Mark L. Strauss

This series is designed for those who know biblical languages. It is written primarily for the pastor and Bible teacher, not for the scholar. That is, the aim is not to review and offer a critique of every possible interpretation that has ever been given to a passage, but to exegete each passage of Scripture succinctly in its grammatical and historical context. Each passage is interpreted in the light of its biblical setting, with a view to grammatical detail, literary context, flow of biblical argument, and historical setting. While the focus will not be on application, it is expected that the authors will offer suggestions as to the direction in which application can flow.

The Bible is accessible. It's meant to be read and comprehended by everyone from armchair readers to seminary students. A few essential insights into the Bible can clear up a lot of misconceptions and help you grasp the meaning of Scripture and its application to your twenty-first-century life. The How to Read the Bible Pack, Second Edition includes everything you need to understand the Bible more clearly and get the most out of your Bible-reading experience. The How to Read the Bible Pack, Second Edition includes six books by six leading biblical scholars:How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas StuartHow to Read the Bible Book by Book by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas StuartHow to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens by Michael WilliamsHow to Read the Bible as Literature by Leland RykenHow to Preach and Teach the Old Testament for All Its Worth by Christopher J. H. WrightHow to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee and Mark L. Strauss The How to Read the Bible Pack, Second Edition will help you read the Bible more accurately and in greater depth so you can uncover the inexhaustible worth that is in God's Word.

Brimming with photos and graphics, the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary walks you verse by verse through all the books of the New Testament. It’s like slipping on a set of glasses that lets you read the Bible through the eyes of a first-century reader! Discoveries await you that will snap the world of the New Testament into gripping immediacy. Things that seem mystifying, puzzling, or obscure will take on tremendous meaning when you view them in their ancient context. You'll deepen your understanding of the teachings of Jesus. You'll discover the close, sometimes startling interplay between God's kingdom and the practical affairs of the church. Best of all, you'll gain a deepened awareness of the Bible’s relevance for your life. Written in a clear, engaging style, this beautiful set provides a new and accessible approach that more technical expository and exegetical commentaries don't offer.

Situated at the pivotal intersection of the departure of Jesus Christ and the arrival of the Holy Spirit, Acts and Paul's Letters: The Gospel to the Ends of the Earth tells the story of the birth of the Christian church and the remarkable spread of the gospel. Readers will learn how to interpret Paul's thirteen letters within the context of the historical telling of the early Christian movement in the Book of Acts and will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of one of the most important epochs in human history. The Scripture Connections series is a concise and accessible guide to the Bible that focuses on Scripture's natural unity. Each volume covers a particular set of biblical books, providing a thorough overview of the content and background in a shorter page count than a traditional textbook. The authors bring forward connections between Scripture and the ancient world, other biblical texts, the good news of the gospel, and everyday life, inviting readers to engage more deeply with God's Word.

Discover profound insights with ease: The Essential Bible Companion is your indispensable guide to unlocking and truly understanding the core teachings of the Bible. Developed by world-renowned biblical scholars, this compact reference tool presents the key information about every book in the Bible in an easy-to-digest format. The Essential Bible Companion is a visual guide to Scripture's key concepts and teachings that empowers you with:Background information that uncovers the purpose, key terms, concepts, and teachings about God in each Bible book. A user-friendly timeline featuring key events for each book. A who's-who of essential Biblical figures to know. Must-read verses, illustrative maps, and enlightening historical introductions. Ideal for those seeking greater understanding of the Bible without getting lost in overbearing detail, The Essential Bible Companion strikes the perfect balance of informative yet manageable content that enhances, not detracts from, the biblical text. Embark on a journey towards a well-grounded and deeply enriched biblical faith with The Essential Bible Companion. Whether you are a new believer stepping into the vast landscape of biblical teachings for the first time, or a seasoned student of the word seeking to deepen your knowledge, The Essential Bible Companion serves as your roadmap. Grab your copy today and simplify your path to deeper biblical understanding.

One of the keys to effectively preaching and teaching God's Word is a deep understanding of the meaning of biblical words in the original Hebrew and Greek. As the building blocks of language, words are the means we use to communicate with one another, and they're also the means God has chosen for communicating with us, his people. To enrich your preaching, teaching, and personal study of God's Word, this clear, accurate, and easy-to-use dictionary offers the most up-to-date evangelical biblical scholarship as well as fascinating, detailed explanations of biblical words. Whether you're a pastor, a seminary student, or a lay student of the Bible, this expository dictionary offers a wealth of information about the original Hebrew and Greek words of Scripture.

