Books by Kevin McKinney

  

New Testament Miracles

The 37 Miracles of Jesus

During His earthly ministry, Jesus performed thousands of miracles. From curing all types of diseases to calming a storm to raising people from the dead, Jesus showed His power over and over again. The writers of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, recorded 37 specific miracles out of the thousands performed. These were selected to give us a better understanding of who Jesus is as well as demonstrate His power and authority. Each miracle has multiple lessons to teach, and only by close examination can you see everything Jesus was attempting to teach his followers two thousand years ago, and today.
This book puts the 37 miracles of Jesus in chronological order. Each entry shows the scripture, where the miracle took place, and gives a commentary on the meaning and lessons of the miracle. There are also interesting facts inserted, including archaeological discoveries that help put the miracle stories in a proper context. The text also examines possible contradictions in the miracle stories and shows these are not what they seem.
What more can we learn from Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead? Why did Jesus delay in performing miracles for some of those who asked? Get a new perspective on the accounts of all 37 miracles performed by Jesus. The miracles of the New Testament showed Jesus' power during His time on earth, and they still hold power for us today.

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Bible Reference Sheets

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Start your Bible Study today with these easy-to-use Bible Reference Sheets. Single-page reference guides to all 66 books of the Bible. Use for your personal Bible Study or print as many copies as needed for study groups or Sunday school classes. Each Bible reference sheet includes author name, dates written, key versus, key figures, and study elements. Includes separate Bible Summary Sheets for both the Old and New Testaments. This edition also includes the Apocrypha books for a total of 73 reference sheets, all conveniently formatted on 8 1/2 x 11 pages for easy printing, copying and laminating. Get your copy of this Bible Study Guide today and incorporate these summary Bible Reference Sheets into your studies.

The Bible

Some Assembly Required

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The Bible is the inspired word of God, but is the Bible we read today the same Bible our ancestors read? For centuries there were meetings of church leaders to discuss and hash out the contents of the Bible. These included many arguments, disagreements and controversies before the proper Books of the Bible could be decided upon.

Questions and curiosities about the Bible are not limited to the non-believer. Saint Paul in 1 Thessalonians tells us we should not take things at face value: “...examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) - Don’t be afraid to ask questions, to seek the truth.

When and how were the books that make up the modern Bible decided upon? Why are there multiple translations of the Bible? Why do some Bibles have 66 books while others have 73 and still others 80 books? Who were the people involved? Which were the most important ancient manuscripts? Do the Dead Sea Scrolls contradict or confirm the Bible? How do the ancient manuscripts found in the Nag Hammadi Library fit into Bible History? and why were the Apocrypha Books excluded from the Bible? Persecuted and outlawed, the early Christians fought to follow their faith and put together a canon of selected scripture which has lasted nearly twenty centuries.

Answers can be difficult, but there are many sources of information available from ancient times and some of the most reliable historians of antiquity. A vast number of ancient manuscripts exist to help confirm what we have today is the Bible the early church leaders intended. The Bible is the greatest story ever told, but there was Some Assembly Required.

The Bible As History

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Did the Bible writers get it right? Can we trust the historical aspects of the Bible? What can science, archaeology and history tell us about the historical aspects of the Bible? If the writers got the historical details correct, does it make it easier to believe the divine aspects recorded in the Bible? Examine the evidence for yourself.

The spread of Christianity is not easily explained or understood and confounds critics and believers alike. While this new faith was widely spread by word of mouth, the primary tool for the new religion was the Bible. Even now, nearly 2,000 years later, the Bible continues to influence lives all over the world. How can this ancient document continue to have such a profound influence on the world?

How has it survived the changing times and the feeble whims of mankind? While the world has changed so dramatically, the Bible remains the same. The Bible has withstood centuries of attack from critics and non-believers, but it still stands intact.

The Bible has its roots in both theology and history. Some believe the Bible is at its basest form a book of history.

“The Religion of the Bible is broadly speaking, a historically based religion; the primary arena of the Bible is history; the divine manifestation is set essentially in history.”

The Bible is indeed a historically accurate document which can be trusted in all the elements it records regarding history, and therefore should be considered trustworthy and accurate in other areas as well.

Can and should the Bible be taken seriously as an historical document? What does science, archaeology and ancient writings have to say on the subject? All of this and more is covered in 'The Bible As History'

Bible Archaeology

The Top 75 Discoveries

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Bible Archaeology, the study of the lands, cultures, and events of the Biblical lands. Over the decades, thousands of artifacts relating to the Bible have been discovered in Israel, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, and elsewhere. A single project in Jerusalem has recovered over 600,000 artifacts over a twenty-year span. Each of these discoveries sheds light on the Bible lands and the people who inhabited them. In doing so, the artifacts help confirm the stories, events, and individuals recorded in the Bible. Some artifacts are limited in what they can tell us, while others offer stunning confirmation of biblical events.
In this text, we will examine 75 of the most significant archaeological discoveries related to the Bible. These artifacts are from all over the Bible Lands and are related to numerous stories and passages in the Bible. King Solomon's mines, the Exodus, King David, the flood, ancient manuscripts, seals, coins, and much more. There is proof, scientific proof, that can aid and bolster your faith and confidence in the Bible.

