Product Description: This commentary examines 4 Maccabees as a contribution to the ongoing reformulation of Jewish identity and practice in the Greek-speaking Diaspora. It analyzes the Jewish author’s interaction with, and facility in, Greek rhetorical conventions, ethical philosophy, and literary culture, giving attention also to his use and interpretation of texts and traditions from the Jewish Scriptures and other Hellenistic Jewish writings...read more

Product Description: Edited by Douglas Wingeier, this is a Lectionary-based Adult Bible study for Year B. Weekly session plans are included that can be used by a Sunday morning class on either the preceding Sunday or on the Sunday when the lections are read...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Product Description: Paul and the Macedonians is the fifth in the series The Life and Letters of Paul. This study explores the letters to the Thessalonians and the Philippians. Drawing on the historical data about the Macedonian congregations and their unique relationship to the Greco-Roman culture and to Paul, the author explores the driving forces behind Paul's correspondence to them and how Paul hoped to support them in their lives in Christ...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Product Description: For anyone who wants to be introduced to the worldview and thought of the early church, this book discusses the development of the four predominant themes of the New Testament-grace, discipleship, community, and apocalypticism-and its message. (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

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Product Description: This commentary is the first to fully apply the resources of socio-rhetorical analysis to Hebrews. Insights into the cultural and social world of the audience are combined with analysis of the author's rhetorical strategy and ideology to create a rich, three-dimensional reading that helps unravel key issues in the interpretation of the epistle...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Product Description: The Epistle to the Hebrews provides a window into how the larger society applied pressure to early Christians to shame them back into conformity with their neighbors, as well as into one Christian leader's strategies for insulating his readers from those pressures...read more

Product Description: Adam and Eve weren't concerned about traffic jams as they strolled through the Garden of Eden. The Ten Commandments weren't delivered to Moses by e-mail. So how does the Word, written so long ago, fit into everyday life today? The Connections series offers today's readers and students of Scripture an answer to that puzzling question...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Product Description: 2 Corinthians provides us with our most detailed exposition of Paul's self-conscious reflection on the nature of his apostleship and the significance of his self-presentation in fulfilling that ministry. This study examines the setting of the epistle and the literary integrity of the book...read more