Study Commentaries

For generations, the Black church has been a cornerstone of resilience, community, and empowerment, serving as a sanctuary for African Americans facing systemic oppression. Rooted in liberation theology and social activism, it has played a crucial role in social movements and cultural identity. However, while the Black church continues to be a source of strength, it also mirrors the complexities and contradictions of the communities it serves.

I was led to The Gospel of Thomas following a spiritual experience that altered my life. I know now that what happened was not unique and there are many of you who have had a profound spiritual experience that has left you searching for answers. Line by line this book reveals the original meanings and applications of the sayings and presents the manuscript as the timeless spiritual guide it was first created to be by its true authors two millennia ago. This Gospel of Thomas book is like no other and for those who are ready the message in the sayings is revolutionary and evolutionary.

By AD 100, all the original disciples had died and a new generation of preachers, teachers, and scholars had taken on the responsibility to preach, teach, and interpret the Scriptures. These men have become known as the church fathers. But who were they? When and where did they live? And, most importantly, what did they teach about how to read and understand the Bible?

The church at Corinth was infested with so-called super-apostles. They were stylish and well-spoken, and they were out to turn the church against the apostle Paul. They cast him as a frail, indecisive fumbler who got beat up everywhere he went. So Paul responded with a full-length account of the glory of Christian weakness.

My 2019 writings on topics from tech to politics to God.

The concept of judgment is at odds with today's culture, which considers it a sin to suggest there is such a thing as sin. Perhaps that is partly because we have seen all too clearly the fallibility of those who judge. What many of us long for is not judgment but righteousness and deliverance...

The book of Mark―the first and shortest Gospel written―serves as both a historical and theological account, connecting Jesus to the whole storyline of the Bible. Mark writes against the backdrop of the Old Testament and draws from other New Testament writers, specifically Peter and Paul, to articulate many themes that are found in the rest of the New Testament.

Often referred to as the Epistle of Joy, Philippians contains a message from the apostle Paul to the church in Philippi, demonstrating the unshakable joy that can only come from knowing Christ. In this series, Pastor Skip Heitzig unpacks this truth verse by verse to show how Paul's message of contentment, unity, and perseverance has the power to transform the way we live today. Discover how to cultivate joy, deepen your faith, and live with purpose, no matter what you're facing.

The Book of Job is remarkably timeless—speaking to every troubled, searching soul with words written as early as the 5th century B.C. Though ancient, it feels strikingly modern, offering profound insights into suffering, justice, and the human condition. The anonymous author of Job boldly confronts life’s fundamental enigmas, raising the argument far above that found in many other works on the problem of existence. This literary masterpiece is a unique epic of the spirit—a drama of the soul, filled with climactic moments that touch the heart of every listener.

Genesis begins the Bible and is foundational to it. In recent years, it has become commonplace for both humanists and churchmen to sneer at anyone who takes Genesis 1-11 as historical. Yet, to believe in the myth of evolution is to accept trillions of miracles to account for our cosmos. Spontaneous generation, the development of something out of nothing, and the blind belief in the miraculous powers of chance require tremendous faith.

Numbers can be deceiving. The book of Numbers opens with a count of every person fit to serve during the Israeli’s exodus from Egypt. Yet while over 600,000 were counted, only two were allowed to enter the Promised Land. The lesson? God values quality over quantity. And as the next generation finally experienced God’s promise, we discover that He doesn’t just want us counted as believers, but as people He can count on.

Plus l'Humanité se raffine et se complique, plus les chances de désordre se multiplient et leur gravité s'accentue ; car on n'élève pas de montagne sans creuser des abîmes, et toute énergie est également puissance pour le bien et pour le mal. Tout ce qui devient souffre et pèche. La vérité sur notre attitude en ce monde, c'est que nous y sommes en croix.

For the majority of my fifty-seven years following Jesus, I have recorded my discoveries in a private spiritual journal. Over time, it grew into several notebooks that were eventually transferred to my computer. They contained various thoughts and insights that seemed important to my spiritual development. Some were pivotal, others less so, but I recorded them all, not knowing how God would use them in my life. All of the notes I recorded were meant for personal use, and as my way of showing God that I was paying attention.

Imagine if someone who had never heard of Judaism or Christianity read the Old Testament. How could the relationship between God and humanity possibly be understood? In Joseph's Bones, Segal approaches the Bible from this fresh perspective—one framed by the story of the Israelites' fidelity to Joseph—and finds something an account of the human condition that reads like an existential novel about the struggle of mankind against the unpredictable and often unwarranted wrath of God. This is a rarity in Biblical interpretation—brilliant and rigorously argued, "a work of stunning originality."

Quienes estudian la Biblia a menudo la encuentran difícil de aprehender y comprender cabalmente. Sin embargo, nosotros sabemos que la Biblia realmente tiene un solo Autor, Dios mismo; es la Palabra de Dios. Por tanto, si tenemos revelación por parte del Espíritu Santo, veremos que los temas hallados en la Biblia se presentan en líneas consistentes de principio a fin.

What happens at the end of our lives and of the course of history? Will God bring about a just and peaceful world? What lies beyond this realm, and what can we know of the beings who dwell there? In Death, the End of History, and Beyond, Greg Carey offers resources for understanding multiple, even conflicting, ways that the Bible imagines these ultimate realities.

King Solomon had it all. Wealth. Power. Prestige. Yet despite having everything he could ever want, Solomon was still unsatisfied. He soon came to a startling conclusion: Even if we have it all, it is never enough. This revelation inspired the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon’s profound thoughts on the meaning of life. BE Satisfied examines Solomon’s remarkable insights on what holds real value in this world.

In Song of Songs: Audio Lectures, scholar and professor George Athas explores the wisdom this ancient book offers us for living out our faith today with integrity, fervor, balance, and devotion. Song of Songs doesn't easily fit our preconceptions as Christians. The Song of Songs has been...

In this collection of nearly 4,000 Bible verses, author James Larson highlights the humor - and sometimes tragedy - of scripture through his original and eye-opening interpretation. Respectfully presented with unique commentary and thought-provoking questions, this compilation will be sure to pique interest, inspire deeper contemplation, and launch the curious listener on a journey of reflecting upon God's word every day.

Don’t apologize for what you believe. In an age marked by uncertainty, the Unapologetic New Testament audio download has the tools you need to defend your faith—and share it with the people you love...