Bible Archaeology

The Easter Story

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Easter, three days that changed the world forever. What can archaeology, science and ancient historical texts reveal about the Easter Story? Can we separate the two Easters, the one told of in the Bible and the one with the cute bunny? Examine the evidence, look at the traditions, the myths and the proof.
In this compact guide, we will take a closer look at each of the following elements to examine the people and places of the Easter Story.

• The Last Supper
  
• Pontius Pilate
  
• High Priest Caiaphas
  
• The Method of Death
  
• The Cross of Christ
  
• The Sun Went Dark
  
• The Resurrection
  
• Easter Morning
  
• The Empty Tomb
  
• The Shroud of Turin
  
• Tradition and Trivia
  
  Examine the evidence for yourself, then decide what is true and what is a fairy tale.

Bible Archaeology

The Christmas Story

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What can Archaeology tell us about the Story of Christmas?

Look at the individual elements of the Christmas Story and examine the scientific and historical evidence concerning this, perhaps the best-known story in history. We will separate fact from fiction, truth from legend and myth. Can we separate the commercialism from the true story of Christmas?

Examine the various elements of the Christmas Story

• How was the date for Christmas Selected?

• Was there really a census?

• Did Bethlehem exist in the 1st century?

• Is the story of no rooms at the inn accurate?

• Why a manger?

• Did the Shepherds have a more significant meaning?

• When was Jesus presented at the Temple?

• Was there really a Christmas Star?

• Who were the Magi?

• What was King Herod like?

• Was there really a slaughter of infant boys in Bethlehem?

• Where did the Holy Family go in Egypt?

• Was Nazareth on the map?

• Where do the traditions come from?

Examine the evidence for yourself and separate the fact from myth. - Get your copy of "The Christmas Story" today.

Almost In The Bible

25 Lost and Forbidden Books

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What belongs in the Bible? The answer is far more complex than it appears.

There is a common assumption that the New Testament was universally accepted from the moment the ink dried on the original manuscripts. In reality, the early Church navigated a landscape filled with competing letters, gospels, and apocalypses—many claiming apostolic authority. Some were adopted into the final canon; others were scrutinized, debated, and eventually set aside by early Christian leadership.

Almost in the Bible is a clear, factual historical survey of 25 specific books that sat on the fringe of the New Testament. From the hidden sayings of the Gospel of Thomas to the apocalyptic visions of First Enoch and the pseudo-legal trial records of the Gospel of Nicodemus, author Kevin McKinney explores the texts that early Christian leaders read, argued over, and occasionally championed before falling outside the formal list of scripture.

This comprehensive reference guide does not challenge the biblical canon. Instead, it provides a fascinating, objective look at the "lived religion" of late antiquity for the curious layperson and serious student alike.

Inside this definitive guide, you will explore:

• The Texts: A detailed look at 25 "lost" books, including the Didache, the Shepherd of Hermas, the Gospel of Mary, and the Apocalypse of Paul.
• The Context: Why these alternative gospels, acts, and letters were written, who actually authored them, and how they influenced the early Christian world.
• The Forensic Verdict: The exact historical, theological, and institutional arguments that led the early Church to exclude these works from the New Testament canon.
• Bonus Material: An investigative look at the "biblical cliffhanger" of Acts 28 and the compelling theories surrounding a missing sequel to the Acts of the Apostles.

Uncover the ultimate "banned books" list of the ancient world and discover how the Bible truly became the Bible.

The Shroud of Turin

What It Is - What It Isn't

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A Masterpiece of Forgery or a 1st-Century Crime Scene?

For over a century, the Shroud of Turin has been the most intensely studied single artifact in human history. Is it a miraculous ancient relic, or a clever 14th-century medieval forgery?

In The Shroud of Turin: What it is – What it isn’t, Kevin McKinney delves into the hard forensic evidence surrounding this controversial linen cloth. Moving past religious tradition and historical speculation, this book treats the Shroud as an objective crime scene. By evaluating the data through the strict disciplines of modern pathology, chemistry, botany, and aerospace technology, the evidence forces a profound reckoning.
Inside this comprehensive investigation, you will:

• Discover how 3D spatial data encoded in the linen baffled NASA's VP-8 Image Analyzer.
• Explore the microscopic geological and botanical footprint that traces the cloth directly back to ancient Jerusalem.
• Understand the catastrophic procedural and administrative failures of the famous 1988 radiocarbon dating.
• Review the flawless medical accuracy of the bloodstains, revealing the physiological realities of a 1st-century Roman crucifixion.
• Uncover the historical bridge connecting the Shroud to the Knights Templar and the ancient Byzantine Empire.
• Examine the numismatic evidence of the Pontius Pilate coins placed over the eyes of the image.

