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Norman Anderson and the Christian mission to modernize Islam
Todd Thompson
Western Christians in the twentieth century viewed Islam through a lens of social and political concerns that would have appeared novel to their medieval and early-modern predecessors. Concerns about the predicament of secular 'modernity' infused Christian discourse with distinct assumptions that shaped engagement with Islam in fundamentally new ways. J. N. D. (Norman) Anderson (1908-94), a highly influential British Christian scholar of Islam, embodied this new orientation in his commitment to 'modernize' Islam. Anderson's engagement with Islam as a missionary, intelligence agent, scholar of Islamic law and advisor to various Muslim governments, spanned multiple decades and continents. As well as shaping Western understandings of Islamic law and its application, he was involved in debates about the end of the British Empire and the transformation of Christian missions following formal decolonization. Because of Anderson's location at the intersection of so many different debates concerning Islam, his life provides unique insights into the ways in which Christians reconfigured their response to Islam in the last century. Given Christianity's continued influence on British and American ideas about Islam, this study provides crucial insight into the persistent focus on 'modernizing' and 'secularizing' Islam today.
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Destruction of the Canaanites: God, Genocide, and Biblical Interpretation
Charlie Trimm
How can a good God command genocide?
In this short, accessible offering, Charlie Trimm provides the resources needed to make sense of one of the Bible’s most difficult ethical problems—the Israelite destruction of the Canaanites as told in the books of Deuteronomy, Joshua, and Judges.
Trimm begins with a survey of important background issues, including the nature of warfare in the ancient Near East, the concept of genocide (with perspectives gleaned from the field of genocide studies), and the history and identity of the Canaanite people. With this foundation in place, he then introduces four possible approaches to reconciling biblical violence:
- Reevaluating God—concluding that God is not good.
- Reevaluating the Old Testament—concluding that the Old Testament is not actually a faithful record of God’s actions.
- Reevaluating the interpretation of the Old Testament—concluding that the Old Testament does not in fact describe anything like genocide.
- Reevaluating the nature of violence in the Old Testament—concluding that the mass killing of the Canaanites in the Old Testament was permitted on that one occasion in history.
The depth of material provided in concise form makes Trimm’s book ideal as a supplementary textbook or as a primer for any Christian perturbed by the stories of the destruction of the Canaanites in the Old Testament.
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Fighting for the king and the gods : a survey of warfare in the ancient Near East
Charlie Trimm
The most up-to-date sourcebook on warfare in the ancient Near East
Fighting for the King and the Gods provides an introduction to the topic of war and the variety of texts concerning many aspects of warfare in the ancient Near East. These texts illustrate various viewpoints of war and show how warfare was an integral part of life. Trimm examines not only the victors and the famous battles, but also the hardship that war brought to many. While several of these texts treated here are well known (i.e., Ramses II's battle against the Hittites at Qadesh), others are known only to specialists. This work will allow a broader audience to access and appreciate these important texts as they relate to the history and ideology of warfare.
Features
- References to recent secondary literature for further study
- Early Chinese illustrative texts for comparisons with other cultures
- Indices to help guide the reader
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Sword of YHWH: The Human Use of Divine Weapons in the Ancient Near East and the Hebrew Bible
Charlie Trimm
John H. Walton is a significant voice in Old Testament studies, who has influenced many scholars in this field as well as others. This volume is an acknowledgment from his students of Walton’s role as a teacher, scholar, and mentor. Each essay is offered by scholars (and former students) working in a range of fields—from Old and New Testament studies to archaeology and theology. They are offered as a testimony and tribute to Walton’s prolific career.”
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Understanding Old Testament Theology: Mapping the Terrain of Recent Approaches
Charlie Trimm
Over the past century the field of Old Testament studies has seen an explosion of theologies of the Old Testament, a trend that has only intensified in the past ten or twenty years. This proliferation of literature has made it difficult for students, pastors, laity--and even scholars--to keep up with.
In Understanding Old Testament Theology, professors Brittany Kim and Charlie Trimm clearly organize and explain the myriad contemporary approaches to Old Testament theology.
