Unmasking the Pagan Christ

Unmasking the Pagan Christ PDF Author: Stanley E. Porter
Publisher: Clements Publishing Group
ISBN: 1894667719
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 169

Get Book Here

Book Description
Rabbi or Messiah? Prophet or the Son of God? People have debated the identity of Jesus of Nazareth since the first century. But what if there was no Jesus? What if there was no Mary or Joseph, no twelve apostles? What if the story of Jesus was no more than a myth to convey spiritual truth? These claims have been around for hundreds of years and have become more prominent with well-known religion columnist Tom Harpur's recent book, The Pagan Christ. Harpur claims that Jesus was not a historical figure, but was one version of an ancient myth that can be traced from ancient Egyptian religion to the Roman mystery cults. Stanley Porter and Stephen Bedard tackle this radical claim by looking at the roots of the "pagan Christ idea," examining the supposed pagan parallels and presenting the evidence for the historical Jesus. The authors demonstrate that the suggestion of pagan origins for the Gospel story is not based on historical or textual evidence, but rather on a desire to create a universalistic spirituality revolving around a "Cosmic Christ" within each person. A fair examination of both the mythological and biblical texts reveal that the traditional understanding of an actual historical figure known as Jesus of Nazareth appearing two thousand years ago is indeed the only logical conclusion. Stanley E. Porter is President and Dean, and Professor of New Testament at McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Porter has M.A. degrees from Claremont Graduate School and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and the Ph.D. from the University of Sheffield. He has written widely on issues of concern in study of the New Testament, such as Jesus, Paul, the book of Acts, and John. He has a passion for education in the church, and preaches and teaches regularly. Stephen J. Bedard is the pastor of Woodford Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, Meaford, Ontario, Canada. He holds the M.Div. and M.Th. degrees from McMaster Divinity College, and is actively engaged in further graduate study. Bedard is an advocate of informed preaching and teaching, and is devoted to the ministry of the local church.

Unmasking the Pagan Christ

Unmasking the Pagan Christ PDF Author: Stanley E. Porter
Publisher: Clements Publishing Group
ISBN: 1894667719
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 169

Get Book Here

Book Description
Rabbi or Messiah? Prophet or the Son of God? People have debated the identity of Jesus of Nazareth since the first century. But what if there was no Jesus? What if there was no Mary or Joseph, no twelve apostles? What if the story of Jesus was no more than a myth to convey spiritual truth? These claims have been around for hundreds of years and have become more prominent with well-known religion columnist Tom Harpur's recent book, The Pagan Christ. Harpur claims that Jesus was not a historical figure, but was one version of an ancient myth that can be traced from ancient Egyptian religion to the Roman mystery cults. Stanley Porter and Stephen Bedard tackle this radical claim by looking at the roots of the "pagan Christ idea," examining the supposed pagan parallels and presenting the evidence for the historical Jesus. The authors demonstrate that the suggestion of pagan origins for the Gospel story is not based on historical or textual evidence, but rather on a desire to create a universalistic spirituality revolving around a "Cosmic Christ" within each person. A fair examination of both the mythological and biblical texts reveal that the traditional understanding of an actual historical figure known as Jesus of Nazareth appearing two thousand years ago is indeed the only logical conclusion. Stanley E. Porter is President and Dean, and Professor of New Testament at McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Porter has M.A. degrees from Claremont Graduate School and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and the Ph.D. from the University of Sheffield. He has written widely on issues of concern in study of the New Testament, such as Jesus, Paul, the book of Acts, and John. He has a passion for education in the church, and preaches and teaches regularly. Stephen J. Bedard is the pastor of Woodford Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, Meaford, Ontario, Canada. He holds the M.Div. and M.Th. degrees from McMaster Divinity College, and is actively engaged in further graduate study. Bedard is an advocate of informed preaching and teaching, and is devoted to the ministry of the local church.

Hope's Reason: a Journal of Apologetics Vol. 2 No. 1

Hope's Reason: a Journal of Apologetics Vol. 2 No. 1 PDF Author: Stephen Bedard
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 1105098729
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 116

Get Book Here

Book Description
In an increasingly skeptical world, there is now more of a need than ever for quality apologetic resources defending the Christian faith. The purpose of this journal is to bridge the gap between the academy and the church, equipping pastors and interested laypeople to present the Christian faith to an unbelieving world.

Engaging the Powers

Engaging the Powers PDF Author: Walter Wink
Publisher: Fortress Press
ISBN: 1506438547
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 515

Get Book Here

Book Description
In this brilliant culmination of his seminal Powers Trilogy, now reissued in a twenty-fifth anniversary edition, Walter Wink explores the problem of evil today and how it relates to the New Testament concept of principalities and powers. He asks the question, "How can we oppose evil without creating new evils and being made evil ourselves?" Winner of the Pax Christi Award, the Academy of Parish Clergy Book of the Year, and the Midwest Book Achievement Award for Best Religious Book.

Truth and Error

Truth and Error PDF Author: Zondervan,
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310534925
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 96

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book is not only an introduction to the entire Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements series, but also a quick-reference guide to the groups and movements discussed in the series. Truth and Error brings together in one volume the charts from the various guides that show how the groups and movements differ theologically from historic orthodox Christianity. Each chart is introduced by the general editor, Alan Gomes. The books in the series that do not have comparison charts are introduced and summarized. Each book in the series includes - A concise introduction to the group or topic - An overview of the group's or movement's theology -- in their own words - A biblical response - Tips for witnessing effectively to members of the group - A bibliography with sources for further study -- Most books also include a comparison chart that shows the essential differences between biblical Christianity and the group. The charts from these books are reproduced in Truth & Error.

