Bøger af Ben Witherington

In modern times, evangelical Protestants have advocated for the belief that the Bible is the only real standard of truth and true Christian praxis for the church. But is this how the early Jews and Christians, who wrote the biblical books, viewed their sacred texts? And what counted as those sacred texts? Furthermore, there is often a lack of clarity as to what is meant by the famous phrase that became a motto of the German Reformation: sola scriptura. Does it mean that the Bible is the only authority for Christian faith and practice, or does it mean the Bible is the final authority, allowing non-biblical traditions, human reason, and perhaps even experience to have some authority in the church? With this magisterial study, Ben Witherington III invites readers to go back to the time of the writing of the Bible and look at what is said about the sacred texts with a specific focus on how the authority of such texts was viewed. Witherington then walks through Christian history until the point where the phrase sola scriptura actually appears as an authority claim of some kind. Surprisingly, it does not show up until the fourteenth century A.D. and not in the writings of a Protestant. From there, Witherington examines how the phrase continued to be used in the various Reformations and into the modern era. The story of Sola Scriptura also involves the rise of science, the effect of the Enlightenment, and changes in views about human sexuality that have affected the discussion of the Bible's authority in various ways. Students of Scripture, budding scholars, pastors, and laity alike stand to benefit from this book as Christians of all stripes are confronted by the same crises: a profound historical amnesia that is affecting even churches that are bibliocentric; the general chaos in Western culture that has further alienated younger generations from the church and angered the older generations who still attend church; and the increasing biblical illiteracy in the church, including in its pulpits, which has led to churches taking their signals and sense of direction from the culture rather than the biblical witness itself. Such crises will not be overcome without a serious coming to grips with the Bible, its history, and its authority for the Christian life.

"James Arthur West was not just a fireman and a fire chief, he was also a devout Christian, in fact a deacon at Temple Baptist Church and a Sunday school teacher. I have exactly no memory of him being the latter, but as my sister and I have been going through our mother's effects, Laura found his spiral notebooks full of his Sunday school and devotional lessons. They are all written out in beautiful cursive script verbatim, all dated and usually with a Scriptural text cited. According to the dates on the surviving lessons, these were given in the 1960s through the end of the 1980s"--

"Do you know the character of our God-do you know who God is? What does it mean to say that God is love, light, life, and spirit? In Who God Is, world-renowned New Testament scholar Ben Witherington III explores the nature and character of the God of the Bible by focusing specifically on the nouns used to describe who God is. This rich exploration has its foundation in a deep reading of the biblical text. Reflecting on these descriptions of God gives us a fresh understanding of the beauty and uniqueness of the character of our God"--

Strange theories about Jesus seem to ooze from our culture with increasing regularity. Ben Witherington, one of the top Jesus scholars, will have none of it. There were no secret Gnostic teachings in the first century. With leading scholars and popular purveyors of bad history in his crosshairs, Witherington reveals what we can--and cannot--claim to know about the real Jesus. The Bible, not outside sources, is still the most trustworthy historical record we have today.Utilizing a fresh "personality profile" approach, Witherington highlights core Christian claims by investigating the major figures in Jesus's inner circle of followers: Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Thomas, Peter, James the brother of Jesus, Paul, and the mysterious "beloved disciple." In each chapter Witherington satisfies our curiosities and answers the full range of questions about these key figures and what each of them can teach us about the historical Jesus. What Have They Done with Jesus? is a vigorous defense of traditional Christianity that offers a compelling portrait of Jesus's core message according to those who knew him best.

The Living Legacy is a resource for spiritual formation that involves original Christian poetry, theological analysis, and spiritual formation exercises following the lectio divina. Following the seasons of the Church Year, Witherington and Hare provide a guide to help those of us on spiritual journeys as we seek to explore ''the living legacy,'' which is our faith in the biblical God.

When was the last time you heard a sermon on the theological importance of play? What do rest, eating, studying -- and sex -- have to do with the Kingdom of God? Strangely, although these activities together take up much of our time, they seldom receive much discussion from a biblical point of view. In The Rest of Life Ben Witherington explores these subjects in the light of biblical teaching about the Kingdom of God and the Christian hope for the future. He shows why and how all the normal activities of life should be done to the glory of God and for the edification of others. Focusing as it does on practical, everyday matters in an accessible style, this topical study is ideal for both individual reading and small-group discussion.

