Introducing the New Testament—Thompson, Green, Achtemeier

Last updated on: January 19, 2021 at 1:29 pm by Nijay Gupta

Introducing the New Testament—Thompson, Green, Achtemeier 2021-01-19T13:29:52-08:00 Nijay Gupta

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Marianne Meye Thompson, Joel B. Green, Paul J. Achtemeier. Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology (Eerdmans, 2001). 636 Pages; List Price, HB $48.00.

Book Description: Introducing the New Testament is an outstanding guide to the writings of the New Testament for readers ranging from Bible students to those approaching the Christian Scriptures for the first time. Written by three leading Bible specialists, this book discusses in a clear and balanced way the New Testament’s literature, its message, and the issues raised by a careful reading of its pages. Wonderfully readable and well supplied with maps and photographs, this volume is both an ideal textbook for courses covering the New Testament and a superb introduction for general readers wanting authoritative, straight-forward instruction on the writings of the New Testament.

Unlike other New Testament introductions that are primarily concerned with historical-critical issues or with what scholars have said, this book gets directly to the business of explaining the New Testament’s background, content, and theology. The authors do not presume that readers need to be familiar with scholarly debates about the New Testament, nor do they assume those debates have necessarily raised the most important issues. Instead, this book is aimed at putting the message of the Christian Scriptures back within the reach of general readers. Although informed by the current scholarship in the history, traditions, and literature of the New Testament, this book is primarily designed to induct readers of the New Testament into sensitive appreciation and serious awareness of its major figures and concerns.

After explaining the nature of the New Testament and the world in which it was written, the authors thoroughly discuss each of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament. The content and essential message of these ancient works are described in simple but dynamic language that reveals why they continue to inspire and challenge readers today. Separate chapters also explore the types of literature found in the New Testament, the life and teachings of Jesus, Paul’s life and world, and the formation of the New Testament canon. In addition, numerous sidebars offer a wealth of fascinating and highly relevant background information that helps modern readers more fully grasp biblical themes. No other work on the New Testament is so accessible and enjoyable to use.

from the Author:

Why is this textbook handy?

Joel Green says

I’m not sure that any New Testament introduction can be called “handy”! Typically, these are hefty textbooks, and ours is no exception. We have attempted to make our book easy to use, though. For example, our table of contents follows the canonical order of the New Testament books, each chapter follows a similar outline, each chapter provides an outline of the New Testament book(s) in question, and so on. And it’s a genuinely co-authored book. This means that, even though most chapters were drafted by one of the three authors, each chapter was worked over, sometimes significantly, by the others. We think the result is a well-balanced, readable introduction.

What would you say are this textbook’s distinctive features?

Our book’s most distinctive feature is marked already in the subtitle, which draws attention to the literature and theology of the New Testament. Of course, we do not reject historical questions! However, we recognize the degree to which so much of what has passed for “introductory issues” in New Testament studies is based on learned guesswork. Accordingly, we bring into the foreground the New Testament materials themselves, including a discussion of important theological questions they raise. Secondly, the three of us involved in the project come to the New Testament with genuine appreciation and respect for the New Testament. We bring faith and criticism together in ways not always seen in textbooks like this.

Nijay’s Notes:

This is one of the best graduate-level introductions, written by three power-house scholars. The authors fuse historical study with literary analysis. The major downside of this textbook is that it is 20 years old. By now it deserves a second edition, but Achtemeier passed away. Still, this is one to collect for the reference shelf.

**UPDATE**: Joel Green has informed me that a second edition is in the works thanks to the help of former Fuller faculty (now at Oxford) Dr. David Downs.

About the Author(s): Marianne Meye Thompson (Phd Duke University) is George Eldon Ladd Professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. She is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Among her books is The Promise of the Father: Jesus and God in the New Testament, published by Westminster John Knox Press.

Joel B. Green (Phd University of Aberdeen) is associate dean for the Center for Advanced Theological Studies and professor of New Testament interpretation at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the author or editor of more than forty-five books, including Hearing the New Testament; coauthor of Introducing the New Testament; and editor of the New International Commentary on the New Testament series.

Paul J. Achtemeier (1927-2013) was Herbert Worth and Annie H. Jackson Professor of Biblical Interpretation Emeritus at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. He served as the president of both the Society of Biblical Literature and the Catholic Biblical Association. He authored a number of books, including 1 Peter (Hermeneia), and was the general editor for the Harper Bible Dictionary.

New Testament Resource Guide

Previous Post

January 14, 2021

Cruciform Scripture: Interviews with Contributors—Drew Strait

Next Post

January 15, 2021 Exploring the New Testament—Walton et al.

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category (Mis)Understanding Philippians 10 Things I Can't Live Without 2023 New Books 30 OT HB Scholars to Read and Follow 5 Books Series 50-2-Follow Academia Christian Theologians to Read and Follow Cruciform Scripture: Contributor Reflections Crux Sola TV Editors Behind Great Books in NT Studies Education Gendering the Holy Spirit Gupta FB Live Lectures In Faith and Doubt In Their Own Words Living the King Jesus Gospel My Top 6 OT Commentaries New Testament Resource Guide New Word Biblical Themes Nijay's A Very Library Christmas Shopping Guide Notes from an Editor Notes on New Books NTRG OT in the NT Paul Seminary Now The Bible in God's World The Word Felt Among Us SPENCER Translating Philippians Uncategorized Why I Use Accordance Women in Ministry

Select a Month March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 May 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz