WHAT'S NEW?
NOVEMBER 2020
A NEW, FREE, BIBLE COURSE!
CORNERSTONE CERTIFICATE BIBLE COURSE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
It's not exactly a new free e-book, but it is free – and you can download the course units and study them on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, at your own pace. The carefully prepared courses are non-denominational and non-commercial in approach and provide in-depth information on the Bible for those who cannot attend Bible school or seminary, or who simply want to understand the Bible at a deeper level in their own personal study.
All course materials and textbooks are provided for free and there are no charges of any kind. Courses can be completed offline, and for those who desire certification a final exam can be taken online and a personalized certificate of completion is provided. A twenty-four unit course in the Old Testament is available that offers a detailed examination of key biblical events and provides many insights not gained by other methods of study. A course in the New Testament is currently in preparation. All Cornerstone courses combine careful biblical scholarship – utilizing information from theology, archaeology, and biblical history – with practical insight and applications. Download a course from the Cornerstone website today – we are sure you will learn and profit from it!
A NEW, FREE, BIBLE COURSE!
CORNERSTONE CERTIFICATE BIBLE COURSE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
It's not exactly a new free e-book, but it is free – and you can download the course units and study them on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, at your own pace. The carefully prepared courses are non-denominational and non-commercial in approach and provide in-depth information on the Bible for those who cannot attend Bible school or seminary, or who simply want to understand the Bible at a deeper level in their own personal study.
All course materials and textbooks are provided for free and there are no charges of any kind. Courses can be completed offline, and for those who desire certification a final exam can be taken online and a personalized certificate of completion is provided. A twenty-four unit course in the Old Testament is available that offers a detailed examination of key biblical events and provides many insights not gained by other methods of study. A course in the New Testament is currently in preparation. All Cornerstone courses combine careful biblical scholarship – utilizing information from theology, archaeology, and biblical history – with practical insight and applications. Download a course from the Cornerstone website today – we are sure you will learn and profit from it!
OCTOBER 2020
SECOND EDITION and FRENCH LANGUAGE EDITION!
LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF JESUS: PRACTICAL INSIGHTS FROM THE GOSPELS
By R. Herbert
Our free e-book, Lessons from the Life of Jesus, has always been one of our most popular titles and tens of thousands of copies have been downloaded since its publication in 2017. Now we are happy to announce that a new and revised (but still free!) second edition is available. This book is a perfect companion for background while studying the NET Bible Harmony of the Gospels (see last month's new book below) or for reading by itself. Lessons from the Life of Jesus contains twenty-five topics, each drawing from biblical history, archaeology, or culture, and giving a fresh insight into some aspect of the life and ministry of Christ – along with practical lessons you can apply in your Christian life today.
Like all our e-books, Lessons from the Life of Jesus is free for instant download in the format of your choice here.
Also this month we are excited to announce the publication of a French language version of Lessons from the Life of Jesus.
You can download a free copy of this new translation – LEÇONS INSPIRÉES DE LA VIE DE JÉSUS – here.
SECOND EDITION and FRENCH LANGUAGE EDITION!
LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF JESUS: PRACTICAL INSIGHTS FROM THE GOSPELS
By R. Herbert
Our free e-book, Lessons from the Life of Jesus, has always been one of our most popular titles and tens of thousands of copies have been downloaded since its publication in 2017. Now we are happy to announce that a new and revised (but still free!) second edition is available. This book is a perfect companion for background while studying the NET Bible Harmony of the Gospels (see last month's new book below) or for reading by itself. Lessons from the Life of Jesus contains twenty-five topics, each drawing from biblical history, archaeology, or culture, and giving a fresh insight into some aspect of the life and ministry of Christ – along with practical lessons you can apply in your Christian life today.
Like all our e-books, Lessons from the Life of Jesus is free for instant download in the format of your choice here.
Also this month we are excited to announce the publication of a French language version of Lessons from the Life of Jesus.
You can download a free copy of this new translation – LEÇONS INSPIRÉES DE LA VIE DE JÉSUS – here.
SEPTEMBER 2020
THE NET BIBLE SYNTHETIC HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS
STUDY EDITION – Edited by Jerry Peyton
If you are a regular visitor to this site, and our other Christian websites, you will know that the NET (New English Translation) Bible is a version that we recommend highly. This month we are especially pleased to provide access to the excellent NET Bible harmony of the Four Gospels prepared by Jerry Peyton and published by Bible.org.