This workbook accompanies Mark L. Strauss's Four Portraits, One Jesus. Following the textbook's structure, it offers readings from the Gospels, activities, and exercises designed to support the students' learning experience and enhance their comprehension of what can be known from the Gospels about the central defining subject of Christianity, Jesus of Nazareth. Four Portraits, One Jesus is a thorough yet accessible introduction to the four biblical Gospels and their subject, the life and person of Jesus. Like different artists rendering the same subject using different styles and points of view, the Gospels paint four highly distinctive portraits of the same remarkable Jesus. With clarity and insight, Mark Strauss illuminates these four books addressing the following important areas:First he addresses the nature, origin, methods for study, and historical, religious, and cultural backgrounds of the Gospels. He then moves on to closer study of each narrative and its contribution to our understanding of Jesus, investigating things such as plot, characters, and theme. Finally, he pulls it all together with a detailed examination of what the Gospels teach about Jesus' ministry, message, death, and resurrection, with excursions into the quest for the historical Jesus and the historical reliability of the Gospels.

This laminated sheet accompanies Mark L. Strauss's Four Portraits, One Jesus. Following the textbook's structure, this quick-study tool offers summaries, important definitions, dates, and concepts designed to support the students' learning experience and enhance their comprehension of what can be known from the Gospels about the central defining subject of Christianity, Jesus of Nazareth. Four Portraits, One Jesus is a thorough yet accessible introduction to the four biblical Gospels and their subject, the life and person of Jesus. Like different artists rendering the same subject using different styles and points of view, the Gospels paint four highly distinctive portraits of the same remarkable Jesus. With clarity and insight, Mark Strauss illuminates these four books addressing the following important areas:First he addresses the nature, origin, methods for study, and historical, religious, and cultural backgrounds of the Gospels. He then moves on to closer study of each narrative and its contribution to our understanding of Jesus, investigating things such as plot, characters, and theme. Finally, he pulls it all together with a detailed examination of what the Gospels teach about Jesus' ministry, message, death, and resurrection, with excursions into the quest for the historical Jesus and the historical reliability of the Gospels.

A thorough introduction to the four biblical Gospels and their subject--the life and person of Jesus. Like different artists who render the same subject using unique styles and points of view, the Gospels paint four distinctive portraits of the same Jesus of Nazareth. To Christians worldwide, he is the centerpiece of history, the object of faith, hope, and worship. Even those who do not follow him admit the vast influence of his life. With clarity and insight, biblical scholar Mark Strauss illuminates these four books, addressing the following important areas: The nature, origin, methods for study, and historical, religious, and cultural backgrounds of each of the Gospels. A closer study of the narratives and themes found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; and their contribution to our understanding of Jesus. A detailed examination of what the Gospels teach about Jesus' ministry, message, death, and resurrection--with excursions into the quest for the historical Jesus and the historical reliability of the Gospels. For anyone interested in knowing more about Jesus, study of the four biblical Gospels is essential. This fully-updated textbook--together with its workbook, video lectures, and laminated sheet--gives students everything they need for a thorough and enriching study of Jesus and the Gospels.

This book brings the best of leadership theory and research together with biblical reflection and examples of leadership in action to offer a practical guide to Christian leaders. Combining expertise in leadership studies and biblical studies, Justin Irving and Mark Strauss explore how leadership models have moved from autocratic and paternalistic leader-centered models toward an increased focus on followers. The authors show how contemporary theories such as transformational leadership, authentic leadership, and servant leadership take an important step toward prioritizing and empowering followers who work with leaders to accomplish organizational goals. Irving and Strauss organize their book around "nine empowering practices," making it accessible to students, church leaders, and business leaders. Integrating solid research in leadership studies with biblical and theological reflection on the leadership ideas that are most compatible with Christian faith, this book is an important resource for all Christian students of leadership.

To Christians worldwide, the man Jesus of Nazareth is the centerpiece of history, the object of faith, hope, and worship. Even those who do not follow him admit the vast influence of his life. For anyone interested in knowing more about Jesus, study of the four biblical Gospels is essential. An abridged edition of the bestselling textbook Four Portraits, One Jesus by Mark Strauss, this simple, easy-to-understand guide introduces the four biblical Gospels and their subject, the life and person of Jesus. Like different artists rendering the same subject using different styles and points of view, the Gospels paint four distinctive portraits of the same remarkable Jesus. With clarity and insight, Mark Strauss addresses questions that surround the study of Jesus and the Gospels. What are the Gospels - are they history, theology, biography? Where did they come from? What do we know about their context? What does each Gospel uniquely teach us about Jesus? Finally, he pulls it all together illuminating what the Gospels together teach about Jesus' ministry, message, death, and resurrection, and how do we know we can trust their witness. Including questions at the end of each chapter for group discussion or personal reflection, Introducing Jesus makes the words, history, and context of the Gospels come alive for readers.

When it comes to the realm of biblical studies, students of the Bible are often overwhelmed, both with the sheer volume of information and with all of the unfamiliar terms, concepts, and topics. Like any other field of study, the serious study of the Bible has developed a specialized vocabulary. The key terms in this important field are defined in The Compact Dictionary of Biblical Studies. It provides clear, concise, and accurate definitions to help students of the Bible make sense of the specialized language of biblical studies.