The book begins by highlighting the flash points that have produced such a wide range of Old Testament theologies and presents a brief history of the discipline. It then explores various approaches to Old Testament theology in seven chapters, divided into three parts. Part I examines approaches that ground Old Testament theology in history. Part II surveys approaches that foreground Old Testament theme(s). Finally, Part III considers approaches that highlight different contexts for doing Old Testament theology. Each main chapter describes both common features of the approach and points of tension and then offers a test case illuminating how it has been applied to the book of Exodus.
Accessible and unique, Understanding Old Testament Theology provides the only summary introduction of its kind to the field of Old Testament biblical theology.
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YHWH fights for them! : the divine warrior in the Exodus narrative
Charlie Trimm
The divine warrior is an important motif in the Old Testament, leading many to study profitably the motif in its most prominent manifestations in poetic texts. This study builds on that foundation by examining the divine warrior in detail in the exodus narrative to construct a broader picture of the motif in the Old Testament. The heart of the work focuses on the exodus narrative. Many aspects of YHWH's actions in the narrative, such as the terminology, his nature weapons, his psychological attacks, the presence of supernatural envoys and disease, and his harmonious relationship with his people identify YHWH s role as that of a divine warrior. Several other elements match the description of the motif of the divine warrior elsewhere in the Old Testament, but are described in more detail in the narrative than in the briefer poetic divine warrior texts. The exodus narrative also expands the martial aspects of the divine warrior, as it includes a broader selection of nature weapons, psychological attacks directed at Pharaoh, the employment of cosmic enemies against Pharaoh, and assaults on the Egyptians gods. Finally, a possible connection between the divine control of Pharaoh (focusing in particular on the hardening of his heart) and the motif of the divine warrior is explored.
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Balancing university teaching and homeschooling
Yvana Uranga-Hernandez
Chapter 10
How do Christian women navigate the call to both the academy and motherhood? In this unique resource by and for Christian academic mothers, contributors combine research with personal stories to provide wisdom, encouragement, and solidarity. Hear from women with a similar vocational journey who come from different backgrounds, academic disciplines, and stages of parenting and career
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Counseling and Mental Health in the Church: The Role of Pastors and the Ministry
Kevin L. Van Lant
Featuring chapters written by mental health professionals who are also experienced Christian practitioners, Counseling and Mental Health in the Church: The Role of Pastors and the Ministry provides ministry leaders with a foundational understanding of common mental health issues, typical approaches to treatment, and sage advice for supporting those experiencing mental health concerns. Recognizing that parishioners may seek guidance from pastors or others within the church before seeking help from mental health specialists, this text equips ministry leaders with the critical knowledge and helpful resources they need to successfully support and advise members of their congregation, or to direct them to additional useful resources. Individual chapters address specific concerns, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, addiction, spectrum disorders, and more. Each chapter explores how a particular condition may manifest, how best to respond to it, potential treatment options, and resources to provide to affected individuals. Additional chapters distill the complex world of psychopharmacology as well as a focus on pastoral health in the face of responding to the demands of ministry. Containing real world examples and case studies to bridge the gap between knowledge and application, Counseling and Mental Health in the Church is an ideal resource for pre-service and seasoned ministry leaders alike. As a result, readers will find that they are better informed and better equipped to face day-to-day challenges.
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Geoggrey Chaucer : introduction, selection from The Canterbury Tales, essay
Diane E. Vincent
Chapter 9
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Lessons in Global Health Leadership: Learning to lead with humility and honor
Danielle Walker
Doctor Walker and her husband, Joseph, have over 14 years of experience working in various global health roles. They have navigated the strengths, weaknesses, and tensions between faith-based organizations, mission trips, research, and government entities all working within the international community context. This book provides lessons learned from the field. Readers will walk through a journey of self-reflection, analyze world views, grow in cultural competence, understand what true partnership is, and gain practical skills for the field. How do you come alongside international partners and truly make a difference? What tools can help you identify unbiased community needs and the steps to help meet them? How do you balance international relationships and data collection? When do you know collaborative programs are successful? Is team culture or team structure more important? What are your strengths and how do you use those to lead others? What subconscious biases or perspectives do you carry into your global health work? How can you continually grow as a leader? How can you work in the field of global health and walk out your faith? Where is the line between church mission trips and global health research? Have you ever asked any of the questions above? This book addresses all of those topics and more. It was designed to provoke thoughts, ideas, and reflections for growth, particularly in leadership positions and international settings. Each chapter has clear learning objectives, along with stories from the field, and chapter reflection questions to promote personal growth. The progression of the book starts with personal reflection activities, then moves into honor and cultural competence, and ends with preparation and practical tools for global health work.
