Biblical Genres

He was known as the Rabbi of Nazareth, although he was born in Bethlehem and his ministry had spread out from Capernaum as the center of it. He was misunderstood in various ways, especially by the religious leaders of the time. He pointed out their hypocrisy while they tried to earn the favor of God though legalism, but at the same time they had very little compassion for the outcasts or others in suffering.

Matthew was a tax collector in Roman-occupied Galilee. Despite his comfortable life, he was scorned and shunned by his fellow Judeans. To them, Matthew was a traitor who lined Rome’s coffers, and his own, at the expense of the people of Galilee.

A weak king. A ruthless queen. A man who must make an impossible choice to protect the woman he loves. Obadiah, the governor of King Ahab’s palace, has been secretly sheltering dozens of Israel’s prophets from Jezebel, who has already slaughtered hundreds in her murderous wrath. With his friends and the love of his life, Anna, Obadiah has risked his life to bring food and water to the cave where the prophets evade the queen’s fury.

Sofia, Angel, and their friends end up in Ancient Egypt, where they learn about God's purpose to free the Israelites. They decide to help Moses, God's servant, free the enslaved Israelites. Angel and Sofia soon realize that they have been together for over three years, and Angel finally proposes to Sofia, asking her to marry him. They have always talked about getting married and even starting their own family. Sofia and Angel will always be together because their love for each other will overcome any possible obstacle in their way.

In this compelling work of historical fiction, Young Jesus: A Challenge of Love and Truth, Mark Beymer imagines the untold years of Jesus' life—between the ages of twelve and thirty—an era scarcely mentioned in the Bible. While historians widely accept that Jesus of Nazareth lived, the details of these formative years remain shrouded in mystery.

In una fortezza nell'alto dei cieli gli angeli della Guardia Reale, guerrieri dello spirito, soldati azzurri con giubbe e calzari, fanatici delle missioni esclusive, sono riuniti in attesa del prossimo incarico. La chiamata arriva, il prescelto è Gabriele, che dovrà far brillare nuovamente lalleanza tra Dio e gli uomini, annunciando l'arrivo del Figlio. Comincia così la grande riscrittura dei Vangeli da parte di Eraldo Affinati, uno dei principali autori italiani che ha scelto di credere nell'educazione dedicando le proprie energie agli alunni più difficili.

Attingendo sia dall'Antico sia dal Nuovo Testamento e concentrandosi sulla prima parte della esistenza di Gesù, Josè Saramago, con spirito volutamente dissacratorio, modifica gli eventi tramandati dai vangeli canonici, senza rispettarne la cronologia. Il risultato è il racconto della quotidianità di Gesù narrato come uomo, con passioni e dubbi e dei suoi contemporanei nella Palestina del I secolo d.C.

Long-time Bible teacher Kristie Anyabwile discovered as she prepared her lessons that a single inductive approach doesn’t do justice to the variety of genres that make up the Word of God. Because Scripture is a collection of writings that spans 1,500 years, many literary styles are represented, and each must be taken into account for the fullest understanding of God’s Word. Kristie shows you the immense value of studying the Bible literarily—that is, according to the literary style presented in a particular book, chapter, or passage.

The story is about Zephaniah, a man named after a biblical author who proudly proclaims himself a Cushite in the Old Testament. As Zepha travels each town takes on the characteristics of one of the ten Sefirot. We can see how the levels affect what he will directly or indirectly experience, as we become part of the invisible hand that guides him toward self-awareness.

Bathsheba is taken against her will by the most powerful man in Israel. A month later, she discovers she carries the evidence of their secret, dangerous encounter. With her husband at war, this pregnancy could mean her death or untold greatness. When the king finds out that she is with child, he immediately summons her husband home from war, a cunning plan in mind. Will the king's plan work? Will her life be spared? Will there be any consequences for the injustice? Will love grow in the middle of pain and give birth to second chances?

