Urban Legends of the Old Testament: 40 Common Misconceptions

Author(s):  David A. Croteau
Publisher: B&H Academic
Price: $4.99       (Aug 8 Only)

Urban Legends of the Old Testament surveys forty of the most commonly misinterpreted passages in the Old Testament. These “urban legends” often arise because interpreters neglect a passage’s context, misuse historical background information, or misunderstand the original language of the text.

With a pastoral tone and helpful explanations of where the error originally occurred, authors David A. Croteau and Gary E. Yates tackle legendary biblical misinterpretations of topics like the origin of evil or the purpose of Mosaic food laws, as well as common misconceptions about dinosaurs, or NASA discovering Joshua’s long day. Urban Legends of the Old Testament will help readers avoid missteps in the interpretation of key biblical texts while modeling interpretative techniques that can also be applied to other Old Testament passages.

 

Jesus and the Powers

Author(s): N. T. Wright, Michael F. Bird
Publisher: Zondervan
Price: $3.99       (Aug 27 Only)

An urgent call for Christians everywhere to explore the nature of the kingdom amid the political upheaval of our day.

Should Christians be politically withdrawn, avoiding participation in politics to maintain their prophetic voice and to keep from being used as political pawns? Or should Christians be actively involved, seeking to utilize political systems to control the levers of power?

In Jesus and the Powers, N. T. Wright and Michael F. Bird call Christians everywhere to discern the nature of Christian witness in fractured political environments. In an age of ascending autocracies, in a time of fear and fragmentation, amid carnage and crises, Jesus is king, and Jesus’s kingdom remains the object of the church’s witness and work.

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Teaching Jeremiah: From Text to Message

This e-book was chosen by our readers to be placed on sale.

Author(s): Bob Fyall
Publisher: Christian Focus Publications
Price: $2.99       (Aug 29-30)

Jeremiah was called as a prophet to warn Israel that their rebellious hearts and rejection of God and his ways would lead to judgement. His prophecies of Babylonian exile and the destruction of the temple come to pass, but in among the bad news, he also brings the promise of hope – that God’s people will return to the land, that God will send his Messiah, and that all nations will one day acknowledge Israel’s God. Bob Fyall’s valuable addition to the Teaching series will help preachers and Bible study leaders to work through this Major Prophet and see the faithfulness of God in the face of the faithlessness of his people.

Through the Valley: The Journey of an African Refugee

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Author(s): Gerson Maso
Price: $4.99      

We’ve seen the pictures on television and online, as well as in newspapers and magazines. Photographs and stories of the helpless victims of genocide, most recently in Africa, stay in our minds for days. Eventually, for most of us, the memories fade and we may even forget about the atrocities. But what about those who are in the middle of the genocide—those whose lives are threatened every day?
Through the Valley—The Journey of an African Refugee is the story of a survivor. Gerson Maso lived through the civil wars and genocide that gripped Burundi. More than once, he almost lost his life—and many around him did—but through the grace of God, he survived the civil war and came to the United States.
Through the Valley—The Journey of an African Refugee is a personal story with a universal truth: God is an amazing, trusting God. His will is not ours. He does what He wants, because He is God, the Creator.

The Pharisee’s Wife

Author(s):  Janette Oke
Publisher: Tyndale Fiction
Price: $3.99       (Ends Sept 7)

From the beloved author of Love Comes Softly comes an inspiring work of historical fiction about a young Jewish woman, plucked from obscurity and thrust on a perilous journey, only to witness the world’s most life-changing story.

Like most young women in ancient Israel, Mary has little control over her own destiny. When Enos, a rising Pharisee, sees her one day in the market—the most beautiful woman he has ever laid eyes on—and determines to make her his wife, Mary’s fate is quickly sealed. His exorbitant bride price is the only hope her parents have of escaping abject poverty, but surely the fact that such a devout and esteemed man has chosen a girl of her station must be a sign of blessing.

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The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life

Author(s): Louie Giglio
Publisher: Multnomah
Price: $1.99       (Ends Sept 4)

Let Every Breath You Take Be an Act of Worship

Worship is more than singing on Sunday morning. While that’s part of it, worship is the essence of what makes us truly human. God sparked this desire within our hearts from the day He first breathed life into Adam and Eve. Since then, every single human who has walked this planet has participated in this God-given ability, and divine quest. While many have squandered their gift, there are those who find the wonder-filled life of communion with God no matter the time or place.

True freedom comes when worship flows through us as naturally as the air we breathe, when the words and actions in our lives resonate with our Creator so deeply that every inhalation is full of meaning. When we understand the holiness of the God who knows the stars by name—and His overwhelming love for each one of us—how can we offer anything less?

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Christian Meditation E-Books: Sept 7/25

Revelation for the Rest of Us
Author(s): Scot McKnight with Cody Matchett
Publisher: Zondervan
Price: $5.99       (Sept 7 Only)

See how the Book of Revelation can be read as a book of discipleship, challenging Christ-followers everywhere to live as hopeful agents of resistance and transformation.

The last book of the Bible frustrates and frightens many people with its imagery and apocalyptic tone. Popular interpretations rely on fear and politicization and often lead to pride and alienation of others. Is this really how we were intended to read John’s Revelation?

In Revelation for the Rest of Us, Scot McKnight with Cody Matchett explore the key message of Revelation and how it:

• Calls us to be faithful and hopeful witnesses to Jesus.
• Stimulates our imagination to see the world through the eyes of God and excite our faith.
• Challenges us to stand against the militarism, economic exploitation, oppression, and injustice of worldly authorities.

McKnight addresses the popular misconceptions about the book, explaining what John means in his use of the images of dragons, lambs, and beasts; and how the symbolism of Revelation spoke in the days of Rome and still speaks powerfully to the present day—though not in the way most people think.

You’ll learn to see the Book of Revelation in a fresh and hopeful new way. Drawing from the latest scholarship, the authors present an understanding of Revelation for anyone interested in deepening their personal study of the Bible and strengthening their faith as dissident disciples who can discern the presence of “Babylon” in our world and learn to speak up, speak out, and walk in the way of the Lamb.

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Present in Prayer
Author(s): Jennifer Tucker
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Price: $4.99       (Sept 7 Only)

Still your soul and rest your mind as you cultivate a purposeful prayer life by focusing your thoughts on God’s Word.

Do you notice that even when your body is not moving, your mind is racing? Anxiety, to-do lists, and the spiral of negative thought patterns often keep us from the stillness we long for. In Present in Prayer, award-winning author Jennifer Tucker invites you to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through God’s Word and renew your mind through the practice of Christian meditation.

As in her first book, Breath as Prayer, Jennifer shares a powerful prayer practice in this beautifully illustrated book that is deep yet accessible. Each of the 30 meditations offers you:

• A gentle call to silence, an opening prayer, and a thoughtful reflection on a Bible verse
• Guided meditation on Scripture using the centuries-old practice of lectio divina—a framework of Christian meditation that helps you slow down and linger on God’s Word
• A prayer of surrender and prompts for how to live out the truths God is speaking to you
• Inspired art to draw you into each meditation as you consider what is lovely, true, excellent, and worthy of praise

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