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Faith and disaster mental health : Empirical, theological, and psychological perspectives
David C. Wang
Chapter 14
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Divvying up love : scholarly ambition and motherhood as spiritual formation
Maria Su Wang
Chapter 1
How do Christian women navigate the call to both the academy and motherhood? In this unique resource by and for Christian academic mothers, contributors combine research with personal stories to provide wisdom, encouragement, and solidarity. Hear from women with a similar vocational journey who come from different backgrounds, academic disciplines, and stages of parenting and career
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Consider Her: Body-Talk as a Literary Strategy in the Book of Judges
Kenneth C. Way
The clothed and adorned body has been at the forefront of Nili S. Fox's scholarship. In her hallmark approach, she draws on theoretical models from anthropology and archaeology, and locates the text within its native cultural environment in conversation with ancient Near Eastern literary and iconographic sources. This volume is a tribute to her, a collection of essays on dress and the body with original research by Fox's students. With the field of dress now garnering the attention of biblical and Ancient Near Eastern scholars alike, this book adds to the growing literature on the topic, demonstrating ways in which both dress and the body communicate cultural and religious beliefs and practices. The body's lived experience is the topic of section one, the body lived. The body and the social construction of identity is discussed in section two, the body cultured, while section three, the body adorned, analyzes the performative nature of dress in the biblical text
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Donkeys in the biblical world : ceremony and symbol
Kenneth C. Way
In this volume, Kenneth Way explores the role of donkeys in the symbolism and ceremonies of the biblical world. His study stands alone in providing a comprehensive examination of donkeys in ancient Near Eastern texts, the archaeological record, and the Hebrew Bible. Way demonstrates that donkeys held a distinct status in the beliefs and rituals of the ancient Near East and especially Canaan-Israel. The focus on ceremony and symbol encompasses social and religious thoughts and practices that are reflected in ancient texts and material culture relating to the donkey. Ceremonial considerations include matters of sacrifice, treaty ratification, consumption, death, burial, "scapegoat" rituals, and foundation deposits; symbolic considerations include matters of characterization, association, function, behavior, and iconographic depiction. However, the distinction between ceremony and symbol is not strict. In many cases, these two categories are symbiotic. The need for this study on donkeys is very apparent in the disciplines that study the biblical world. There is not a single monograph or article that treats this subject comprehensively. Philologists have discussed the meaning of the Amorite phrase "to kill a jackass," and archaeologists have discussed the phenomenon of equid burials. But until now, neither philologists nor archaeologists have attempted to pull together all the ceremonial and symbolic data on donkeys from burials, ancient Near Eastern texts, and the Hebrew Bible. Way s study fills this void.
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For Us, but Not to Us: Essays on Creation, Covenant, and Context in Honor of John H. Walton
Kenneth C. Way
John H. Walton is a significant voice in Old Testament studies, who has influenced many scholars in this field as well as others. This volume is an acknowledgment from his students of Walton’s role as a teacher, scholar, and mentor. Each essay is offered by scholars (and former students) working in a range of fields—from Old and New Testament studies to archaeology and theology. They are offered as a testimony and tribute to Walton’s prolific career.”
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Judges and Ruth (Teach the Text Commentary Series)
Kenneth C. Way
Judges covers a dark time in Israel's history, and the narrative often leaves the reader shocked at the actions of God's people. In spite of Israel's unfaithfulness, God remains faithful. He, not the leaders he raises up, is the hero of the story. Way helps the reader understand this perplexing text, using two interpretive questions: What is wrong with this picture? Where is God in this story? Concurrent with the time of the judges, Ruth provides a counterbalance to the darkness of Judges, showing there were still people who kept the covenant. But it too is a story about God--his love, loyalty, and compassion--and of how he paved the way for King David and, ultimately, Jesus.
