The Prophet's Dictionary: The Ultimate Guide to Supernatural Wisdom

Customer Reviews:

this is the WEBSTERS of the PROPHETIC- excellent.......2007-09-21

i have purchased 4 of these- 2 as gifts & 1 for home & 1 for my car.... not all at once though- only after i got to use/benefit from this awesome resource. you know those moments where you think "wow i could have lived forever & not known this truth...... so glad i just heard/read/saw this!" well this WHOLE BOOK is like that. for dreamers, seers, believers & prayers i HIGHLY SUGGEST THIS BOOK!

Finally I understand.......2007-06-08

If you are a Prophet,have the gift of prophecy or seeking just to know about the prophetic this is it. I have been desiring clarity of what I have been hearing from the Holy Spirit about the prophetic and this is one tool that you cannot do without. There's nothing like a book that gives scriptures with its definitions and not only has my vocabulary increased about the prophetic but this book has been useful in bringing clarity to the symbolic language in my dreams from God. Thanks to the author for having the heart and courage to share what God has truly given!

A blessing!.......2007-04-15

I thank the Lord for Paula and others who have paid the price and counted the cost to get this book out and others like it. The material is there use it. You do not have to go digging for it if it is already available for you. I know she had to go through a lot of trials and testings to get this book out from the enemy! Thank the Lord He has opened up the door to make this available to His children. This will be a wonderful tool to help in study and Dream interpretation. 5 stars... should be 10 stars! Thank you Paula, God Bless!

Excellent Resourse.......2007-02-16

I have looked at a lot of books about dreams and symolizism. Although this book is detailed, it has a lot of information for the price. I guess I was ready for a little more depth. If you prefer something with less reading, consider Ira Mulligan's Understanding the Dreams You Dream. There are not many choices in a dictionary type reference for dream interpreting.

The prophets Dictionary .......2007-01-21

This book is what I was looking for- the shipping was good, and I will order again from your company - I all so told others about your web-site
thank you very much
Sherri Sneed

Jesus: Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millennium

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Ehrman shows some of his strengths but also a key weakness
A Solid, Informative Work For Lay Readers
Jesus, Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millenium
an eye opener for me!
Facinating

Jesus: Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millennium
Bart D. Ehrman
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 019512474X

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C.S. Lewis once noted that nowhere do the Gospels say, "Jesus laughed." He's probably laughing now, if he's got access to Bart Ehrman's Jesus: Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millennium. The title doesn't even hint at the yuks that Ehrman's prose delivers, but from its very first page, Jesus will tickle your funny bone and stimulate your brain. "At last count," Ehrman begins, "there were something like 8 zillion books written about Jesus .... It's not there aren't enough books about Jesus out there. It's that there aren't enough of the right kind of book. Very, very few, in fact. I'd say about one and a half."

The right kind of book, according to Ehrman, is one that portrays Jesus roughly as Albert Schweitzer did, as a first-century Jewish apocalypticist: "This is a shorthand way of saying that Jesus fully expected that the history of the world as we know it (well, as he knew it) was going to come to a screeching halt, that God was soon going to intervene in the affairs of this world, overthrow the forces of evil in a cosmic act of judgment, destroy huge masses of humanity, and abolish existing human political and religious institutions. All this would be a prelude to the arrival of a new order on earth, the Kingdom of God." Ehrman's is a historical-Jesus book, a very smart, humble, and humorous popular summary of Christian and secular evidence of Jesus' life, work, and legacy. He believes that apocalypticism is the true core of Jesus' message, and that comfortable middle-class complacency among scholars, clergy, and laypeople has forged a counterfeit, domesticated, "ethical" Jesus to cover up their befuddlement about his misprediction of the apocalypse. The book will frustrate many readers because it offers no real guidance regarding what one should do with Jesus' apocalypticism. Its project--to prove that Jesus was wrong about the apocalypse--may even appear destructive to some. Yet the argument is convincing enough to induce among careful readers a constructive experience of confusion. Jesus makes readers ask the very question it appears to ignore, in a newly humble way: how, then, should we live? A serious matter, but considering humanity's endless string of wrong answers and infinite capacity for self-delusion, worthy of some good belly laughs, as well. --Michael Joseph Gross

Book Description

In this highly accessible discussion, Bart Ehrman examines the most recent textual and archaeological sources for the life of Jesus, along with the history of first-century Palestine, drawing a fascinating portrait of the man and his teachings. Ehrman shows us what historians have long known about the Gospels and the man who stands behind them. Through a careful evaluation of the New Testament (and other surviving sources, including the more recently discovered Gospels of Thomas and Peter), Ehrman proposes that Jesus can be best understood as an apocalyptic prophet--a man convinced that the world would end dramatically within the lifetime of his apostles and that a new kingdom would be created on earth. According to Ehrman, Jesus' belief in a coming apocalypse and his expectation of an utter reversal in the world's social organization not only underscores the radicalism of his teachings but also sheds light on both the appeal of his message to society's outcasts and the threat he posed to Jerusalem's established leadership.