Provides students with simple and clear explanations of the grammatical terms they're likely to encounter in their Bible software of choice. While Bible language and exegetical programs provide users with lots of useful information, most of them unfortunately don't explain the basic meaning of the grammatical terminology or why that information is significant for understanding biblical texts. For most of us, it's been a long time since we've had any formal training in English grammar. So if you're using a Greek language program, and you come across grammatical terms like vocative, genitive, subjunctive, or middle voice--this is your quick index! To make this book as user-friendly as possible, each entry provides:A description of what the form looks like. A summary of what it does--its main functions (with examples from the Greek New Testament). An "Exegetical Insight" to show how understanding the grammar helps you interpret the text. The Biblical Greek Companion for Bible Software Users is ideally suited for:Pastors and ministry leaders who may have learned Greek at one time but have experienced the loss of much of that learning. College and seminary students who are learning Greek and need a guide to help understand the significance of the grammatical terminology. Bible software users who never formally learned Greek in the classroom and need help understanding the meaning of the terms they encounter. Any users of programs like Logos Bible Software, Accordance Bible Software, Olive Tree, or other Bible software programs who want a quick and easy reference. With grammatical terms laid out and discussed in an intuitive and user-friendly format, readers can now spend time focusing on exegesis and applying their findings to their preaching, teachings, study, and writing instead of puzzling over the significance of grammatical terminology and how to apply it.

Everybody likes Jesus. Don't they? We overlook that Jesus was Judgmental—preaching hellfire far more than the apostle PaulUncompromising—telling people to hate their familiesChauvinistic—excluding women from leadershipRacist—insulting people from other ethnic groupsAnti-environmental—cursing a fig tree and affirming animal sacrificeAngry—overturning tables and chasing moneychangers in the temple He demanded moral perfection, told people to cut off body parts, made prophecies that haven't come true, and defied religious and political authorities. While we tend to ignore this troubling behavior, the people around Jesus didn't. Some believed him so dangerous that they found a way to have him killed. The Jesus everybody likes, says Mark Strauss, is not the Jesus found in the Gospels. He's a figure we've created in our own minds. Strauss believes that when we unpack the puzzling paradoxes of the man from Galilee, we find greater insight into his countercultural message and mission than we could ever have imagined.

This workbook accompanies Mark L. Strauss’s Four Portraits, One Jesus. Following the textbook’s structure, it offers readings from the Gospels, activities, and exercises designed to support the students’ learning experience and enhance their comprehension of what can be known from the Gospels about the central defining subject of Christianity, Jesus of Nazareth. Four Portraits, One Jesus is a thorough yet accessible introduction to the four biblical Gospels and their subject, the life and person of Jesus. Like different artists rendering the same subject using different styles and points of view, the Gospels paint four highly distinctive portraits of the same remarkable Jesus. With clarity and insight, Mark Strauss illuminates these four books, first addressing their nature, origin, methods for study, and historical, religious, and cultural backgrounds. He then moves on to closer study of each narrative and its contribution to our understanding of Jesus, investigating things such as plot, characters, and theme. Finally, he pulls it all together with a detailed examination of what the Gospels teach about Jesus’ ministry, message, death, and resurrection, with excursions into the quest for the historical Jesus and the historical reliability of the Gospels.

This laminated sheet accompanies Mark L. Strauss’s Four Portraits, One Jesus. Following the textbook’s structure, this quick-study tool offers summaries, important definitions, dates, and concepts designed to support the students’ learning experience and enhance their comprehension of what can be known from the Gospels about the central defining subject of Christianity, Jesus of Nazareth. Four Portraits, One Jesus is a thorough yet accessible introduction to the four biblical Gospels and their subject, the life and person of Jesus. Like different artists rendering the same subject using different styles and points of view, the Gospels paint four highly distinctive portraits of the same remarkable Jesus. With clarity and insight, Mark Strauss illuminates these four books, first addressing their nature, origin, methods for study, and historical, religious, and cultural backgrounds. He then moves on to closer study of each narrative and its contribution to our understanding of Jesus, investigating things such as plot, characters, and theme. Finally, he pulls it all together with a detailed examination of what the Gospels teach about Jesus’ ministry, message, death, and resurrection, with excursions into the quest for the historical Jesus and the historical reliability of the Gospels.

Many find it difficult to take words that were written thousands of years ago and apply them to twenty-first-century life in the Western world. How do we read God's unchanging Word in a world that is increasingly defined by change? How to Read the Bible in Changing Times shows everyday Christians how to interpret and apply the Scriptures regardless of time and culture. Rather than seeing the Bible as a magic answer book, a list of commands to obey, or a series of promises to claim, this insightful book allows the Bible to retain its identity as a complex, inspired document while showing that the truth it contains is relevant and life-changing. It shows the reader how todetermine the meaning of the text in its original contextidentify culturally relative featuresunderstand what the text teaches about God, his will, and his purposesapply the truths discovered to contemporary life situationsIt even shows readers how to discern God's will on the many modern issues that the Bible does not directly address.