Ancient Context, Ancient Faith Series (6 vols.)

by Gary M. Burge; Timothy S. Laniak; Bradley Nassif

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2009–2012

Overview

The Ancient Context, Ancient Faith Series (3 vols.) explores how the culture of the biblical world is presupposed in story after story of the Bible. Using cultural anthropology, ancient literary sources, and a selective use of modern Middle Eastern culture, Burge reopens the ancient biblical story and urges you to look at them through new lenses. Each volume contains colorful maps, photos, and illustrations to enhance the context of the Old and New Testaments.

Key Features

• Illustrates the context of Old and New Testament stories, parables, and events
• Includes numerous maps, photos, and illustrations

Endorsements

Watch the parables of Jesus and other texts come alive in the hands of someone who is himself a master storyteller. Highly recommended.

—Ben Witherington III, professor of New Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary

The Ancient Context, Ancient Faith series allows us to experience richly two worlds—Jesus' and ours—simultaneously

—Michael J. Wilkins, professor of New Testament Language and Literature, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University

Gary Burge recreates the Jewish world of Jesus in fascinating new ways.

—Ann Spangler, Author, Praying the Names of God

Product Details

• Title: Ancient Context, Ancient Faith Series
• Author: Gary M. Burge
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Volumes: 3
• Pages: 352

The Bible and the Land

• Author: Gary M. Burge
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication Date: 2009
• Pages: 112

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

As the early church moved away from the original cultural setting of the Bible and found its home in the west, Christians lost touch with the ancient world of the Bible. Cultural habits, the particulars of landscape, even the biblical languages soon were unknown. And the cost was enormous: Christians began reading the Bible as foreigners and missing the original images and ideas that shaped a biblical worldview. Here Gary M. Burge explores primary motifs from the biblical landscape—geography, water, rock, bread, etc.—and applies them to vital stories from the Bible. The Bible and the Land explores a series of primary cultural motifs that contributed to the ancient biblical worldview.

Encounters with Jesus

• Author: Gary M. Burge
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication Date: 2010
• Pages: 128

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

One of the more surprising features of Jesus' ministry was his willingness to have personal encounters with people. And one of the most unique features of the Gospels is the unexpected stories that detail Jesus' regular interruptions. These "interruptions" came in the form of people from all walks of life—young, old, rich, poor, sick, healthy, riddled with sin, or saddled by self-righteousness.

Encounters with Jesus explores the interactions between Jesus and the everyday people of the ancient biblical world. Whether they were part of the chosen twelve, or were outsiders desperate for Jesus' healing touch, Gary Burge revisits Jesus' daily interruptions in antiquity, reaching a startling conclusion that applies to you today: all are welcome.

Jesus, the Middle Eastern Storyteller

• Author: Gary M. Burge
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication Date: 2009
• Pages: 112

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Communication in Jesus' world involved the use of word pictures, dramatic actions, metaphors, and stories. Rather than lecture about religious corruption, Jesus refers to the Pharisees as "whitewashed tombs." Rather than outline the failings of the Temple, he cures a fig tree. Without a perceptive and careful use of the culture of the ancient world, we read the stories of Jesus as foreigners.

About Gary M. Burge

Gary M. Burge (PhD, King's College, Aberdeen University) is Professor of New Testament in the Department of Biblical & Theological Studies at Wheaton College and Graduate School. Gary has authored a number of books, including Who Are God’s People in the Middle East? What Christians Are Not Being Told About Israel and the Palestinians, John and The Letters of John in the NIV Application Commentary series, and The New Testament in Antiquity (coauthored with Lynn Cohick and Gene Green). Gary specializes in the Middle East, its churches, and its history in the Hellenistic period.