Introduction to the New Testament, An

Book Description

An Introduction to the New Testament focuses on "special introduction" that is historical questions dealing with authorship, date, sources, purpose, destination, and so forth. This approach stands in contrast to recent texts that concentrate more on literary form, rhetorical criticism, and historical parallelsâ€”topics the authors donâ€™t minimize, but instead think are better given extended treatment in exegesis courses. By refocusing on the essentials, An Introduction to the New Testament ensures that the New Testament books will be accurately understood within historical settings.
For each New Testament document, the authors also provide a substantial summary of that bookâ€™s content, discuss the bookâ€™s theological contribution to the overall canon, and give an account of current studies on that book, including recent literary and social-science approaches to interpretation.
This second edition reflects significant revision and expansion from the original, making this highly acclaimed text even more valuable.
â€¢ A new chapter provides a historical survey examining Bible study method through the ages.
â€¢ The chapter on Paul has been expanded to include an analysis of debates on the â€œnew perspective.â€
â€¢ The discussion of New Testament epistles has been expanded to form a new chapter.
This new edition will help a new generation of students better grasp the message of the New Testament.

Customer Reviews:

Very informative.......2007-06-13

The book gives great details on each book of the new testament. I actually transferred some of the information over into my bible. I really enjoyed the read. I had to read it for a class, but really enjoyed it once I got started.

A good foundation in NT studies.......2006-11-10

This is a very good book for those who would like a basic overview of the NT books. It has a conservative slant, but also gives liberal viewpoints on Biblical topics. I recommend it.

SUPERB, BALANCED REVIEW OF THE NEW TESTAMENT DATA.......2006-09-07

This book is wonderful! After studying dozens of texts about the origins and modern historical analyses of the New Testament canon--ranging from Helmut Koester's Ancient Christian Gospels to Walter Bauer, Elaine Pagels, and Bart Ehrman's positivistic polemics--I finally found this book. I am a scientist (physician) and have not had the benefit of a seminary education, so I should, perhaps, have started here. The book presents thorough, well-reasoned critiques of the data and conflicting theories about the origin and significance of the entire New Testament canon, book by book. It contains ample references to the the key research and publications on various subjects, somewhat like a good scientific or medical review article. This was a very welcome contrast to the popular publications of Bart Ehrman, which typically reference only his own biased writings on any particular subject. My only criticism of this excellent text is that it gives short shrift to the history and profound exegesis of the Eastern Orthodox Church Fathers; viz. St. John Chrysostom, Basil the Great, and others. In the Orthodox tradition, we tend to view theology as a "fabric woven from on high," including revelations in the post-Apostolic era to those saints who have achieved "theosis," direct contemplation of the Divine mind.

A Fine Introduction.......2006-05-27

As others have noted, this NT Introduction is a standard introductory text from an evangelical perspective. In this updated version, Carson and Moo add some good stuff on canonicity that was not part of the original Carson/Moo/Morris edition. Most of the remaining material is similar.

As can be expected, the analysis and conclusions in this Introduction are decidedly conservative on questions of authorship, canonicity, original situation of the writings, and historical reliability of the documents. The authors helpfully analyze many contemporary challenges to evangelical understandings of the NT so that the beginner and intermediate levels of readers will gain a good introductory grasp of the many bones of contention that exist over many issues in virtually every book of the NT. Moo's strong work in Romans and James, coupled with Carson's strong work on the Fourth Gospel, can be particularly seen in this book's treatment of these canonical documents.

One could have hoped for a more lengthy treatment of contemporary issues, and one could also have hoped for more robust bibliographies upon which the reader could proceed with more in-depth study. But because this is an introductory work, it is probably inappropriate to expect such things in this kind of treatment. The beginner who wants to develop a good working knowledge of NT scholarship from an evangelical perspective will likely be quite satisfied with what they find in here.

Thorough and Provocative.......2006-02-27

In this new edition of Intro to the NT Carson and Moo have significantly improved the work they initially published with Leon Morris (who has since passed away). The chapters are reorganized, the margins are wider, and the material has expanded to include the contribution of works published since the first edition. Having used both editions for coursework and personal study, I find the second edition far superior. While the layout of the first edition was doable, the second is much roomier and suitable for study. More than all these considerations, the authors superbly point the reader to Christ, to become like him. I have been challenged not only academically as I've read this work, I have been also been convicted spiritually.

Encountering the New Testament,: A Historical and Theological Survey (Encountering Biblical Studies)

Average customer rating:

Lots of study information
Simple but Thorough
Easy to understand and informative
Excellent intro to the NT
Good book

Encountering the New Testament,: A Historical and Theological Survey (Encountering Biblical Studies)
Walter A. Elwell , and Robert W. Yarbrough
Manufacturer: Baker Academic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey (Encountering Biblical Studies)
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ASIN: 080102806X
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Book Description

Studying the New Testament can be an exciting--and intimidating--experience. This readable survey is designed to make the adventure less daunting and more rewarding. The second edition has been revised throughout, including updated bibliographies and focus boxes addressing contemporary concerns. The CD-ROM has been substantially revised to provide a more helpful and up-to-date interactive learning experience. Other distinguishing features include: abundant illustrations, photographs, tables, and charts-all in full color; sidebars addressing ethical/theological concerns; focus boxes isolating key issues; learning objectives and a chapter outline; end-of-chapter study questions, review questions, and chapter summaries

Customer Reviews:

Lots of study information.......2007-05-13

If you want an indepth study Encountering the New Testament is the one. I have an older PC and cannot get the new CD to come up. I'm not good at this. I need to send this book back and get the older CD if that is possible. The material is excellent and I recommend it to every Bible student.

Simple but Thorough.......2007-05-09

I found this to be a very nice overview of the New Testament. It contains many photographs, maps, and other visuals that break up the text. This was the required textbook for my graduate NT Survey class, but I would consider it more appropriate for undergrad or even high school. If you are looking for something meaty, I would say this is not the book for you. If you are looking for a pleasant, sweeping survey of the NT, then you will likely enjoy this book.