Customer Reviews:

Ehrman shows some of his strengths but also a key weakness.......2007-06-16

I first learned of Ehrman's views about the apocalyptic Jesus while reading his recent The Lost Gospel of Judas Iscariot: A New Look at Betrayer and Betrayed. Even in that book, his interest in Gnostic Christianity seems seconary and he appears to be using the opportunity with that book to present again his arguments for an apocalyptic Jesus. So I decided to read this book for a more complete presentation of that viewpoint.

Ehrman generally explains material so well and his knowledge of history and the Bible seems so complete that, at first glance, it would seem foolish to doubt him. His case seems compelling. Given that the four New Testament gospels provide our first known accounts of Jesus and using well-established scholarly criteria for evaluating scriptural statements, Ehrman provides a convincing case that Jesus was an apocalyptic Jew.

But is he too quick to accept the reliablity of the New Testament gospels in revealing the historical Jesus? In the The Origin of Satan, Elaine Pagels takes into account the historical conditions of each of the gospel writers and wonders to what extent those texts were concerned more with motivating the Christians of those times and not with a historical account of a Jesus none of those gospel writers is likely to have known first hand. She writes that the four gospels were "chosen not necessarily because they were the earliest or most accurate accounts of Jesus' life and teaching but precisely because they could form the basis of church communities".

Ehrman devotes only several pages of the main text to the views of Crossam (and hence the Jesus Seminar) that Jesus was not an apocalyptic Jew. He simply dismisses Crossan on the issue of the dating of some texts. He doesn't mention other arguments from the Jesus Seminar members supporting their view of Jesus ( The Apocalyptic Jesus: A Debate
appeared in 2001 and it seems unlikely these conflicting issues would have been unknown to Ehrman).

Having relied on the four gospels as the best evidence to reveal the historical Jesus, Ehrman then relies heavily on criteria used often by Biblical scholars which he himself admits are only probabilistic: independent attestation, dissimilarity and contextual credibility. Using these, he shows how changes since Mark, generally presumed to be the earliest gospel, suggest that the depiction of Jesus as an apocalyptic Jew became muted over time and that any depiction of Jesus as an apocalyptic Jew didn't seem to support subsequent Christian teachings about Jesus. That leads Ehrman to conclude that Jesus must have been an apocalyptic Jew, which helps him to make sense of some of Jesus's important but otherwise obscure statements in the Gospels. Ehrman does acknowledge important ethical teachings by Jesus but makes them seem dependent on the expectation of an imminent direct action of his god and not by the people.

I'm just a lay person but I grow suspicious when it seems that a scholar has avoided squarely addressing the views of other leading scholars, especially in an area for which any scholar must rely so heavily on speculation. What if the dating of the texts is wrong or if other texts were lost? What if the probabilistic criteria Ehrman relies so heavily on are wrong in some of these particular cases he applies them to? What about the motives of the Gospel writers and their distance from Jesus? Is it feasible, as Ehrman suggests, that Jesus viewed himself as having a special relationship with a god who would establish a kingdom on earth that would overturn Roman rule and place Jesus, with his 12 disciples, in charge? It may be and that may explain why Christianity soon afterward retreated from teaching a apocalyptic Jesus who seemed entirely wrong in his expectations, but the views of the Jesus Seminar and Pagels seem worth addressing. Ehrman appeals to a "wide range of scholars who have devoted their lives to studying the ancient sources for the historical Jesus [who have] concluded that he proclaimed the imminent end of history as we know it] without acknowledging almost at all those who didn't so conclude or who may have suspected Jesus was calling for popular action rather than an direct intervention by his god.

