FREE/BARGAIN - Christian Interest - 2015

[GtrsRGr8]

I come across a lot of religious ebooks in my trolling of the Internet, and books on the Lord's Supper seem to be rather scarce, for some reason. Free ones are even more so.

However, "1213," which is some kind of organization or network whereby Christians can help needy Christians, is offering a free ebook on the Lord's Supper. The publisher is a company called "DeWard Publishing Company," which I suspect is some kind of supporter of 1213.

The book is entitled Beneath the Cross: Essays and Reflections on the Lord's Supper. It is written by various contributors. It appears to be available as an ebook (for free, at least) only as a pdf.

I was curious about how much the book regularly sells for, so I ran down the URL of DeWard's website. I didn't see the pdf or any ebook of the title offered there. However, the paperback lists for $14.99 and the hardback lists for $23.99. There is a Kindle mobi offered at Amazon for $2.99; interestingly, there is apparently no paperback or hardback version available directly from them, however. ha

Here's part of the blurb: "The Bible has much to say about the Lord's Supper. Almost every component of this memorial is rich with meaning--meaning supplied by Old Testament foreshadowing and New Testament teaching. The Lord's death itself is meaningful and significant in ways we rarely point out. Beneath the Cross explores the depths of symbolism and meaning to be found in the last hours of the Lord's life and offers a helpful look at the memorial feast that commemorates it . . . ."

IMHO, many or even most of the popular-level religious books that I come across nowadays are shallow and, frankly, many of them are frivolous even to the point of silliness. This one, refreshingly, isn't that way. I downloaded this ebook and skimmed over it. I was impressed with the length (some 330 pages) of, meatiness of, and strong use of Scripture in, the book. Okay, enough of my editorializing.

Here's how you can get the ebook. Go to cross.1213online.org/ebook. Give an email address where they can send you a link to the ebook. Check your email inbox for a message with a sender identified as "Rob West." Open it and click on the link. Now why can't all of the free ebook offers be this simple and easy to take advantage of?

One thing that I was not expecting and don't remember being mentioned on the webpage is that doing the above will cause you to be subscribed to 1213's emails. However, in the message that they send you containing a link to the ebook, there is a very prominent link which you can use to unsubscribe. Maybe it's that simple and easy in their emails to unsubscribe, too.

My posting of this book does not necessarily mean that I believe in/endorse any doctrinal positions taken in the book.

[Difflugia]

The NKJV edition of The Blackaby Study Bible is $1.99, which is the cheapest I recall this one being offered.
B&N Amazon

[ATDrake]

Free from specialty small publisher Wyatt North via KDP Select @ Amazon:

The Life and Prayers of Saint John of the Cross by Wyatt North, another one of their mini-biographies of historical faith figures.

Sublime poet, ecstatic exemplar, attentive guide—these are only three of the roles attributed to St. John of the Cross. Many consider the writings of this Carmelite priest to represent the pinnacle of Spanish poetry.

Even centuries after his death, he remains a masterful model of spiritual attainment. And for anyone seeking to undertake a personal quest for God, he remains unsurpassed as a spiritual guide, for he is the Christian mystic par excellence, teaching a complete spiritual system for living as a means of attaining union with God.

Pope John Paul II found John’s teachings about faith to be so vitally relevant and important that as a young priest he wrote his doctoral dissertation in theology on the subject. Later, when as pope he celebrated the fourth centenary of John’s death, John Paul extolled the ability of faith to re-evangelize believers and increasingly open them to Christ’s teachings and light.

On that occasion, John Paul expressed John’s central message in this way: “living faith … is the guide of the Christian, his only light in the dark nights of trial, an ardent flame fed by the Spirit.”

[pendragginp]

for this. I've always been impressed with Little John.

[wawasteele]

The Reason for My Hope: Salvation by Billy Graham is $1.99 today at Amazon. It's probably on sale at the usual places too, but I haven't checked.

[GtrsRGr8]

Why You Think the Way You Do: The Story of Western Worldviews from Rome to Home. By Glenn S. Sunshine. Rated 4 1/2 stars from 23 reviews at the present moment. Print list price $14.99; digital list price $7.99; Kindle price now $2.99. Zondervan/HarperCollinsPublishers, publisher. 240 pages. http://www.amazon.com/Why-You-Think-...m+Rome+to+Home. It is not marked down from the usual price at Christianbook; I didn't check for the availability and price anywhere else.