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Gospels and Acts
Michael J. Wilkins
The four Gospels and the book of Acts tell stories of Jesus’ life and the birth of Christianity. Are these stories true history or just religious fiction? Christians accept the stories as true and say that the entire Bible is a reliable communication inspired by God. Against this, non-Christians have argued that the Bible is a book of legends, myths, and historical inaccuracies―just another example of human religious endeavor. In this volume, four world-class New Testament scholars address challenges to the reliability of the Gospels and Acts. In order to identify the most important challenges, the authors drew from the literature of skeptics and New Testament critics, plus they included questions that many Christians ask as well. The result is the most comprehensive defense of the Gospels and Acts that has ever been published.
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In His Image: Reflecting Christ in Everyday Life
Michael J. Wilkins
“A Disciple…will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40) What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? The ultimate goal of discipleship is to be like the Teacher—to be like Jesus Himself. Every Christian wants to understand what that means. But even if we understand it, is it possible? Michael Wilkins asserts that it’s not only possible, it’s a life that all Christians are called to—not just a select few. So why do we so seldom experience it? As Wilkins points out, even the first followers of Jesus had a hard time grasping what it meant to be His disciples. Like them, our difficulty often lies in not clearly understanding who Jesus is, not recognizing the resources available to us as God’s children, or not believing who we are to be as Christ’s followers. But like the early disciples, our lives can radically change. If we want to follow Jesus, we can become like Him. “Jesus takes us exactly as He finds us,” writes Wilkins, “and transforms us into His likeness.” So come, learn what it means to walk with Jesus and reflect His image to the real world.
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NIV application commentary : Matthew
Michael J. Wilkins
The importance of the Gospel of Matthew in church history cannot be overstated. For Jewish readers, it affirmed the Messiahship of Jesus, referring consistently to the Scriptures to establish his credentials. For Gentile disciples, it provided powerful and dramatic support of their inclusion in God’s kingdom. The cross of Christ had removed the division between Jew and non-Jew, and through Matthew’s writings, we see Israel’s God drawing the entire world to himself through Jesus.“The Gospel according to Matthew . . . Was the most widely read and frequently used of any of the four Gospels in the formative years of the church,” writes Michael Wilkins. In this volume of the NIV Application Commentary, Wilkins explains Matthew’s broad appeal not only to his ancient readers, but also to us today. Exploring the links between the Bible and our own times, Wilkins shares perspectives on Matthew’s Gospel that reveal its enduring relevance for our twenty-first-century lives.
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Jesus Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents the Historical Jesus
Michael J. Wilkins and James Porter Moreland
Who is Jesus? What did he do? What did he say? -Are the traditional answer to these questions still to be trusted? - Did the early church and tradition "Christianize" Jesus? - Was Christianity built on clever conceptions of the church, or on the character and actions of an actual person? These and similar questions have come under scrutiny by a forum of biblical scholars called the Jesus Seminar. Their conclusions have been widely publicized in magazines such as Time and Newsweek. Jesus Under Fire challenges the methodology and findings of the Jesus Seminar, which generally clash with the biblical records. It examines the authenticity of the words, actions, miracles, and resurrection of Jesus, and presents compelling evidence for the traditional biblical teachings. Combining accessibility with scholarly depth, Jesus Under Fire helps readers judge for themselves whether the Jesus of the Bible is the Jesus of history, and whether the gospels' claim is valid that he is the only way to God.
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Biblical and theological studies : a student's guide
Michael J. Wilkins and K. Erik Thoennes
There is an abundant need today for biblically grounded and practically applied theology.
In this book, a New Testament scholar and a theologian team up to offer readers a robust introduction to biblical and theological studies. This readable guide outlines a distinctly evangelical approach to studying the Bible and theology, highlighting the proper methods for understanding and synthesizing the teachings of the Bible, leading to deeper knowledge of God, ourselves, and how we are to meaningfully apply his Word to our lives.
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