That Ehrman remains wedded to this view and wanting to present it even ostensibly in a book about "The Gospel of Judas" (i.e. The Lost Gospel of Judas Iscariot: A New Look at Betrayer and Betrayed) and that he avoided to such an extent in this book discussing the views of the Jesus Seminar that Jesus was not an apocalyptic Jew calls into question for me Ehrman's commitment to scholarship. Even in a book such as this for a lay audience, and perhaps especially so given that us lay readers may find it difficult to understand the conflicting conclusions of scholars, it seems irresponsible to dismiss alternative views in a few pages. I may have to read The Apocalyptic Jesus: A Debate to get further input on this issue and, even if Ehrman is right, the manner in which he has presented his case will make me quite suspicious of his work in the future.

A Solid, Informative Work For Lay Readers.......2007-01-20

Bart Ehrman tells his reader from the very start that this is not a work aimed at academics so much as a work for interested folks who don't have an extensive background in biblical scholarship. Indeed, the thesis he offers in the book, is, he admits, not a new one among biblical researchers and historians. The value of this book lies in its accessibility to readers outside of Ehrman's field, and he has done an excellent job of not only explaining his main contentions but also of explaining HOW he has reached them. Ehrman provides a wealth of contextual information about 1st century Palestine, the gospels, and even examples of non-canonical texts as he attempts to push aside centuries of theology and catch a glimpse of the historical Jesus. The questions he asks are important ones: What did Jesus actually say and teach? How was he received during his ministry? Did he preach his own divinity or was that the work of his followers?

Some reviewers have noted that "other conclusions" can be reached with regard to the life and teachings of Jesus, and that is very true. Ehrman does not claim to have the ultimate answers, but he does present a tight argument for his thesis. Even if you find yourself in disagreement with Ehrman's conclusions, this book is still worth reading for the carefully set forth (if very much entry-level) historical and contextual information it provides.

Jesus, Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millenium.......2007-01-05

And eye opener for anyone who thinks they know the New Testament. Thought provoking.

an eye opener for me!.......2006-11-03

A lot of questions regarding the Gospels that had baffled me all my life, were answered in this book to me. Clearly, Sunday schools never teach this. I felt profoundly sorry for Jesus the man, who maybe thought that by confronting the Jewish authority would precipitate the coming of the Kingdom.
I recommend this book for people that are curious about Jesus historical context, that have questions about the accuracy of the Gospels and want to make their own opinion of who the man was, based on facts, not on myths. The read is easy and not devoid of humor.

Facinating.......2006-09-12

This is my third Ehrman book and it was another tour de force. He reviews the various sources of information we have about Jesus and sifts, triangulates and analyzes the information to determine what is probably historicaly true, what is probably not true and what we just don't know. I found it absolutely fascinating and it reminded me of "Digging Dinosaurs" by James Horner, another Sherlock Holmes display of deduction and reasoning.

Apostles, Prophets and the Coming Moves of God: God's End-Time Plans for His Church and Planet Earth (Apostles)

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Gods Anointed!
Laura Smith
Looking for anti-Christ!
Seeking to understand the calling of Apostle or Prophet?
This book is revolutionary!

Apostles, Prophets and the Coming Moves of God: God's End-Time Plans for His Church and Planet Earth (Apostles)
Bill Hamon
Manufacturer: Destiny Image Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0939868091

Book Description

Author of the "Prophets" series, Dr, Bill Hamon brings the same anointed instructions in this new series on apostles! Learn about the apostolic age and how apostles and prophets work together. Find out God's end- time plans for the Church!

Customer Reviews:

Gods Anointed!.......2004-07-15

I've read alot books about the whole prophet and apostle teachings, but this book was the best of the best. David Cannistraci was my Pastor and I read his book and have the audio teaching on the subject, but Bill Hammon to me is the most accurate writter on the subject. Most of the men or women who have written such books have all been under his teaching's. I am so grieved by the negative reviews I've seen, being warned myself by God not to take Prophecy in contempt and seeing the fire of God comming from this mans mouth, and just being under the anointing God has placed on this mans life makes me quiver at the thought of saying anything bad about him!!!!!!!! He goe's into the Church history and what each denomination has brought into the Church. Read it and see for yourself. I have many of his audio teachings and he's just a fun guy to be around.

Laura Smith.......2003-11-20

This book is a powerful overview of what God has been doing throughout the ages and what He's bringing together in this world for His glorious return. I believe this is the authoritative book to read on the moving of God in these end-times. I recommend it highly to everyone that wants to be on the cutting edge of what the Lord is doing today. This book, alongside the prophetic series by Dr. Hamon is inspirational and motivational.