Rather than utilizing an arrangement of the four Gospels that organizes the different accounts into parallel columns, this harmony is of the synthetic type – meaning that it weaves the accounts together into a more continuous flow. This format has advantages and disadvantages. While it can be a little more difficult to quickly see which Gospels include or do not include a specific account, it is far easier to read a synthetic harmony which preserves a better sense of narrative flow.
This harmony is well organized and places accounts together that are sometimes separated as though they represented different events purely on the basis of differing details. The harmony also includes a good number of study notes and explanations as well as some very useful appendices.
As with all the e-books we offer, THE NET BIBLE SYNTHETIC HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS is free – Check it out here.
THE NET BIBLE SYNTHETIC HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS
STUDY EDITION – Edited by Jerry Peyton
If you are a regular visitor to this site, and our other Christian websites, you will know that the NET (New English Translation) Bible is a version that we recommend highly. This month we are especially pleased to provide access to the excellent NET Bible harmony of the Four Gospels prepared by Jerry Peyton and published by Bible.org.
Rather than utilizing an arrangement of the four Gospels that organizes the different accounts into parallel columns, this harmony is of the synthetic type – meaning that it weaves the accounts together into a more continuous flow. This format has advantages and disadvantages. While it can be a little more difficult to quickly see which Gospels include or do not include a specific account, it is far easier to read a synthetic harmony which preserves a better sense of narrative flow.
This harmony is well organized and places accounts together that are sometimes separated as though they represented different events purely on the basis of differing details. The harmony also includes a good number of study notes and explanations as well as some very useful appendices.
As with all the e-books we offer, THE NET BIBLE SYNTHETIC HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS is free – Check it out here.
AUGUST 2020
MANNABOOKS APP GOES iOS:
READ CHRISTIAN E-BOOKS ON iPHONE AS WELL AS ANDROID NOW!
The free and excellent MannaBooks App for reading Bibles, devotionals, and a wide range of Christian books on your Android smart phone or tablet has been our recommended app for Christian e-book reading on-the-go since the app’s release. Now, that same app is available on the iOS platform for use on the Apple iPhone.
The new app allows you to browse MannaBooks’ growing collection of classic and new Christian e-books, devotionals and children's books (a great many of them free) and to enjoy them instantly on your smartphone. You can search for books by author, title, or topic, or browse the new, most popular, and trending e-books categories which are updated weekly.
The MannaBooks App has many additional benefits, not least of which are the customization options it provides. You can choose the background color for reading and also text in the size and style you prefer. Night Mode makes reading easier on your eyes before bedtime, and you can lock the screen in portrait or landscape mode for added comfort. You can also start reading on one device and pick up on another – the MannaBooks App always remembers where you left off, so you can keep reading across all your compatible devices.
The new app is also quite interactive. You can post your favorite quotes, notes, and thoughts from what you’re reading directly to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and you can rate and review the books you’ve read or read reviews from fellow Christian readers.
If you want to have a Christian library with you for reading anywhere – without having to carry a bulky laptop or e-book reader – the free new MannaBooks iOS app is available for download now from the Apple Bookstore .
And, of course, if you are an Android user, the app is also available from the Google Play Store.
Whether you are an Apple or an Android user, be sure to download this great app for Christian reading on your smartphone!
MANNABOOKS APP GOES iOS:
READ CHRISTIAN E-BOOKS ON iPHONE AS WELL AS ANDROID NOW!
The free and excellent MannaBooks App for reading Bibles, devotionals, and a wide range of Christian books on your Android smart phone or tablet has been our recommended app for Christian e-book reading on-the-go since the app’s release. Now, that same app is available on the iOS platform for use on the Apple iPhone.
The new app allows you to browse MannaBooks’ growing collection of classic and new Christian e-books, devotionals and children's books (a great many of them free) and to enjoy them instantly on your smartphone. You can search for books by author, title, or topic, or browse the new, most popular, and trending e-books categories which are updated weekly.
The MannaBooks App has many additional benefits, not least of which are the customization options it provides. You can choose the background color for reading and also text in the size and style you prefer. Night Mode makes reading easier on your eyes before bedtime, and you can lock the screen in portrait or landscape mode for added comfort. You can also start reading on one device and pick up on another – the MannaBooks App always remembers where you left off, so you can keep reading across all your compatible devices.