Easy to understand and informative.......2007-04-12

The layout of the chapters and the way the material is written makes this book informative but very easy to understand. The CD wasn't really anything special and I haven't found any use for it.
Overall, I would suggest that this book would be useful for any student or person wanting a good overview of the NT.

Excellent intro to the NT.......2007-02-23

If you're a pastor, seminary student, or a layperson who needs a good, informative, and easy to read introduction to the New Testament then this book will be perfect for you. Many NT introductions/surveys that are out there are either 1) too technical and academic, or 2) liberal/modernist. This introduction is solidly evangelical, easy to understand, and academic enough for even the novice biblical scholar.

The strength of the book is that it does not survey each of the books in the New Testament chapter by chapter but by topics of significance in each book. For instance, when the authors talk about the message of Galatians they do not discuss what each of the 6 chapters discusses but about what Paul says about the nature of the gospel, law and grace, etc. (though Acts is an exception). Pretty much everything is covered regarding each book (authorship, date, place of writing, etc.).

Another feature of the book that will attract more novice pastors and students of the Bible is the colourful pictures that are abundantly printed in the book. Though some may find this comical, I think it added to the charm of this book. Pictures, graphs, maps, etc. help readers understand the background of each of the NT books better.

Finally, one other thing I really liked about this book is that the authors discuss side-issues related to the NT. The chapters on NT criticism (chap. 10), the historical Jesus Christ controversies (chaps. 8 and 12), and the teachings of Paul the Apostle (chap. 17) are well written, informative, and orthodox. I would say that these chapters alone are worth about half of the price of the book alone. Sure, the authors could have written more deeply on these chapters but the intended audience demanded that they do not go too deeply in these matters.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book for those who want a better understanding of the NT books. Though it is not that scholarly and deep, it is still good enough for what it intends and many students of the Bible will find rich information that will greatly help in their personal spiritual growth and ministry.

Good book.......2007-02-14

This book is easy to use, and has a lot of things to make it easier to read and comprehend the material. I haven't found a use for the CD though, its just kinda' neat. I highly recommend this book for anyone studying the history of the New Testament, and learning the facts surrounding it.

The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings

Average customer rating:

Qualified Very Good
General Comments
The New Testament: A Historic Introduction to the Early Christian Writings
A good readable text
Great historical explanation of the NT

The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings
Bart D. Ehrman
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The New Testament and Other Early Christian Writings: A Reader
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Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why (Plus)

ASIN: 0195126394

Book Description

This lucid introduction approaches the New Testament from a consistently historical and comparative perspective, emphasizing the rich diversity of the earliest Christian literature. Rather than styling away from the critical problems presented by these books, Ehrman addresses the historical and literary challenges they pose and shows why scholars continue to argue over such significant issues as how the books of the New Testament came into being, who produced them, what they mean, how they relate to contemporary Christian and non-Christian liteature, and how how they came to be collected into a canon of Scripture. Distinctive to this study is its emphasis on the historical, literary, and religious milieu of the Greco-Roman world, including early Judiasm. As part of its historical orientation, this text also discusses works by other Christian writers who were roughly contemporary with the New Testament, such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Apocalypse of Peter, the letters of Ignatius. Instead of simply setting forth scholarly views without explanations, Ehrman includes the evidence of scholars that have found persuasive for their views, engaging students and demonstrating why scholars have taken the positions they have. Ideal for undergraduate and seminary classes in the New Testament, Biblical Studies, and Christian Origins, The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings, Second Edition, is an accessible, clearly written introduction that encourages students to consider the historical issues surrounding these writings. The book is equally appealling to the wide non-academic readership interested in the Bible and the historical Jesus. Ehrman's The New Testament and Other Writings: A Reader serves as an ideal companion to this text. Features new to the second edition include expanded material covering Jesus, and the addition of boxes throughout addressing numerous topics, including alternative approaches to the historical Jesus and additional material covering women. The new edition also includes a color photo insert.

Customer Reviews:

Qualified Very Good.......2007-05-07

Dr. Ehrman gave me a good review/update. I needed this very much as I earned my degree from seminary in 1958 and so much has happened since then. The book was very readable; it was in tended for his students. I appreciated his bibliography. As an historical overview it does not cover all the material that is necessary for a rounded education. Sometimes his conservative Christian theology creeps in to his evaluation of material. I find his insistance that Jesus is an apocalyptic prophet is unconvincing, and it pervades a good deal of his findings of other New Testament books. That John the Baptist was apocalyptic and that the early Christians had among them people who were apocalyptic is not proof of Jesus' position. I feel it is possible, but nopt probable. Read Crossan or Funk for another view.

General Comments.......2006-11-10

The book provides a wealth of background information on the New Testament and New Testament Apocrypha from a strictly historical perspective.
Bart. Ehrman is clearly a master of his subject which he treats from a stictly orthodox point of view.

It is not a "commentary", i.e. it does not take the books verse by verse, and it avoids drawing theological conclusions.

It is a book which needs to be read and not merely used for an occasional references.

It would very useful to1 students who are just beginning a course on theology.

Bart Ehrman is clearly a master of this subject.

The New Testament: A Historic Introduction to the Early Christian Writings.......2006-11-03

A clear writen explanation of the New Testament writings. A Historical interpretation of copies of pocies and copis of NT writings, a proces in time, centuries in the making. Prf. Ehrman is one of the best in this studies.

A good readable text.......2006-03-17

When studying the New Testament, it is helpful to have a resource such as Ehrman's book. It is clearly written, interesting, and informative. I can highly recommend it for students of the New Testament.

