The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings
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 shying 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 literature, and 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 Judaism. 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, and the letters of Ignatius. Instead of simply setting forth scholarly views without explanations, Ehrman includes the evidence that scholars 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 is an accessible, clearly written introduction that encourages students to consider the historical issues surrounding these writings.
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - mldavis2 - LibraryThingI must admit at the outset that I am a fan of Dr. Ehrman. This book is essentially a text book on the historical origins of today's New Testament (NT). Dr. Ehrman is a theological historian, not a ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - jontseng - LibraryThingA good combination of didactics and exploration - using a textbook survey of NT books as an exemplar of different hermeneutical approaches. If only all theological textbooks were this good it wouldn't all be Greek to me... Read full review
Contents
The Early Christians and Their Literature
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1 |
The World of Early Christian Traditions
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16 |
The World of Early Christian Traditions
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17 |
Copyright
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ancient apocalyptic apostles appears beginning believed book of Acts canon chap Chapter Christ church claim converts Corinthians dead death deeds disciples divine early Christian epistles evil example faith father followers Fourth Gospel Gentiles Gnostics God's gods Gospel of John Gospel of Mark Gospel of Peter Gospel of Thomas Greco-Roman world Greek happened heaven Hebrew historians historical Jesus human INFORMATION Box Israel Jerusalem Jewish leaders Jewish Scriptures Jews Johannine John Judaism kind kingdom later letter living Luke's Marcion Mark Mark's Matthew and Luke messiah miracles Moreover Moses narrative pagan Palestine Passover Pastoral epistles Paul Paul's person Peter Pharisees Pilate priest problem prophet proto-orthodox proto-orthodox Christians rejected religion resurrection Roman Rome Sadducees salvation scholars second century seen sources stories Synoptic Gospels Synoptics teachings Temple Testament Thessalonians things THINK ABOUT Box tion traditions understand words worship writings written