Old Testament Books - Page 5

Reading the Lines: A Fresh Look at the Hebrew Bible

Pamela Tamarkin Reis

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Defying conventional wisdom with witty iconoclasm, Pamela Tamarkin Reis proves in these thought-provoking essays that you don't have to be a scholar to formulate intelligent, original opinions about the Bible. In refreshingly readable prose, Ms. Reis presents eleven essays on debated cruxes of the Hebrew Bible, all of which have been published in serious academic journals despite the author's lack of traditional credentials.

Opening with an engaging autobiographical introduction, Reis reveals the sources behind her motivation, perspective, technique, and audacity in challenging established scholars. She then presents her analyses of passages, using an approach that is respectful of the Bible as a faith document, but takes a literary, rather than a religious, perspective. Her lack of doctrinal bias frees her to come to unconventional, yet logically justified, conclusions.

Reis challenges many commonly held assumptions of scholars by reading biblical texts as integrated, intelligible literary masterworks. She does not find in these stories the too-easily accepted conclusion that they represent a patchwork from separate authors and sources. Her analyses are patently literary, though she is well informed by modern scholarship and traditional Jewish (medieval rabbinic) interpretation.

Reis prefaces each of these fascinating essays by explaining the provocation for her close reading, and outlines how her exegesis contradicts accepted opinion. Using everyday analogies and paradigms drawn from contemporary life, and infusing her approach with references to literary figures from Cervantes to Edmund Wilson to Ring Lardner, Reis's analyses resonate with familiarity, originality, and unpretentious intellect. Her compelling opinions and down-to-earth approach will show lay readers that the Bible is not too hard nor too far away and will oblige scholars to approach their own interpretations with more rigorous attention to every word.

A Prophetic Voice in the City: Meditations on the Prophet Jeremiah

Carlo Maria Martini

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Editorial Review:

Cardinal Martini delves deeply into some astounding pages of the Prophet Jeremiah that are especially appropriate in pursuing the dynamics essential to spiritual exercises: to purify the heart, to free the heart from all slavery, and to find the will of God. Readers will find in these meditations that the only true outlook for humanity is to place all spiritual values in the forefront.

You Shall Not Want: A Spiritual Journey Based on the Psalms (30 Days With a Great Spiritual Teacher)

Richard Chilson

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Editorial Review:

For over 2000 years the Psalms have been a source of comfort and guidance to Christians and Jews alike. Take time to let the living tradition of the Psalms give voice to the longings of your heart and bring you to a deeper encounter with God.

When Goliath Doesn't Fall

Jody Conrad

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Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! —Habakkuk 3: 17-18 You’ve read the Bible stories of God’s amazing faithfulness. You’ve seen Him extend His blessings and healing to your family and friends. He’s even answered your prayers for other issues in your life. But sometimes, no matter how much you pray or cling to the victories of the past, your present problem remains depressingly unchanged—with little hope for the future. Most Christians understand and accept that life isn’t always fair and that sometimes our prayers may not be answered; but still it’s hard to get past the hurt and confusion of ’why?’ after you prayed and trusted God, believing that He’d defeat the ugly giant in your path, only to watch in sorrow as the giant didn’t fall. How do you reconcile and rebuild your faith and hope in Christ when it seems He let life defeat you? In When Goliath Doesn’t Fall , Jody Conrad pulls the mask of Christianity down and admits to the ugliness of real life. Sometimes, no matter how hard you pray, babies die. Sometimes, no matter how much you trust God, doctors find cancer. Houses catch on fire; tornados demolish entire communities; and terrorists successfully crash airplanes into buildings. How are we supposed to respond when Goliath doesn’t fall? With compassion and understanding, Jody joins you in life’s trenches and tells you about a different kind of deliverance. She shows you the unconditional and strangely hopeful worship of Habakkuk’s heart and helps you discover how to cultivate a beautiful, wild faith that is still able to worship; still able to rejoice; still able to sing of the joys of heaven—even with cancer in its lungs.