Witherington provides a much-needed introduction to the ancient art of persuasion and its use within the various New Testament documents. More than just an exploration of the use of the ancient rhetorical tools and devices, this guide introduces the reader to all that went into convincing an audience about some subject. Witherington makes the case that rhetorical criticism is a more fruitful approach to the NT epistles than the oft-employed approaches of literary and discourse criticism. Familiarity with the art of rhetoric also helps the reader explore non-epistolary genres. In addition to the general introduction to rhetorical criticism, the book guides readers through the many and varied uses of rhetoric in most NT documents-not only telling readers about rhetoric in the NT, but showing them the way it was employed.""This brief guide book is intended to provide the reader with an entrance into understanding the rhetorical analysis of various parts of the NT, the value such studies bring for understanding what is being proclaimed and defended in the NT, and how Christ is presented in ways that would be considered persuasive in antiquity."" - from the introduction""Ben Witherington has used classical rhetorical criticism as a foundational method--writing commentaries on the entire New Testament canon. In this volume, he brings that extensive experience to the task of writing an introduction to this exegetical method. . . . This will surely become the choice resource-the ""new Kennedy""-for a main text in courses in rhetorical criticism or a supplementary text in courses on exegetical method, as well as a valuable and persuasive introduction to the method for ministry professionals interested in connecting the ongoing task of proclamation with the persuasive techniques of the New Testament."" --David A. deSilva, Trustees'' Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek, Ashland Theological Seminary""Whether one is drawn to the promise of rhetorical study of the New Testament writings or is not yet persuaded by its utility, Witherington has provided a helpful--and persuasive!--primer. His easy familiarity with the ancient sources makes this an especially user-friendly introduction to the importance of ancient rhetoric for historical study of the New Testament."" --Joel B. Green, Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Fuller Theological Seminary""For those who want to add rhetorical analysis to their interpretation of the New Testament, Ben Witherington provides easy access to a not easily accessible subject. . . . Not stopping with mere description, Witherington always draws out the implications of the rhetorical nature of the biblical texts for interpretation and application."" --Duane Watson, Professor of New Testament Studies, School of Theology, Malone College""Ben Witherington has produced a sterling volume on ancient rhetoric and its applicability to New Testament studies. . . . Importantly, Witherington carefully describes how an understanding of rhetoric affects biblical interpretation and Christian preaching. Anyone who is interested in the contours of early Christian discourse or would like to be able to preach and teach as persuasively as the biblical authors will find this volume highly informative and immensely helpful. Another gem from the pen of Ben!""--Michael Bird, Tutor in New Testament at the Highland Theological College, Dingwall, ScotlandBen Witherington III (PhD, University of Durham) is Amos professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University. He is the author of numerous books, including The Living Word of God (2008), Shifting the Paradigms (forthcoming) and several socio-rhetorical commentaries.

Time is running out for Khalil el Said, as his cancer treatments have become less and less effective. And so it is that his old friends Art West (and his new wife, Marissa) and Grace Levine plan something very special for Khalil, while there is still time-- the opening of an el Said wing of the Israeli Museum of Antiquities, which includes many of the items he bequeathed to the museum over many years. All of this might be quite enough, but as the Wests and others arrive in Jerusalem, a huge explosion blows the top off of the Dome of the Rock. How did it happen? Will there be war? And who is this person hiding in the shadows who seems to be the spitting image of the well-known dead villain el Tigre? Along the way new archaeological discoveries come to light, and Yelena, the adopted daughter of Grace and Manny, must decide if her future lies in Israel or not. The old friends discover they are at a crossroads in all their lives--- which avenues will they take as the future beckons?""Ben and Ann Witherington have given us another Art West adventure, which, like the previous novels, blends imagination with the realities of archaeology and the Holy Land. In reading this book you will not only be entertained, quickly turning the pages to find out what happens next, you will also be acquiring an excellent education relating to biblical scholarship, Christian origins, Jewish customs, life in Israel in the time of Jesus, history, and archaeology. In short, the Witheringtons have made entertainment educational and education entertaining!"" --Craig A. Evans, John Bisagno Distinguished Professor of Christian Origins and Dean of the School of Christian Thought, Houston Baptist University ""What happens when a Jewish zealot conspires to blow up Jerusalem''s temple mount with a Palestinian Muslim? Ben Witherington''s ninth Art West novel is a compelling account of murder, stolen antiquities, archaeological discoveries, and the cold case revelation of Yasser Arafat''s murder, capped off with the destruction of the temple mount. Return to Zion is a gripping story that''s hard to put down.""--Mark R. Fairchild, Luke J. Peters Professor of Biblical Studies, Chair Dept. Bible & Religion, Huntington University""The Witheringtons plant the reader between the frenzy of religious extremism--Christian, Jewish, and Muslim--and the impetus of people of good conscience toward peace and cooperation across faiths. But this is also a story about valuing life, facing death, and finding direction in the midst of danger and opportunity. The result is a story as multilayered as the archaeological digs that inevitably come into play where Art West is involved.""--David A. deSilva, Trustees'' Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Ashland Theological SeminaryBen Witherington III is Amos Professor of NT for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University, and the author of over thirty-five books, including New York Times bestseller The Brother of Jesus.Ann Witherington is Instructor of Biology and Environmental Sciences at Asbury University. Ben and Ann have been married for over thirty years.

