Moses and the Gods of Egypt, one of the most useful, academically sound, evangelical studies of the book of Exodus, by John Davis, has just been re-issued by BMH Books with an updated cover design.

The commentary guides the reader through 340 pages of understandable, in-depth examinations of Exodus. It illuminates the biblical text in light of recent archaeological studies along with Egyptian religious and political customs.

Davis has produced a well-indexed, section-by-section commentary of Exodus with more than 30 charts, maps, drawings and diagrams. This work is a companion to Davis’ previous book Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis.

John Davis, Th.D., D.D., is president/professor emeritus at Grace College and Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. He was a translator for the NIV and contributed to its study edition. Davis has authored a number of books and articles and has served as a senior staff member on 12 archeological expeditions to Israel and Jordan.

Moses and the Gods of Egypt retails for $19.99, and may be obtained online at www.bmhbooks.com or by calling (toll free) 1-800-348-2756. The ISBN number is 0884691772.

Pastor Charlie Barnhill of the Heartland Grace Brethren Church in Mt. Gilead, Ohio, shared with ministers of the North Central Ohio district recently that the Heartland congregation has purchased an 11,000-square-foot former bowling alley for use as a worship and fellowship facility.

The church has been meeting in a school for a number of years. The new facility contained 12 bowling lanes. Ten have been removed, with two left for recreational use. The first worship service in the new building was set for Sunday, July 2. An Open House and dedication service will be announced at a later date.

One of the classic works in premillennial eschatology, The End Times by Herman A. Hoyt, was recently re-issued by BMH Books of Winona Lake, Indiana.

The 243-page paperback is an investigation of what is to come, and it guides the reader through 12 understandable, in-depth chapters. Hoyt examines the vocabulary of eschatologists along with the various stages of the human post-life experience.

Further, readers discover more about Christ’s second coming (and how that affects the church and the Antichrist), the resurrections, divine judgment and some observations on the eternal state.

The author delves into the controversy of the end times, dealing primarily with premillennial, pretribulation eschatology, yet giving consideration to conflicting viewpoints. It is a well-documented and understandable guide to the end times and is used extensively as a text in Bible colleges, Bible institutes, and seminaries.

Hoyt, who died in 2000, was one of biblical prophecy’s most ardent proponents and served as President Emeritus of Grace College and Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. He taught Christian Theology at the seminary and wrote numerous books and articles.

The End Times retails for $12.99, and may be obtained online at www.bmhbooks.com or by calling (tollfree) 1-800-348-2756. The ISBN number is 0884690776.

Just as this issue was going to press, word was received of the tragic death by drowning of 17-year-old Jered Pyle, a junior at Worthington Christian High School, affiliated with the Worthington (OH) Grace Brethren Church. This edited piece was written by his football coach, Mike Stanley (featured in the Sept/Oct 2005 FGBC World, see Crusader Football Seeks to ‘Honor Jesus’).

Last Wednesday I got the type of call a coach never wants to get. My quarterback, our captain and fun-loving 17-year-old teammate, had drowned. I knew his character so I knew there were no drugs, drinking, or stupid behavior involved. I was right. He simply was unable to finish the swim.

At the accident site I could hardly breathe; yet I knew Jered was a Christian. I knew with absolute certainty he would be in heaven.

On Friday, visiting hours were held. Rick [Jered’s dad] said, “I’m hanging by a thread at times, but it is a strong thread.” He was trusting the fact that Jered had crossed the final goal line and was waiting for the rest of us to join him in the end zone celebration.

How could I be so sure I would see Jered again? Let me share with you a final exam paper Jered had written only hours before he died:

4. Which of these three books was your favorite and why?
“I would say Galatians is my favorite. Galatians is such an encouraging book for my own walk with God. I know I’m in Christ and when I die I will be with Him. I know this because I have faith and believe that what God has said is what is true and right. When we accept Christ as our Savior we are no longer lost slaves of this world, instead we are ‘heirs’ to heaven. And this is very encouraging to me.”

We grieve, but not as “the rest who have no hope.” I Thessalonians 4:13.

What about you? Do you have Jered’s hope? If the people you love were looking into your coffin would they have the hope, the confident expectation that they would see you again in heaven?

To know you are going to heaven is as simple as A – B – C:

A – Agree with God that you have sinned.
B – Believe that Jesus died for your sins and has risen from the dead just as the Bible tells us.
C – Choose to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior because He died to pay the penalty for your sins.
Talk to Jesus through prayer expressing your trust in Him.

“Lord God, I know that I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins. I turn to You, God, believing that Jesus Christ rose from the dead to offer eternal life. Thank you, Jesus. I choose to accept your gift. Amen and Amen.”

Whether you prayed this prayer now or long before, make sure those you love know where you stand and where you are going.
 

A Heart Opened Wide – Studies in 2 Corinthians, the latest revised and updated commentary in The Kent Collection, was released in early June, 2006, by BMH Books of Winona Lake, Indiana.

Second Corinthians is often regarded as the apostle Paul’s most personal letter and Dr. Homer A. Kent’s informal writing brings out that aspect. The commentary peers into the heart of Paul and illuminates not only who he was as a man, but also as a theologian and evangelist.

In this 217-page paperback, Dr. Kent utilizes his broad knowledge of middle-eastern geography, literature and archaeology. His commentaries are based on his own translation of the Greek text. All photographs in the book are by the author.

Each chapter contains discussion questions for use in personal or group study and reflection.

Dr. Homer A. Kent, Jr. taught for 50 years at Grace Theological Seminary and Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana. He was dean of the seminary for 14 years and president of both schools for 10 years, retiring as president emeritus and professor emeritus of New Testament and Greek. He has traveled extensively in Bible lands, and has lectured in a number of countries.

The Kent Collection is BMH Books’ updated re-issuing of Dr. Kent’s commentaries on 15 books of the New Testament.

A Heart Opened Wide – Studies in 2 Corinthians retails for $14.99, and may be obtained online at www.bmhbooks.com or by calling (toll free) 1-800-348-2756. The ISBN number is 0884690865.