An Introduction to the New Testament

I had listed this as one of my summer reads on my summer book review roundup. So, technically, I've been reading this one for years, a little at a time, and I just happened to finish it this summer. This book is an "introduction" to the books of the New Testament and I learned a lot about historical questions dealing with authorship, date, sources, purpose, destination, etc. The writers come from an orthodox evangelical background but do a good job of introducing the reader to many of the issues surrounding those historical questions. I read it slowly, a chapter at a time, in conjunction with other reading (including another survey as well as some doctrinal and historical stuff, actually reading the book of the Bible being discussed, show more and listening to some lectures and sermons. This was often the "introduction" piece to that work, but I must say this book worked very well for me in that manner. show less

I had listed this as one of my summer reads on my summer book review roundup. So, technically, I've been reading this one for years, a little at a time, and I just happened to finish it this summer. This book is an "introduction" to the books of the New Testament and I learned a lot about historical questions dealing with authorship, date, sources, purpose, destination, etc. The writers come from an orthodox evangelical background but do a good job of introducing the reader to many of the issues surrounding those historical questions. I read it slowly, a chapter at a time, in conjunction with other reading (including another survey as well as some doctrinal and historical stuff, actually reading the book of the Bible being discussed, show more and listening to some lectures and sermons. This was often the "introduction" piece to that work, but I must say this book worked very well for me in that manner. show less

I liked that this book favours a more conservative approach to questions of authorship while providing reasons why other scholars disagree. Provides helpful background information on each of the New Testament books.

The discussion of covenantal nomism is outstanding.

Really, the only negative comment I have about the book is that too often for my comfort the authors make clear their own stand on a subject within the text, rather than relegating it to a footnote and confining the text to more objective material. I found the chapter on James particularly tiresome in that respect; but perhaps I was being too sensitive.

Interesting if conservative to me historical look at authorship, dates,sources, purpose, etc. You need to see what was suppressed during this development of the cannon to get a richer picture.(Lost Christianities) You also need to listen to other views as to the purpose or origins of the New Testament(Liberating the Gospels or The Jesus Mysteries) or its Historical links to Jesus's ministry (Honest to Jesus)

An excellent resource for the seminary student or the Sunday School teacher who wants to know more information for papers or lessons.

"Ap: Introduction to the New Testament" is a textbook.