{"product_id":"strange-scriptures-that-perplex-the-western-mind-paperback-2","title":"Strange Scriptures That Perplex the Western Mind - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eBarbara M. Bowen\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStrange Scriptures That Perplex the Western Mind: Clarified in the Light of Customs and Conditions in Bible Lands\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eUnlock the hidden, oriental context of the Bible and transform confusing, baffling passages into beautiful, life-changing truths.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhy did Jesus curse a fig tree for not having fruit when it wasn't even the season for figs? Why did the Psalmist talk about putting his tears in a bottle? Why is a hypocrite compared to a \"whited sepulchre\"?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo the modern Western reader, the Holy Scriptures are filled with bizarre phrases, strange idioms, and perplexing rituals. The reason for this confusion is simple: the Bible is an Eastern book, written by Easterners, heavily steeped in ancient Oriental customs, geography, and agriculture. When we read it through our 21st-century Western lens, we miss the depth, the nuance, and often the literal meaning of what God is saying.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eStrange Scriptures That Perplex the Western Mind\u003c\/i\u003e, renowned researcher and traveler Barbara M. Bowen takes you on an eye-opening journey across the lands of the Bible. By pulling back the curtain on ancient Middle Eastern daily life, hospitality, warfare, and agriculture, she effortlessly bridges the cultural chasm, causing dark and difficult verses to instantly burst into brilliant morning light.\u003c\/p\u003eWhy This Cultural Guide is an Absolute Must-Have: \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDecodes Baffling Verses: \u003c\/b\u003e Stop skipping over difficult or strange phrases in Scripture. Get clear, logical, and historical explanations that make sense of the text.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVivid Historical Context: \u003c\/b\u003e Experience what it was actually like to live, walk, and work in ancient Palestine, Egypt, and Mesopotamia during biblical times.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDeepens Your Devotional Life: \u003c\/b\u003e Far from a dry, clinical academic study, Bowen's insights illuminate the profound love, protection, and sovereign care of God hidden inside Eastern metaphors.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Perfect Companion for Study: \u003c\/b\u003e An exceptional reference manual to keep next to your Bible during morning devotions, sermon preparation, or small group curriculum.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003eFascinating Insights You Will Discover: \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Secrets of Eastern Hospitality: \u003c\/b\u003e Why washing a guest's feet, eating salt together, and the \"law of the roof\" carried life-or-death spiritual spiritual meanings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAgriculture and Nature Imagery: \u003c\/b\u003e The true meaning behind the \"early and latter rain,\" the \"threshing floor,\" and why the shepherd always walks \u003ci\u003eahead\u003c\/i\u003e of the sheep.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDomestic and Social Customs: \u003c\/b\u003e The cultural realities of ancient Eastern weddings, mourning rituals, garments, and marketplace trading that completely reshape how you read the parables of Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIdioms and Figures of Speech: \u003c\/b\u003e Unpacking the colorful, poetic hyperbole used by the prophets that Westerners easily misunderstand or take out of context.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"The Bible was written for us, but it was not written \u003ci\u003eto\u003c\/i\u003e us. To truly understand the words of the prophets and the parables of our Lord, we must learn to sit in their tents, walk their roads, and think with an Eastern mind.\" - Barbara M. Bowen\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStop guessing at the meaning of difficult passages. Let Barbara M. Bowen guide you out of modern Western confusion into the rich, vibrant, and authentic world of the ancient Near East.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSee the Bible through a completely new lens. Scroll up and click \"Buy Now\" to secure your copy today!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 94\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.24 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e December 12, 2013\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57306327843121,"sku":"9781494456443","price":23.18,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0958\/3486\/5969\/files\/Q2V9b6bNCo9781494456443.webp?v=1793807812","url":"https:\/\/www.welibooks.com\/products\/strange-scriptures-that-perplex-the-western-mind-paperback-2","provider":"Welibooks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}