to Diognetus

You are the fountain of life, light, and all grace and truth"Use this book as a daily guide in your walk with God and it will enrich you in a multitude of ways."--Michael A. G. HaykinThe hearts of the first Christians beat with praise for Christ. The strength of their devotion is remarkable, considering the times of uncertainty and persecution in which they lived. Despite all of this, the early church flourished, sustained by the God to whom they prayed.Christians today have a lot to learn from the devotional life of the early church. In Fount of Heaven, a collection of carefully selected prayers from the first six centuries of the church, we can pray with our spiritual forefathers. Prayers from luminaries such as Clement of Rome, Irenaeus, and Augustine are arranged by theme to reveal the right prayer for the moment. The prayers have been slightly updated to read more easily, but they retain their joy and mystery. As we turn to the prayers of the first Christians, we can return to the foundations of our own faith.

Christianity Today 2025 Book Award Winner in Apologetics & Evangelism and Book of the Year Award of Merit "Joins conviction and compassion in a sober, cogent analysis."--Christianity TodayWhat is the relationship between sex and gender?In The Body God Gives: A Biblical Response to Transgender Theory, Robert S. Smith argues that God intends a person's gender to be grounded in the reality of his or her biological sex--the body God has given. In making his case, Smith critiques the central claim of transgender theory: that the sexed body does not determine the gendered self. He also evaluates contemporary changes in thought and speech about sex and gender, responding to modern confusion with biblical conviction and compassion. God speaks clearly, both in his word and in his world. As such, this exploration will help you:● understand society's shifts in thinking and talking about sex and gender● discover how biological sex guides gender● recognize how the Bible speaks to gender and transgender● respond to affirming interpretations of Scripture● answer gender confusion with clarity and compassion

The truth about demons is far stranger--and even more fascinating--than what's commonly believed.What people believed about evil spiritual forces in ancient biblical times is often very different than what people have been led to believe about them today. And this ancient worldview is missing from most attempts to treat the topic.In Demons, Michael Heiser debunks popular presuppositions about the very real powers of darkness. Rather than traditions, stories, speculations, or myths, Demons is grounded in what ancient people of both the Old and New Testament eras believed about evil spiritual forces and in what the Bible actually says. Heiser addresses questions such as:● Are demons real? ● Are they red creatures with goatees holding pitchforks and sitting on people's shoulders while whispering bad things? ● Did a third of the angels really rebel with Satan? ● Are demons and "principalities and powers" just terms for the same entities, or are they different members of the kingdom of darkness? ● Is the world a chaotic mess because of what happened in Eden, or is there more to the story of evil?You'll come away with a sound, biblical understanding of demons, supernatural rebellion, evil spirits, and spiritual warfare.

Reconstructing Paul's journey to Rome, day by dayIn This Way We Came to Rome: With Paul on the Appian Way guides readers along Paul's 150-mile journey to face trial before the Roman emperor (Acts 28).Authors Glen L. Thompson and Mark Wilson draw from both ancient records and modern research to offer the most complete account available of Paul's journey along the ancient world's most famous road--the Appian Way. In addition to geographical and historical insights, the authors provide numerous images, maps, and GPS coordinates, allowing the reader to experience Paul's journey and better understand the ancient world in which he spread the gospel.

The Bible is mysterious, surprising--and often deeply misunderstood. Dr. Michael S. Heiser, an expert in the ancient near east and author of the best selling The Unseen Realm, explores the most unusual, interesting, and least understood parts of the Bible and offers insights that will inspire, inform, and surprise you on every page. Dr. Heiser has helped to remind the church of the supernatural worldview of the Bible. In The Bible Unfiltered, you will see his methods and expertise applied to dozens of specific passages and topics. Gleaned from his years working as Faithlife's scholar-in-residence, this is some of the very best of Dr. Heiser's work.