Great historical explanation of the NT.......2006-03-10

Ehrman explains the New Testatment clearly from a historical point of view. He does not offer "faith-buster" arguments but takes all sides of the argument into consideration. This is extremely helpful while reading the New Testament, since it explains many of the nuances and wordings that you may not have otherwise understood or picked up. Even if you're not reading the New Testament, Ehrman gives you a strong understanding of the historical context of the New Testament, the differences and similarities among the Gospels, the possible rationales and theories behind those discrepancies, etc. Ehrman is not a difficult read and is actually quite fascinating, particularly for those who never considered Christianity in a historical light before.

Greek New Testament: With English Introduction including Greek/English dictionary/flexible

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Excellent Product!
Very good, but...
Can you read Greek? I can't! But hey! This is the path to it! Yay!
Excellent book in at an affordable price range
review of Greek New Testament

Greek New Testament: With English Introduction including Greek/English dictionary/flexible
Kurt Aland
Manufacturer: American Bible Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound

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A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature

ASIN: 3438051133

Book Description

While the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece is designed for scholarly research, the Greek New Testament, 4th Revised Edition is designed for translators and students.

Like NA27, this is the leading edition of the original text of the New Testament. It contains the same Greek text as NA27, differing only in some details of punctuation and paragraphing. The format of UBS4 is in several respects more user-friendly for students and translators than NA27. It has a more spacious appearance and a larger font. English sub-headings assist in navigating the text for those who may be less familiar with Greek. Old Testament quotations appear in easily recognizable bold font. Synoptic parallels are clearly listed under English headings.

The critical apparatus includes exegetically significant variants (fewer than NA27) but adds extensive manuscript evidence (more than NA27) for each variant, thereby offering in-depth instruction for students on how variants and the evidence for them work together.

An introduction in English is included.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Product!.......2007-10-13

This copy of the Greek New Testament has proven very helpful! I am a first year student of Biblical Greek, and this is the text that we use consistently. It is accurate, the font is easy to read, and it has helped greatly in my personal study of the scripture.

Very good, but..........2007-09-25

Having recently received my copy I was disappointed to see the font, or typeface, or whatever the correct term is. Up till now I have been using the Third Edition and for general reading purposes will continue to do so, since the text is changed little, if at all.

The size of the print is good, but for me it is not bold enough and my eyes don't light on it easily. The font used for quotations from the Old Testament is much clearer!

The Introduction is very helpful and I will certainly be using that and the footnotes for serious study.

The warnings from some about the limitations of the book are unwarranted. The book is called "The Greek New Testament" and that is exactly what it is, plus extra informaton. Some of the reviews seem to be discussing a different edition, since mine does not have a glossary.

Can you read Greek? I can't! But hey! This is the path to it! Yay!.......2007-09-23

this greek new testament is great, i mean hey, the original langauge of the Bible is so much better than any translation. i love to flip through it and find my favorite verses and see if i can figure out what means what. it's great. okay bye

Excellent book in at an affordable price range.......2007-08-24

I am a novice/self study greek student. What I love about this greek new testament is that: it's small and portable, the text is clear and easy to read, the breath marks are easily distinguished, the binding is of superior quality for the price, and it is reasonably priced for the excellent value it provides.

What I find to be a problem: the only real issue I see with this book is if your expecting a lot of help within the book itself. You will need to have a lexicon with you if you get stuck. However, since I already own a interlinear I chose to purchase this copy of the text (I heard there is another with more helps) to force myself in the future (distant future at this point) to not rely on helps within the text.

In conclusion, this is a superior product within the price range that it is listed at. I have personally looked at over a dozen greek texts, and this one is by far has the best appearance on the page (of course I was only looking at texts under fifty dollars).

review of Greek New Testament.......2007-08-16

I am fairly pleased with this book. I bought it for study purposes so I haven't used it very much yet. It looks very nice, with a leather cover, and not too big, so it's convenient to carry around. However, I do have one reservation about it. It appears that for the purpose I am using it for, there are two main books that are generally recommended. One is called the Nestle-Aland and it is the one that people prefer if they are seriously into textual criticism. (I am quoting Keith Elliott, a New Testament scholar who is an expert on textual criticism.) The one that I bought is also popular but it is smaller. I am not familiar enough with it that it makes much difference to me right now, but I thought I would mention that, because it was hard to tell the difference from the description. So, if you are heavily into textual criticism, you apparently are going to prefer Nestle-Aland.

The Gospel According to John: An Introduction and Commentary (Pillar New Testament Commentary)

Average customer rating:

Worthwhile purchase
Required Commentary for Evangelicals
The Standard Evangelical Commentary on John
As a textbook
A great John Commentary

The Gospel According to John: An Introduction and Commentary (Pillar New Testament Commentary)
Donald A. Carson
Manufacturer: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Gospel According to John (New International Commentary on the New Testament)
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ASIN: 0802836836

Customer Reviews:

Worthwhile purchase.......2007-03-09

Carson's commentary on the Gospel of John is thorough and a great aid. He addresses opposing views on certain topics and gives great insight on difficult passages. While academic, this commentary can be of tremendous use to anyone who is either leading a Bible study on John or wants to have some help during personal devotions.

Required Commentary for Evangelicals.......2007-02-10

Carson's volume is an absolutely outstanding commentary that brings together the rigorous exegetical work of one of evangelicalism's most trusted and well-thought teachers with a pastoral heart (and Carson's is big). The commentary is pitched at the level of the reasonably well-educated clergyman, but does not require proficiency in the biblical languages, and could certainly be useful to an advanced lay Bible student.

The Standard Evangelical Commentary on John.......2006-05-27

Anyone hoping to write an exhaustive commentary on the Fourth Gospel will die long before they finish. The FG is widely recognized as being the kind of work in which the interpretational possibilities are almost endless. One can focus on Christology, election, sacramentalism, atonement and resurrection, the church, or none of the above. As a result, when one reads any commentary on John, the reader is advised to pay attention to what the author tends to pay attention to, because this will say something about the author's own theological emphases. This is good to know because not only will the reader get a better idea of where the author is coming from, he will also be on alert for ways in which the commentary may be imbalanced as a result of emphasizing certain things and neglecting others. Such is the reality of Johannine scholarship and the richness of the FG.

