The New Testament: An Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings - Softcover

Ehrman, Bart D.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195084810 ISBN 13: 9780195084818

Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc, 1996

Synopsis

This introduction to the New Testament takes a comparative historical approach to early Chrisitian writings. Without shying away from the critical challenge posed by the ancient books, it emphasizes their impressive diversity and discusses the ongoing academic debate over their authorship, meaning, origin, collection in a canon of Scripture and reason for existence. A feature of the study is the presentation of the Greco-Roman world, including early Judea, as not merely a background to early Christian writings, but as the context from which the books emerged and within which they must be viewed. It also reviews other works by Christian writers written at the time the New Testament was created, such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Apocalypse of Peter, and the letters of Ignatius.

About this title

Review

"An outstanding introduction. Blends contemporary scholarship, the early Christian world, and attention to the needs of students most skillfully. The best introduction currently available."--Francis J. Moloney, The Catholic University of America"Ehrman's historical introduction to the New Testament is written more clearly than any other I have used; it situates Christianity more honestly in the ancient Greco-Roman world. It does not limit the picture of Christianity to the New Testament but draws on other early Christian writings. Lavishly illustrated."--John L. White, Loyola University

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0195084810
• ISBN 13: 9780195084818
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 462