The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian WritingsThis lucid introduction approaches the New Testament from a consistently historical and comparative perspective, emphasizing the rich diversity of the earliest Christian literature. Rather than styling away from the critical problems presented by these books, Ehrman addresses the historicaland 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 liteature, and how how they came to becollected 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 Judiasm. As part of its historical orientation, this text also discusses works by other Christian writers who were roughlycontemporary with the New Testament, such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Apocalypse of Peter, the letters of Ignatius. Instead of simply setting forth scholarly views without explanations, Ehrman includes the evidence of scholars that have found persuasive for their views, engaging students anddemonstrating 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, Second Edition, is an accessible, clearly writtenintroduction that encourages students to consider the historical issues surrounding these writings. The book is equally appealling to the wide non-academic readership interested in the Bible and the historical Jesus. Ehrman's The New Testament and Other Writings: A Reader serves as an idealcompanion to this text. Features new to the second edition include expanded material covering Jesus, and the addition of boxes throughout addressing numerous topics, including alternative approaches to the historical Jesus and additional material covering women. The new edition also includes a color photo insert. |
Contents
What Is the New Testament? The Early Christians and Their Literature | 1 |
The World of Early Christian Traditions | 16 |
The Traditions of Jesus in Their GrecoRoman Context | 43 |
Copyright | |
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ancient apocalyptic apostles appears beginning believe biography book of Acts canon chap Chapter Christ claim converts Corinthians death disciples divine early Christian epistles example faith father followers Fourth Gospel genre Gentiles Gnostic God's gods Gospel of John Gospel of Luke Gospel of Mark Gospel of Thomas Greco-Roman world Greek happened heaven Hebrew historians historical INFORMATION Box Israel Jerusalem Jewish leaders Jewish messiah Jewish Scriptures Jews John Judaism kingdom later letter Luke's Mark Matt Matthew and Luke messiah miracles Moreover Moses narrative pagan Pastoral epistles Paul Paul's person Peter Pharisees portrayal of Jesus portrayed priest problem prophet proto-orthodox proto-orthodox Christians readers rejected religion resurrection Roman Rome Sadducees salvation scholars scribes second century seen sources speeches stories Synoptic Synoptic Gospels Synoptic Problem teachings Temple Testament themes Thessalonians things THINK ABOUT Box tion traditions understand women words worship writings written