A critical preaching commentary that serves as a single, reliable resource for engaging the Gospel of Mark.This comprehensive commentary on the Gospel of Mark is designed for preachers seeking a single, reliable resource that brings together rigorous exegesis and practical homiletical insight. Drawing on a literary approach, O. Wesley Allen, Jr., interprets Mark as a unified narrative that rewards careful attention not only to individual passages but also to the broader movement of the Gospel as...
Was America founded as a Christian nation—or is the truth far more complex?In God We Trust invites readers to think and reflect critically about the truths and complexities of the role of religion and the founding of America in order to separate history from political ideology and to understand why this distinction matters for the future of our nation and democracy.Both supporters of Christian nationalism and those who oppose it often pick and choose pieces of American history to support their o...
When the night is long, the light still comes. Find hope this Advent through the words of the prophets.For many, Advent and Christmas are celebrated in the darkest time of the year. The experience of waiting and longing for the first glimmer of sunlight over the horizon serves as a poignant and perennial metaphor for the human quest to find hope amid sorrow, hardship, and fear.The prophets knew this feeling well and spoke hope to God’s people with the power to sustain them—and us—through uncerta...
Discover how the Psalms can speak powerfully to today’s church, offering lyrical theology that shapes prayer, reflection, preaching, and worship.This volume in the Belief series explores how the Psalms speak as lyrical theology in today’s world. Drawing on the Psalter’s genres of praise and lament, the Psalms’ reception in Christian tradition, and their range of musical settings, Kris Kvam and Don Saliers show how the Psalms can teach, comfort, and challenge the church. Giving the biblical tradi...
Find sacred stillness in the Psalms amid the rush of Advent.The season of Advent, meant to be a time of waiting, all too often hurtles headlong into Christmas without allowing us to take a breath. The poetry of the Psalms, on the other hand, invites us to slow down, pause, and connect with the thoughts, feelings, and images the psalmist has offered. To help readers carve out time for reflection and meditation during this ironically hectic time, noted Christian educator and best-selling author El...
Dysvangelical names a theology that is distorted, dysfunctional, and dystopian, twisting the good news of God’s grace into a message of fear, partisanship, and exclusion.In Being Presbyterian in a Dysvangelical America, Ted V. Foote Jr. and P. Alex Thornburg speak directly to Presbyterians who are disillusioned and confused by how Christianity is being misused in American culture. So often, our beliefs as faithful Christians do not line up with the shouted chants and disturbing actions taken by ...
"A sobering assessment of the evolution of Christian nationalism." -Publishers Weekly"A timely and clarion call to action if we are to preserve and protect the Constitution of the United States and our American style democracy against the rising tide of home grown fascism, authoritarianism, civic corruption, and political violence." - Midwest Book Review"Awareness must precede action. Boedy’s book is a superb resource for raising awareness more widely among those who care about religious freedom...
Jesus may have been born to an obscure young couple in a backwater town, but his family tree told a greater story.
Jesus was born into the rich legacy and sacred history of the Jewish people, with lineage said to go back to King David and rooted in the whole history of the Hebrew Bible. This Advent, find out how this little baby we worship became the savior that he was and discover your place with Jesus in the big story of God and God’s people.
Inspired by the centuries-old Jesse Tree tradition,...
The Westminster Study Bible (WSB) is the first entirely new study Bible to utilize the recently released New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition.An essential tool for all religious studies contexts, The Westminster Study Bible includes interpretive materials from over eighty leading biblical experts who, as teachers in a variety of educational settings, are sensitive to how the biblical texts have been received, what their cultural and social consequences have been, and how readers might he...
Step into Advent with this captivating study and devotional, where angelic encounters come to life, echoing the timeless message of overcoming fear.
What would you do if you were not afraid?
Life can be daunting, filled with uncertainty and fears. It wasn't any different two thousand years ago when Jesus was born. An aged priest is told he is about to become a father for the first time. A young woman is told she is going to give birth - outside the protection of marriage. A simple carpenter is...
While the world tries to rush us into Christmas, decorating the day after Halloween and packing it all up once the gifts are opened on December 25, Advent is a season of preparation that—like our holiday gatherings themselves—takes time and care. Think of the anticipation that comes with hosting loved ones for Christmas dinner: We begin by extending an invitation. We make plans, and as the event draws closer, we begin our preparations. Ultimately, we open the door and welcome our guests, and tha...
As church leaders, we live our lives within the spotlight of professional ministry. To best love and serve God and our neighbors, we aim to be the fullest, truest versions of ourselves. However, we often struggle to do so with integrity. What if our preaching or singing feels like a performance? Are we supposed to hide our imperfections and let people see only the shiniest parts of our lives? If you have ever felt like you’re working under a microscope or that you’ve been put on a pedestal you d...
The Gospel of Mark
Author(s):O. Allen, Jr.
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