The new app is also quite interactive. You can post your favorite quotes, notes, and thoughts from what you’re reading directly to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and you can rate and review the books you’ve read or read reviews from fellow Christian readers.
If you want to have a Christian library with you for reading anywhere – without having to carry a bulky laptop or e-book reader – the free new MannaBooks iOS app is available for download now from the Apple Bookstore .
And, of course, if you are an Android user, the app is also available from the Google Play Store.
Whether you are an Apple or an Android user, be sure to download this great app for Christian reading on your smartphone!
JULY 2020
UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE:
THREE STEPS TO ENRICH AND DEEPEN YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCRIPTURES
By R. Herbert
The Bible is sometimes called “the most-read and least-understood of all books,” and most Christians admit that it does contain many verses that seem confusing or difficult. This new e-book addresses that situation by working through the three steps necessary to better understand almost any Bible verse or to enrich your knowledge of the Scriptures. Whether you are a relatively new Christian or an experienced student of the word of God, this book is sure to increase your comprehension of the Bible.
Like all our e-books, UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE is free for instant download in the format of your choice here.
UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE:
THREE STEPS TO ENRICH AND DEEPEN YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCRIPTURES
By R. Herbert
The Bible is sometimes called “the most-read and least-understood of all books,” and most Christians admit that it does contain many verses that seem confusing or difficult. This new e-book addresses that situation by working through the three steps necessary to better understand almost any Bible verse or to enrich your knowledge of the Scriptures. Whether you are a relatively new Christian or an experienced student of the word of God, this book is sure to increase your comprehension of the Bible.
Like all our e-books, UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE is free for instant download in the format of your choice here.
JUNE 2020
THE HOLY BIBLE, EASY-TO-READ VERSION
We are particularly happy that of the new books we hope to upload to our site in the coming months, the first is the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) of the Bible produced by the World Bible Translation Center and published by the Bible League International. The ERV uses simpler vocabulary and shorter sentences to make it easier to understand and is ideal for those using English as a second language, as well as others who find the more formal language of many versions of the Bible difficult to follow.
The ERV is available in many languages at the Bible League International website here, and we are very happy to be able to make the English language version available on this site. Despite its simplicity of style, the ERV is a carefully translated version that utilizes recent advances in biblical scholarship and follows a reasonable thought-for-thought rather than word-for-word approach.
The ERV Bible includes helpful footnotes and an overview of biblical history and the flow of the biblical narrative that will be useful for many without a lot of previous experience in Bible reading. The .pdf version has links to all the books of the Bible and the .epub and .mobi versions also have individual chapter links for each biblical book. Download a free copy in the format of your choice, here.
THE HOLY BIBLE, EASY-TO-READ VERSION
We are particularly happy that of the new books we hope to upload to our site in the coming months, the first is the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) of the Bible produced by the World Bible Translation Center and published by the Bible League International. The ERV uses simpler vocabulary and shorter sentences to make it easier to understand and is ideal for those using English as a second language, as well as others who find the more formal language of many versions of the Bible difficult to follow.
The ERV is available in many languages at the Bible League International website here, and we are very happy to be able to make the English language version available on this site. Despite its simplicity of style, the ERV is a carefully translated version that utilizes recent advances in biblical scholarship and follows a reasonable thought-for-thought rather than word-for-word approach.
The ERV Bible includes helpful footnotes and an overview of biblical history and the flow of the biblical narrative that will be useful for many without a lot of previous experience in Bible reading. The .pdf version has links to all the books of the Bible and the .epub and .mobi versions also have individual chapter links for each biblical book. Download a free copy in the format of your choice, here.
MAY 2020
WHY EVERY CHRISTIAN NEEDS MORE PATIENCE
(AND HOW TO DEVELOP IT)
By R. Herbert
While many people acknowledge patience is a virtue, it is easy to regard it as only a minor one – a distant cousin of the great spiritual virtues such as faith and love. Our new e-book shows that patience is not only biblically commanded, but also of fundamental importance for every believer – far more so than many people would guess. Why Every Christian Needs More Patience shows exactly what the Bible says about this quality and the unexpected ways the Scriptures help us to make patience a part of our Christian lives.
