{"product_id":"god-unseen-a-theological-introduction-to-esther-9781936341801","title":"God Unseen: A Theological Introduction to Esther","description":"Preachers and commentators often focus on Esther as a story of divine providence. Many go so far as to say that the absence of any mention of God in Esther is proof of his presence-a tenuous foundation upon which to build a case  GOD UNSEEN argues that Esther is indeed intended to be read in a religious context and that it does speak to God's providence, but shows this by a careful comparison of the text of Esther with many other Old Testament narratives that it echoes, thus setting it squarely in a canonical context. The result of such a contextual reading will give credence to the belief that God should be seen in those silences. Esther closely parallels life in 21st-century western culture. It tells the story of people who know how to be righteous followers of God, but who are surrounded by a world of paganism and, far too often, find themselves assimilating rather than standing apart. The characters receive no special revelation from God, nor does he seem to be present at all in their lives. Many Christians today live under a similar set of circumstances, so its message is vital. GOD UNSEEN's argument that the book of Esther is religious and that God is present in the narrative will help give practical shape to modern questions of what it means to live during the apparent silence of God.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eWard, Nathan:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - Nathan Ward, D.Min., is professor of Biblical studies at Florida College in Temple Terrace, Fla. He is author of \u003ci\u003eThe Growth of the Seed: Notes on the Book of Genesis\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eDaybreak: A Guide to Overcoming Temptation\u003c\/i\u003e and editor of \u003ci\u003eBeneath the Cross: Essays and Reflections on the Lord's Supper\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eLeaving a Mark: The Lectures of Phil Roberts.\u003c\/i\u003e He lives in Tampa with his wife and two sons.","brand":"Deward Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50697985065234,"sku":"9781936341801","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_f4a2093f-cc5e-4194-b692-b201e14e7fcf.jpg?v=1734314276","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/god-unseen-a-theological-introduction-to-esther-9781936341801","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}