Looking for anti-Christ!.......2003-04-08

It used to be we were looking for the prophets who would lead us to Christ, now it's apostles. This book will have the misguided lining up as 'apostle wanna-be's'. Is Jesus not capable of leading his church anymore that we have to keep seeking after specially gifted leaders? Read this book with caution - any writing that encourages Christians to be looking for 'a person' with special giftings who they can call an apostle is dangerous. You're paving the way for anti-Christ, who will be the perfect prophet and apostle all rolled into one.

Seeking to understand the calling of Apostle or Prophet?.......2000-04-12

Dr. Hamon's book is a RHEMA heavily grounded in the LOGOS. If you desire to know how Jesus intended the Apostle and Prophet to relate and operate within the body, this book is a must. It is an easy read packed with wisdom and practical application of five fold ministry.

This book is revolutionary!.......1999-11-18

This book simply removes man made tradtions that releases you to manifest as a child of God. I think that it will be many years before I realize the profound nature of the revelation of this book. God is definately doing something new in the earth and this book will cause you to be rite in the middle of it. Heaven is kissing earth and this book will lead you rite into the smack! Bill Hamon has won my heart and admiration because of the magnitude and weight that every word of this book holds. Buy it now! Your life will never be the same.

The Prophets: Who They Were, What They Are

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Excellent Read, Pretty Good Theology
Making biblical scholarship accessible to the public
An Incomplete Picture of the Prophets
A Rare Contribution to Public Understanding of the Bible
Old Testament as ideology

The Prophets: Who They Were, What They Are
Norman Podhoretz
Manufacturer: Free Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0743219279
Release Date: 2002-10-29

Book Description

A radical reinterpretation of the biblical prophets by one of America's most provocative critics reveals the eternal beauty of their language and the enduring resonance of their message.

Long before Norman Podhoretz became one of the intellectual leaders of American neoconservatism, he was a student of Hebrew literature and a passionate reader of the prophets of the Old Testament. Returning to them after fifty years, he has produced something remarkable: an entirely new perspective on some of the world's best-known works.

Or, rather, three new perspectives. The first is a fascinating account of the golden age of biblical prophecy, from the eighth to the fifth century B.C.E., and its roots in earlier ages of the ancient Israelite saga. Thus, like large parts of the Bible itself, The Prophets is a history of the Near East from the point of view of a single nation, covering not only what is known about the prophets themselves -- including Elijah, Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel -- but also the stories of King David, King Saul, and how the ancient Israelites were affected by the great Near Eastern empires that surrounded them. Layered into this work of history is a piece of extraordinary literary criticism. Podhoretz's very close reading of the verse and imagery used by the biblical prophets restores them to the top reaches of the poetic pantheon, for these books contain, unequivocally, some of the greatest poetry ever written.

The historical chronicle and the literary criticism will transport readers to a time that is both exotic and familiar and, like any fine work of history or literature, will evoke a distinct and original world. But the third perspective of The Prophets is that of moral philosophy, and it serves to bring the prophets' message into the twenty-first century. For to Norman Podhoretz, the real relevance of the prophets today is more than the excitement of their history or the beauty of their poetry: it is their message. Podhoretz sees, in the words of the biblical prophets, a war being waged, a war against the sin of revering anything made by the hands of man -- in short, idolatry. In their relentless battle against idolatry, Podhoretz finds the prophets' most meaningful and enduring message: a stern warning against the all-consuming worship of self that is at least as relevant in the twenty-first century as it was three thousand years ago.

The Prophets will earn the respect of biblical scholars and the fascinated attention of general readers; its observations will be equally valued by believers and nonbelievers, by anyone with spiritual yearnings. Learned, provocative, and beautifully written, The Prophets is a deeply felt, deeply satisfying work that is at once history, literary criticism, and moral philosophy -- a tour de force.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Read, Pretty Good Theology.......2007-01-20

