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Title: Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology by Paul J. Achtemeier, Joel B. Green, Marianne Meye Thompson ISBN: 0-8028-3717-4 Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Pub. Date: August, 2001 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.33 (3 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Good, but too much influenced by the New Perspective
Comment: This is a good introduction to the books of the NT for seminary students and lay people. The set up is nice and organized. It also gives the reader a historical background of the NT (pp. 1-87). Like all other intros the book deals with the background, authorship, dating, and summaries of each book. The only problem I have with this book is the New Perspective tendencies. For instance, here is what the authors have to say about the doctrine of justification (the article by which the church stands or falls):
"Justification" in modern English has legal overtones, and justification is often understood as God as judge freeing human sinners from the punishment due their sin. But Paul took this term from the covenantal language of Israel, where it describes being in a right covenantal relationship with God. To be made righteous therefore means, for Paul, to leave a rebellious relationship in which one opposes what God wants and to enter into a positive relationship in which one seeks to follow God's will (p. 308).
The authors, by this statement, have kicked out the foundation by which the church stands. No longer is justification understood as a legal action, but as a familial relational thing. Thus, justification is not about having the perfect righteousness of Christ imputed to one's record, but about pursuing God's will (i.e., obeying His commandments). Though Achtemeier, Green, and Thompson would resist all attempts to be labelled Romanists, they have paved the way to Rome by this statement (of course it is no surprise that N. T. Wright recommends this book). Don't discard the whole book just because of that one anti-evangelical statement (like I said above there are good and useful things in the book), but one should be wary of the soteriological perspective that is being expounded here.
Rating: 5
Summary: A Very Helpful Work
Comment: There have been a number of helpful New Testament introductions written for the Evangelical community, including the older volume by Guthrie and the newer work by Carson, Moo and Morris. And there have been many fine NT theologies as well. Volumes by Ladd, Caird and Guthrie, among others, have served the Evangelical community well.
This new volume offers a bit of both worlds: introductory matters, as well as theological concerns. Written for students and lay people, it will serve as a good intermediary text. Advanced students may find it wanting in areas, but it does offer, if in brief form, some of the latest scholarship on the NT.
The three authors all teach interpretation at American seminaries. They have all produced a number of outstanding works on aspects of the NT. Green for example has authored the well received New International Commentary on Luke; Meye Thompson wrote on 1-3 John for the IVP New Testament Commentary Series, and Achtemeier did the Hermeneia commentary on 1 Peter.
This volume is especially good on Jesus and the Gospels. Indeed, along with sections on introductory matters and Acts, it takes up the first half of the book. The remainder of the book offers brief chapters on the other 22 books of the New testament. Each chapter concludes with a short bibliography of recent works, usually half of which are commentaries.
The chapters highlight the usual concerns: matters of authorship and historical setting, theological themes and literary issues. Photos, maps and supplementary text blocks all contribute to a highly usable and informative volume.
The study is neither too technical nor too detailed to be lost on a lay person or beginning student. Yet it is scholarly and up-to-date enough to be of use to more advanced students as well. As with all theological works, there will be some areas of disagreement.
For example, since none of the three authors comes from a Reformed perspective (not that they need to), there are areas in which one might beg to differ. Perhaps the most obvious example of this arises in the chapter on Romans. One passage in which quite a lot of ink has been spilled is Romans 7 and the identity of the "I" who struggles with sin.
While a number of options present themselves, many argue that Paul is describing his own experience as a believer (and by implication that of all other believers). Pick up any 10 good commentaries on Romans, and perhaps as many as half will argue this position Yet in this volume the authors simply dismiss such an interpretation as "impossible".
One would have thought that careful scholars such as Cranfield, Murray, and Dunn, for example, would not embark upon such impossible hermeneutical assignments!
But leaving aside the occasional theological quibble, this volume well serves its purpose as an introductory text on basic NT matters. Others may go into more background detail (such as the volume by Carson, Moo and Morris, or more fully examine the theological or literary aspects (Ladd, or Caird - in addition to his NT Theology, see his invaluable Language and Imagery of the Bible), but this volume will fill a niche and should enjoy a long run with students of the NT.
Rating: 5
Summary: A spendid treatment of New Testament Literature
Comment: This book is a bible student's dream come true. It is written in an engaging manner. The scholarship is superb. The book's structure, theological content, and balanced treatment, make it a valuable resource for New Testament Study. At a time when there is a proliferation of books and monographs on biblical subjects, Achtemeier, Green, and Thompson, produce a jewel for the serious student of scripture. This book is destined to become an instant classic.
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Title: The Shadow of the Galilean: The Quest of the Historical Jesus in Narrative Form by Gerd Theissen, John Bowden ISBN: 0800620577 Publisher: Fortress Press Pub. Date: January, 2003 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
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Title: New Testament History: A Narrative Account by Ben, III Witherington ISBN: 0801022932 Publisher: Baker Book House Pub. Date: November, 2001 List Price(USD): $26.99 |
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Title: Synopsis of the Four Gospels : Completely Revised on the Basis of the Greek Text of the Nestle Aland (English-only text) by Kurt Aland ISBN: 0826705006 Publisher: Fortress Press Pub. Date: December, 1983 List Price(USD): $18.99 |
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Title: Hearing the New Testament: Strategies for Interpretation by Joel B. Green ISBN: 0802807933 Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Pub. Date: October, 1995 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
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Title: Gospel Parallels : NRSV Edition by Burton H. Throckmorton ISBN: 0840774842 Publisher: Nelson Reference Pub. Date: 02 December, 1992 List Price(USD): $34.99 |
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