The Learning Biblical Hebrew Workbook is an essential companion for students usingLearning Biblical Hebrew: Reading for Comprehension.The workbook includes guided readings tailored to the growing knowledge of the student using the introductory grammar. After the opening chapters containing grammar exercises to reinforce basic concepts, students begin reading actual Hebrew text based on the Joseph story from Genesis 37-50. The text has been abridged and modified to present students with a text that they can read with minimal help. The readings are accompanied with three types of annotations: the Hebrew root or lexical form, an English gloss, or grammatical and textual explanations. The notes are provided to facilitate reading comprehension by identifying unfamiliar words and concepts. As familiarity with vocabulary and grammar increases, the readings are modified less and less until students are essentially reading the standard Hebrew text used in most Hebrew Bibles today. After completing the beginning Biblical Hebrew reader based on the Joseph story, students move on to the intermediate Biblical Hebrew reader that includes the books of Ruth, Jonah, and Esther. The continuous practice of reading Biblical Hebrew text is an essential part of truly understanding and experiencing what you read. The Learning Biblical Hebrew Workbook provides that essential reading practice that will make your study of Biblical Hebrew come alive.

"Should be the minimum for the preacher's library on the Psalter."―Themelios"A paradigm-shifting publication."--Journal of the Evangelical Theological SocietyThe Psalms are a carefully arranged collage of history, prophecy, and praiseJames M. Hamilton provides a fresh translation and interpretation of the Psalms. This second volume treats Psalms 73-150. Though commonly read in isolation, the Psalms are best read as a collage that tells a story of God's faithfulness to his people through his king. Hamilton observes the significance of the Psalter's intentional macro--structuring and intricate links across neighboring psalms. Hamilton interprets with a literary sensitivity and an eye towards canonical connections. Learn where the Psalms belong in the redemptive story, how they relate to God's people, and how they find their fulfillment in Jesus.The Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (EBTC) series locates each biblical book within redemptive history and illuminates its unique theological contributions. All EBTC volumes feature informed exegetical treatment of the biblical book and thorough discussion of its most important theological themes in relation to the canon―all in a style that is useful and accessible to students of Scripture.

A fresh translation of the Septuagint.The Lexham English Septuagint (LES) is a new translation of the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Old Testament writings used during New Testament times and in the early church. Beautifully typeset in a comfortable, single-column format, the LES provides a literal, readable, and transparent English edition of the Septuagint for modern readers. Retaining the familiar forms of personal names and places, the LES gives readers the ability to read it alongside their favored English Bible. Translated directly from Swete's edition of the Septuagint, the LES maintains the meaning of the original text, making the Septuagint accessible to readers today.

"That prayer is most likely to pierce heaven which first pierces one's own heart." For the Puritans, prayer was neither casual nor dull. Their prayers were passionate affairs, from earnestly pleading for mercy to joyful praise. These rich expressions of deep Christian faith are a shining example of holy living.The Puritan combination of warm piety and careful intellect have fueled a renaissance of interest in their movement. This combination is on display in Piercing Heaven, a collection of carefully selected prayers from leading Puritans. The language in these prayers has been slightly updated for a modern audience while still retaining the elevated tone of the Puritans. With prayers from Richard Baxter, Thomas Brooks, John Owen, and many more, each prayer reminds us that heartfelt prayer is central to the Christian life.

"Must we be free to truly love?Evil is a problem for all Christians. When responding to objections that both evil and God can exist, many resort to a "free will defense," where God is not the creator of evil but of human freedom, by which evil is possible. This response is so pervasive that it is just as often assumed as it is defended. But is this answer biblically and philosophically defensible?In God Reforms Hearts, Thaddeus J. Williams offers a friendly challenge to the central claim of the free will defense--that love is possible only with true (or libertarian) free will. Williams argues that much thinking on free will fails to carve out the necessary distinction between an autonomous will and an unforced will. Scripture presents a God who desires relationship and places moral requirements on his often-rebellious creatures, but does absolute free will follow? Moreover, God's work of transforming the human heart is more thorough than libertarian freedom allows. With clarity, precision, and charity, Williams judges the merits and shortcomings of the relational free will defense while offering a philosophically and biblically robust alternative that draws from theologians of the past to point a way forward.