I really enjoyed Podhoretz's book on the prophets, but I think ultimately he's a better Biblical historian and story teller than he is a theologian (which isn't to say he isn't doing good work when he delves into theology). Still, a lot of what he said makes sense and his positions are extremely well argued and powerful if not wholly persuasive. I can see why some Christian reviewers were left with somewhat of a bad taste in their mouth, because Podhoretz's position (despite occasional protestations that he's writing for all readers of any philosophical or religious persuasion) is ultimately quite Judeo-centric. But what do you expect? He is, after all, a religious Jew. And more power to him, I say. I WANTED to get an outside perspective. Where I agreed, I agreed a lot, where I disagreed I acknowledged the strength of his point of view. I ultimately became convinced that the 'evolutionary' theory of prophetic religion is probably overstated, but I think Podhoretz errs too much the other direction. Is there no innovation in the Classical Prophets? I think Podhoretz is not focusing enough on the role their religious imagination plays and already assumes from the outset that there is some systematic theology at work here. There obviously is SOME kind of theology, his case for that is clear, but I don't think its all as coherent as he seems to think it is. Sometimes he makes moves that irked me, like his denial of Jonah as belonging to the classical prophets. He does this because Jonah is a story about a prophet whereas ALL of the other classical prophets (Daniel isn't considered a classical prophet by Podhoretz either) are not writing stories so much as prounouncing God's Will and Plan. Podhoretz points out that this story hearkens back to the kinds of stories that he examined concerning the pre-classical prophets. BUT he goes to great lengths and gives fantastic arguments in the book that there IS NO strict bifurcation between the pre-classical prophets and their classical decendents. So why should we think that this harkening back somehow precludes Jonah from fitting in that tradition in toto? So whereas Jonah would prove a real problem for some of his central theses about the lack of real innovation in the prophetic period he just removes Jonah from the picture rather than really trying to examine what the thinker represents. What's really important about Jonah's place is that those who placed Jonah IN the canon DID consider him a prophet and so whatever systematic prophetic theology was developed at the time that the canon started to take shape certainly thought he fit into the whole picture. However you can even learn from Podhoretz's mistake here. Because it sheds a big light on how important this so-called minor prophet really is to Christianity and theology as a whole.

Another problem is that while I think Podhoretz makes a good case that the classic bifurcation of prophet and priest is overstated, I think he once again goes to far the other direction. There does seem to be a tension between various groups within the Hebrew community: prophet, priest, and king. You see it when David eats the food in the temple, or even between court prophets and itinerant prophets in 1 Kings. He touches on Micaiah but never really examines the Jehosaphat in that story. You might want to look at Reinhold Niebuhr's examination of that story in BEYOND TRAGEDY to understand why I think Podhoretz should've focused on it more. I think it enlightens some of the other tensions you see between various groups throughout the Bible. None of this is really given serious consideration.

A final big problem is with his examination of the suffering servant. I just think he misses the overall here, but this review is long enough as it is. Again, I'd suggest BEYOND TRAGEDY to get a better handle that Podhoretz gives. His suggestion that there is no vicarious suffering in the OT just seems ad hoc to me, and he gives no real argument for it. I think that the whole story he is telling reveals a God that is allowing people to be harmed so that they can be turned into His light for the world. The Jews are being made to suffer to prepare them for the saving work God will work through them for the world. In a roundabout way, that itself is an example of vicarious suffering in the OT. The Suffering servant, whether a premonition about Christ or a symbol for the the suffering the Jews endure or both (I've never bought the idea that Third Isaiah is talking about himself and I'm surprised Podhoretz did, again without the usual argumentative support) is a revelation that suffering love is in some sense the meaning of history. Whether intentionally or unintentionally the writer has touched that oh so important vein. Podhoretz really never reflects on any of this and I thought more about these kinds of views could've been said.

But on a number of issues Podhoretz gets a lot right, gives some dynamite history, and generally argues rigorously and effectively for his positions, which is a treat that is too rare in theology. What's more he makes the Bible come alive in a way few writers can. Sure he gets things wrong, and yes he tends to give a less than thorough account of opposition arguments, and again of course he has a Judeo-centric worldview. But forget about all that. This is a must read for anyone who is interested in the prophets and the old testament in general. I loved it and I think you will to. Just remember that its not the end-all and be-all. Read all perspectives, then make up your own mind.

Making biblical scholarship accessible to the public.......2006-11-11

With this book, Normal Podhoretz attempts to provide a survey of all the prophets of the Hebrew Bible. It is a monumental undertaking. One that he handles admirably. Some question his credentials. He does have at least a BHL. It strikes me that this book must have been a retirement project and a labor of love.

He summarizes every prophetic book in the canon. He treats them in chronological order according to consensus academic scholarship. He presents a review of the relevant academic scholarship, particularly as it relates to historical setting, on the books since the mid 19th century. He notes the biases in the scholarship, and presents his own interpretation.