Still Waters and Skyscrapers: The 23rd Psalm for the 21st Century

Dave Tomlinson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Its encouraging words in any season of life. 4 out of 5 stars.
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The cover of STILL WATERS AND SKYSCRAPERS mirrors the title --- a glassy lake in the foreground of a towering cityscape, the serene juxtaposed against the frantic. That's not to say that this book is only for city dwellers or for the young tech-savvy generation. It's for anyone in need of a steadying hand. "Anyone who suggests that life can be pain-free has not understood Psalm 23," says author Dave Tomlinson, an Anglican priest in London.

There's a timeless quality to the shepherd imagery of the psalm. "It is interesting that the most common pictorial representation of Christ in early Christian art --- consistently chosen in preference to images of crucifixion or kingship --- is that of the Good Shepherd," notes Tomlinson. He also reminds us that on September 11, 2001, on the fated Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania, heroic Todd Beamer and a cell phone operator recited Psalm 23 and the Lord's Prayer. (Do kids in the 21st century still memorize these foundational scriptures?)

I was rather dismissive of Tomlinson's slim book until last week when I heard a family story. Looking for comfort and strength from his dad, my nephew Andy phoned home. He was entering a difficult season of life. His mother-in-law had just died, and Andy needed to be strong for his family. What advice did his father give him? "Just keep saying the 23rd Psalm."

I immediately thought of the subtitle of Tomlinson's book, which I'd read a month ago, "The 23rd Psalm for the 21st Century." I was surprised that I still remembered and felt encouraged by some of the anecdotes: a policeman in training who quoted the first line of the psalm as he faced an oncoming truck and possible death, a reminder of Francis Thompson's "Hound of Heaven" poem and its portrayal of God's pursuing grace (the psalm's "goodness and mercy" that "follow me all the days of my life").

In 13 chapters Tomlinson walks through the psalm, line by line, from "The Lord is my shepherd" to "I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever," in each case digging down to discuss the underlying and timeless human or godly characteristic: desire and fulfillment, spiritual hunger and nourishment, forgiveness and reconciliation, gratitude. He mixes exhortation and biblical explanation with anecdotes and quotes from contemporary standards such as Frederick Buechner, Madeleine L'Engle, Harold Kushner, Desmond Tutu and C. S. Lewis.

Overall, there's nothing terribly profound in STILL WATERS AND SKYSCRAPERS. And yet, I intend to heartily recommend Tomlinson's book to my nephew Andy and his dad, for its encouraging words in any season of life.

--- Reviewed by Evelyn Bence

Editorial Review:

Despite widespread biblical illiteracy, many people--Christians and the non-religious alike--can still recite Psalm 23. Frequently heard at funerals and in movies, it is a source of comfort in times of grief or fear. But there is more to it than that, asserts author Dave Tomlinson. In Still Waters and Skyscrapers, Tomlinson creatively reintroduces us to a passage of Scripture we only thought we knew. Far more than just words to speak during trials, Psalm 23 is a song of life that "teaches us about the nature of faith in every situation." This fresh take on the best-known psalm takes biblical study, personal stories and anecdotes, and links to popular culture and weaves them together to give readers a new perspective.

Praying the Proverbs (Praying the Scriptures (Destiny Images))

Elmer L. Towns

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Very helpful book 4 out of 5 stars.
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This is a very helpful book. Dr. Towns translated the Scriptures into modern-day language and put each chapter into a modern English prayer. Alongside your King James translation, this is a powerful and extremely helpful book for personal devotions and prayer. Interspersed among the Proverbs, Dr. Towns has written several "character sketches" to aid in an understanding of many of the different types of characters found in Proverbs-- the slacker, the wicked, the king, the fool, etc.

Excellent study and worship companion.

Not sure I get it 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This seems more like an "open" study. It wasn't laid out in a very clear fashion. I was hoping for something that was a bit more formal to work with my teenage son (or even younger daughters.) I'll come back to it later, and maybe it will come together better in my mind then, but for now I found it lacking.

Editorial Review:

Praying the Proverbs takes writings of Wisdom literature from the Bible, and turns them into personal prayers that edify believers with its wise sayings on character, integrity and love.

