What
the New Testament Authors Really Cared About:
a Survey of Their Writings, edited by Kenneth Berding
& Matt Williams could well be used as a textbook in high school, college,
or seminary to introduce the books of the New Testament and to give an overview
about the most important aspects of the book form the point of view of the author. The book is very readable, but not dumbed
down.
The editors
have arranged their textbook by author of the New Testament, and each overview
begins with answers to who, when, where, and why for each book. Then they look at the major themes presented,
supplemented with a good number of charts. Maps, and on location pictures. Through the text, there are side bubbles
where the editors tell the read how each author would want us to respond to
various texts. Each chapter ends with a brief summary, key words and concepts
for review, and a list of further resources.
The book is sturdy and very useful – it could
also be used by ministers to give them an overview/background to the book they
are preaching from.
The editors work hard not to espouse a
particular denomination, and they present variant vies and questions about
certain texts, such as the ending of Mark (70).
I was pleased to see that – with the exception
of Revelation – the editors dated the books prior to 70 AD (though I would also
argue that Revelation was written earlier).
I was disappointed in the editors’
discussion about the rapture for two reasons:
some scholars argue there is no such thing to be found in the Bible, and
I agree with them (256).
That aside, this is a very useful first
book on the New Testament canon (there is also an Old Testament companion
volume).
#WhattheNewTestamentAuthorsReallyCaredAbout
[This review appears on my blog and
Amazon.com. I received this book free in
exchange for an honest review.]
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