Reading the books of the Law, the Pentateuch, in their original context is the crucial prerequisite for reading their citation and use in later interpretation, including the New Testament writings, argues Ben Witherington III. Here, he offers pastors, teachers, and students an accessible commentary on the Pentateuch, as well as a reasoned consideration of how these books were heard and read in early Christianity. By reading "forward and backward," Witherington advances the scholarly discussion of intertextuality and opens a new avenue for biblical theology.

Description:Art West has done it again. This time, he finds himself in hot water in Corinth, while excavating at a Roman villa with his fiancee, Marissa Okur, as they chart a sometimes bumpy course towards marriage. Art runs into a modern-day prophetess, survives an earthquake, and has to overcome annoying Greek authorities who stand in his way of making more discoveries of relevance to the study of the New Testament. Meanwhile his friend Kahlil el Said and his daughter who live in Jerusalem make a terrible discovery about her former husband the terrorist, with potentially dangerous and devastating consequences. The worlds of archaeology and the Bible converge once more with both heat and light shed on the origins of Christianity in this fourth installment in the series of seven Art West adventures. Endorsements:""High adventure, solid history, beautiful photfographs, religious sensitivity, and bad puns: what''s not to like?""-A. J. LevineVanderbilt Divinity School""The Art West adventures are fun, entertaining, and instructive of the world of the New Testament placed in the context of a contemporary story. The fourth in the series, Corinthian Leather, is no exception. Read, enjoy, learn. It is a great way to get a sense of what first-century life was like.""-Darrell L. BockDallas Theological Seminary""New Testament scholars who have the ability to craft engaging novels are rarer than chicken molars. Yet renowned scholar Ben Witherington and his wife Ann have successfully married historical scholarship with gripping narrative in Corinthian Leather. The book combines superb character development and stimulating adventure with photo-rich historical and archaeological insights into the ancient cities of Paul''s day. It''s both a fascinating and educational read.""-Frank Violaauthor of From Eternity to Here, Revise Us Again, and Jesus Manifesto ""Ben and Ann Witherington sure know how to spin a story! If you take pleasure in being educated and entertained simultaneously, then make time to read Corinthian Leather (and the three previous volumes in the Art West adventure series). I am already looking forward to reading and learning from the rest of these page-turning, biblical archaeological thrillers.""-Todd D. StillGeorge W. Truett Theological Seminary""What do you have when you encounter an archaeological mystery, a Greek prophetess, the Greek Communist Party, a professional basketball prospect, and a romance? You''re kidding. You really don''t know? Another Arthur West adventure, of course. Our intrepid adventurer is at it again, this time exploring the archaeological remains of ancient Corinth, a city rebuilt by Julius Caesar and evangelized by the apostle Paul. Readers will enjoy this imaginative archaeological adventure-Art West''s fourth-that sheds light on the Corinth of Paul''s visit in AD 51 and the key locals with whom he became acquainted. History and archaeology have never been more fun. Corinthian Leather is nother delightful book from Ben and Ann Witherington.""-Craig A. EvansAcadia Divinity CollegeAbout the Contributor(s):Ben Witherington III is Amos Professor of NT for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University, and the author of over thirty-five books, including New York Times Best Seller The Brother of Jesus. Ann Witherington is Professor of Biology and Environmental Sciences at Asbury College. Ben and Ann have been married for over thirty years and have two adult children, Christy and David.

