First Century

Harvard Business Review is the foremost destination for smart management thinking. Now, at its 100th anniversary, this commemorative volume brings together the most influential ideas since its inception. With thought leaders including Michael E. Porter, W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne, Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Peter Drucker, and Clayton M. Christensen, this book puts HBR's greatest concepts at your fingertips. You'll learn how these groundbreaking ideas continue to be relevant in today's business context—and what to keep in mind as you prepare for the future.

Rev. Dr. Stephen De Young, creator of the popular The Whole Counsel of God blog and podcast, traces the lineage of Orthodox Christianity back to the faith and witness of the apostles, which was rooted in a first-century Jewish worldview. The Religion of the Apostles presents the Orthodox Christian Church of today as a continuation of the religious life of the apostles, which in turn was a continuation of the life of the people of God since the beginning of creation.

If you think you know Bible history, you could be stunned by many findings in this book. From what Trinity means, to the day Jesus died, to mislabeled silent years, it will shock the senses with omissions in Bible studies and church services. From misguided preachers to those in it for celebrity status, radio programs, book deals, and speaking engagements, Jesus would admonish many churches and leaders for lack of discipline and rigor. You might be outraged that what is routinely taught covers less than 50 percent of the New Testament, and far less of the Old Testament.

In The Grand Strategy of the Roman Empire, seasoned defense analyst Edward N. Luttwak reveals how the Romans were able to combine military strength, diplomacy, and fortifications to effectively respond to changing threats. Rome's secret was not ceaseless fighting, but comprehensive strategies that unified force, diplomacy, and an immense infrastructure of roads, forts, walls, and barriers. Finally, as barbarians began to penetrate the empire, Rome filed large armies in a strategy of "defense-in-depth," allowing invaders to pierce Rome's borders.

It's time to start over from zero. What happened to the Western church? Why are we losing the generation under thirty and reaching so few nonbelievers? In Church Zero, Peyton Jones examines one of our biggest problems: squeezing our leaders into a mold that cuts their hair and drains away their commando strength. Scripture lays out a leadership model that worked explosively in the first century.

Nothing in our present Christian culture matches the early followers of Jesus. Our imitation religion we practice today is just a shadow of the power and majesty that the Christians of the first three centuries enjoyed. The history that you have been taught about Christianity has been tainted.

The Titus Diary is the story behind the letters to the Thessalonian churches. Reading the letters of Paul is often dry, devoid of context and separated from the story which led to the letters being written. In this account of the apostle Paul's second missionary journey, told through the eyes of Titus, listeners accompany Paul as he travels throughout Asia Minor and Greece. They see his struggles, the persecution and the suffering which Paul and Silas endured to bring the gospel into Europe.

A simple shepherd witnesses angels announcing Jesus' birth but finds he is an outcast for speaking of the event. For three decades he is plagued by guilt yet unsure what he's supposed to do. Twice he meets the Messiah and is again shocked and awed as he begins to recognize his role in God's plan. An encounter with an old enemy finally causes him to commit to a key role in early Christianity.

Lazarus and Y'shuah (Jesus' Hebrew name) grow up like brothers in the hills of Galilee. Both apprentice to their fathers as builders and carpenters until tragedy forces them to support their families. Lazarus refuses to believe his friend could be the Messiah of the Jews. He moves with his sisters to Judea and works alone until he suffers a crippling injury. His sisters learn that Y'shuah has become known in Galilee as a healer and teacher, so they summon him. Lazarus suffers an agonizing death.

Follow Legionnaire Asher from his horrific first mission in Bethlehem through three decades, as he is changed by the amazing events of the first century, ending at an empty tomb near Jerusalem.

Based on the book of Acts this is the story of the Apostle Paul's third journey. Told through the eyes of Paul's companion Timothy this is the tale of the journey to Ephesus and Paul's time in the city. Unlike his earlier journeys the third journey is spent mostly in one city where Paul not only raises up a church but trains young men to take on the mission of raising up the next generation of churches after his death. This is also the story of the church in Corinth and Paul's letters to that riotous, chaotic gathering.

A brilliant ensemble of the world's most visionary scientists provides 25 original never-before-published essays about the advances in science and technology that we may see within our lifetimes.