Reading the New Testament

by Perkins, Pheme

• ISBN13: 9780809147861
• ISBN10: 0809147866
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-09-30
• Publisher: Paulist Pr

Summary

An introduction to the writings of the New Testament, written by a prominent scholar who is able to communicate the main ideas and results with a clear and simple style. This third edition, although leaving intact the structure of the book, has been rewritten extensively, updating the information and adding the results of new biblical approaches and research. Includes new maps and illustrations.

Author Biography

Pheme Perkins is professor of New Testament in the theology department at Boston College. She received her PhD in New Testament and Christian Origins from Harvard University and has served as president of the Catholic Biblical Association and the New England region of the American Academy of Religion. She has written more than twenty-five books.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Why Study the Bible?	p. 1
What Is the New Testament?	p. 1
Dating Books in the New Testament	p. 3
The Contents of the New Testament	p. 4
The Bible as Classic and as Canon	p. 9
The QurÆan	p. 12
Language, Text, and Translation	p. 13
Entering the New Testament World: Archaeology and History	p. 15
The New Testament and Christian Life	p. 19
Summary	p. 21
The World of Jesus	p. 24
Galilee, Samaria, and Judea	p. 24
The Political and Social World	p. 30
Religious Parties and Sects	p. 33
Religious Customs and Beliefs	p. 36
The Religious Life of the People	p. 45
Summary	p. 49
The Messiah, Jesus
The Life of Jesus	p. 51
Seeking Jesus of Nazareth	p. 51
How the Stories Are Preserved	p. 52
Jesus as Teacher and Miracle-Worker	p. 62
Jesus and His Followers	p. 67
The Trial and Death of Jesus	p. 70
Summary	p. 72
The Preaching of Jesus	p. 76
Proclaiming the Kingdom of God	p. 76
Parables as a Language of Faith	p. 78
Wisdom in the Sayings of Jesus	p. 80
Summons to Discipleship	p. 82
Summary	p. 85
The Resurrection of Jesus	p. 88
Images of Death and Life in Judaism	p. 88
Martyrs and Suffering Righteous Ones	p. 89
Resurrection, Vindication, and Judgment	p. 90
The Resurrection of Jesus	p. 91
Summary	p. 92
The Beginnings of Christology	p. 95
Asking "Who Is This Jesus?"	p. 95
Resurrection, Jesus, and God	p. 96
Jesus as Messiah, Son of God, Son of Man, Lord	p. 98
Jesus in Worship: Acclamation and Hymn	p. 103
Stories and the Identity of Jesus	p. 106
Summary	p. 108
Paul, Missionary Tothe Gentiles
The World of Paul	p. 110
Christianity in an Urban Environment	p. 110
Competing Religions and Philosophies	p. 114
Social Status of Pauline Christians	p. 120
The Church and the Forms of Association	p. 123
The Workshop and PaulÆs Missionary Practice	p. 125
Summary	p. 127
The Life of Paul	p. 129
Sources for Paul's Life	p. 129
Reading a Pauline Letter	p. 133
Writing the Letter	p. 135
Philemon: Letters and Apostolic Authority	p. 140
Missionary to the Gentiles: 1 and 2 Thessalonians	p. 142
PaulÆs Missionary Associates: Philippians	p. 146
Summary	p. 148
Christians: Jew and Gentile	p. 151
Jewish/Gentile Christianity: Its Variations	p. 151
Righteousness, Faith, and the Law	p. 154
Freedom for the Gentiles: Galatians	p. 155
Righteousness and Salvation History: Romans	p. 158
Summary	p. 162
Divisions in Corinth	p. 164
The Urban Environment of Corinth	p. 164
Paul and the Corinthian Community	p. 165
Church as Body of Christ: 1 Corinthians	p. 170
Division and Reconciliation: 2 Corinthians	p. 173
Summary	p. 175
Universalizing Paul's Message	p. 178
Pauline Christianity in Colossians and Ephesians	p. 178
Christ as Lord of the Cosmos: Colossians	p. 182
All United in Christ: Ephesians	p. 185
Summary	p. 186
The Gospels: Four Portraits of Jesus
Mark: Jesus, Suffering Messiah	p. 189
The Composition of Mark	p. 189
Jesus as Powerful Savior	p. 192
Jesus, Suffering Son of Man	p. 194
Discipleship in Mark	p. 196
Summary	p. 197
Matthew: Jesus, Teacher of Israel	p. 199
The Composition of Matthew	p. 199
The Sermons: Jesus Instructs the Community	p. 203
Jesus as Fulfillment of the Law	p. 205
Discipleship in Matthew	p. 208
Summary	p. 210
Luke: Jesus, the Lord	p. 212
The Composition of Luke	p. 212
The Time of Salvation	p. 218
Jesus as Universal Savior	p. 219
Discipleship in Luke	p. 221
Summary	p. 222
John: Jesus, the Divine Son	p. 224
The Composition of John	p. 224
Jesus, the Jews, and the World	p. 230
Jesus, Revelation of the Father	p. 231
Discipleship in John	p. 232
Summary	p. 234
Continuing the Christian Story
Acts: The Gospel to the Nations	p. 236
The Composition of Acts	p. 236
The Church in Salvation History	p. 240
The Apostle Heroes: Peter and Paul	p. 243
Discipleship in Acts	p. 245
Summary	p. 247
Hebrews: The Heavenly High Priest	p. 249
The Thought World of Hebrews	p. 249
Christ as Heavenly High Priest	p. 252
Discipleship in Hebrews	p. 254
Summary	p. 256
The Pastoral Epistles: A Pauline Tradition	p. 258
The Image of Paul in the Pastorals	p. 258
True Doctrine in the Pastorals	p. 261
Church Organization in the Pastorals	p. 263
Christian Women in the Pastorals	p. 265
Summary	p. 266
The Catholic Epistles: An Apostolic Heritage	p. 269
1 Peter, the "Holy People of God"	p. 269
James and Jude, the Legacy of Jewish Christianity	p. 272
2 Peter, Christian Eschatology	p. 275
Summary	p. 277
The Johannine Epistles: A Church Divided	p. 279
The Story of Johannine Christianity	p. 279
1 and 2 John, Christian Fellowship, and the Crisis of Division	p. 281
3 John, Broken Hospitality	p. 284
Summary	p. 285
Revelation: Christianity and the Empire	p. 287
The Composition of Revelation	p. 287
The Apocalyptic Imagination	p. 294
The Political Message of Revelation	p. 295
Discipleship in Revelation	p. 299
Worship with Angels-Revelation as Liturgy	p. 300
Summary	p. 301
Bibliography for Further Study	p. 303
Index of Maps, Charts, Illustrations, and Supplemental Texts	p. 315
Scripture and Ancient Texts Index	p. 317
Subject Index	p. 325
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