Audiobooks Narrated by Richard Littledale

Bridging the Testaments, Part 2: The History and Theology of God’s People in the Second Temple Perio

An accessible introduction to the historical and theological developments between the Old and New Testament. Bridging the end of the Old Testament period and the beginning of the New Testament period, this book surveys the history and theological developments of four significant eras in Israel's post-exilic history: the Late Persian Era (465-331 BC), the Hellenistic Era (332-167 BC), the Hasmonean Era (167-63 BC), and the Roman Era (63-4 BC). In doing so, it does away with the notion that there were four hundred years of prophetic silence before Jesus. Bridging the Testaments outlines the political and social developments of these four periods, with particular focus on their impact upon Judeans and Samarians. Using a wide range of biblical and extra-biblical sources, George Athas reconstructs what can be known about the history of Judah and Samaria in these eras, providing the framework for understanding the history of God's covenant people, and the theological developments that occurred at the end of the Old Testament period, leading into the New Testament. In doing so, Athas shows that the notion of a supposed period of four hundred years of prophetic silence is not supported by the biblical or historical evidence. Finally, an epilogue sketches the historical and theological situation prevailing at the death of Herod in 4 BC, providing important context for the New Testament writings. In this way, the book bridges the Old and New Testaments by providing a historical and theological understanding of the five centuries leading up to the birth of Jesus, tracking a biblical theology through them, and abolishing the notion of a four-century prophetic silence. Tables, maps, and diagrams can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download.

George Athas (Author), Richard Littledale (Narrator)

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Bridging the Testaments, Part 1: The History and Theology of God’s People in the Second Temple Perio

An accessible introduction to the historical and theological developments between the Old and New Testament. Bridging the end of the Old Testament period and the beginning of the New Testament period, this book surveys the history and theological developments of four significant eras in Israel's post-exilic history: the Late Persian Era (465-331 BC), the Hellenistic Era (332-167 BC), the Hasmonean Era (167-63 BC), and the Roman Era (63-4 BC). In doing so, it does away with the notion that there were four hundred years of prophetic silence before Jesus. Bridging the Testaments outlines the political and social developments of these four periods, with particular focus on their impact upon Judeans and Samarians. Using a wide range of biblical and extra-biblical sources, George Athas reconstructs what can be known about the history of Judah and Samaria in these eras, providing the framework for understanding the history of God's covenant people, and the theological developments that occurred at the end of the Old Testament period, leading into the New Testament. In doing so, Athas shows that the notion of a supposed period of four hundred years of prophetic silence is not supported by the biblical or historical evidence. Finally, an epilogue sketches the historical and theological situation prevailing at the death of Herod in 4 BC, providing important context for the New Testament writings. In this way, the book bridges the Old and New Testaments by providing a historical and theological understanding of the five centuries leading up to the birth of Jesus, tracking a biblical theology through them, and abolishing the notion of a four-century prophetic silence. Tables, maps, and diagrams can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download.

George Athas (Author), Richard Littledale (Narrator)

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Hearing the Message of Ecclesiastes: Questioning Faith in a Baffling World

There is no easy answer to the meaning of life--even when you believe in God. The book of Ecclesiastes seeks to answer the question: 'What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?' The book's writer is Qoheleth, who wants to understand the meaning of life as far as he possibly can with the tools of his own empirical observation and reason. He struggles to reconcile the beautiful world that we love and enjoy with the baffling world of injustice, suffering, and death. Qoheleth circles around an abyss of nihilism and pessimism. He lives with unanswered questions. Yet he remains a believer. Old Testament scholar Christopher J. H. Wright invites you to join Qoheleth on a journey through wisdom literature from centuries ago, because the message of Ecclesiastes can be strangely reassuring as we put our faith to the test in today's post-modern era. There will be disorienting twists and turns and the occasional complete impasse as complex topics are discussed, like: - The meaning of life - Mysteries of time and injustice - Ambiguities of work, politics, worship, and wealth Hearing the Message of Ecclesiastes won't answer your questions about the meaning of life, but it will ultimately help you live in the tension of God's gifts in Genesis 1-2 and the fallen world of Genesis 3--and still go on trusting in the sovereign goodness of God. Reflection questions are included in the audiobook companion PDF download.

Christopher J. H. Wright (Author), Richard Littledale (Narrator)

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May We Borrow Your Language?: How English Steals Words from All Over the World

The English language that is spoken by one billion people around the world is a linguistic mongrel, its vocabulary a diverse mix resulting from centuries of borrowing from other tongues. From the Celtic languages of pre-Roman Britain to Norman French; from the Vikings' Old Scandinavian to Persian, Sanskrit, Algonquian, Cantonese and Hawaiian – amongst a host of others – we have enriched our modern language with such words as tulip, slogan, doolally, avocado, moccasin, ketchup and ukulele. May We Borrow Your Language? explores the intriguing and unfamiliar stories behind scores of familiar words that the English language has filched from abroad; in so doing, it also sheds fascinating light on the wider history of the development of the English we speak today. Full of etymological nuggets to intrigue and delight the reader, this is a gift book for word buffs to cherish – as cerebrally stimulating as it is more-ishly entertaining. - Philip Gooden writes books about language as well as historical crime novels. The former include 'Who's Whose? A No-Nonsense Guide to Easily-Confused Words', 'The Story of English', and (as co-author) 'Idiomantics' and 'The Word at War'.

