Does your knowledge of the Old Testament feel like a grab bag of people, books, events, and ideas? How many times have you resolved to really understand the OT? To finally make sense of it?
Perhaps you are suffering from what Sandra Richter calls the "dysfunctional closet syndrome." If so, she has a solution. Like a home-organizing expert, she comes in and helps you straighten up your cluttered closet. Gives you hangers for facts. A timeline to put them on. And handy containers for the clutter on the floor. Plus she fills out your wardrobe of knowledge with exciting new facts and new perspectives.
The whole thing is put in usable order-a history of God's redeeming grace. A story that runs from the Eden of the Garden to the garden of the New Jerusalem. Whether you are a frustrated do-it-yourselfer or a beginning student enrolled in a course, this book will organize your understanding of the Old Testament and renew your enthusiasm for studying the Bible as a whole.
Sandra L. Richter cares about the Bible. She also cares about the environment.
Using her expertise in ancient Israelite society and economy as well as in biblical theology, Richter walks listeners through passages familiar and not-so-familiar, showing how significant environmental theology is in the Bible's witness. She then calls Christians to apply that message to today's environmental concerns. Richter is a master Bible scholar. Each chapter in this timely book draws out a biblical mandate about care for the land, for domestic and wild animals, for people at the margins, and more. She is also a master storyteller. Well informed on the most significant challenges to present-day environmental stewardship, Richter includes case studies connecting modern day examples and Scripture. Though current political values may tempt listeners to separate or even polarize Christian faith and ecological concerns, Richter urges us to be driven by God's values instead.
This eight-session study of the Book of Psalms masterfully mixes scholarly and practical teaching of one of the most well-read wisdom Books. Sandra Richter’s pedagogy offers every modern reader the scaffolding they cannot bring to the table themselves and introduces the people of God today to their ancestors in the faith in a cross-cultural-experience kind of way.
The key overall messages of this study is what the Book of Psalms is (the hymnbook of ancient Israel), how it was utilized in Israelite worship (the various “forms” of the Psalms), the concrete realities of Israelite worship (the tabernacle, temple, priesthood, and sacrifice) as well as Israel’s theology of worship (wrapped up in their theocratic world view), and why the Book of Psalms remains critical to our devotional lives today.
There will be numerous connections to contemporary worship and devotional practices and focus on a few psalms that have become “classics” in the Christian world and need a deeper explanation. What makes my studies unique is that I am a scholar … who was a pastor. As a result, I am able to do the “heavy lifting” for my audiences, but deeply sensitive to issues of engagement and the “so what?” part of the equation.
The Book of Judges narrates one of the most chaotic and morally dark eras of Israel's story. Many speak of it as Israel's "Wild West," where the heroes and the villains stand only inches apart. Into this morally ambiguous time comes one of the most unlikely leaders of the biblical text-the prophet Deborah. She is a wife and mother in an entirely patriarchal world, yet due to her integrity and courage she transforms chaos into order and leads Israel in one of the most pivotal victories of the settlement period.
Illustrating the era of the Judges by means of the archaeological record, historical geography, and the hard facts of warfare in the ancient world, this study draws students immediately into the grand tale of Deborah and Barak, Jabin and Sisera, and of course the most unlikely of leaders, Jael. This study compels the modern reader to ask and answer three critical questions:
- What territory can you see from where you're standing that you know belongs to the Kingdom, but is not yet won?
- Is it worth fighting for?
- Are you willing to step out on faith and trust God for the victory?
A bonus lecture will address the biblical theology of women in ministry and Deborah's role in that often-argued debate.
The Audio Bible Studies series provides a unique audio learning experience. Unlike a traditional audiobook's direct narration of a book's text, this audio Bible study includes high-quality, live audio sessions from the author that cover important Bible-based topics. These sessions will reflect the ambiance of the unique recording locations, immersing the listener into the teaching. While not required for the audio experience, these studies are designed to partner with the coordinating study guide, sold separately.