What does the Bible really tell us about the heavenly host? Everyone knows that angels have wings, usually carry harps, and that each of us has our own personal guardian angel, right? We all have some preconceptions about angels from movies, television shows, and other media, but you might be surprised to know that a lot of those notions aren't based on anything from the Bible. If you read Luke 1:26–38 and imagine the angel Gabriel standing before Mary with neatly folded white wings, you're not getting that picture from anything the Bible itself says. What the Bible really says about angels is overlooked or filtered through popular myths. This book was written to help change that. It's a book about the loyal members of God's heavenly host, and while most people associate them with the word "angel," that's just one of many terms the Bible uses for supernatural beings. In The Unseen Realm Michael Heiser opened the eyes of thousands to seeing the Bible through the supernatural worldview of the ancient world it was written in. In his latest book, Angels, Dr. Heiser reveals what the Bible really says about God's supernatural servants. Heiser focuses on loyal, holy heavenly beings because the Bible has a lot more to say about them than most people suspect. Most people presume all there is to know about angels is what has been passed on in Christian tradition, but in reality, that tradition is quite incomplete and often inaccurate.Angels is not guided by traditions, stories, speculations, or myths about angels. Heiser's study is grounded in the terms the Bible itself uses to describe members of God's heavenly host; he examines the terms in their biblical context while drawing on insights from the wider context of the ancient Near Eastern world. The Bible's view on heavenly beings begins with Old Testament terms but then moves into literature from the Second Temple period—Jewish writings from around the fifth century BC to the first century AD. This literature from the time between the Old Testament and the New Testament influenced the New Testament writers in significant ways. With that important background established, the book focuses on what the New Testament tells us about God's holy ones. Finally, the book reflects on common misconceptions about angels and addresses why the topic is still important and relevant for Christians today.

"In Who Chose the Books of the New Testament?, Charles E. Hill examines the ancient evidence behind the formation of the New Testament. Hill retraces the origins of the canon and why certain books were privileged and others neglected. He concludes that the New Testament was inherited, not chosen. The early church preserved and proclaimed what they received. Learn how you got your Bible"--

2020 Christianity Today Book Award Winner for Church/Pastoral Leadership2019 TGC Ministry Book of the Year Winner2020 ECPA Christian Book Award Winner for Ministry ResourcesDrawing on a lifetime of pastoral experience, The Care of Souls is a beautifully written treasury of proven wisdom which pastors will find themselves turning to again and again.Harold Senkbeil helps remind pastors of the essential calling of the ministry: preaching and living out the Word of God while orienting others in the same direction. And he offers practical and fruitful advice--born out of his five decades as a pastor--that will benefit both new pastors and those with years in the pulpit.In a time when many churches have lost sight of the real purpose of the church, The Care of Souls invites a new generation of pastors to form the godly habits and practical wisdom needed to minister to the hearts and souls of those committed to their care.

What's the best way to learn a new language? By approaching it not as a series of facts to memorize but as something alive, with a personality you can get to know and tendencies you can sometimes predict. Designed for long-term retention, Learning Biblical Hebrew focuses on helping students understand how the language works and providing a solid grounding in Hebrew through extensive reading in the biblical text. Introduces advanced concepts in a form accessible to beginning students. Focuses on historic patterns and changes that minimize memorization. Focuses on how the language works for long--term retention. Encourages mastery of paradigms from a handful of representative forms. Includes extensive translation from the third week of class. Prepares students for translation of unedited biblical texts by the end of first semester. Emphasizes reading comprehension rather than decoding. Promotes a strong oral component to enhance language competence. Written for first-year and second-year Hebrew students, this grammar is laid out to present comprehensive concepts to first-year students and then to aid in review and deeper understanding for second-year students. Though written for Hebrew competency, Learning Biblical Hebrew is well suited for students with different learning styles and objectives.

