No “I” in Grace

  

The word grace (ca,rij) is used eighteen times in 2 Corinthians (1:2, 12, 15; 2:14; 4:15; 6:1; 8:1, 4, 6,7, 9, 16, 19; 9:8, 14, 15; 12:9; 13:13) and appears in the introduction (1:1–11), conclusion (13:11–14), and in each of the three major sections of the book (1:12–7:16; 8:1–9:15; 10:1–13:10). Recently I was teaching through 2 Corinthians 10 and 11, a section in which the idea of boasting plays a prominent role (10:8; 13, 15, 16, 17 [2x]; 11:12, 16, 18 [2x], 30 [2x]). The fact that boasting plays such a prominent role is ironic for at least two reasons. (1) Paul recognizes that boasting in one’s accomplishments in ministry is an exercise in foolishness (11:1a). (2) Paul understands that his apostolic calling and ministry are according to grace. As there is no “I” in team, there is no “I” in grace. 

  

Tell en-Nasbeh Collection at the Badè Museum of Biblical Archaeology

  

You can access the finds of the Badè Archaeological Museum here. According to the website,

"This project is a digital catalog of all the artifacts, archives, and photographs from the Tell en-Nasbeh Collection at the Badè Museum of Biblical Archaeology at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA. This collection derives from the excavations of Tell en-Nasbeh conducted by William Frederic Badè between 1926 and 1935. The project was jointly sponsored by the Pacific School of Religion (PSR) and the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR) and represents one of the earliest scientific excavations in Israel/Palestine. 

"Tell en-Nasbeh, likely the biblical city of Mizpah, is a 3.2 hectare (8 acre) tell located 12 kilometers (8 miles) northwest of Jerusalem on a low plateau. The site lies adjacent to an ancient roadway connecting Jerusalem with the northern hill country, which is how Tell en-Nasbeh gained importance as Judah’s northern border fortress during its prime phase of occupation in the Iron Age (Strata 3A-C; 1000-586 BCE). There are also archaeological remains at the site and in surrounding cave tombs that have been dated to Early Bronze I (Stratum 5; 3500-3300 BCE), Iron I (Stratum 4; 1200-100 BCE), Babylonian and Persian (Stratum 2; 586-323 BCE), Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine Periods (Stratum 1; 323-630 CE)."

  

Free Francis Chan E-Books

  

David C. Cook has made three Francis Chan books (Crazy Love, Forgotten God, and Erasing Hell) available as free e-books for 48 hours only (deadline is Saturday, April 7, 2012 @ 11:59pm PT). To access the free e-books, visit the eChristian special offer page, login. If you already have an account at Christianaudio.com you can use the same username and password. If not, you will need to create an account. See the instructions after clicking the link above.

  

Interactive 360-Degree Virtual Holy Land Tour

  
See this interactive 360-degree virtual Holy Land tour here.
 

Free Logos Book of the Month

  
Logos Bible Software is offering John Bunyan's Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. Get details here.
 

Reading on the Resurrection

  
See Matthew Barrett's list of recommended books on the resurrection.
 

Book Reviews

  
The Chronicle of Higher Education has a couple of interesting articles here and here on book reviews. This is of particular interest to me since I review books here and for journals.
  

Craig Evans' Top Five Books on Archaeology

  
See this link to see Craig Evans' top five books on archaeology. (you will need a subscription to read the entire article). In any case, here are the five books that Evans lists.

1. Lost Treasures of the Bible: Understanding the Bible through Archaeological Artifacts in World Museums by Clyde E. Fant & Mitchell G. Reddish (Eerdmans)
2. Archaeology of the Land of the Bible: Volumes I and II by Amihai Mazar & Ephraim Stern (Yale University Press)

3. The Harper-Collins Visual Guide to the New Testament:What Archaeology Reveals about the First Christians by Jonathan L. Reed (HarperOne)

4. Jesus and Archaeology edited by James H. Charlesworth (Eerdmans)

5. The Final Days of Jesus: The Archaeological Evidence by Shimon Gibson (HarperOne)

  

Free Audiobook: Greg Laurie's Road to the Resurrection

  

Christianaudio.com's free audiobook download for the month of April is Greg Laurie's book Road to the Resurrection. The publisher describes that book as,

"A guidebook to the facts and circumstances surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. The listener will examine the people, places and timeline of that first Easter. But more than that, delve into the prophecies of those events, given hundreds of year prior, as well what happened after Christ rose from the dead."

For more information or to get your download go here.