In this challenging book, Craig Smith propounds the novel thesis that the famous lines in 2 Timothy 4 where 'Paul' announces that the time of his departure has come have been misunderstood. This is no farewell speech, Smith avers, and Paul is not intending to pass on the baton to his younger colleague, Timothy. Deploying epistolary analysis and rhetorical criticism, Smith shows that these verses (4.1-8) do not have the literary structure or the vocabulary of a testament or a farewell; rather, they are a 'charge', an authoritative command, comprised of five specific formal elements. This...

The kingdom of God is one of the Bible's most important themes, yet many Christians have only the vaguest understanding of what the Kingdom really is. Tragically, apart from an adequate understanding of the Kingdom, they can never fully understand what it means to be made in the Image of God, what victory the gospel truly proclaims, or what hope heaven really holds.

Part of the Tough Questions - Real Answers series, The Voice tackles one of the most-asked questions of our day: what is God's will for me? From a biblical overview of the ways God communicates to a hard look at whether or not we're willing to do His will when we know it, The Voice will help you hear - and respond - to God in the modern world. Perfect for students and anywone else facing tough decisions in life.

We all long for God to move in our lives, but are you ready to see it when it happens? The Bible is filled with stories of those who saw God moving and caught the ride of their lives. But for nearly every inspiring example there is a cautionary tale of those who somehow missed the Almighty in their midst. Join Christian pastor, scholar, speaker and author Craig A. Smith for a faith-transforming investigation into what caused these men and women to miss God moving...and learn how not to make the same mistakes Includes life-application questions, reflections and activities for small group...

A destination for thousands of opera lovers every year and the anchor of Santa FeAEs thriving arts scene, the Santa Fe Opera owes its existence to the vision and hard work of one man: John OAEHea Crosby (1926u2002), who created the company when he was only thirty years old and guided its fortunes for the next forty-five years. This book, the first in-depth exploration of CrosbyAEs career, shows how the Opera reflected his passions for music and the arts. A Vision of Voices depicts the many sides of Crosbyua dreamer and tough-minded businessman, an artistic explorer and conservative...