In the case of Carson, the reader will find the strongest evangelical defense of apostolic authorship among the commentary encyclopedia devoted to the FG. As a result, the reader will also find a commentary that takes the historical veracity of the narrative seriously and attempts to interact with the material from the perspective of considering the material to be normative and historically reliable. This alone separates this commentary from most other major commentaries on the FG in the last 40 years.

Carson properly interacts with the heavy hitters in Johannine scholarship such as Bultmann, Brown, Barrett, Smith, and Culpepper. Carson's interaction with Brown and Culpepper is especially good and provides a solid rebuttal to their differing approaches to literary interpretation.

The commentary is thorough in its coverage of the FG, but like all commentaries, is inevitably incomplete. Carson has his hot buttons just like everyone else, and the result is a good emphasis on issues such as authorship, testimony, election, and christology. The downside is that other emphases, like the much neglected motif of hospitality in the FG and its ramifications on christology, election, the church, etc is ignored. Is this enough to give the book a 4 star rating instead of 5? If so, then no commentary on John would be worthy of a 5 star rating for the reasons already mentioned. For what Carson attempts to do, he does it very well. For this reason, the book deserves 5 stars and should be the standard work on John that evangelicals in particular should consult.

As a textbook.......2006-02-01

I've found this book insightful and refreshingly reverent in its approach to the text.

A great John Commentary.......2004-08-20

I have just finished reading through this commentary for the third time. I have read many commentaries on John's Gospel and consider this one of the best evangelical commentaries on John available today. Carson interacts with many views on controversial items but is never boring. The commentary is a good mix of excellent and profound scholarship but never loses its readability. If one is not familiar with the Greek Language of the Bible this commentary is a good one. If you do have a working knowlege of Greek, Carson is an excellent Greek exegete and you will find satisfaction here. I recommend this great commentary wholeheartedly.

Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology

Average customer rating:

Not terrible, but not the best either
Very Wordy, and Very In Depth
Gospels and Catholic Epistles good; weak on Paul
Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology
Very Good NT Survey with Only Minor Flaws

Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology
Paul J. Achtemeier , Joel B. Green , and Marianne Meye Thompson
Manufacturer: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0802837174

Book Description

Introducing the New Testament is an outstanding new guide to the literature and theology of the New Testament.

Wonderfully readable, eminently teachable, and well supplied with maps, sidebars, photographs, and bibliographies, Introducing the New Testament makes an ideal textbook for seminary and college courses, regardless of theological orientation. Written by three leading New Testament specialists, the book focuses directly on the New Testament's literature, its message, and the issues raised by a careful reading of its pages.

Unlike other New Testament introductions that are primarily concerned with historical-critical issues or with what other scholars have said about the New Testament, Introducing the New Testament gets directly to the business of clearly explaining the background and content of the New Testament books as well as of inducting readers of the New Testament into sensitive appreciation and serious awareness of its major figures and concerns. No other text on the New Testament is so classroom friendly, authoritative, balanced, and enjoyable to use.

Customer Reviews:

Not terrible, but not the best either.......2007-03-05

Generally a good survey of the NT - historical and cultural backgrounds sections are especially well done. Actual text analyses and discussion are good in parts, but miss or ignore major thematic issues that most other NT surveys spend a lot of time on (the conflict in the early Church between Judaic and Hellenized Christians in Acts for instance). Also, the organization is pretty haphazard; Raymond Brown's NT Intro is a lot better organized and also provides a lot more in-depth discussion of a wider range of issues. This book loses one star for its poor organization and occasional neglected topics.

The authors are generally fair and balanced, except on the issue of women's ordination as raised by another reviewer. The section on 1 Corinthians 14 is especially ridiculous, with the authors interpreting the passage to read the exact OPPOSITE (i.e. men should not criticize the women who speak up in church) of what every other translation I have ever read. NIV, King James, NRSV, NAB, RSV = all wrong, and the authors of this book evidently are brilliant Greek linguists. Pretty unlikely! Rather the authors are blatantly twisting Paul's words to agree with their own agenda. Loses another star for this ham-fisted partisanship...

All in all, not a terrible book, has some merit, but the author's lack of structure and deliberately obtuse interpetation of some aspects of the Pauline epistles make this a less than optimal intro to the New Testament.

Very Wordy, and Very In Depth.......2006-10-31

There is alot of information in this book. Pretty much everything you would ever need to do to a research paper on any book in the N.T. Only it is very wordy, with long and redundent sentences and I made the mistake of reading this book in my bed, hence it will make you fall asleep.

Gospels and Catholic Epistles good; weak on Paul.......2006-08-07

Paul Achtemeier, Joel Green, and Marianne Meye Thompson are respected New Testament scholars at Union Theological Seminary (Virginia), Asbury Theological Seminary, and Fuller Theological Seminary respectively. "Introducing the New Testament" is (as you might guess) an introductory textbook for those just beginning their study of the New Testament; their intended audience appears to be theology majors and those just beginning seminary.

The format of the book lends itself well to classroom use. Of this books 25 chapters, 18 deal with a particular book (or highly related books, e.g. 1, 2, 3 John)--covering its content, its context, its author, and its recipient. It then traces the literary flow of the New Testament book, showing what the author's major purpose and themes are. The section follows with an introduction to some scholarly debates concerning the Biblical book, and some helpful resources for further reading.

The remaining 7 chapters are more topical in nature and are titled "Chapter 1: What is the New Testament?" "Chapter 2: The World of the New Testament," "Chapter 3: The Nature of the Gospels," Chapter 8: Jesus of Nazareth," "Chapter 10: Letters in the New Testament," "Chapter 11: Paul and His World," and "Chapter 25: The Formation of the New Testament Cannon." Each of these covers its subject from a variety of angles and introduces various schools of thought on the subject, while the authors do come down on particular sides of debate, they do so in such a way as to leave the questions open so that the reader can come to his own conclusions. Again, there is a concluding summary and resources for further reading.