Whether you are a skeptic or a believer, this book presents the objective facts, separating medieval myths and modern conspiracies from verifiable scientific realities.

Relatives of Jesus

Beyond Mary and Joseph

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Relatives of Jesus: Beyond Mary and Joseph invites readers to look past the iconic images of the Holy Family and into the historical reality of the extended family of Christ. While the canonical Gospels provide the foundation, this book reaches into early church traditions, apocryphal texts, and historical insights to fill the gaps in the traditional narrative.

Author Kevin McKinney presents a meticulously organized guide to the figures surrounding Jesus, carefully distinguishing between scriptural accounts and centuries of tradition. Readers will explore the lives of:

• Ancestors: From the grandparents who established the lineage to the parents who navigated the perils of first-century life.
• Extended Kin: The aunts, uncles, and cousins—including Elizabeth and Zechariah—who served as the vital bridge between the Old Covenant and the New.
• Siblings: A detailed look at the brothers and sisters of Jesus, examining the historical and theological debates regarding their origins and their pivotal roles in the Jerusalem church.
• Later Generations: The "Desposyni" (Relatives of the Master) who preserved the faith through the destruction of the Temple and the pressures of the Roman Empire.

Designed for those interested in Bible history and the human experience of the first century, this book offers clarity on these historical figures and heightens a deeper appreciation for the Bible as a record of truth. Whether you are a student of history or a curious reader of Scripture, Relatives of Jesus provides a unique, human-centered perspective on the family that shaped the world.

A Christian's Guide to World Religions

Navigating the Faith of Others

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Equip yourself with factual clarity and engage in conversations with grace, wisdom, and an informed perspective.

In an increasingly globalized world, the religious landscape is shifting rapidly. For Christians, understanding what neighbors, colleagues, and friends believe is no longer optional; it is a vital part of engaging with the world effectively.

A Christian’s Guide to World Religions offers a structured, objective, and honest overview of the world’s ten largest belief systems. Rather than a dense, academic encyclopedia, this guide utilizes a unique, standardized 12-Topic Framework to break down each faith cleanly and comparably. From origins and sacred texts to moral codes and demographics, you will gain a clear understanding of global faiths at a glance.

Most importantly, each profile specifically analyzes how that tradition views Jesus Christ, His life, His teachings, and His relationship to God, providing a direct, respectful point of comparison for the Christian reader.

Discover a comprehensive baseline for the world’s major religions, including:Christianity

• Judaism
• Hinduism
• Buddhism
• Taoism
• Sikhism
• Bahá'í Faith
• Jainism
• Islam

ShintoUnderstanding what others believe does not diminish your own faith; instead, it equips you with the factual baseline needed to navigate interfaith conversations with absolute confidence and grace.

The Life of Saint Paul

Uncovering the Missing Years Beyond Acts

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Forget everything you thought you knew about the Apostle Paul.

If you search for the story of the Apostle Paul, you will find countless sanitized biographies and devotional guides. But what if you could step behind the curtain of history? What if you could look at the dirt, the stones, and the real-world political machine that Paul fought—and eventually conquered?

The Life of Saint Paul: Uncovering the Missing Years Beyond Acts is a groundbreaking, evidence-based investigation that bridges the gap between ancient tradition and modern archaeological reality.

This book takes you beyond the familiar Sunday school narratives to explore:

• The Forensic Reality: Discover why we are certain Paul survived shipwreck, why his eyesight was permanently damaged, and the brutal reality of his unrecorded physical sufferings.
• The Archaeological Evidence: Explore the physical "ground truth" of Paul’s life—from the stone warning signs of the Jerusalem Temple that triggered his arrest, to the monumental inscriptions in Corinth that validate his ministry.
• The Mystery of the Missing Years: Go beyond the Book of Acts to explore the final, dark years of his life, his likely mission to the far edges of the Roman Empire in Spain, and his final struggle inside the Mamertine prison.
• Controversies Decoded: Gain a fresh, historically grounded perspective on Paul’s complex relationships with women in the early church, the difficult issue of Roman slavery, and the modern scholarly debates that continue to challenge how we read his letters today.

Whether you are a student of history, a reader of the Bible, or someone fascinated by the sheer logistical and political genius of the ancient world, this book offers a fresh, gripping look at the Apostle to the Gentiles.

Stop reading about a stained-glass icon. Discover the man who changed the course of history