Book Description
People often talk about worldview when describing the philosophy that guides their lives. But how have we come by our worldviews, and what impact did Christianity have on those that are common to Western civilization?

This authoritative, accessible survey traces the development of the worldviews that underpin the Western world. It demonstrates the decisive impact that the growth of Christianity had in transforming the outlook of pagan Roman culture into one that, based on biblical concepts of humanity and its relationship with God, established virtually all the positive aspects of Western civilization.

The two-pronged assault in our time on the biblically based worldview by postmodern philosophy and the writings of neo-atheists has made it even more crucial that we acknowledge and defend its historical roots.

Unique among books on the topic, this work discusses Western worldviews as a continuous narrative rather than as simply a catalogue of ideas, and traces the effects changes in worldview had on society. It helps readers understand their own worldviews and those of other people and helps them recognize the consequences that worldviews hold. Professors, students, and armchair historians alike will profit from this book.

[GtrsRGr8]

My posting of these ebooks does not necessarily mean that I endorse or believe any of the doctrinal positions held therein.

Holman Old Testament Commentary Volume 10 - Job. By Max Anders; Steven Lawson. Rated 5 stars, but from only 7 reviews at the present moment. Print list price $19.99; digital list price $19.99; Kindle price now $1.99. Holman Reference, publisher. 400 pages. http://www.amazon.com/Holman-Old-Tes...olume+10+-+Job.

Holman Old Testament Commentary - Ezekiel. By Mark Rooker; Max Anders. Rated 4 1/2 stars, but from only 5 reviews at the present time. Print list price $19.99; digital list price $19.99; Kindle price now $1.99. Holman Reference, publisher. 352 pages. http://www.amazon.com/Holman-Old-Tes...tary+-+Ezekiel.

Holman New Testament Commentary - Matthew: 1. By Stu Weber; Max Anders. Rated 4 1/2 stars, but from only 4 reviews at the present moment. Print list price $19.99; digital list price $19.99; Kindle price now $1.99. Holman Reference, publisher. 520 pages. http://www.amazon.com/Holman-New-Tes...-+Matthew%3A+1.


If I'm not mistaken, The New American Commentary series was the predecessor to the modern-day Holman Commentary series.

"THE NEW AMERICAN COMMENTARY is for the minister or Bible student who wants to understand and expound the Scriptures. Notable features include:
* commentary based on THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION;
* the NIV text printed in the body of the commentary;
* sound scholarly methodology that reflects capable research in the original languages;
* interpretation that emphasizes the theological unity of each book and of Scripture as a whole; * readable and applicable exposition."

Hosea, Joel: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture: 19 (New American Commentary). By Duane A. Garrett; Paul Ferris. Rated 5 stars, but from only 6 reviews at the present time. Print list price $29.99; digital list price $29.99; Kindle price now $1.99. Holman Reference, publisher. 320 pages. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...%20Commentary).

[Difflugia]

There are a few NIV Bibles for $1.99.

The Stock Car Racing Edition (which uses the 1984 text of the NIV)
B&N Amazon

The Journey: A Bible for the Spiritually Curious
B&N Amazon

The Great Outdoors Bible for Kids
B&N Amazon

[LovesMacs]

The Story of Christianity: Volume 1 and The Story of Christianity: Volume 2 by Justo L. González

$3.99 each volume at Amazon US, haven't checked elsewhere
The Story of Christianity: Volume 1
The Story of Christianity: Volume 2

I believe previous editions have retailed for $18.99 per volume. I haven't read these but I had to buy... and share.

Blurb about Volume 1:

Spoiler:

In this fully revised and updated edition, the lauded church historian Justo González tells the story of Christianity from its fragile infancy to its pervasive dominance at the dawn of the Protestant Reformation. The Story of Christianity, volume 1, relates the dramatic events, the colorful characters, and the revolutionary ideas that shaped the first fifteen centuries of the church's life and thought.

From Jesus's faithful apostles to the early reformist John Wycliffe, González skillfully weaves details from the lives of prominent figures tracing core theological issues and developments within the various traditions of the church. The Story of Christianity demonstrates at each point what new challenges and opportunities faced the church and how Christians struggled with the various options open to them, thereby shaping the future direction of the church.

This new edition of The Story of Christianity incorporates recent archaeological discoveries to give us a better view of the early Christian communities. Among these are advances in the recovery of Gnostic texts that have revealed a richer diversity of "Christianities" in the first century. González also includes important research done in the past twenty-five years revealing the significant role of women throughout the history of the church.