Philip Gooden (Author), Richard Littledale (Narrator)

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The New Testament in Its World: Part 2: An Introduction to the History, Literature, and Theology of

Finally: an introduction that captures the excitement of the early Christians, helping today's listeners to think like a first-century believer while reading the text responsibly for today. The New Testament in Its World: Part 2 is your passageway from the twenty-first century to the era of Jesus and the first Christians. An introduction placing the entire New Testament and early Christianity in its original context, it is the only such work by distinguished scholar and author N. T. (Tom) Wright. An ideal guide for students, The New Testament in Its World: Part 2 addresses the many difficult questions faced by those studying early Christianity. Both large and small, these questions include: - What is the purpose of the New Testament? - What was the first-century understanding of the kingdom? - What is the real meaning of the resurrection in its original context? - What really were the Gospels? - Who was Paul and why are his letters so controversial? - As twenty-first-century people, how do we recover the excitement of what it was like to live as Christians in the first or second centuries? In short, The New Testament in Its World: Part 2 brings together decades of ground-breaking research, writing, and teaching into one volume that will open listeners' eyes to the larger world of the New Testament. It presents the New Testament books as historical, literary, and social phenomena located in the world of Second Temple Judaism, amidst Greco-Roman politics and culture, and within early Christianity. Written for both classroom and personal use, the benefits of The New Testament in Its World: Part 2 include: - A distillation of the life work of N. T. Wright on the New Testament with input from Michael Bird - Historical context that situates Jesus and the early church within the history, culture, and religion of Second Temple Judaism and the Greco-Roman world - Major sections on the historical Jesus, the resurrection of Jesus, and Paul's chronology and theology - Surveys of each New Testament book that discuss their significance, critical topics like authorship and date, and that provide commentary on contents along with implications for the Christian life - Up-to-date discussions of textual criticism and the canonization of the New Testament - A concluding chapter dedicated to living the story of the New Testament

Michael F. Bird, N. T. Wright (Author), Richard Littledale (Narrator)

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The New Testament in Its World: Part 1: An Introduction to the History, Literature, and Theology of

Finally: an introduction that captures the excitement of the early Christians, helping today's listeners to think like a first-century believer while reading the text responsibly for today. The New Testament in Its World: Part 1 is your passageway from the twenty-first century to the era of Jesus and the first Christians. An introduction placing the entire New Testament and early Christianity in its original context, it is the only such work by distinguished scholar and author N. T. (Tom) Wright. An ideal guide for students, The New Testament in Its World: Part 1 addresses the many difficult questions faced by those studying early Christianity. Both large and small, these questions include: - What is the purpose of the New Testament? - What was the first-century understanding of the kingdom? - What is the real meaning of the resurrection in its original context? - What really were the Gospels? - Who was Paul and why are his letters so controversial? - As twenty-first-century people, how do we recover the excitement of what it was like to live as Christians in the first or second centuries? In short, The New Testament in Its World: Part 1 brings together decades of ground-breaking research, writing, and teaching into one volume that will open listeners' eyes to the larger world of the New Testament. It presents the New Testament books as historical, literary, and social phenomena located in the world of Second Temple Judaism, amidst Greco-Roman politics and culture, and within early Christianity. Written for both classroom and personal use, the benefits of The New Testament in Its World: Part 1 include: - A distillation of the life work of N. T. Wright on the New Testament with input from Michael Bird - Historical context that situates Jesus and the early church within the history, culture, and religion of Second Temple Judaism and the Greco-Roman world - Major sections on the historical Jesus, the resurrection of Jesus, and Paul's chronology and theology - Surveys of each New Testament book that discuss their significance, critical topics like authorship and date, and that provide commentary on contents along with implications for the Christian life - Up-to-date discussions of textual criticism and the canonization of the New Testament - A concluding chapter dedicated to living the story of the New Testament

Michael F. Bird, N. T. Wright (Author), Richard Littledale (Narrator)

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The Note: The first sound of Christmas

A unique Christmas story, 'The note' will take you on a wonderful journey across the greatest oceans to a baby in a manger and beyond guided by the heart warming narration of the author Richard Littledale and the stunning orchestral arrangement by Andrew Stamp. With it's high praise ( see below ), The note is to be enjoyed by you, your friends and loved ones. Do you hear THE NOTE? Richard Littledale writes “once it has been played or sung, every note goes on forever. May this note stay with you forever'. PRAISE FOR THE NOTE AUDIOBOOK “It has a life all of its own. Bravo! Listened keenly on public transport this morning. Oh the inspiration!” - Bernard Achampong, freelance radio producer “It has something of the Little Prince about it” – Fiona Robertson, editor, Watkins Press “It leaves a residue, which is the hallmark of a good story. …The Note is super – evocative and haunting as ever. You have a knack of taking the simplest thing and imbuing it with meaning, depth and resonance.” – Jonny Gallant, managing director, Alban Books “Great first impression” – Rev Mary Hawes, National Children’s and Youth adviser, C of E “Magical” – John Logan, head teacher. “Well... it's just sheer delight. I think you may have a winner :)” – Jonathan Gunson, bestselling author and marketing expert, New Zealand “I love it, I can just picture the whole family sitting together to listen to this, with just the faint flicker of candle light” – Trudi Harrison, cake-maker “A mesmerising, thought-provoking and tinglingly emotive story, so beautifully read. Every listener will find him or herself looking for that silvery note. Just gorgeous” – Karen Sullivan, founder, Orenda Books “Just wow really! Beautiful and your voice is perfect for it - so gentle & peaceful” Helen Sadler, founder of Monkey Wellbeing, children’s specialist” “It's a lovely story. The whole thing is completely gorgeous. I wish you all the very best with

Richard Littledale (Author), Richard Littledale (Narrator)

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