The general thesis of this book is: "They're all wrong!" What a reader takes away from reading this book is that there is not absolute authority on what the prophetic books mean. Podhoretz addresses two primary streams of intrepretion:

o The Christological interpretation

o What he calls the "Liberological" interpretation

His own position is one that both are mistaken and that the primary concern in the prophetic material is one of idolatry. His primary beef is not with the Christological interpretation, but with the "Liberological" one, which posits an evolution in prophetic writings on two axes. The first is that there is a trend away from cultic concerns toward social justice. The second is that there is a trend from the particularlistic (concerned with Israel) to the universal (salvation of all mankind). He argues his point by citing the relevant passages in each book that contravene the position. By putting the prophets in the context of warriors against idolatry and putting Israel/Judah in historical context, he seems to indicate that the prophets were all right-wing reactionaries to some degree or other.

An Incomplete Picture of the Prophets.......2004-12-29

As a Christian reader of "The Prophets" by Norman Podhoretz I felt I was wandering in the wilderness and my faithful and trusted guide was lost. If what is written here was the full extent of the prophet's messages I'd be very depressed. Fortunately, it wasn't and I'm not.

Trying to express the message and the purpose of the prophets while ignoring the completing and clarifying ministry of Jesus and the apostles found in the New Testament is like listening to a beautiful symphony with the only instruments playing being the trumpets and drums. You can't even recognize the piece being played anymore.

What we're left with are strong intellectual and academic arguments that come to reasonable and logical conclusions regarding the prophets. But only the Old Testament is considered so the conclusions are incomplete at best.

I slogged through the whole thing, but really didn't enjoy myself. I did so because I have a great respect for the author's insights into current events and his comfortable, friendly way of writing.

While the author may have some understanding of the prophets of the Old Testament, unfortunately he doesn't grasp the bigger picture of which they were but a part.

A Rare Contribution to Public Understanding of the Bible.......2004-11-17

I'm giving Podhoretz' book five stars not because I agree with everything he says, but because he has made a rare contribution here in writing a book with is scholarly enough to be of use to those who want to understand the Hebrew Bible, yet with a style that makes it accessible to the general public.

Most widely read books on the Bible are written for people who assume a certain paradigm, either conservative or liberal, and they mainly reinforce the beliefs of the reader without discussing alternatives to underlying premises. Not so Podhoretz. Although he is in a sense a "believer," he states firmly in the beginning that he is not a fundamentalist, and this is clear in his methodology. For example, Podhoretz accepts that some sections of some biblical books were not written by their purported authors, especially in regard to Isaiah, but takes the approach that if Isaiah was written by three or more authors over three centuries, we should still look at what they have to say. He also rejects the idea that prophets are foretellers, and notes several instances where he believes they got prophecies wrong.

Podhortez' main thesis is that the prophets were warriors of the word, struggling against paganism, and that the prophetic period came to an end because they won - paganism was no longer widely accepted among Israelites, so prophets were not needed. In terms of modern application, Podhoretz argues that just as idolatry was a form of self-worship, man worshipping the products of his own hand, the prophets are relevant to us today becuase so much of our society is built around forms of self-worship.

Podhoretz' secondary thesis is more academic - he again and again attempts to refute the idea that the prophets abandoned the ritual emphaisis of the Mosaic law. This is sort of an anti-evolutionary argument; he argues that the prophets did not change the substance of their message so much as their emphasis. As circumstances changed and the Israelites became more infatuated with foreign gods, the prophets focused more on that threat, emphsizing that ritual observance was of no value to God without purity of heart.

Old Testament as ideology.......2003-08-01

My first reaction to this book was moderate outrage, kneejerk politics, mind you, followed by grim satisfaction, the author should cap his conservative ministrations with re-entanglement with the altogether radical prophets of yore. The last embers of the once (and future) hothead still glimmering.
Need one indulge in the obvious observation that this proves an old charge, that the OT is ideology, a sentiment reminding one of Lewis Feuer's Ideology and Ideologists, a work so irate on the subject that it outstripped its anti-marxist tirade enough to find the source of the genre in the realm of the ancient Israelites.
The prophets are indeed remarkable by any reckoning in the mystery of the Axial Age, and science has not understood them. But the progression of Biblical Criticism has delivered the subject to a new world, and we are left with something almost more interesting than the 'last chance' efforts in a neo-conservative vein to keep American mentation in line and money flowing. Cf. The Bible Unearthed, by Silberman and Finkelstein.