This book has been helpful for this reader in many ways. When reading commentaries, it is easy for one to "lose the forest for the trees." That is to say that when one narrow his focus too narrowly--to one particular verse in a Biblical book or the like--he can lose the general argument and flow of the book. Achtemeier, Green, and Thompson do a great service by keeping each book's major argument/theme in mind and show how the particular outline of the book and even particular verses serve to advance that argument/theme. Often, they are good at providing the reader with a memorable summary statement in the book's narrative which speaks to the heart of the issue at hand. Also, this reader appreciated the generous amount of pictures, maps, charts, and "shaded boxes" that speak to tangential issues.

However, while this book has many merits, it is not without its flaws. While its treatment of the Gospels and Catholic (non-Pauline) epistles were excellent, their treatment of Paul's letters was disappointing. Throughout the book, the authors seem to make a conscious effort to attract a wide readership by avoiding doctrinal issues (a bit of a problem in itself), but in the Pauline epistles, they break this pattern and come down forcefully on a particular issue. This issue is not communion, baptism, the relationship between faith and works, or the like, but rather they come down strongly in favor of womens' ordination. In so doing, they appeal to Galatians 3:28 (out of context), they appeal to 1 Corinthians 14(?!), and even appeal to the idea that Ephesians was written by a women, not Paul (?!?!)! Because of these poorly developed, illogical, and speculative arguments, the authors do lose a degree of credibility. Other negative aspects of the book are relatively few and far between. The only others that really stick out are their argument that Scripture is fallible (e.g. p. 456) and that the Book of Revelation is primarily about the first century Church's struggle against the Roman Empire, and not so much about the modern Church's situation.

In all, those who are interested in beginning New Testament scholarship would do well to read this book. Professors who are looking for a basic textbook would do well to assign this one, but I would recommend Martin Franzmann's similar (and more orthodox) "The Word of the Lord Grows." Mildly recommended.

Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology.......2005-09-26

The text is wordy and often redundant. Some issues are discussed with far too much detail and reiteration while others are statements without meaningful diatribe.

I did enjoy the historical presentations but the spiritual presentations were difficult to cull through and not very enlightening.

Very Good NT Survey with Only Minor Flaws.......2005-09-04

Paul J. Achtemeier, Joel B. Green, and Marianne Meye Thompson have provided seminary students and other interested Christians with a very good survey text of the New Testament. While generally from the evangelical end of the spectrum, the authors often do not agree with traditional views of authorship, theology, or other elements associated with the text. And regardless of whether they agree with modern scholarship on any given issue, they continually engage with such scholarship, making this text more valuable than one that simply accepts (broadly speaking) traditional views or that lines up with one particular theological tradition.

The structure of most chapters is intriguing. While many texts deal first with questions of authorship and introductory background material, most chapters of Introducing the New Testament take a very different tack. While background information is introduced at the beginning of the chapter as needed, the authors generally get into a short commentary on the book in question as quickly as possible and let many background issues get discussed in that context. Questions of authorship and dating usually are left until the end of the chapter. There are exceptions to this pattern in chapters devoted to more complicated texts (e.g., Hebrews, Revelation), but this structure occurs enough times in the text that it could be considered normative.

The book's few weaknesses are visual and stylistic in nature. More photos and maps would break up the lengthy text and make it more appealing, even if they made for a longer book. And at too many points, the text could have used more editing; many sentences could be shortened for stronger effect.

Still, those are relatively minor complaints. Introducing the New Testament is a book from which most Christians looking to dive into New Testament studies should profit.

The New Testament: A Student's Introduction

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The New Testament - A Student Introduction
Great textbook
A Superb, Scholarly, and Readable Introduction
Great
The New Testament Review

The New Testament: A Student's Introduction
Stephen Harris
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0072876018

Book Description

This introductory student-centered text is now full color, enhancing its readers' visual experience! The fifth edition of The New Testament retains its effective 5-part organization ("An Invitation to the New Testament," "Diverse Portraits of Jesus," "An Account of the Early Church," "Paul and the Pauline Tradition," and "General Letters and Vision of End Time"), which traces the New Testament’s chronological, thematic, and literary development and examines each New Testament document on a book-by-book basis. This method helps students to become familiar with the content and major themes of the New Testament as well as to acquaint themselves with the goals and methods of important biblical scholarship. The fifth edition of The New Testament is the best revision ever.

Customer Reviews:

The New Testament - A Student Introduction.......2007-10-01

It is a well written book, but not a well rounded book. Like most studies it looks at 19th and 20th century research as more valued than 1st and 2nd century sources. Also positions on text are stated without the supporting information being presented or sited.

There is no exploration into the Textus Receptus (King James) vs. the Vaticanus and Sinaiticus (Most modern translations including the Modern King James), and the impact or potential impact of one translation versus the other.

But this is only an introduction. Also because it is only an introduction I would say that the price is higher than it should be.

Great textbook.......2007-05-04

very modern, great narrative and details - very concise, entertaining - and most importantly very accurate and educational

A Superb, Scholarly, and Readable Introduction.......2007-03-07

This book demonstrates a rare combination of brilliant scholarship and clear, concise writing. This book approaches the New Testament from a historical perspective, but is in no way an attack on faith (as some reviewers have implied). I had the good fortune to take a class with Professor Harris, and I feel that his brilliant mind and approchable style really come through in this work. I could not recommend this book more strongly.

Great.......2007-01-29

This was a used item, but it was exactly what I needed, especially considering that I was a bit apprehensive about possibly purchasing the wrong item. It came in a timely fashion, and was gently used, as described.

The New Testament Review.......2005-09-29

Just a few chapters into this book, I could already tell that this will not only be an asset for a class I am currently attending on the Synoptic Gospels, but more importantly, an asset to my personal library that I will be able to refer to for years to come.