Endorsements:""Art West is in hot water in more ways than one in his latest adventure. After bathing in the famous thermal springs at Pamukkale, Turkey, the intrepid Bible scholar and archaeologist is invited to join an excavation at nearby Hierapolis. A papyrus related to Papias, the noted second-century bishop, has been discovered. However, demons unleashed by a cursed papyrus found in a menorah by Art''s friend, the antiquities dealer named Khalil, are poised to attack. A visit to the Plutonium proves to be a real gas for Art, who must now discover the diabolical forces seeking to kill him. Papias and the Mysterious Menorah is a worthy sequel in the Art West series.""--Mark WilsonAsia Minor Research CenterIzmir, Turkey""Each of Ben and Ann Witherington''s archaeological thrillers is more enthralling than the last. They deftly interweave the puzzles of the past with the complexities of the Middle East today.""--Richard BauckhamEmeritus Professor of New TestamentSt. Andrews University, Scotland ""Ever the pedagogues, Ben and Ann faithfully serve as highly informed, engaging, and deeply sensitive stewards of their narrative. Papias truly offers something for everyone.""--Brad JohnsonInstructor in Biblical LanguagesAsbury Theological SeminaryAbout the Contributor(s):Ben Witherington III is Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University, and the author of over thirty-five books, including New York Times Best Seller The Brother of Jesus.Ann Witherington is Professor of Biology and Environmental Sciences at Asbury College. Ben and Ann have been married for over thirty years and have two adult children, Christy and David.

Jesus as depicted in the Fourth Gospel is remarkably dissimilar to the Jesus found in the Synoptic Gospels. In this book, Ben Witherington III places the Gospel of John within its proper literary, historical, social, and theological contexts, especially those dealing with the wisdom traditions of Hellenistic Judaism. What emerges is a...

In the first volume of his two-volume comprehensive overview of the theological and ethical thought world of the New Testament, Ben Witherington III focuses on expositional samplings of the theology and ethics of New Testament writers in context and closely examines the interrelations between New Testament theology and ethics.

This unprecedented commentary applies an exegetical method informed by both sociological insight and rhetorical analysis to the study of 1 and 2 Corinthians. In addition to using traditional exegetical and historical methods, this unique study also analyzes the two letters of Paul in terms of Greco-Roman rhetoric and ancient social conditions and customs to shed fresh light on the context and content of Paul''s message. Includes 21 black-and-white photos and illustrations.

This book offers the first sustained attempt to read the Gospel of Mark both as an ancient biography and as a form of ancient rhetoric. Ben Witherington applies to Mark the socio-rhetorical approach for which he is well known, opening a fresh new perspective on the earliest Gospel.Written when the fledging Christian faith was experiencing a major crisis during the Jewish war, Mark provides us with the first window on how the life and teachings of Jesus were presented to a largely non-Jewish audience.According to Witherington, the structure of Mark demonstrates that this Gospel is biographically focused on the identity of Jesus and the importance of knowing who he is--the Christ, the Son of God. This finding reveals that Christology stood at the heart of the earliest Christians' faith. It also shows how important it was to these earliest Christians to persuade others about the nature of Jesus, both as a historical figure and as the Savior of the world.

Paul's two letters to the Thessalonians stand as some of the very earliest Christian documents, yet they appear well into Paul's missionary career, giving them a unique context well worth exploring. In this first full-scale socio-rhetorical commentary on 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Ben Witherington gleans fresh insight from reading Paul's text in the light of rhetorical concerns and patterns, early Jewish theology, and the first-century historical situation in Macedonia.Witherington's distinctive socio-rhetorical approach helps unearth insights that would otherwise remain hidden using only form criticism, epistolary categories, and traditional criticism. Witherington details Thessalonica's place as the -metropolis- of Macedonia, and he carefully unpacks the social situation of Paul and his recipients. Scholars will appreciate the careful analysis and rhetorical insights contained here, while Witherington's clear prose and sensitivity to Paul's ideas make this work ideal for all who desire a useful, readable commentary on 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

In the sobering wake of the global recession, many Christians realize they need to rethink their approach to money. Respected New Testament scholar Ben Witherington III explores what the Bible does - and does not - say about money.