God Help Me Through Today: Psalm 23 Revisted

Robert Donald Lively

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Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Well known for its literary beauty, Psalm 23 has been for three millennia a balm for sorrowful souls. In God Help Me Through Today, The Reverend Bob Lively delves into the depths of this sacred masterpiece to offer comfort to a new generation. Verse by verse, Lively provides pastoral exposition that captures the heart and imagination, telling stories that focus on the connection between the psalm and our world. Simple, elegant, and so true to life, Lively's exploration translates these ancient words seamlessly into modern idiom and experience. Excellent for parish study groups or personal inspiration.

The author will donate his royalty earnings from the sale of this book to support work with abused children in Travis County, Texas.

"This study is an extremely practical guide to spiritual and emotional recovery from fear." -J. Keith Miller, author of The Taste of New Wine

"Bob Lively has once again demonstrated in this book that he has the rare gift of combining insight into scripture and insight into life. Anyone who reads this record of his in-depth personal 'conversation' with this much-loved Psalm will gain not only a deep understanding of this sacred text but much self understanding as well." -Robert M. Shelton, President, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

"In its poetry and its message, the 23rd Psalm is wonderfully peaceful and comforting. How appropriate that Bob Lively's book celebrating the 23rd Psalm will benefit the Austin Children's Shelter and CASA of Travis County, groups dedicated to bringing peace and comfort to abused children." -Laura Bush, First Lady of Texas

The Reverend Dr. Robert Lively is an ordained Presbyterian (U.S.A.) minister, a pastoral counselor, and award-winning short story writer. For more than a decade he has contributed a regular column in the Austin American Statesman. He has authored six books including Simple Steps...Costly Choices: A Guide to Inner Peace (1995), and Five Ways to Get Off the Pale Horse (1996).

The Mutual Love of Christ and His People

Peter Masters

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Editorial Review:

The courtship of the Song of Solomon provides fascinating scenes and events designed to show the love of Christ for His redeemed people, and theirs for Him. Here, also, are lessons for Christians when they become cold or backslidden, showing the way to recover Christ's presence in their lives. Prophecies of Christ abound in the Song, together with views of the bride's destiny, as she prepares to cross the mountains into eternal glory, where the greatest wedding of all will take place.

Psalms in Haiku: Meditative Songs of Prayer

Richard Gwyn

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Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

read the psalms as songs 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

This is a translation of the psalms that restores their poetry and deeper meaning. The rhythm of The Psalms in Haiku is calming and soothing, and beautiful. It is a joy to memorize them, or read them aloud. Here is an example from the book, psalm 57: Be kind to me, Lord./I, making you my refuge,/hide beneath your wings./I shall take shelter/under their protective shade/until storms pass by./I shall call to God-/the Most High God-that in me/His will be fulfilled./May He, from heaven,/look down in loving kindness/keeping me from harm.

Editorial Review:

Beautifully packaged with wood block illustrations, this collection of Psalms is presented in the ancient Japanese form of haiku poetry. Here are praises to a spiritual power presented in a stark and clear fashion. These readings will challenge those familiar with the Psalms to look for new meaning while introducing these prayers to a whole new audience.

Loving Yusuf: Conceptual Travels from Present to Past (Afterlives of the Bible)

Mieke Bal

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Editorial Review:

When Mieke Bal reread the story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife as an adult, she was struck by differences between her childhood memories of a moral tale and what she read today. In Loving Yusuf¸ Bal seeks to resolve this clash between memory and text, using the same story, in which Joseph spurns the advance of his master’s wife who then falsely accuses him of rape, as her point of departure. She juxtaposes the Genesis tale to the rather different version told in the Qur’an and the depictions of it by Rembrandt and explores how Thomas Mann’s great retelling in Joseph and His Brothers reworks these versions.
Through this inquiry she develops concepts for the analysis of texts that are both strange and overly familiar—culturally remote yet constantly retold. As she puts personal memories in dialogue with scholarly exegesis, Bal asks how all of these different versions complicate her own and others’ experience of the story, and how the different truths of these texts in their respective traditions illuminate the process of canonization.