Average customer rating:

Good Book
Excellent New Testament Introduction
Sorry, I just can't endorse this book.
The Classic New Testament Introduction

New Testament Survey
Merrill C. Tenney
Manufacturer: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Survey of the Old Testament
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How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth

ASIN: 0802836119

Book Description

This book brings unity and chronological sequence to New Testament study by weaving the contents of the books around a central theme - the person of Christ. Divisions are the synoptic Gospels, the Gospel of John, the Book of Acts, the Pauline Epistles in chronological order, the General Epistles, and the Book of Revelation.

Customer Reviews:

Good Book.......2005-12-13

I read this book as part of a New Testament Literature course. I was pleased to learn about the archeological and historical facts that contributed to learning about the New Testament in its original context. I am able to study the scriptures and obtain a clearer picture of what is being said.

Excellent New Testament Introduction.......2004-05-18

Without a doubt, Tenney's book does indeed present an evangelical yet scholarly view of the New Testament. Tenney makes no hesitation to say that he does believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God from the beginning. Tenney's work, however, is not a textual commentary on textual criticism. His book is a brief introduction to the New Testament.

Tenney's book does a wonderful job of presenting the historical background of the New Testament and using the book of Acts, he traces the footsteps of the Apostles as they wrote the New Testament Canon. At the end of each chapter he includes a very helpful bibliograpy to help the reader study deeper the various books, archeology, and history of what he has dealt with rather quickly.

I used this book as a freshmen in Bible college and it had a profound influence on my personal understanding of the background and history of the New Testament and the early Church. I highly recommend anyone serious about studying Scripture to purchase and read Tenney's book.

Sorry, I just can't endorse this book........2002-06-05

I used this book as one of several secondary sources when doing academic work on the development of the New Testament Canon. Of the several volumes used (both Catholic and Protestant from a wide variety of theological starting points) this was, by far, the least helpful.

Tenney's work represents the extreme fundamentalist viewpoint; but is unable to justify what it defends. Although presented as one, this is not a serious academic work. Universities or seminaries who use this as a primary text do a great disservice to their students. There is a difference between "disagreeing" with certain "higher critical" interpretations and "ignoring" that higher criticism even exists. This book does the latter.

Not only is this volume virtually useless for Catholic or Orthodox Christians, it is equally problematic for mainline Protestants -- and many Evangelicals as well.

For the Evangelical, try Gundry's text instead. For the Catholic, try Brown's text. For a very conservative Catholic viewpoint (but one which still acknowledges and represents serious scholarship) try Luke Timothy Johnson's text. But unless the reader is at the "my mind is made up, don't confuse me with the facts" stage, give this one a miss.

The Classic New Testament Introduction.......2000-09-20

Don't be fooled by the more recent New Testament Survey books published in the last few years. Tenney's work is still the classic reference work in its field and the best introduction to the New Testament you can buy. To prove the point, this text is still used by most conservative Bible Colleges for their core NTS course. It is thorough, complete, and unparalleled, and builds a firm foundation for future Bible study.

The Moral Vision of the New Testament: Community, Cross, New Creation, A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament Ethics

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Great book
Excellent, Balanced Book of NT Ethics
THE Book on New Testament Ethics
Wanting for Authority
Comprehensive but flawed and frustrating

The Moral Vision of the New Testament: Community, Cross, New Creation, A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament Ethics
Richard B. Hays
Manufacturer: HarperOne
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 006063796X

Book Description

A leading expert in New Testament ethics discovers in the biblical witness a unified ethical vision –– centered in the themes of community, cross and new creation –– that has profound relevance in today's world. Richard Hays shows how the New Testament provides moral guidance on the most troubling ethical issues of our time, including violence, divorce, homosexuality and abortion.

"Hays' passionately written book, with its bold agenda, has neither peer nor rival." ––Leander E. Keck, Winkley Professor of Biblical Theology, Yale Divinity School

"There are few people I would rather read for the actual exposition of the New Testament than Richard Hays. This book is filled with wonderful readings that not only inform us about how to think better about the so–called 'problem of the relation between the New Testament and ethics' but, even more, speak of how our lives should be lived in the light of Christ's cross. –Stanley Hauerwas, Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theological Studies, Duke University Divinity School

"Richard Hays has succeeded brilliantly in bringing New Testament studies, contemporary theology, and ethics into a deeply reflective conversation... Hays' point is that the New Testament norms the Christian life, and, with the help of imagination and metaphor, can address the moral conflicts of our time." ––Ellen T. Charry, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

"This book isn't just a breath of fresh air. It's a hurricane, blowing away the fog of half–understood pseudo–morality and fashionable compromise, and revealing instead the early Christian vision of true humanness and genuine holiness. If this isn't a book for our time, I don't know what is." ––N. T. Wright, author of The New Testament and the People of God

Customer Reviews:

Great book.......2006-02-24

I am taking an Independent Studies class with a professor at my high school. We are using this book as a primary source of information to create a Christian ethical response to Genetic Research. This book sets a great basis for understanding and interpretting an ethical Christian response.

Excellent, Balanced Book of NT Ethics.......2006-01-29

Dr. Hays has a very balanced, comprehensive look at New Testament ethics. It is an excellent tool for students, educators and pastors. I have been challenged in my own understanding of ethics through reading this book.

THE Book on New Testament Ethics.......2005-08-09

This is certainly a monumental work in the field of New Testament ethics. Frankly, I don't think I could find a volume to match it anywhere. Richard Hays does and excellent job of intereacting with the bulk of the New Testament, examining the methdological questions of New Testament Ethics, exploring other ethicist's use of the New Testament and offering a coherent framework for constructing a New Testament ethic grounded in the focal images of Community, Cross and New Creation.

