The Violence of the Lamb

The Violence of the Lamb
Author: Paul Middleton
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 304
Release: 2018-05-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0567467228

The act of martyrdom in the worldview of the Apocalypse has been considered to be an exemplification of non-violent resistance. Paul Middleton argues here, however, that it is in fact a representation of direct participation by Christians, through their martyrdom, in divine violence against those the author of Revelation portrays as God's enemies. Middleton shows that acceptance of martyrdom is to grasp the invitation to participate in the Revelation's divine violence. Martyrs follow the model laid down by the Lamb, who was not only slain, but resurrected, glorified, and who executes judgement. The world created by the Apocalypse encourages readers to conquer the Beast through martyrdom, but also through the experience of resurrection and being appointed judges. In this role, martyrs participate in the judgement of the wicked by sharing the Lamb's power to judge. Different from eschewing violence, the conceptual world of the Apocalypse portrays God, the Lamb, and the martyrs as possessing more power, might, and violent potential than the Emperor and his armies. Middleton believes that martyrdom and violence are necessary components of the worldview of Revelation.

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist
Author: Brant Pitre
Publisher: Image
Total Pages: 242
Release: 2011-02-15
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0385531850

A revelatory exploration of the Jewish roots of the Last Supper that seeks to understand exactly what happened at Jesus’ final Passover. “Clear, profound and practical—you do not want to miss this book.”—Dr. Scott Hahn, author of The Lamb’s Supper and The Fourth Cup Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist shines fresh light on the Last Supper by looking at it through Jewish eyes. Using his in-depth knowledge of the Bible and ancient Judaism, Dr. Brant Pitre answers questions such as: What was the Passover like at the time of Jesus? What were the Jewish hopes for the Messiah? What was Jesus’ purpose in instituting the Eucharist during the feast of Passover? And, most important of all, what did Jesus mean when he said, “This is my body… This is my blood”? To answer these questions, Pitre explores ancient Jewish beliefs about the Passover of the Messiah, the miraculous Manna from heaven, and the mysterious Bread of the Presence. As he shows, these three keys—the Passover, the Manna, and the Bread of the Presence—have the power to unlock the original meaning of the Eucharistic words of Jesus. Along the way, Pitre also explains how Jesus united the Last Supper to his death on Good Friday and his Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Inspiring and informative, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist is a groundbreaking work that is sure to illuminate one of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith: the mystery of Jesus’ presence in “the breaking of the bread.”

Revelation

Revelation
Author:
Publisher: Canongate Books
Total Pages: 60
Release: 1999-01-01
Genre: Bibles
ISBN: 0857861018

The final book of the Bible, Revelation prophesies the ultimate judgement of mankind in a series of allegorical visions, grisly images and numerological predictions. According to these, empires will fall, the "Beast" will be destroyed and Christ will rule a new Jerusalem. With an introduction by Will Self.

Triumph of the Lamb

Triumph of the Lamb
Author: Ted Grimsrud
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 191
Release: 1998-09-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1579101496

The book of Revelation is as current today as ever. It offers encouragement and guidance for faithful Christian living in the nuclear age. It does not speak only of a distant past or far-off future. ÒTriumph of the LambÓ, a self-study guide to the book of Revelation, provides aid for understanding the then and now of the last book in the Bible. Each section of the book contains study question, a brief explanation of the biblical passage, a discussion of the meaning for today, and penetrating questions for thought and discussion. The book is designed for the average person who would like to unlock the secrets of this strange and fascinating book of the Bible. For those who wish to go deeper, a general introduction to Revelation is also provided. The book ends with a concluding discussion of significant theological and ethical questions, and a guide to further study. Revelation is a difficult book to understand, but its author promises, ÒBlessed are those who read, hear, and keep the words contained in this book.Ó ÒTriumph of the LambÓ aims to contribute to that blessing.

