Constantine R. Campbell - Reading the New Testament as Christian Scripture

The genre of New Testament introduction has been remarkably stable for some time and, because of the influence of traditional historical criticism, often focuses on the historical origins of the texta kind of textual archaeology. While Campbell and Pennington are well aware of the value of introducing the origins of the New Testament texts, their work intentionally focuses on reading the New Testament as Christian Scripture . That is, they introduce modern readers to the subject matter to which the New Testament testifiesnamely, the ultimate revelation of God in Jesus Christ. Campbell and Pennington address student-disciples on their journey of transformation by means of the canonical text of the New Testament. Student-disciples and professor-pastors should take up this introduction with confidence, because it not only gives instruction on what the New Testament is, but more, it illuminates what God does in and through the witness of the New Testament in the lives of faithful readers. Highly recommended.

Darian Lockett , Talbot School of Theology, Biola University

Campbell and Pennington have gifted both the church and the academy with a text that deftly combines the literary, canonical, and theological sensibilities required to understand the New Testaments message both in its own context and in our world today. I cannot wait to introduce this valuable resource to students.

Brandon D. Smith , Cedarville University

Eminently navigable and aesthetically pleasing, Reading the New Testament as Christian Scripture draws students into the central truths of the Christian faith. Campbell and Pennington come from a particular perspective on debatable topics, and so teachers will want to supplement to provide their students the full range of Christian perspectives, but in every instance the authors discuss such topics with clarity and grace. Therefore, I would be thrilled to offer this text to my New Testament students, both to include perspectives different from my own and, even more importantly, to show the even greater unity among scholars who consider the New Testament as Scripture.

Amy Peeler , Wheaton College

The challenges facing anyone seeking to introduce the literature and message of the New Testament to this generation are many. Constantine Campbell and Jonathan Pennington have successfully responded to them with this remarkably useful and effective survey, rooted in their exhortation to read the biblical revelation as disciples expecting transformation. Color-coded sidebars punctuate each section, inviting students to consider intriguing insights, questions, and observations. Each chapter ends with Christian Reading Questions that summon further reflection, often in relation to other portions of Scripture or pieces of art inspired by Christian theology. The book is littered with full-color maps, diagrams, tables, and photographs and concludes with a glossary of key terms highlighted throughout.

Jonathan Lunde , Biola University

For far too long students have been introduced to thoughtful engagement with the Bible through what is essentially an introduction to the discipline of biblical studies. I find that these introductions do a better job of training people to be professional biblical scholars than they do of helping them attend to the subject at handnamely, God. This book is a welcome change. The book also helpfully attends to the fact that technology has radically changed the way students engage with the Bible (and all texts for that matter)it is a thing to be searched with a search engine, mined for answers, but not to be read in the purest sense of that word (as a transformative act). The introductory chapter alone is worth the purchase!

Kelly D. Liebengood , LeTourneau University

The authors focus on the New Testament books as Christian Scripture shines through on page after page, expressed in their engaging and lucid writing. The Implementation section and discussion questions for each New Testament book are excellent features, helping Christian readers reflect on how they engage with Scripture today. The sidebars on more detailed points are a mine of useful information, and the chapters are well illustrated with maps, art, and architecture.

Steve Walton , Trinity College, Bristol