You may never read the Bible the same way again.Angelic beings taking human wives. Ancient giants. God holding royal court among other gods. In Supernatural, Dr. Michael S. Heiser tackles these remarkable biblical themes and many more, based on his fifteen years of research into what the Bible really says about the unseen realm. Heiser shines a bright light on the supernatural world--not a new light, but rather the same light in which the original, ancient readers and writers of Scripture would have seen it.

Can we know anything about God apart from the Bible?Many Protestant Christians are suspicious of natural theology, which claims that we can learn about God through revelation outside the Bible. How can we know anything about God apart from Scripture? In Nature's Case for God, distinguished theologian John Frame argues that Christians are not forbidden from seeking to learn about God from his creation. In fact, the Bible itself shows this to be possible.In nine short and lucid chapters that include questions for discussion, Frame shows us what we can learn about God and how we relate to him from the world outside the Bible. If the heavens really do declare the glory of God, as the psalmist claims, it makes a huge difference for how we understand God and how we introduce him to those who don't yet know Christ.

2023 Credo Magazine Book Award Winner, Theological RetrievalHoly Scripture requires holy reading.- Encounter an ancient but fresh way of reading the Bible.- Learn from Augustine, Anselm of Canterbury, Bernard of Clairvaux, and others.- Experience a structured and attentive way to focus on Christ, listen to the Spirit, and rest in God's love.Christians read Scripture to encounter Christ and be conformed to his image. Jesus is the point of reading the Bible. But Scripture is no mere human text; it is God's living word. So how should we read it?For Christians throughout the centuries, the answer has been lectio divina--"divine reading." Lectio divina is a sacramental reading. It aims to take us more deeply into the life of God. Through practicing the four movements of lectio divina--attentive reading, extended meditation, prayerful reflection, and silent resting--we focus on Christ, listen to the Spirit, and rest in God's love. We no longer simply read the words of Scripture; instead, we read the face of God in the eternal Word.

There is no greater study than that of God himself.· Understand how our doctrine of God fuels worship· Learn the biblical basis for classical Christian theism· Respond to traditional Christian theism's critics The goal of doctrine is worship, so our doctrine of God is resolutely practical. What we believe about God fuels the life and worship of the church.In Classical Theism: A Christian Introduction, Jordan L. Steffaniak retrieves the rich, historical doctrine of God that has guided the church throughout the ages. Classical theism fuels the life and worship of the church. But sometimes it is misunderstood as abstract and unwelcome―owing more to pagan philosophy than the words of the Bible. Steffaniak grounds classical theism in Scripture as guided by creeds and tradition. Steffaniak writes with a pastoral goal―understanding the God we worship.

Is the Christian battle against sin a long defeat?In Conquerors, Not Captives, Joseph R. Dodson and Mattie Mae Motl challenge the popular view that Romans 7:14-25 describes the typical Christian battle against sin. The "wretched man" of Romans 7 seems unable to do what God's law demands and, for many Christians, his inner conflict and turmoil seem all too relatable. But are we impotent before sin and powerless to do good? When we reexamine Romans 7 in light of Paul's writings elsewhere and his interpreters throughout church history, we encounter better news.Conquerors, Not Captives is an accessible and thoughtful study that rebukes our gloomy expectations and invites us to take seriously the Bible's assurances that the Holy Spirit frees us from sin's power.