A History of Prophecy in Israel - revised and enlarged

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Update of a basic work on the Prophets
Critical introduction to OT prophecy from a leading scholar

A History of Prophecy in Israel - revised and enlarged
Joseph Blenkinsopp
Manufacturer: Westminster John Knox Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0664256392

Customer Reviews:

Update of a basic work on the Prophets.......2005-05-24

Blenkinsopp's book is a classical introduction to the prophetic books of the Old Testament. This revised and enlarged edition keeps available an important work on the prophets of the Hebrew Bible. He leans heavily upon source analysis, especially P and D/Dtr, for his understanding of the development of the prophets. For Blenkinsopp critical scholarship is "unanimous" about the late authorship and collection of Deuteronomy, 116. There is less emphasis in the book on the original prophet or logia and more on what is from the Deuteronomic editors. Blenkinsopp still sees the prophets as real historical figures although well hidden by a later developed literature. The location of any unit as from the original prophet is then a product of scholarly argumentation.

The first chapter provides a brief summary of the prophet in Israel, including a brief history of criticism, analysis of terminology and the role of the prophet. Discussion is informed by recent developments in social science criticism but little emphasis is given to the ancient Near Eastern data. The book then develops the phenomenon of prophecy with reference to historical developments in Israel. Blenkinsopp, like many modern biblical critics, is skeptical of Israel's history before the monarchy yet he sees hints of a prophetic tradition before the monarchy in narratives about people like Deborah or Miriam. The true beginning, however, is with Samuel and the rise of the monarchy as shaped by the Deuteronomists.

The books is quite thorough in covering each prophetic book and provides extensive bibliographies (updated a little from1983) at the beginning of each unit. The analysis of each book combines a discussion of structural units, shaped by source, genre, and redaction criticism, with significant points of the book's message. Blenkinsopp also develops each work in relationship to the flow of Israel's prophetic movement. Though heavily dependent upon source analysis it is a must for those reading about the Old Testament prophets.

Critical introduction to OT prophecy from a leading scholar.......2002-02-24

Measured by his own narrow objectives and admitted limitations the book of the author is a success. The entire time span of prophecy is covered in one book and he develops convincing arguments for a tradition of prophecy in Israel.
Blenkinsopp does not let us know who the intended audience of his book is. He could not have in mind the time -pressured human of today's high tech world. One cannot find a single chart or graphical overview in his book, maybe a modern scholar of his educational level considers charts and graphical overviews as unworthy of a scholar.
The main method Blenkinsopp uses is the analysis of literary development, or source criticism (=historical). In many aspects Blenkinsopp is influenced by the theology of Bernhard Duhm. Considering that Duhm was a personal friend of Wellhausen and a fellow professor in Goettingen it should not come to the reader as a surprise that source criticism is overemphasized at the cost of a more thematic approach. Like Gerhard von Rad in his preface to Genesis said, "source analysis is not the final conclusion of wisdom" the reader sometimes feels that he could draw the same conclusions as Blankinsopp, but without all the detailed speculative source analysis.
For the conservative Christian who believes in the inspiration, inerrancy or infallibility of scripture Blenkinsopp offers some unacceptable pills to swallow when he states that: biblical sources are confused and self-contradictory (p.199), this narrative appears to be a free composition (1 Kings 13:1-32; p.158), ideological reasons drove the composition of texts (p.151), Chronicles is not the most reliable of sources (p.119), failures of the biblical historian (p.117), and hyperbolic fantasies of Nahum (p.112) etc. However one wonders if the author leaves room for partial inspiration of texts when he talks about Isaiah 53 (p.192&193) In general though supernatural prediction are excluded as a possibility, so that a prediction about the fate of Bethel in Amos automatically leads to the assumption that this section has been added later in the light of Josiah's reform (p.164).
The conservative Christian might ask himself what the critical view of the prophetic scriptures offers over a traditional or non-critical. It does not need a critical view of prophecy to identify one's social responsibility. But maybe the book offers solutions of dealing intellectually with prophetic phenomena in the Pentecostal or charismatic movement.

The Prophets As Preachers: An Introduction to the Hebrew Prophets

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An excellent tool for understanding the prophets.
A great tool!

