A Brief Introduction to the New Testament

by Ehrman, Bart D.

• ISBN13: 9780195369342
• ISBN10: 0195369343
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-09-29
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

The concise and more pedagogical version of The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings, Fourth Edition, Bart D. Ehrman's A Brief Introduction to the New Testament, Second Edition, is the intriguing story of the early Christian writings - their authors, theirsubject, and their influence. How were they formed? Why were they written? What do they mean? How do they differ? And how did they come to be collected into a canon of Scripture as the New Testament? Presenting challenging material in a way that is both accessible and understandable, Ehrman takes ahistorical approach to these questions and builds his discussion based on context; he situates the writings of the New Testament in the social, cultural, and literary world of the early Roman Empire. His approach is also comparative, emphasizing similarities and differences between the texts.Bringing forth a multitude of perspectives, including those of various scholars in the field, he raises critical issues while also exemplifying the richness and diversity to be found in the study of early Christian literature. Further enhancing the text, Ehrman incorporates time lines, maps, anextensive box program, a comprehensive glossary of over 200 hundred key terms that are also boldfaced at their first appearance in each chapter and conveniently collected at the end of that chapter, and over seventy photos - now in full color throughout.

Table of Contents

Boxes

Preface

Acknowledgments

Notes on Suggestions for Further Reading

Credits

Master Time Line

Introduction: What is the New Testament?

What to Expect

The New Testament: Some Basic Information

Other Early Christian Writings

The Development of the Christian Canon

Implications for Our Study

The New Testament: One Other Set of Problems

At a Glance: The New Testament Canon

Excursus: Some Additional Reflections: The Historian and the Believer

Suggestions for Further Reading

Key Terms

Questions for Study and Reflection

The Environment of Early Christian Traditions: The Greco-Roman World

What to ExpectThe Problem of Beginnings

One Remarkable Life

The Environment of the New Testament: Religions in the Greco-Roman World

At a Glance: The World of Early Christianity

Suggestions for Further Reading

Key Terms

Questions for Study and Reflection

The Environment of Early Christian Traditions: The World of Ancient Judaism

What to Expect

Monotheism: The Belief in One True God

The Covenant: Israel''s Pact with Its God

The Law: Israel''s Covenantal Obligations

Temple and Synagogue: Israel''s Places of Worship

Forms of Early Judaism

Political Crises in Palestine and Their Ramifications

The Formation of Jewish Sects

The Jewish Context for the Traditions About Jesus

At a Glance: The World of Early Judaism

Suggestions for Further Reading

Key Terms

Questions for Study and Reflection

The Traditions of Jesus in their Greco-Roman Context

What to ExpectOral Traditions Behind the Gospel

The Gospels as Biographies of Jesus

At a Glance: The Traditions of Jesus

Some Additional Reflections: The Authors of the Gospels

Suggestions for Further Reading

Key Terms

Questions for Study and Reflection

Jesus, the Suffering Son of God: The Gospel According to Mark

What to Expect

The Synoptic Problem

The Beginning of the Gospel: Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God Who Fulfills Scripture

Jesus the Authoritative Son of God

Jesus the Opposed Son of God

Jesus the Misunderstood Son of God

Jesus the Acknowledged Son of God

Jesus the Suffering Son of God

Jesus the Crucified Son of God

Jesus the Vindicated Son of God

Conclusion: Mark and His Readers

At a Glance: The Gospel of Mark

Suggestions for Further Reading

Key Terms

Questions for Study and Reflection

Jesus, the Jewish Messiah: The Gospel According to Matthew

What to Expect

A Redactional Approach to Matthew

The Importance of Beginnings: Jesus the Jewish Messiah in Fulfillment of the Jewish Scriptures

The Portrayal of Jesus in Matthew: The Sermon on the Mount as a Springboard

Jesus Rejected by the Jewish Leaders

Matthew and His Readers

At a Glance: The Gospel of Matthew

Suggestions for Further Reading

Key Terms

Questions for Study and Reflection

Jesus, the Savior of the World: The Gospel According to Luke

What to Expect

A Comparative Overview of the Gospel

The Preface to Luke''s GospelLuke''s Birth Narrative in Comparative Perspective

From Jew to Gentile: Luke''s Portrayal of Jesus the Rejected ProphetLuke''s Distinctive Emphases Throughout His Gospel

Conclusion: Luke in Comparative Perspective

At a Glance: The Gospel of Luke

Suggestions for Further Reading

Key Terms

Questions for Study and Reflection

Jesus, the Man Sent From Heaven: The Gospel According to John

What to Expect

The Gospel of John from a Literary-Historical Perspective

The Gospel of John from a Redactional Perspective

The Gospel of John from a Thematic Perspective

The Gospel of John from a Comparative Perspective

The Author of the Fourth Gospel

At a Glance: The Gospel of John

Suggestions for Further Reading

Key Terms

Questions for Study and Reflection

The Historical Jesus

What to ExpectProblems with SourcesUsing Our Sources

Jewish Apocalypticism

Jesus in His Apocalyptic Context

The Beginning and End as Keys to the Middle

The Apocalyptic Deeds of Jesus

The Apocalyptic Teachings of Jesus

The Apocalyptic Death of Jesus

At a Glance: Jesus the Apocalyptic Prophet

Suggestions for Further Reading

Key Terms

Questions for Study and Reflection

From Jesus to the Gospels

What to Expect

The Beginning of Christianity

Jesus'' Resurrection from an Apocalyptic Pers

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