Baxter's Explore the Book

Baxter's Explore the Book PDF Author: J. Sidlow Baxter
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310871395
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 1846

Get Book Here

Book Description
Explore the Book is not a commentary with verse-by-verse annotations. Neither is it just a series of analyses and outlines. Rather, it is a complete Bible survey course. No one can finish this series of studies and remain unchanged. The reader will receive lifelong benefit and be enriched by these practical and understandable studies. Exposition, commentary, and practical application of the meaning and message of the Bible will be found throughout this giant volume. Bible students without any background in Bible study will find this book of immense help as will those who have spent much time studying the Scriptures, including pastors and teachers. Explore the Book is the result and culmination of a lifetime of dedicated Bible study and exposition on the part of Dr. Baxter. It shows throughout a deep awareness and appreciation of the grand themes of the gospel, as found from the opening book of the Bible through Revelation.

Jesus and Nonviolence

Jesus and Nonviolence PDF Author: Walter Wink
Publisher: Fortress Press
ISBN: 1451419961
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 114

Get Book Here

Book Description
More than ever, Walter Wink believes, the Christian tradition of nonviolence is needed as an alternative to the dominant and death-dealing "powers" of our consumerist culture and fractured world. In this small book Wink offers a precis of his whole thinking about this issue, including the relation of Jesus and his message to politics and nonviolence, the history of nonviolent efforts, and how nonviolence can win the day when others don't hesitate to resort to violence or terror to achieve their aims.

God Is Not Great

God Is Not Great PDF Author: Christopher Hitchens
Publisher: McClelland & Stewart
ISBN: 1551991764
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 322

Get Book Here

Book Description
Christopher Hitchens, described in the London Observer as “one of the most prolific, as well as brilliant, journalists of our time” takes on his biggest subject yet–the increasingly dangerous role of religion in the world. In the tradition of Bertrand Russell’s Why I Am Not a Christian and Sam Harris’s recent bestseller, The End Of Faith, Christopher Hitchens makes the ultimate case against religion. With a close and erudite reading of the major religious texts, he documents the ways in which religion is a man-made wish, a cause of dangerous sexual repression, and a distortion of our origins in the cosmos. With eloquent clarity, Hitchens frames the argument for a more secular life based on science and reason, in which hell is replaced by the Hubble Telescope’s awesome view of the universe, and Moses and the burning bush give way to the beauty and symmetry of the double helix.

Force of Words: A Cultural History of Christianity and Politics in Medieval Iceland (11th- 13th Centuries)

Force of Words: A Cultural History of Christianity and Politics in Medieval Iceland (11th- 13th Centuries) PDF Author: Haraldur Hreinsson
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004449574
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 342

Get Book Here

Book Description
In Force of Words, Haraldur Hreinsson examines the social and political significance of the Christian religion as the Roman Church was taking hold in medieval Iceland in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries. By way of diverse sources, primarily hagiography and sermons but also material sources, the author shows how Christian religious ideas came into play in the often tumultuous political landscape of the time. The study illuminates how the Church, which was gathering strength across entire Europe, established itself through the dissemination of religious vernacular discourse at the northernmost borders of its dominion.

Exposing Myths About Christianity

Exposing Myths About Christianity PDF Author: Jeffrey Burton Russell
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0830866876
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 362

Get Book Here

Book Description
Renowned historian, Jeffrey Burton Russell, famous for his studies of medieval history, sets the record straight against the New Atheists and other cultural critics who charge Christianity with being outdated, destructive, superstitious, unenlightened, racist, colonialist, based on fabrication, and other significant false accusations.

The True Alpha and Omega

The True Alpha and Omega PDF Author: Minister Jerrod Smith
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1463405502
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 430

Get Book Here

Book Description
This bookexposes the true nature and culture of fraternities and sororities. In these secret societies there are activities and requirements that cause prospective members and members aliketo unknowingly enter into ungodly pacts and covenants. These ungodly practices lead to activities which include physical abuse, fornication, adultery, hatred, envy, strife, manipulation, social and intellectual elitism, abominable sexual activities and witchcraft. These organizationsattract people that are looking for something that only Christ Jesus can provide. However, the organizations appears as a light by their community service and networking abilities. This light however is afalse light.Once one gets into the inner workings of the organizations, the sin and soul inflicting antics are found deeply rooted in darkness. The authorsbeing former members that participated in ungodly activities within these organizations expose the physical, mental, sexualand spiritualdeath-dealing activities found in fraternities and sororities. This is by no means a kiss and tell composition, but it is a trying to save people from hell exposition. Actual accounts of sexual requirements, abuse,ancient ungodly spiritual practices, witchcraft, and required chantswhich denouncetheexistence the One True God are given in detail in this book.Ungodly spirits of oldhave found new vessels to operate inthrough these fraternities and sororities. The good thing about this book is that it not only exposes spiritual wickedness and old ungodly practices, but it shows people who want to be free how to find God, the Ancient of Days.Let the Truth be told. We encourage you to read this book if you arejoining a fraternity or sorority, are a member of one, are apastor, orhave a loved one in one of these organizations. We desire for all to be free and blessed by this book.