To most, the term “Christian horror” probably seems like an oxymoron. Nevertheless, there are very good arguments to be made that “horror” is an eminently biblical genre and that Christian artists should be at the forefront of reclaiming it. In this work, novelist and freelance writer Mike Duran explores the Judeo-Christian roots of contemporary horror, the religious themes that frame much of the horror art, and how evangelical culture has come to distance itself from such a potentially rich and powerful medium.

Get ready to laugh! Get ready to tap your toes! Get ready to take a fresh look at what it means to “love your neighbor” and to “turn the other cheek” (not that one, you nitwit!). Set in ancient Jerusalem, SYMPHONY OF LIFE mostly tells the story of Joel, a corrupt tax collector who’s in desperate need of a swift kick in the pants. But there’s also a cadre of irate marketplace vendors all vying to be the one to deliver the humbling blow; a spunky, young widow who wishes she had more than two pitiful mites to cast into the offering box at the temple treasury; a pair of star-crossed lovers.

Transcending religious boundaries to offer a deeply human perspective on the life, teachings, and enduring legacy of the revered figure, Gibran brings to life the story of Jesus Chris. He presents a fictionalized account of the life of Jesus Christ, through the eyes of 79 different accounts. A beautiful exploration of Jesus teachings, actions, and the influence he had on those around him.

The Twin is the fictional retelling of the story of Jesus of Nazareth from the point of view of Thomas Didymus, known to most as Doubting Thomas. The narrative draws upon the belief of many that Jesus traveled to Kashmir during the “missing” years of his youth, studied Buddhism, and then returned to Galilee to begin his ministry.

Comfort Ye! Book 2: The Brokenhearted continues the gripping journey of faith, resilience, and redemption in the wake of the Flood. Emunah, the daughter of Shem and a keeper of the covenant, faces devastating loss, relentless trials, and the shadowy influence of the adversary as she leads her family and community in the Land of Uz. Through drought, division, and heartbreak, Emunah discovers the profound strength born from brokenness, becoming a beacon of light in a world shrouded by doubt.

Ravaged by one brother, silenced and betrayed by another, and abandoned by her father, Tamar—once beloved daughter of the king of Israel, and healer of the court—suddenly finds herself in exile, fleeing for her life. But the story continues where the scriptures end: a dangerous journey and tenacious pursuit of her true identity and calling brings her full circle, to her rightful place in the kingdom.

James ben Joseph wrestles with the pain of his older brother's death. He never believed Jesus was a rebel, but his brother's radical teachings drew dangerous attention from the Pharisees. Traveling to Jerusalem for Passover, James hoped to convince Jesus to abandon his reckless ideas and come home. Betrayal and conflict led to Jesus' arrest and crucifixion, and to protect his family, James turned his back on his brother. As rumors spread that Jesus has risen from the dead, James' sorrow mixes with fear of persecution.

St. Michael the Archangel is a humble being who was not initially a warrior angel, nor was he granted the title of saint or even the general of the celestial armies. His beginnings were as a newly created angel placed in the choir of archangels. Like us humans, he also had doubts about what his full potential could become, although he was content as an archangel. Eons passed since the creation of time itself, and Michael was selected to become a warrior angel in the celestial army commanded by General Azrael at the time.

In order to understand, appreciate, and faithfully preach the word of God, pastors must discern the literary nature of the Bible. Instead of just acknowledging the various genres of Scripture, pastors and teachers should allow these genres to influence how the text is approached and communicated. In The Beauty and Power of Biblical Exposition, they will learn how to both read and preach the Bible as a literary anthology.

When psychologist Rocky Devos loses his wife to cancer, he also loses his faith in the fairness of God. For over a year, he lived in the thin space between his love for God and his hatred for what he believed God did. Each night, he bangs on heaven’s gate, demanding an explanation. “Why Rachel, Lord? Why would you let her suffer like that? Why didn’t you do something? Why didn’t you give us a miracle?” The longer his prayers go unanswered, the more frustrated he gets. But then the answer arrives disguised as a homeless vagabond who claims to be the apostle Paul.