Matthew's Christian-Jewish Community

Matthew's Christian-Jewish Community
Author: Anthony J. Saldarini
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 325
Release: 1994-05-16
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0226734218

The most Jewish of gospels in its contents and yet the most anti-Jewish in its polemics, the Gospel of Matthew has been said to mark the emergence of Christianity from Judaism. Anthony J. Saldarini overturns this interpretation by showing us how Matthew, far from proclaiming the replacement of Israel by the Christian church, wrote from within Jewish tradition to a distinctly Jewish audience. Recent research reveals that among both Jews and Christians of the first century many groups believed in Jesus while remaining close to Judaism. Saldarini argues that the author of the Gospel of Matthew belonged to such a group, supporting his claim with an informed reading of Matthew's text and historical context. Matthew emerges as a Jewish teacher competing for the commitment of his people after the catastrophic loss of the Temple in 70 C.E., his polemics aimed not at all Jews but at those who oppose him. Saldarini shows that Matthew's teaching about Jesus fits into first-century Jewish thought, with its tradition of God-sent leaders and heavenly mediators. In Saldarini's account, Matthew's Christian-Jewish community is a Jewish group, albeit one that deviated from the larger Jewish community. Contributing to both New Testament and Judaic studies, this book advances our understanding of how religious groups are formed.

Am I Just My Brain?

Am I Just My Brain?
Author: Sharon Dirckx
Publisher: The Good Book Company
Total Pages: 151
Release: 2019-05-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1784984035

Looking at the body, mind and soul to answer the question: What exactly is a human being? Modern research is uncovering more and more detail of what our brain is and how it works. We are living, thinking creatures who carry around with us an amazing organic supercomputer in our heads. But what is the relationship between our brains and our minds-and ultimately our sense of identity as a person? Are we more than machines? Is free-will an illusion? Do we have a soul? Brain Imaging Scientist Sharon Dirckx lays out the current understanding of who we are from biologists, philosophers, theologians and psychologists, and points towards a bigger picture that suggests answers to the fundamental questions of our existence. Not just "What am I?", but "Who am I?"-and "Why am I?" Read this book to gain valuable insight into what modern research is telling us about ourselves, or to give a sceptical friend to challenge the idea that we are merely material beings living in a material world.

Exploring the New Testament

Exploring the New Testament
Author: I. Howard Marshall
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Total Pages: 496
Release: 2021-06-15
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0830825290

Written by scholars with extensive experience teaching in colleges and universities, the Exploring the Bible series has for decades equipped students to study Scripture for themselves. Filled with classroom-friendly features, this second volume, now it its third edition, provides an accessible introduction for anyone studying the Letters and Revelation.

How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian

How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian
Author: John Dominic Crossan
Publisher: Harper Collins
Total Pages: 151
Release: 2015-03-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0062203622

The acclaimed Bible scholar and author of The Historical Jesus and God & Empire—“the greatest New Testament scholar of our generation” (John Shelby Spong) —grapples with Scripture’s two conflicting visions of Jesus and God, one of a loving God, and one of a vengeful God, and explains how Christians can better understand these passages in a way that enriches their faith. Many portions of the New Testament, introduce a compassionate Jesus who turns the other cheek, loves his enemies, and shows grace to all. But the Jesus we find in Revelation and some portions of the Gospels leads an army of angels bent on earthly destruction. Which is the true revelation of the Messiah—and how can both be in the same Bible? How to Read the Bible and Still be a Christian explores this question and offers guidance for the faithful conflicted over which version of the Lord to worship. John Dominic Crossan reconciles these contrasting views, revealing how different writers of the books of the Bible not only possessed different visions of God but also different purposes for writing. Often these books are explicitly competing against another, opposing vision of God from the Bible itself. Crossan explains how to navigate this debate and offers what he believes is the best central thread to what the Bible is all about. He challenges Christians to fully participate in this dialogue, thereby shaping their faith by reading deeply, reflectively, and in community with others who share their uncertainty. Only then, he advises, will Christians be able to read and understand the Bible without losing their faith.