With lively storytelling incorporating the latest research, The Story of Christianity provides a fascinating introduction to the panoramic history of Christianity.

Blurb about Volume 2:

Spoiler:

Beginning with the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century, this fully revised and updated second volume of The Story of Christianity continues the marvelous history of the world's largest religion. Award-winning historian Justo Gonzalez bring to life the people, dramatic events, and theological debates that have shaped Protestantism, Catholicism, and Orthodoxy. From the monk Martin Luther, who dared to stand up to a corrupt pope, to the surprising spread and growing vitality of today's church in Africa, Asia, and South America, The Story of Christianity offers a complete and up-to-date retelling of this amazing history.

With new information on the important contributions of women to church history as well as the latest information on Christianity in developing countries, Gonzalez's richly textured study discusses the changes and directions of the church up to the twenty-first century. The Story of Christianity covers such recent occurrences as the fall of the Soviet Union and the return of the Russian Orthodox Church; feminist, Africa-American, and Third-World theologies; the scandals and controversies facing the reign of Pope Benedict XVI; interfaith dialogue; and the movement toward unity of all Christian churches. This revised and updated edition of The Story of Christianity concludes with a thoughtful look at the major issues and debates facing Christianity today.

[GtrsRGr8]

Deleted. See Following.

[GtrsRGr8]

Originally Posted by Difflugia

There are a few NIV Bibles for $1.99.

The Stock Car Racing Edition (which uses the 1984 text of the NIV)
B&N Amazon
. . . .

But not intended to be read while driving the car. ha

[GtrsRGr8]

What Have They Done with Jesus? By Ben Witherington III. Print list price $14.95; digital regular price $9.78; Kindle price now $0.99. Rated 4 1/2 stars from 17 reviews at the present moment. 354 pages. HarperCollins e-books, publisher. http://www.amazon.com/What-Have-They...+with+Jesus%3F.

Book Description
Strange theories about Jesus seem to ooze from our culture with increasing regularity. Ben Witherington, one of the top Jesus scholars, will have none of it. There were no secret Gnostic teachings in the first century. With leading scholars and popular purveyors of bad history in his crosshairs, Witherington reveals what we can—and cannot—claim to know about the real Jesus. The Bible, not outside sources, is still the most trustworthy historical record we have today.

Utilizing a fresh "personality profile" approach, Witherington highlights core Christian claims by investigating the major figures in Jesus’s inner circle of followers: Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Thomas, Peter, James the brother of Jesus, Paul, and the mysterious "beloved disciple." In each chapter Witherington satisfies our curiosities and answers the full range of questions about these key figures and what each of them can teach us about the historical Jesus. What Have They Done with Jesus? is a vigorous defense of traditional Christianity that offers a compelling portrait of Jesus’s core message according to those who knew him best.

[Difflugia]

Originally Posted by GtrsRGr8

What Have They Done with Jesus? By Ben Witherington III.

Thanks! B&N

[Breathinlady]

Originally Posted by GtrsRGr8

What Have They Done with Jesus? By Ben Witherington III. Print list price $14.95; digital regular price $9.78; Kindle price now $0.99. Rated 4 1/2 stars from 17 reviews at the present moment. 354 pages. HarperCollins e-books, publisher. http://www.amazon.com/What-Have-They...+with+Jesus%3F.

Book Description
Strange theories about Jesus seem to ooze from our culture with increasing regularity. Ben Witherington, one of the top Jesus scholars, will have none of it. There were no secret Gnostic teachings in the first century. With leading scholars and popular purveyors of bad history in his crosshairs, Witherington reveals what we can—and cannot—claim to know about the real Jesus. The Bible, not outside sources, is still the most trustworthy historical record we have today.

Utilizing a fresh "personality profile" approach, Witherington highlights core Christian claims by investigating the major figures in Jesus’s inner circle of followers: Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Thomas, Peter, James the brother of Jesus, Paul, and the mysterious "beloved disciple." In each chapter Witherington satisfies our curiosities and answers the full range of questions about these key figures and what each of them can teach us about the historical Jesus. What Have They Done with Jesus? is a vigorous defense of traditional Christianity that offers a compelling portrait of Jesus’s core message according to those who knew him best.

I just tried B&N and Amazon and the prices is still $9.95

[Difflugia]

Originally Posted by Breathinlady

I just tried B&N and Amazon and the prices is still $9.95

I guess I just got in under the wire. I actually double-checked my receipt to make sure I got the right price.