Carson D. A. - Introducing the New Testament: a Short Guide to Its History and Message

People have been reading and studying the New Testament (NT) for as long as its documents have been in existence. Even before all twenty-seven NT books were written, some found the interpretation of the available documents more than a little challenging (see 2 Pet. 3:1516 on Paul). A distance of two millennia and changes of language, culture, and history have not made the task any less difficult. Furthermore, the overabundance of writings on the NT across the centuries makes the task both easier and harder. It is easier because there are many good guides, and it is harder because the sheer volume and thoroughly mixed nature of the material are profoundly daunting.

This book aims to serve you as an introductory guide to understanding the NT. Its layout is straightforward, following the order of the NT books as they occur in our English Bibles. Chapters 2, 8, and 9 introduce groups of NT books, and the rest of the chapters discuss individual NT books, typically answering the following questions (though not always in this order):

1. Content: What is the book about?

2. Author: Who wrote the book?

3. Genre: What style of literature is used?

4. Date: When was the book written?

5. Place: Where was the book written?

6. Audience: To whom was the book written?

7. Purpose: Why was the book written?

8. Contributions: What does the book contribute to our understanding of the faith?

Most of the space in the chapters is dedicated to content and contributions. We suggest that you read this book with an open Bible, perhaps reading each NT book in its entirety as you work through the opening section on its content. The many headings and numbered lists make the material user-friendly with easy-to-find summaries of key points.

Each chapter ends by asking some questions for review and discussion and listing recommended resources for further reading. Below are some general resources that may aid you as you advance in your study of the NT.

Blomberg, Craig L. Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey. 2d ed. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2009.

. From Pentecost to Patmos: An Introduction to Acts through Revelation. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2006.

Burge, Gary M., Lynn H. Cohick, and Gene L. Green. The New Testament in Antiquity: A Survey of the New Testament within Its Cultural Contexts. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009.

Carson, D. A. Approaching the Bible. Pages 119 in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Edited by D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, and G. J. Wenham. 4th ed. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994. (This article gives a basic overview to interpreting the Bible.)

Elwell, Walter A., and Robert W. Yarbrough, eds. Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey. 2d ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005. (This book gives a trustworthy, readable overview with dozens of color pictures and an interactive CD-ROM.)

The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton: Crossway Bibles, 2008. (This Bible contains useful articles and concise introductions and notes for each book.)

TNIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006. (This Bible contains concise introductions and notes for each book.)

Alexander, T. Desmond, and Brian S. Rosner, eds. New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2000. (This book has three parts: [1] twelve major introductory articles, e.g., D. A. Carson, Systematic Theology and Biblical Theology, pp. 89104; [2] seven articles on the most important collections of biblical writings followed by articles on each book of the Bible; and [3] 140 articles on major biblical themes.)

Evans, Craig A., and Stanley E. Porter, eds. Dictionary of New Testament Background.