OVER 175,000 COPIES SOLDUnlock the ancient supernatural worldview that shaped the BibleTalking snakes. Giants. A heavenly council. Imprisoned spirits. Your Bible is filled with strange things, but what do they mean and why do they matter? In The Unseen Realm, Michael Heiser unveils the supernatural worldview of the Bible. Heiser shows how understanding the Bible's ancient context reveals surprises hiding in plain sight. By reading the Bible with the mindset of an ancient Israelite, you will learn new things about God, yourself, and the world and discover answers to unusual questions, including:● Why wasn't Eve surprised when the serpent spoke to her?● How did descendants of the Nephilim survive the flood?● Why did Jacob fuse Yahweh and his Angel together in his prayer?● Who are the assembly of divine beings that God presides over?● Why do Peter and Jude promote belief in imprisoned spirits?● Why does Paul describe evil spirits in terms of geographical rulership?● Who are the "glorious ones" that even angels dare not rebuke?After reading this book, you may never read your Bible the same way again.

"Will help all pastors and theologians, whether Baptist or not, to consider our own understanding of the sacraments afresh in light of the past."--ThemeliosBaptists are sacramentalWhen it comes to baptism and the Lord's Supper, many Baptists reject the language of sacrament. As a people of the book, the logic goes, Baptists must not let tradition supersede the Bible. So Baptists tend to view baptism and Communion as ordinances and symbols, not sacraments.But the history of Baptists and sacramentalism is complicated. In Amidst Us Our Beloved Stands, Michael A. G. Haykin argues that many Baptists, such as Charles Spurgeon and other Particular Baptists, stood closer to Reformed sacramental thought than most Baptists today. More than mere memorials, baptism and Communion have spiritual implications that were celebrated by Baptists of the past in sermons and hymnody.Haykin calls for a renewal of sacramental life in churches today--Baptists can and should be sacramental.

2019 Biblical Foundations Book Award Finalist in Old Testament Throughout the Old Testament, Yahweh drew his prophets from the most unlikely circumstances. The minor prophets Amos, Jonah, and Micah were each called out of their ordinary lives to deliver timely messages--both to their original audiences and for us, today. While they're each unique, these three biblical books can be connected by the theological themes of divine justice, mercy, judgment, and repentance. In this volume, JoAnna M. Hoyt examines these themes in depth, revealing the complexity of the relationship between God and his people. Throughout her commentary, Hoyt closely examines the text of these three prophetic books, giving us a scholarly and applicable exploration for the church. The Evangelical Exegetical Commentary series is a premier biblical commentary rooted in the original text of Scripture. Each volume includes historical and literary insights and addresses exegetical, pastoral, and theological concerns, giving readers a full understanding of the text and how to apply it to everyday life.

When It Comes to Spreading the Gospel, Relevance Is Irrelevant· A thoroughly biblical approach to social witness and the transformation of souls· Reminds us that while we have a part to play in evangelism, it is God who Gives the increaseSome fight to recover Christian culture; others abandon any hope of transforming culture. Both mindsets are at odds with the early church. The apostles weren't seeking to convert cultures but people, because God's word cultivates its own culture--the culture of the word. When the word is sown, the culture is grown. Our mission remains the same today: a stubborn commitment to proclaim God's word.In The Culture of God's Word, Harold L. Senkbeil and Lucas V. Woodford reclaim the biblical approach to transformation and social witness. By returning to the apostles' own example in the book of Acts, we are reminded of the power of the gospel. God's word embraces broken hearts and broken lives and transforms them in Christ Jesus. The church is born of God's word and grows by God's word. The pursuit of relevance has failed. The culture wars distract from the mission. But God's word cultivates a faith that endures in a chaotic world. "Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." --1 Corinthians 3:7

Hermann L. Strack and Paul Billerbeck's Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Midrash is an important reference work for illustrating the concepts, theological background, and cultural assumptions of the New Testament. The commentary walks through each New Testament book verse by verse, referencing potentially illuminating passages from the Talmud and Midrash and providing easy access to the rich textual world of rabbinic material. Volume 1 comments on the Gospel of Matthew. Originally published between 1922 and 1928 as Kommentar zum Neuen Testament aus Talmud und Midrasch, Strack and Billerbeck's commentary has been unavailable in English until now.