The IVP New Testament Studies Collection (10 vols.) is designed to address the quest for the historical Jesus and examine the early church in its social, cultural, historical, and religious context. This series offers an amazing glimpse into the lives of the first Christian believers by surveying key events, movements, ideas, and individuals of the New Testament era. It reveals the living diversity of cultures, perspectives, and practices among the first Christians and explores the expansion and growth, life and practices, leadership, and worship of the early church.

From the crisis of the Babylonian exile to the rise of rabbinic Judaism—a span of over six hundred years—the Jewish people produced a wealth of literature that lies outside the Hebrew Bible. Today it goes under names such as apocrypha and pseudepigrapha, Josephus and Philo, apocalyptic literature, and the Dead Sea Scrolls, Mishnah and targums. But line by line, scroll by scroll, it represents the history and theology, the hopes and prayers of a living and diverse Judaism. It is an engrossing subject in and of itself, but for students of the New Testament it offers an invaluable context for understanding the words and actions of Jesus as well as the conversion and thinking of Paul. Exploring Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Period is an introduction to this literature and places it within its historical context. Riding the explosive growth of knowledge of this period, Larry R. Helyer guides students to the heart of the matter. What were the pressures and realities, the quest...

Who was Peter and what was his true stature in the early church? For Protestants at least, Peter seems caught between two caricatures: the rustic fisherman of Galilee and the author of two lesser New Testament letters. And in both cases he is overshadowed by Paul. In The Life and Witness of Peter, Larry Helyer seeks to reinstate this neglected and underestimated apostle to his rightful stature as an early Christian leader and faithful witness to Christ.

The Life and Witness of Jeremiah introduces the general reader to the Hebrew prophet Jeremiah. As such it provides an overall sketch of his life and times and serves as a portal into his thought world. Jeremiah is among the most eloquent and passionate prophets in the Hebrew Bible. For readers who enjoy evocative poetry and harrowing accounts of near-death experiences, Jeremiah merits careful reading. One of the primary purposes in writing this book is to assist the reader in negotiating its anthology format and disorderly arrangement.

This collection focuses on the key topics of prophetic literature. The resources provide essential tools to help readers navigate the particular challenges and opportunities of interpreting the prophets, while exploring the unifying factors of the prophetic messages. These resources explore recurring themes and offer guidance on how to read and exegete a prophetic text in its literary, historical, and conceptual context.

This book introduces the reader to the discipline of biblical theology. In part one Helyer discusses the central problem of the unity of the Bible and the various options that have been proposed. He then argues for a vital connection between the testaments forming one grand story of redemptive history and one central theme, the coming kingdom of God. Part two takes up the theology of three major witnesses: Jesus, Paul, and John. In these three witnesses Helyer finds the center of New Testament thought. He emphasizes the importance of Jesus’ teaching as foundational for all the other New Testament witnesses. Without overlooking the diversity and individuality of the major witnesses, he clearly demonstrates the theological unity that binds them together and provides the key to the enduring message of Scripture.

Mountaintop Theology invites the reader to revisit biblical events that occurred on the slopes or summits of mountains. Employing the disciplines of historical geography and biblical theology, Helyer probes the theological truths underlying these mountaintop experiences. The intent is to gain a fresh perspective on the defining doctrines of evangelical faith.

New Testament Studies address the quest for the historical, social, cultural, historical, and religious context surrounding Jesus and the early church. By surveying key events, movements, ideas, and individuals of the era, New Testament Studies reveal the living diversity of cultures, perspectives, and practices among the Jesus, the Apostles, and the first Christians through the growth, expansion, life practices, leadership, and worship in the early church.

The Life and Witness of David introduces the general reader to the remarkable career of David son of Jesse. This man streaked across the skies like a meteor and could rightly be called a Hebrew superstar. The stories about him are among the most beloved and captivating in Scripture. The author distills this amazing story in thirteen chapters and adds a fourteenth to sum up David's legacy in history, liturgy, and worship. David transformed the land of Israel from an insignificant federation of tribes into a Middle Eastern power, an extraordinary feat unparalleled in Israel's history. His importance, however, lies less in his military and political accomplishments than in his spiritual and theological contributions. In his action-packed life and in the book of Psalms, David, the man after God's own heart, speaks through the Spirit of God to our hearts in all the vicissitudes of life. At numerous points, the author draws attention to moments in David's story that reecho in the pages of…

How does one make sense of a bizarre prophet like Ezekiel with his shocking symbolic actions and out-of-this-world visionary experiences? Not without patient exegesis and considerable humility. But the effort is worth it because this choice servant of Yahweh has an enduring message that leaves an imprint on the teaching of the great Servant of the Lord, Jesus of Nazareth.This book, intended for the general reader, is not a commentary proper but a portal into the wild and wonderful world of this priest-prophet, the third voice of a prophetic trio, the so-called “major prophets” (Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel). The author demonstrates an underlying theological unity that links Ezekiel with not only his fellow prophets, especially his contemporary Jeremiah, but also the entire canon of Scripture.The author wants readers to grasp the essential burden of Ezekiel’s book, namely, to hope in the God of all comfort and hope because he will raise his people from their graves!

Known for the high quality of its publications, from scholarly commentaries and dictionaries to accessible and practical discussions of important topics for Christian life and practice, InterVarsity Press is a trusted source of Christian scholarship. The InterVarsity Press Ultimate Collection gives you everything you need for bible study, theology and Christian living. Informative, clear, and easy to read, the books included in this collection will demonstrate their value over and over as you delve into the riches of theology and doctrine that tackle many of the topics of the day, shedding new light on beliefs often taken for granted. The InterVarsity Press Ultimate Collection provides something for everyone regardless of their background or experience whether you are a layperson, pastor, student or scholar.

The InterVarsity Press Academic Research Collection includes a robust 741 volumes to enhance your digital library with content covering biblical commentaries, theology texts, dictionaries, reference materials, counseling, ministry, and many others. Informative, clear, and easy to read, the books included in this collection will demonstrate their value over and over as you delve into the riches of theology and doctrine that tackle many of the topics of the day, shedding new light on beliefs often taken for granted.

How does one make sense of a bizarre prophet like Ezekiel with his shocking symbolic actions and out-of-this-world visionary experiences? Not without patient exegesis and considerable humility. But the effort is worth it because this choice servant of Yahweh has an enduring message that leaves an imprint on the teaching of the great Servant of the Lord, Jesus of Nazareth. This book, intended for the general reader, is not a commentary proper but a portal into the wild and wonderful world of this priest-prophet, the third voice of a prophetic trio, the so-called "major prophets" (Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel). The author demonstrates an underlying theological unity that links Ezekiel with not only his fellow prophets, especially his contemporary Jeremiah, but also the entire canon of Scripture. The author wants readers to grasp the essential burden of Ezekiel's book, namely, to hope in the God of all comfort and hope because he will raise his people from their graves! And not only…