Leland Ryken

The Sacred Duty and Delight of Handling the Word of God In order to understand, appreciate, and faithfully preach the word of God, pastors must discern the literary nature of the Bible. Instead of just acknowledging the various genres of Scripture, pastors and teachers should allow these genres to influence how the text is approached and communicated. In The Beauty and Power of Biblical Exposition, they will learn how to both read and preach the Bible as a literary anthology. To accomplish this, Douglas Sean O’Donnell and Leland Ryken teach pastors how to faithfully preach while keeping the original authors’ intentions in mind, helping them grow in their craft and love for God’s word. They explain how to read 6 genres—including narratives, parables, epistles, poetry, proverbs, and visionary writings—for the purpose of captivating congregations with the richness of Scripture. Written for Pastors: Especially young pastors or those just out of seminary Practical: Contains guides, tables, and examples to help develop sermons Heartfelt: Written with the desire for pastors to learn and grow as communicators

The Bible is accessible. It's meant to be read and comprehended by everyone from armchair readers to seminary students. A few essential insights into the Bible can clear up a lot of misconceptions and help you grasp the meaning of Scripture and its application to your twenty-first-century life. The How to Read the Bible Pack, Second Edition includes everything you need to understand the Bible more clearly and get the most out of your Bible-reading experience.The How to Read the Bible Pack, Second Edition includes six books by six leading biblical scholars:How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas StuartHow to Read the Bible Book by Book by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas StuartHow to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens by Michael WilliamsHow to Read the Bible as Literature by Leland RykenHow to Preach and Teach the Old Testament for All Its Worth by Christopher J. H. WrightHow to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee and Mark L. Strauss The How to Read the Bible Pack, Second Edition will help you read the Bible more accurately and in greater depth so you can uncover the inexhaustible worth that is in God's Word.

Introducing readers to one of evangelicalism’s most important figures, this biography explores J. I. Packer’s life and legacy through a detailed accounting of his life, personal anecdotes, and key themes that shaped his ministry.

This is the fifth of a six-volume series called Reading the Bible as Literature. In this volume, the author not only explores the intersection of the Bible and literature, but he also shows pastors, students, and teachers of the Bible how to appreciate the craftsmanship of visionary literature and prophetic oracles and how to interpret them correctly. Dr. Ryken goes one step further than merely explaining the genre by including exercises to help students master this rich literary treasure. Speaking of the entire series, Ryken says, "The niche that these volumes are designed to fill is the literary approach to the Bible. This has been my scholarly passion for nearly half a century. It is my belief that a literary approach to the Bible is the common reader's friend, in contract to the more specialized types of scholarship on the Bible."

A 30-Day Anthology of Classic Christmas Writings For centuries, Christians have treasured the same classic hymns and passages at Christmas. While these works have stood the test of time, believers can be tempted to adopt them as commonplace and fail to consider their deeper meaning. Journey to Bethlehem presents an insightful selection of Christmas classics from the greatest English and American poets to important historical church figures such as Augustine, Luther, Calvin, and Spurgeon. Ideal for reading during the month of December, yet applicable for use year-round, each of the 30 readings consists of a classic work, literary analysis, takeaway summary, and Bible passage. Literary expert Leland Ryken analyzes hymns, poems, and prose, highlighting how each passage is edifying and stylistically satisfying. Readers will experience a new fondness for these classic works as they meditate on the mystery of Christ’s incarnation. 30-Day Christmas Anthology: Each daily reading guides readers through the month of December Features Classic Christian Works: Writings by historical church figures, including Augustine, Luther, Calvin, and Spurgeon Written by Leland Ryken: Literary expert and author or editor of over 60 books including The Soul in Paraphrase and The Heart in Pilgrimage Offers a Fresh Perspective: Examines classic works from a literary perspective to provide Christians with new insights

God's eternal redemptive plan came to fruition in the events of a tumultuous handful of days. In the two thousand years since, believers have sought to express the horror of Christ's crucifixion, the joy of his resurrection, and the wonder of the personal and eternal implications of both. The works of poets such as John Milton, John Donne, and Christina Rosetti and hymnists such as Isaac Watts and Fanny Crosby unite with the poetic testimony of Scripture in this anthology. Forty meditative readings present their work alongside literary explanations from author Leland Ryken. Accompanied by beautiful artwork (none shows Christ's face), they are designed to fix our thoughts on God and the spiritual life and to awaken our religious affections. Rather than merely recreating the events, these psalms, hymns, and poems lead us to analyze their spiritual meaning and prompt us to respond with heartfelt praise and adoration.

This is the last of a six-volume series called Reading the Bible as Literature. In this series, the author not only explores the intersection of the Bible and literature, but he also shows pastors, students, and teachers of the Bible the beautiful craftsmanship of Proverbs and wisdom literature and how to interpret them correctly. Dr. Ryken goes one step further than merely explaining the genre of Proverbs and wisdom literature by including exercises to help students master this rich literary treasure.

