Daniel Stevens

Daniel Stevens analyses the use of the language of divine commitment in the Epistle to the Hebrews, arguing that the author distinguishes promise from the cultic language of covenant to sketch a unique mixture of continuity and discontinuity among the people of God across time. Stevens stresses through an exegesis of relevant passages that rest is not the primary content of promise, nor is it the primary lens through which the other instances of promise language should be understood; suggesting instead that the promise is most closely associated with the benefits promised to Abraham, and then mediated through the various subsequent covenants. He further explores how the divine promise relates to both the Old and New Covenants, arguing that Hebrews develops a view of salvation history in which covenants are founded upon promises and then bring those promises to fruition. By demonstrating the ways in which this understanding of promise sheds light on the author's hermeneutic and on his method of achieving his hortatory purposes for the epistle, Stevens concludes in a reassertion of the consistency of the author's thought regarding promise.

American Government and Politics explains both how the US governmental system works and why it works this way. American Government and Politics is a comprehensive introduction to the structure and dynamics of government and politics in the United States of America. It combines contemporary examples with a rich historical context supported by authoritative and engaging multimedia recommendations to help students explore the topic further. An integrated data-driven approach fosters critical thinking, evidence-based debate, and analytical skills. Expert authors adopt a data-driven approach to explain clearly how the US governmental system works, and why it works this way. By combining historical context with contemporary examples, this text helps students develop a deeper understanding of US politics and engage critically with the forces shaping it. The 'Exploring Further' feature provides engaging multimedia recommendations to broaden students' understanding, and to support students' exploration of information and perspectives from trustworthy and reputable sources. By being exposed to robust data in the Digging Deeper with Data feature, and pivotal moments in US politics in the Key Debate and Key Event features, students are equipped with a broader understanding of the evolution of US government and politics, painting a research-driven, comprehensive understanding of US politics today.

Daniel Stevens analyses the use of the language of divine commitment in the Epistle to the Hebrews, arguing that the author distinguishes promise from the cultic language of covenant to sketch a unique mixture of continuity and discontinuity among the people of God across time. Stevens stresses through an exegesis of relevant passages that rest is not the primary content of promise, nor is it the primary lens through which the other instances of promise language should be understood; suggesting instead that the promise is most closely associated with the benefits promised to Abraham, and then mediated through the various subsequent covenants. He further explores how the divine promise relates to both the Old and New Covenants, arguing that Hebrews develops a view of salvation history in which covenants are founded upon promises and then bring those promises to fruition. By demonstrating the ways in which this understanding of promise sheds light on the author’s hermeneutic and on his method of achieving his hortatory purposes for the epistle, Stevens concludes in a reassertion of the consistency of the author’s thought regarding promise.

Theological and Devotional Reading of the Psalms through a New Testament LensThe book of Psalms expresses our human experiences through its beautiful prose. But this Old Testament book is more than just relatable poetry—it reveals a rich theology of God, the nature and work of Jesus, and Christ’s voice hidden in Scripture. The Psalms are the songs of the Son. But how can these songs point to Jesus if they were transcribed centuries before his life and death on the cross? Songs of the Son explores 9 psalms cited in Hebrews. Each chapter focuses on a single psalm—exploring its role in the argument of the Hebrews, uncovering the psalm’s central themes, and then reexamining the psalm through the lens of Hebrews’ interpretation. Ultimately, readers will gain a better understanding of the Psalter and discover how all Scripture, including the Old Testament, reveals the preincarnate glory of Christ. Biblical Study on Psalms: Examines the themes of the Psalms and how the Bible presents Jesus in the Psalter Perfect for Small-Group Study: Contains short chapters and reflection questions that make it suitable for weekly Bible study Format that Prompts Rereading: Each chapter looks at every psalm twice, allowing readers to fully grasp the meaning of the psalm through Hebrews’s interpretive lens Accessible: Written for everyday Christians who want to explore the book of Psalms on a deeper level

