On Jordan's Stormy Banks: Lessons from the Book of Deuteronomy

by James E. Brenneman

Publisher:

Herald Press

, 2004

Overview

Deuteronomy is perhaps the last book in Scripture that Bible readers would select for in-depth study. However, Deuteronomy is, in many ways, key to understanding the entire biblical corpus; it has even been described as Scripture’s theological center. On Jordan’s Stormy Banks explores these claims, as well as how Deuteronomy addresses our deepest human longings.

For all those who have ever stood on the far shore of life’s river banks, forever casting a wishful eye to some promised land, this book offers a bridge of hope. James E. Brenneman, influenced by his own travels and travails through the Sinai desert, guides readers across the spiritually barren, dangerous, silent void of life’s desert wanderings. With humor and honesty, On Jordan’s Stormy Banks walks the in-between spaces of life to the river’s edge—and to encounters with God.

The Logos version of this study provide you with unique benefits not available anywhere else. Scripture references will appear on mouse-over, popping up the mentioned Bible passage in your preferred translation. This book is also fully incorporated into your digital library, cross-referencing to your dictionaries, commentaries, and other reference titles, giving you the low-down on any theological subject, making research a breeze. Finally, this book also comes fully searchable, allowing you to discover what James Brenneman has to say about “idolatry” or “sacrifice”.

Key Features

• Excellent exegetical walk-through of Deuteronomy
• Extensive Bible verse links follow Deuteronomy’s impact on the rest of the Bible
• Insight into God’s purpose for the old laws in your life today

Contents

• One: On Jordan’s Stormy Banks
• Two: Between Then and Now
• Three: Between Grace and Law
• Four: Between Silence and God
• Five: Between Life and Death
• Six: Between Promise and Fultillment

Top Highlights

“Remembering the past is important, but only if it influences how one lives in the present and the future.” (Page 10)

“Deuteronomy thus serves as a key for unlocking much of the rest of Scripture” (Page 9)

“Life must be lived forward,’ reasoned Søren Kierkegaard, the melancholy Danish philosopher, ‘but it can only be understood backwards.” (Pages 25–26)

“To understand the book of Deuteronomy is to better understand all that precedes and follows it in Scripture” (Page 23)

“then abruptly the first verse of chapter 4 opens with an emphatic, ‘So NOW: today, here, present tense.” (Page 29)

Praise for the Print Edition

In this penetrating yet accessible study guide, Brenneman opens the wicket gate for any pilgrims desiring to deepen their understanding of the structure, history, and theology of the book of Deuteronomy.

—Paul Keim, professor of Bible, Goshen College

Product Details

• Title: On Jordan’s Stormy Banks: Lessons from the Book of Deuteronomy
• Author: James E. Brenneman
• Publisher: Herald Press
• Publication Date: 2004
• Pages: 120

About James E. Brenneman

James E. Brenneman is lead pastor of Pasadena Mennonite Church, a congregation he helped found in 1987. He teaches Hebrew Bible at the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont. He is the author of Canons in Conflict (Oxford University Press), as well as of numerous articles in books, journals, and church publications. He teaches and lectures widely at universities, colleges, conferences, and churches.

Sample Pages from On Jordan's Stormy Banks: Lessons from the Book of Deuteronomy