The Prophets As Preachers: An Introduction to the Hebrew Prophets
Gary V. Smith
Manufacturer: B&H Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Interpreting the Prophetic Word
The Prophets
Introduction to the Old Testament Prophetic Books
God at Sinai
The Hebrew Prophets

ASIN: 0805418601

Customer Reviews:

An excellent tool for understanding the prophets........2003-11-06

Simply the best commentary on the prophets out there! Dr. Smith's dating of the prophets and interpretation of their messages shows careful, thoughtful, exegesis of the text and his presentation in writing is easy to follow. Any person can use this book for a study of the prophets and benefit greatly from it. Pastors - this one is a must-have for your library. When was the last time you preached a series on one or more of the prophets? Was it because you do not fully understand the messages they have? This book should kindle the desire to preach the prophets!

A great tool!.......2001-01-11

I am a student at a seminary in the metroplex and was required to purchase this book for a class. I have found that this book is a wonderful tool to enhance the insight that can be taken from the Old Testament Prophets.

The author takes you through every Old Testament prophet and gives a summary that will add color and depth to your reading. It will provide history, context, background, etc. It has been a book that I have recommended to others to better understand the power behind Old Testament writings.

Apostles & Prophets: Reclaiming the Biblical Gifts
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Informative

Apostles & Prophets: Reclaiming the Biblical Gifts

Manufacturer: T.L. Lowery Ministries
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0871480980

Product Description

With apostolic authority, Dr. Lowery describes the Ministry of Impartation and teaches with wisdom and anointing on Spiritual Fathers and Sons. The body of Christ needs what Dr. Lowery has given in this book. Some of the material and teaching may be new to you, but you will agree that it is Biblical and will sense the anointing as you read these pages. What does the bible teach about the purpose, identity and function of apostles and prophets? In this thoughtful and well documented treatise, Dr. T.L. Lowery performs a valuable service for the church. As the original twelve laid the foundation for the development of the people of God and the establishment of the church, todays apostles and prophets peform foundational ministry for the continuing building of the church. Each chapter explores facets of apostolic and prophetic ministry and clarifies what the Bible says. The principles related to the impartation and reception of spiritual giftedness is especially valuable in a day when the subject has become obscure and poorly understood.

Customer Reviews:

Informative.......2007-02-07

"The placement into leadership is God's choice, not man's. It does not come from personal ambition," T. L. Lowery writes. He writes from a position of knowledge and authority, being a church father who has seen much after many decades of service. As a boy in Louisiana, I was influenced by the author in his campmeeting services.

Service to God is at the heart of a meek leader, which is in total contrast to the ways of the world. He gives examples from both the Old and New Testaments. In terms of preparation, he mentions that every leader God calls will go through a wilderness experience, which he defines as "a period when potential leaders are divested of all support structures and services, and (are) forced to live on the bare basics of human subsistence."

He goes on to talk about the roles of apostles and prophets coming back into prominence in the church with the result being greater power throughout the entire body of Christ.

Prophetic Operations: A Journey Into the World of the Prophets

Average customer rating:

It's about time

Prophetic Operations: A Journey Into the World of the Prophets
Jonas A. Clark
Manufacturer: Spirit of Life Ministries
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Extreme Prophetic Studies
Jezebel Seducing Goddess of War
Come Out!: A Handbook for the Serious Deliverance Minister
Exposing Spiritual Witchcraft: Breaking Controlling Powers
Apostolic Equipping Dimension: Equipping and Deploying Every Believer

ASIN: 1886885117

Customer Reviews:

It's about time.......2005-10-07

This book is great for those who need clarity and who really desire to study about the prophetic. This book clearly spells out any questions or concerns that you may have. If you have been called by God to the ministry as a prophet and need training and sound teaching then this is the book for you. It should be a mandatory reading for all those called by God to be watchmen in this hour. This book is not for the novice who just desires to have more information and be a hearer and not a doer of the Word. This books guides you to ensure God's operations are done in decency and in order.

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Daniel And His Prophecies
Charles Henry H. Wright
Manufacturer: Kessinger Publishing, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

El Libro De Enoc, el Profeta /The Book of Enoch, The Prophet (Arca De Sabiduria / Wisdom Ark)

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El Libro De Enoc, el Profeta /The Book of Enoch, The Prophet (Arca De Sabiduria / Wisdom Ark)
R. H. Charles
Manufacturer: Edaf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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