In the first section of the book, Hays treats the various blocks of NT material, treating the Pauline writings, the so-called deutero-pauline letters, Matthew, Mark, Luke-Acts, John, an excursus on the "Historical Jesus" and the Revelation. These chapters are all very well-done and illuminating. Hays' exegesis is profound and articulate and his willingness to embrace the theological perspectives of the New Testament texts, in all their radical dimensions is quite striking and welcome. The only unfortunate point in this section involves what is left out, namely nearly all the general epistles and many of the Pauline letters. Of course, one can only do so much in one book, but on a books that seeks to investigate the ethics of the entire NT, I would have hoped for a bit more comprehensiveness.

All throughout this section Hays emphasizes allowing the NT text to speak with diverse voices, not attempting any facile form of harmonization. However, in the second section, he does attempt to discern a coherent ethical thrust that can be used to find a unifed perspective throughout the NT. Hays locates this in the three focal images of Community, Cross and New Creation. This focus on community emphasizes the centrality of the church in the NT as well as the church's continuity with Israel. The Cross (and resurrection) is of course the central event in the New Testament which both acomplishes God's salvation and is paradigmatic for the life of the people of God. Finally, New Creation points to the eschatological tension that undergirds the NT. New Testament ethics are centered in the reality that in Christ's cross and resurrection, the age to come has truly broken into the present age, and yet the final consummation of the kingdom is not yet. It is these three large scale focal images that Hays sees running consistently throughout the NT, providing a coherhent basis for a unified New Testament ethic that is able to see a coherhent unity without squelching the diversity in the NT texts.

The third section moves on to discuss and critiqu different ways ethicists have used Scripture. Hays examines Reinhold Niebhur, Karl Barth, John Howard Yoder, Stanley Hauerwas and Elizabeth Schussler-Fiorenza. In the end Hays is the most critical of Niebhur, Hauerwas and Schussler-Fiorenza. Yoder and Barth (though in certain respect, Hauerwas as well) end up becoming Hays' major hermenutical allies in discerning how the construct a New Testament ethic.

In the final section, Hays brings all his previous constructive work to bear in addressing several important "ethical issues." He discusses violence in defense of justice, divorce and remarriage, anti-Judaism and ethinic conflict, homosexuality and abortion. Generally his discussions are very helpful. His chapters on violence and homosexuality are worth the price of the book in themselves. However his chapter on anti-Judaism I found particularly disappointing. Hays seemed to end up seeing an irreconcilable contradiction between the perspectives of Paul and Luke on the one hand and Matthew and John on the other. In the end he opts for Pauls and Luke's perspective and argues that Matthew and John should essentially be ignored on this issue. While his attempt to allow diverse texts to speak is admirable, I don't know how faithfully we approach scripture if we allow diverse text to speak only to dismiss the ones we disapprove of.

Nevertheless, as a work, this volume is unparalleled. There simply is no better, more comprenehsive book on New Testament ethics. Highly recommended.

Wanting for Authority.......2003-03-03

Richard Hays has undertaken a highly important project. He is attempting to devise a system of morality for the modern era based on New Testament ethics. He approaches the subject systematically, attempting to discern what exactly it was that New Testament writers thought on a variety of subjects, from abortion to violence. Sometimes, his conclusions are exactly those of the writers themselves. However, on homosexuality, his conclusions are a bit forced. He does not seek to discourage it (though several NT authors do, most notably Paul in Romans), perhaps out of fear of offending some within society. But, he does not encourage it either. In the end, he effectively eliminates the possibility of homosexual union, but does not go so far as to impose abstinence on such persons, regardless that the Bible (more than just the NT) regards the practice as an "abomination." Therefore, Hays loses an opportunity to take a definitive stand on a subject. His inability to follow a strict line of interpretation therefore throws into doubt the rest of his conclusions, not for their lack of validity, but simply by association. In that regards, while Hays has taken an important step to get us thinking about such matters, he has more or less failed to provide anything of any real substance because on one point he refuses to draw his conclusions based on a strict biblical exegesis.

Comprehensive but flawed and frustrating.......2002-08-09

Richard Hays does a commendable job of meticulous research about the New Testament witness to vital ethical issues. He attempts to demonstrate the continuing relevance and importance of the New Testament towards pressing contemporary issues like war/peace, sexuality, divorce and abortion. The greatest strength of Hays' book is that it is a comprehensive work of reference; he really gets into the detailed text of much of the New Testament.

However, in my view, Hays' contemporary application is disappointing. As another reviewer has commented, Hays basically throws in the towel on abortion, even though he concludes that it is wrong from a Christian ethical perspective. He simply dismisses any action by the Church to modify or change the current permissive abortion regime as it exists under Roe v. Wade. This is the one public issue that the Church apparently has no business addressing in the "public square," unlike race, poverty, and so on. Hays does not explain why the Church should adopt this stance, other than repeating the tired liberal cliche about not legislating morality (or something like that). Further, Hays adopts a nasty, mean-spirited tone in his refutation of pro-life Scriptural exegesis. Hays may well be correct, but there is no reason for his arrogant personal attacks on people with different views. Hays seems to have a strong dislike of pro-lifers in general, which I believe warps his discussion of abortion.

I am also disappointed by his limp conclusion to the issue of homosexuality. After marshalling considerable evidence that the New Testament does not approve of homosexuality, Hays refuses to draw the necessary conclusions regarding church discipline. Just like with abortion, on the issue of sexuality, Hays adopts the shopworn liberal approach of saying "I don't approve of this, but I won't impose my views on others." Of course, this again begs the question as to why it is OK to legislate morality in some ethical areas but not in others.

