Behind the Scenes of the New Testament (Behind the Scenes of the Bible): Cultural, Social, and Historical ContextsBruce W. Longenecker, Elizabeth E. Shively, T. J. Lang 2026 Christian Book AwardŽ Finalist (Bible Reference Works) Southwestern Journal of Theology 2024 Book Award (Biblical Reference / Biblical Backgrounds) This authoritative volume brings together a team of world-class scholars to cover the full range of New Testament backgrounds in a concise, up-to-date, and comprehensive manner. Drawing on the expertise of specialists in the areas of archaeological, historical, and biblical studies, this book provides concise treatments of a wide breadth of topics related to the world of the early Christ followers. The book offers compact overviews of key historical issues, facilitating enriched understandings of the significance and force of the texts of the New Testament in their original contexts. Meant to be used alongside traditional surveys, this one-stop introduction to New Testament backgrounds fills a gap in typical introduction to the Bible courses and is ideal for undergraduate or seminary classes. It is beautifully designed and includes photographs, line drawings, maps, charts, and tables, which will facilitate its use in the classroom. |
Contents
Territories of Roman Palestine Jürgen K Zangenberg 43 | |
Divine Society 257 | |
Theos and Theology T J Lang 259 | |
Cosmology Jamie Davies 268 | |
Eschatologies and the Afterlife Thomas D McGlothlin 275 | |
Angels and Demons Robert E Moses 282 | |
Prophecy Divination Oracles and Dreams Jill E Marshall 288 | |
Magic Medicine and Miracles Jennifer Eyl 295 | |
Purity and Holiness Matthew Thiessen 302 | |
Urban Centers of the Roman World Jan Rüggemeier 51 | |
The Decapolis Roy Ciampa 61 | |
The Synagogue in the Time of Jesus and the New Testament Eric M Meyers 68 | |
Temples Timothy Wardle 79 | |
GrecoRoman Material Culture David W J Gill 86 | |
Houses and Meeting Places Richard Last 94 | |
Scripts 103 | |
The Septuagint and the Transmission of Jewish Scriptures Kristin De Troyer 105 | |
Qumran and the Context of the New Testament Matthew A Collins 113 | |
Historiography Loveday Alexander 122 | |
Ancient Biography and the Gospels Helen K Bond 129 | |
The Parables of Jesus Klyne R Snodgrass 137 | |
Letters and Letter Writing Joshua W Jipp 144 | |
Poetic and Hymnic Material in the New Testament Andrew T Cowan and Jennifer Strawbridge 151 | |
Practices of Interpretation Susan Docherty 159 | |
Reading Strategies in the GrecoRoman World Maren R Niehoff 167 | |
Actors 177 | |
The Herodian Dynasty Morten Hørning Jensen 179 | |
Messiahs and Revolutionaries Max Botner 187 | |
Judean Social Classes Benjamin D Gordon 195 | |
Itinerant Religious Experts Heidi Wendt 203 | |
Gentiles in Judean Eyes Hannah K Harrington 211 | |
Judeans in Gentile Eyes Paul Trebilco 219 | |
Samaritans Magnar Kartveit 227 | |
Women in the Ancient Mediterranean World Susan E Benton 234 | |
Masculinities PeterBen Smit 241 | |
Disabled Bodies Louise J Lawrence 248 | |
Themes on the Stage 255 | |
Festivals and Feasts Gary M Burge 309 | |
Imperial Devotion Adam Winn 317 | |
Persecution Suffering and Martyrdom Dorothea H Bertschmann 324 | |
Mystery Cults Jan N Bremmer 331 | |
Moral Transformation and Ethics Max J Lee 339 | |
Sacrifice David M Moffitt 348 | |
Human Society 355 | |
The Roman Empire Sylvia C Keesmaat 357 | |
Roman Law and Citizenship J Brian Tucker 365 | |
GrecoRoman Associations Jin Hwan Lee 372 | |
Wealth and Poverty MiJa Wi 380 | |
GiftGiving John M G Barclay 388 | |
Alms for the Poor Nathan Eubank 395 | |
Hospitality Andrew E Arterbury 401 | |
Meals and Symposia Paul B Duff 408 | |
Coins and Culture David H Wenkel 415 | |
Race and Ethnicity Eric D Barreto 422 | |
Household Structure Judith M Gundry 431 | |
Sexuality William Loader 445 | |
Marriage and Divorce Alicia D Myers 452 | |
Widows Timothy J Murray 460 | |
Household Worship Caroline Johnson Hodge 467 | |
Slavery Katherine A Shaner 476 | |
Literacy and Education Teresa Morgan 484 | |
Death and Burial Practices Daniel L Smith and William L Potter 491 | |
Scripture Index 499 | |
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