Patrick Gray is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Rhodes College.

• AbbreviationsIntroductionI. The Context of Early Christianity and the New TestamentII. The Literature of the New Testament: The Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles MarkMatthew Luke-ActsJohn III. The Literature of the New Testament: LettersThe Letters of PaulRomans 1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1-2 ThessaloniansThe Pastoral Epistles (1-2 Timothy, Titus)PhilemonThe Letter to the HebrewsThe General EpistlesJames1-2 Peter1, 2, 3 JohnJudeIV. The Literature of the New Testament: Apocalyptic LiteratureRevelationV. Key Concepts VI. General Issues What do we know about the life of Jesus?What language did Jesus speak?How do we know what Jesus really said?How should the miracles in the New Testament be understood?Did Jesus found a new religion?Is the New Testament anti-Semitic?Who wrote the New Testament?How do we know when the books of the New Testament were written?Why does the New Testament contain (only) twenty-seven books?How should one read the non-canonical writings?How are the Dead Sea Scrolls related to the New Testament?Should the New Testament be read "literally"?What special methods do scholars use to interpret the New Testament?VII. For Further StudyBibliographyIndex

This exceptionally helpful and highly readable Guidebook is ideal for anyone looking for an introduction to the New Testament and its world. This book will enable a reader to appreciate the New Testament and its subsequent influence with greater depth and insight. Informed by the latest scholarship, it presents the range of scholarly views on key matters of debate, and the definition of key terms and answers to ‘frequently asked questions’ add greatly to its value. Paul Trebilco, University of Otago, New Zealand