Book Description

The twenty-seven books of the New Testament were not the only writings produced by early Christians. Nor were they the only ones to be accepted, at one time or another, as sacred Scripture. Unfortunately, nearly all the other early Christian writings have been lost or destroyed. But approximately twenty-five books written at about the same time as the New Testament have survived--books that reveal the rich diversity of early Christian views about God, Jesus, the world, salvation, ethics, and ritual practice. This reader presents, for the first time in one volume, every Christian writing known to have been produced during the first hundred years of the church (30-130 C.E.). In addition to the New Testament itself, it includes other, noncanonical Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Apocalypses, as well as additional important writings, such as those of the Apostolic Fathers. Each text is provided in an up-to-date and readable translation (including the NRSV for the New Testament), and introduced with a succinct and incisive discussion of its author, date of composition, and overarching themes. This second edition adds The Martyrdom of Polycarp, an important text that will enhance the collection's utility in the classroom. It also features Ehrman's new, accessible translations of many of the noncanonical works and provides updated introductions that incorporate the most recent scholarship. With an opening overview that shows how the canon of the New Testament came to be formulated--the process by which some Christian books came to be regarded as sacred Scripture whereas others came to be excluded--this accessible reader will meet the needs of students, scholars, and general readers alike. An ideal primary text for courses in the New Testament, Christian Origins, and Early Church History, it can be used in conjunction with its companion volume, the author's The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings, 3/e (OUP, 2003).

Customer Reviews:

A helpful guide but more explanatory notes would be useful.......2007-05-10

I bought this book to learn more about the events and issues of early Christianity from the actual texts that have survived from that period. The book includes up to date translations of the 27 books of the New Testament and of 26 other non canonical books which are believed to have been written within a hundred years of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. There is a brief 6 page introduction on the development of early Christianty, followed by the translations themselves. These are divided into sections which are consistent with the order of the books in the New Testament itself. That is:
* Early Christian Gospels - the 4 New Testament books followed by eight others
* Early Christian Acts - Acts of the Apostles followed by two other writings
* Early Christian Letters attributed to Paul - the 13 canonical epistles plus one other epistle
* General Epistles & Other early Christian writings - the 8 canonical epistles plus 13 others
* Early Christian Apcalypses - Revelations plus 2 other much loved apocalpytic books of the early period

Each book is provided with a brief introduction describing the content and purpose of the book, and identifying the purported author and probable date of its writing. The 27 books of the New Testament are from the New Revised Standard version Bible of 1989, while 17 of the 26 non canonical books are translations by the author himself. 8 books are from the Apocryphal New Testament translated by J K Elliott and published in 1993, and one, the Gospel of Thomas, is from the Nag Hammadi Library translated by Thomas Lambdin and published in 1988.

My reactions in reading this book are decidedly mixed. On the one hand, I wanted something which was readable, which it certainly is, and I certainly wanted to read the texts which were unfamiliar to me and to gain some understanding of the context of the times in which they were written. But on the other hand, I also wanted some explanation of what it was that I was reading. This book was certainly successful in illuminating my mind on the first goal, but much less so on the second. Perhaps I should have chosen one of the other books by Professor Ehrman - either "The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings" or perhaps "Lost Scriptures: Books That Did Not Make It Into the New Testament".

Be that it may, I certainly got many benefits from reading the book. In order to understand what I was reading, I really had to read the books from a different perspective. For example, I had never noted the many similarities and differences in the Gospels and in the Epistles before, with respect to the events as well as the issues which the Apostles had to address in establishing the new faith in the cities of the Middle East, Asia Minor, and other parts of the Roman Empire, and I had never really properly absorbed the content of Revelations. I found it absolutely necessary to have my own Bible close at hand, and to develop a workfile on my PC to summarize the content of each book, to list the people mentioned in these books, and to check the text of biblical quotations against the actual text in the books to which they were supposed to refer. In this last item, I was surprised at the extent to which many quotations differed from the original.

My motivation for this approach was that I wanted to understand the development of early Christianity in the context of what had gone before, particularly with respect to Mosaic Law, and the messages of the Prophets. I also wanted to understand more on how the early church interpreted the actual sayings of Jesus Christ, and how these were further developed by the later institutions of Christianity, since it seems to me that His message of love and forgiveness is rather different from the preaching (and actions in the name of Christ) of the historical and modern institutions of Christianity, be they Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, or Protestant denominations.

I would have liked to have read something more about the provenance of these books, particularly the non-canonical ones, but the introductions did not cover that particular topic. I would have liked to see some titles and headings for the chapters and various sections within the chapters - but the book did not provide that either. I would have also liked to have seen notes on some of the hidden meanings of the more obscure statements within the texts. So for this information I had to go to my Jerusalem Bible for the canonical books, and to various Internet websites containing the late 19th century translations of texts of the books by the Ante-Nicene Fathers.

That turned out to be very helpful, but it did mean that I spent rather more time on reading and rereading this book than I expected. Nevertheless, I am happy I bought the book, and the translations were certainly easy to read. For those people wishing to study the surviving texts of Early Christianity, they should first decide what is the important information they wish to learn about. If it is mainly for the texts themselves, then this book certainly provides that.

New Testament Plus.......2006-02-10

Why buy a book of readings when you can buy the New Testament and get the selections there? Reason # 1 Bart Ehrman. Ehrman is an exceptional scholar, so the inclusion of his commentaries and translations is well worth the price of the book. Reason # 2. This book has more than the 27 chapters of the NT, and includes some heretofore neglected manuscripts that are not easily obtainable elsewhere (e.g., Epistle of Barnabas, Infancy Gospel of Thomas).

The Other Ehrman Anthology is Preferable.......2005-11-26

Let's suppose you already own a satisfactory copy of the canonical New Testament in English, and that you're considering this book for its ADDITIONAL material. In that case, Ehrman's "Lost Scriptures," at two-thirds the price or less, contains the same texts (plus a couple dozen extra texts), with the exception only of Ignatius, Polycarp, and the fragments of Papias.

If Ignatius and Polycarp are too sore a loss for you to bear, use the money you save to grab Ehrman's "The Apostolic Fathers: Volume I" (Loeb Classical Library, bilingual Greek-English edition). If you want a COMPLETE text of the Shepherd of Hermas, you'll need Volume II of the Loeb as well, since BOTH of Ehrman's English anthologies present only "extracts...representative of the whole."

ther Early Christian Writings : A Reader.......1999-11-09

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