This is the third of a six-volume series called Reading the Bible as Literature. As with the first two volumes (How Bible Stories Work and Sweeter Than Honey, Richer Than Gold), the author explores the intersection of the Bible and literature. In this third volume, Dr. Ryken shows pastors, students, and teachers of the Bible how the literary craftsmanship of the epistles leads to a richer understanding of its contents. After explaining the literary makeup of the epistles, he provides exercises to help his readers master this rich literary treasure. Speaking of the entire series, Ryken says, "The niche that these volumes are designed to fill is the literary approach to the Bible. This has been my scholarly passion for nearly half a century. It is my belief that a literary approach to the Bible is the common reader's friend, in contrast to the more specialized types of scholarship on the Bible."

A Beautiful Collection of 50 Classic Devotionals Christians throughout the ages have written devotionals as a way to bend their souls toward God and teach about him, communicating rich truths and encouraging readers to grow in grace and godliness. In this collection of 50 devotionals and creeds by figures such as Augustine, John Calvin, and Nathaniel Hawthorne, literary expert Leland Ryken introduces readers to insightful selections of their classic writings. Each entry contains a devotional passage from a historical figure, analysis by Ryken, and a concluding Bible passage that sums up the devotional passage and its analysis. Literary-inclined readers and first-time devotional readers alike will relish this one-of-a-kind anthology carefully compiled to help them encounter God in fresh ways. Written by Leland Ryken: A literary expert with over 50 years of teaching experience Perfect for Daily Devotions: With a ribbon marker to keep your place in the book, each entry includes a historical devotional passage, analysis by Ryken, and a concluding Bible passage Features 50 Devotionals and Creeds from Church History: Features writers such as John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, George MacDonald, Thomas à Kempis, Jane Austen, and J. I. Packer

? Publishers Weekly starred reviewA Best Book of 2018 in Religion, Publishers WeeklyReading great literature well has the power to cultivate virtue, says acclaimed author Karen Swallow Prior. In this book, she takes readers on a guided tour through works of great literature both ancient and modern, exploring twelve virtues that philosophers and theologians throughout history have identified as most essential for good character and the good life.Covering authors from Henry Fielding to Cormac McCarthy, Jane Austen to George Saunders, and Flannery O'Connor to F. Scott Fitzgerald, Prior explores some of the most compelling universal themes found in the pages of classic books, helping readers learn to love life, literature, and God through their encounters with great writing. The book includes end-of-chapter reflection questions geared toward book club discussions, original artwork throughout, and a foreword by Leland Ryken. The hardcover edition was named a Best Book of 2018 in Religion by Publishers Weekly."[A] lively treatise on building character through books.'"--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

A Christian Perspective on the Joys of Reading Reading has become a lost art. With smartphones offering us endless information with the tap of a finger, it’s hard to view reading as anything less than a tedious and outdated endeavor. This is particularly problematic for Christians, as many find it difficult to read even the Bible consistently and attentively. Reading is in desperate need of recovery. Recovering the Lost Art of Reading addresses these issues by exploring the importance of reading in general as well as studying the Bible as literature, offering practical suggestions along the way. Leland Ryken and Glenda Faye Mathes inspire a new generation to overcome the notion that reading is a duty and instead discover it as a delight.

Books on the bible as literature neglect the New Testament. The author of Words of Delight: A Literary Introduction to the Bible devotes this companion volume, Words of Life, to the principle that literary approaches are as important for understanding the New Testament as they are for comprehending the Old. The result is a volume brimming over with insights into New Testament books and passages, insights that have escaped most traditional commentators. Those who study, preach, or teach the New Testament will admit this volume into the inner circle of reference works they always keep within reach.

Books on the bible as literature neglect the New Testament. The author of Words of Delight: A Literary Introduction to the Bible devotes this companion volume, Words of Life, to the principle that literary approaches are as important for understanding the New Testament as they are for comprehending the Old. The result is a volume brimming over with insights into New Testament books and passages, insights that have escaped most traditional commentators. Those who study, preach, or teach the New Testament will admit this volume into the inner circle of reference works they always keep within reach.

This is the first of a projected six-volume series called Reading the Bible as Literature (the second volume being Sweeter Than Honey, Richer Than Gold). An expert at exploring the intersection of the Bible and literature, Ryken shows pastors and students and teachers of the Bible how to appreciate the craftsmanship and beauty of biblical narrative and how to interpret it correctly. Dr. Ryken goes one step further than merely explaining the genre of story—he includes exercises to help students master this rich literary treasure.

Christians throughout the ages have written poetry as a way to commune with and teach about God, communicating rich truths and enduring beauty through their art. These poems, when read devotionally, provide a unique way for Christians to deepen their spiritual insight and experience. In this collection of over 90 poems by poets such as Emily Dickinson, T. S. Eliot, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Robert Frost, William Shakespeare, and over 30 more, literary expert Leland Ryken introduces readers to the best of the best in devotional poetry, providing commentary that helps them see and appreciate not only the literary beauty of these poems but also the spiritual truths they contain. Literary-inclined readers and first-time poetry readers alike will relish this one-of-a-kind anthology carefully compiled to help them encounter God in fresh ways.