This book celebrates the contributions to Old Testament theology of Elmer A. Martens, President and Professor of Old Testament at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, Fresno, California (both positions now Emeritus). It includes 3 essays written by Martens himself, as well as 15 others written by his former students, colleagues, friends, and even one of his professors! The essays are clustered around three topics--Christians' use of the Old Testament, aligning God's people with God's call for justice, and addressing the issue of land in the life of God's people--each of which reflects an area of special interest to Martens. A biographical sketch, a list of the honoree's varied publications, and indexes are included. Martens has had a productive career as teacher, author, and preacher--a career spanning almost six decades and five continents. After 40 years of seminary teaching, Elmer is known to many as professor. He taught his signature class, Old Testament theology, from 1968 to 2004 at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, shaping an entire generation of preachers and Bible teachers. His Old Testament theology textbook, God's Design, now in its third edition, continues to be used at the seminary as well as in translation in numerous other schools around the world.

Retells twenty-two stories from the Old Testament, including "Noah and the Flood," "Jacob's Ladder," "Samson and Delilah," and "Esther Speaks for Her People."

Provides daily devotional guidance using the people and events in the Old Testament as models for faithful and fulfilling Christian living.

This book celebrates the contributions to Old Testament theology of Elmer A. Martens, President and Professor of Old Testament at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, Fresno, California (both positions now Emeritus). It includes 3 essays written by Martens himself, as well as 15 others written by his former students, colleagues, friends, and even one of his professors! The essays are clustered around three topics—Christians’ use of the Old Testament, aligning God’s people with God’s call for justice, and addressing the issue of land in the life of God’s people—each of which reflects an area of special interest to Martens. A biographical sketch, a list of the honoree’s varied publications, and indexes are included. Martens has had a productive career as teacher, author, and preacher—a career spanning almost six decades and five continents. After 40 years of seminary teaching, Elmer is known to many as professor. He taught his signature class, Old Testament theology, from 1968 to 2004 at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, shaping an entire generation of preachers and Bible teachers. His Old Testament theology textbook, God’s Design, now in its third edition, continues to be used at the seminary as well as in translation in numerous other schools around the world.

The Old Testament was Jesus' Bibleand it's all about him. As he explained to the disciples on the Emmaus road, a correct understanding of those Scriptures is vital to our faith and hope. For anyone looking to interpret the Old Testament wisely and well, Jason DeRouchie provides a logical twelve-stage process to deepen understanding, taking us from an analysis of a passage's genre all the way to its practical application. Hebrew grammar, historical context, biblical theologyand much moreare also studied. Learn how to track an author's thought-flow, grasp the text's message, and apply the ancient Word in this modern world, all in light of Christ's redeeming work. Then plunge into DeRouchie's recommended resources to go further in your studies every step of the way.

A recent string of popular-level books written by the New Atheists have leveled the accusation that the God of the Old Testament is nothing but a bully, a murderer, and a cosmic child abuser. This viewpoint is even making inroads into the church. How are Christians to respond to such accusations? And how are we to reconcile the seemingly disconnected natures of God portrayed in the two testaments? In this timely and readable book, apologist Paul Copan takes on some of the most vexing accusations of our time, including: God is arrogant and jealous God punishes people too harshly God is guilty of ethnic cleansing God oppresses women God endorses slavery Christianity causes violence and more Copan not only answers God's critics, he also shows how to read both the Old and New Testaments faithfully, seeing an unchanging, righteous, and loving God in both.

In recent sociological approaches to the Old Testament, Christians have been finding unexpected resources for their ethical reflection and action relative to the modern world's pressing social and economic dilemmas. This unique survey by Christopher Wright examines life in Old Testament Israel from an ethical perspective by considering how the economic facts of Israel's social structure were related to the people's religious beliefs. Observing the centrality of the family in social, economic and religious spheres of Israelite life, Wright analyzes Israel's theology of land, the rights and responsibilities of property owners, and the socioeconomic and legal status of dependent persons in ancient Israel - wives, children, and slaves - showing the mutual interaction between such laws, institutions, and customs and the nation's covenant relationship with God. While primarily exegetical, God's People in God's Land contains many useful insights for Christian social ethics: Wright suggests how the ethical application of his findings might proceed as Christians with different theological perspectives and cultural contexts seek to work out the relevance of the Old Testament for today.