This book represents the first systematic effort to examine (1) the factual accuracy of the claims made in an entire political advertising campaign, (2) the visuals and sound cues used in that advertising and their relationship with the tone and accuracy of ads, and (3) the impact of the accuracy of claims on what people know and how they vote in a real campaign. The research is based on several years of labor-intensive coding of the factual accuracy of every claim made in the presidential ads in the 2008 election as well as the ads for the races for the US Congress in Minnesota. We show how the accuracy of political ad claims, the visuals and sound of ads, and ad tone (particularly negativity) are related to voting behavior. We argue that understanding how the accuracy of political ad claims affects voters is now more important than ever. This research has steered clear of the normative question of what such putative gains in knowledge represent, however. Does the content of negative advertising enhance voter capacities, such as the ability to locate candidates’ issue positions accurately or state reasons to like or dislike candidates based on accurate information about the candidates’ traits or issue stands? Does the accuracy of the information in political advertising matter—to voting behavior or vote choice––whether turnout goes up or down? Would voting more, while knowing less that is true be sufficient in a democracy? In studying the effects of advertising tone, such questions about advertising tone have not been asked. Our book redresses this lacuna. We show that negative advertising is more likely to make inaccurate claims. We show that ads making inaccurate claims also use a larger number of visual and sound distortions, perhaps tying up more cognitive capacities while pressing their untruthful arguments. We show links between inaccurate advertising and aggregate turnout, individual turnout, and individual political knowledge. The news is not good in an age of post-factual democracies.

This book explores citizens' perceptions and experiences of security threats in contemporary Britain, based on twenty focus groups and a large sample survey conducted between April and September 2012. The data is used to investigate the extent to which a diverse public shares government framings of the most pressing security threats, to assess the origins of perceptions of security threats, to investigate what makes some people feel more threatened than others, to examine the effects of threats on other areas of politics and to evaluate the effectiveness of government messages about security threats. We demonstrate widespread heterogeneity in perceptions of issues as security threats and in their origins, with implications for the extent to which shared understandings of threats are an attainable goal. While this study focuses on the British case, it seeks to make broader theoretical and methodological contributions to Political Science, International Relations, Political Psychology, and Security Studies.

This book represents the first systematic effort to examine (1) the factual accuracy of the claims made in an entire political advertising campaign, (2) the visuals and sound cues used in that advertising and their relationship with the tone and accuracy of ads, and (3) the impact of the accuracy of claims on what people know and how they vote in a real campaign. The research is based on several years of labor-intensive coding of the factual accuracy of every claim made in the presidential ads in the 2008 election as well as the ads for the races for the US Congress in Minnesota. We show how the accuracy of political ad claims, the visuals and sound of ads, and ad tone (particularly negativity) are related to voting behavior. We argue that understanding how the accuracy of political ad claims affects voters is now more important than ever. This research has steered clear of the normative question of what such putative gains in knowledge represent, however. Does the content of negative advertising enhance voter capacities, such as the ability to locate candidates’ issue positions accurately or state reasons to like or dislike candidates based on accurate information about the candidates’ traits or issue stands? Does the accuracy of the information in political advertising matter—to voting behavior or vote choice––whether turnout goes up or down? Would voting more, while knowing less that is true be sufficient in a democracy? In studying the effects of advertising tone, such questions about advertising tone have not been asked. Our book redresses this lacuna. We show that negative advertising is more likely to make inaccurate claims. We show that ads making inaccurate claims also use a larger number of visual and sound distortions, perhaps tying up more cognitive capacities while pressing their untruthful arguments. We show links between inaccurate advertising and aggregate turnout, individual turnout, and individual political knowledge. The news is not good in an age of post-factual democracies.

This book explores citizens' perceptions and experiences of security threats in contemporary Britain, based on twenty focus groups and a large sample survey conducted between April and September 2012. The data is used to investigate the extent to which a diverse public shares government framings of the most pressing security threats, to assess the origins of perceptions of security threats, to investigate what makes some people feel more threatened than others, to examine the effects of threats on other areas of politics and to evaluate the effectiveness of government messages about security threats. We demonstrate widespread heterogeneity in perceptions of issues as security threats and in their origins, with implications for the extent to which shared understandings of threats are an attainable goal. While this study focuses on the British case, it seeks to make broader theoretical and methodological contributions to Political Science, International Relations, Political Psychology, and Security Studies.

First, Daniel examines the key ingredients in baking (flour, yeast, salt and water), explains the science behind the seemingly alchemic processes, and advises on the right kit to get started. He then demonstrates how to make yeast and non-yeast breads, as well as enriched doughs and home-started sourdough, and includes sixty recipes, covering everything from the simple white loaf and familiar classics such as ciabatta, naan and pizza bread, to fresh new challenges like potato bread, rye, tortilla, croissants, doughnuts and bagels. The handbook is completed by full-colour photographs throughout, including step-by-step photos, instructions for building your own bread oven, and a directory of equipment and useful addresses.