This e-book is available in multiple formats to read on most computers, e-book readers, and smart phones. There is no need to register or give an email address – simply download a free copy here.
WHY EVERY CHRISTIAN NEEDS MORE PATIENCE
(AND HOW TO DEVELOP IT)
By R. Herbert
While many people acknowledge patience is a virtue, it is easy to regard it as only a minor one – a distant cousin of the great spiritual virtues such as faith and love. Our new e-book shows that patience is not only biblically commanded, but also of fundamental importance for every believer – far more so than many people would guess. Why Every Christian Needs More Patience shows exactly what the Bible says about this quality and the unexpected ways the Scriptures help us to make patience a part of our Christian lives.
This e-book is available in multiple formats to read on most computers, e-book readers, and smart phones. There is no need to register or give an email address – simply download a free copy here.
APRIL 2020
THE SUN BIBLE: NEW TESTAMENT
Wycliffe Associates
The SUN (Symbolic Universal Notation) Bible is a new version of the Scriptures for the deaf who do not read, and for the deaf-blind. Using a symbolic system of writing, the deaf who are not trained in sign language as well as the deaf-blind can read God's word for themselves. This Bible is being produced by Wycliffe Associates and is made available on this website with their permission. SUN dictionaries for readers and translators, as well as full teaching resources, can be downloaded from the Wycliffe website.
The SUN Bible: New Testament is available in .pdf format to read on most computers and many e-book readers. There is no need to register or give an email address – simply download a free copy here.
THE SUN BIBLE: NEW TESTAMENT
Wycliffe Associates
The SUN (Symbolic Universal Notation) Bible is a new version of the Scriptures for the deaf who do not read, and for the deaf-blind. Using a symbolic system of writing, the deaf who are not trained in sign language as well as the deaf-blind can read God's word for themselves. This Bible is being produced by Wycliffe Associates and is made available on this website with their permission. SUN dictionaries for readers and translators, as well as full teaching resources, can be downloaded from the Wycliffe website.
The SUN Bible: New Testament is available in .pdf format to read on most computers and many e-book readers. There is no need to register or give an email address – simply download a free copy here.
MARCH 2020
SCRIPTURES IN QUESTION:
ANSWERS TO APPARENT BIBLICAL CONTRADICTIONS
By R. Herbert
Every year new and even well-established believers are unsettled and in some cases turned from the Christian faith by claims that the Bible contradicts itself and so it cannot be the inspired word of God. Our latest free e-book gives multiple examples of seven basic principles that can be easily applied to explain supposed inconsistencies in the Bible. Scriptures in Question is an important tool for answering your own questions and those others might ask you.
As with all our free e-books, Scriptures in Question is available in multiple formats to read on almost any electronic device and there is no need to register or give an email address to get a copy - just click on the download link and enjoy. You can download your free copy here.
FEBRUARY 2020
LESSONS FROM OLD TESTAMENT LEADERS:
PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP FOR EVERYDAY LIVING
By R. Herbert
The Bible is a book about leaders. More than 95 percent of its stories are about individuals who were leaders or who took the initiative when leadership was needed. This is especially true of the Hebrew Scriptures, and our new e-book looks at case studies drawn from the lives of numerous men and women of the Old Testament who displayed great leadership abilities and from whom we can learn much today.
Like all our titles, Lessons from Old Testament Leaders is available in three formats so you can read it on any computer, smart phone or e-book reader. And, of course, like all our e-books, this one is free and free from advertising. There is no need to register or give an email address to get a copy – simply download it here and you are ready to start reading!
LESSONS FROM OLD TESTAMENT LEADERS:
PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP FOR EVERYDAY LIVING
By R. Herbert
The Bible is a book about leaders. More than 95 percent of its stories are about individuals who were leaders or who took the initiative when leadership was needed. This is especially true of the Hebrew Scriptures, and our new e-book looks at case studies drawn from the lives of numerous men and women of the Old Testament who displayed great leadership abilities and from whom we can learn much today.
Like all our titles, Lessons from Old Testament Leaders is available in three formats so you can read it on any computer, smart phone or e-book reader. And, of course, like all our e-books, this one is free and free from advertising. There is no need to register or give an email address to get a copy – simply download it here and you are ready to start reading!