Encountering the New Testament – a historical and theological survey

Forlagets omtale:
With its full-color illustrations and multimedia, interactive compact disc--not to mention its rigorous scholarship, readable style, and educational soundness--Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey sets a new standard in introductory undergraduate biblical studies.

Although nearly every Christian college offers a course surveying the New Testament, professors too often discover that the books for these courses fail to communicate to their students. Encountering the New Testament offers instructors a text specifically designed with today's first-year college student in mind.

This volume is written at a level students can understand and is realistic about students' level of biblical literacy. In addition, it seeks to draw in the student with an eye-pleasing presentation. This unique text boasts a number of distinguishing features, including:

- a multimedia, interactive CD-ROM software program

- abundant illustrations, photographs, figures, tables, and charts--all in full color

- sidebars addressing ethical/theological concerns and providing primary source material

- focus boxes isolating key issues and making relevant applications

- learning objectives and chapter outline at the beginning of each chapter

- study questions, review questions, annotated bibliography, glossary, and chapter summaries at the end of each chapter

Encountering the New Testament was awarded a Christianity Today Book Award in 1999.

Proposed list:

Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey

Readings from the Ancient Near East: Primary Sources for Old Testament Study

Encountering the Book of Genesis

Encountering the Psalms

Encountering the Prophecy of Isaiah

Encountering the Gospel of John

Encountering the Epistle to the Romans

Encountering the Epistle to the Hebrews

Author info

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Walter A. Elwell is professor of biblical and theological studies at Wheaton Graduate School. His Ph.D. is from the University of Edinburgh. Robert W. Yarbrough teaches New Testament at Trinity International University and has translated several major volumes. His Ph.D. is from the University of Aberdeen.

Reviews

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³Seeking to build a foundation for a lifetime of encountering God through scriptural study, the authors aim to present the factual content of each New Testament book, introduce background information, outline hermeneutical principles, touch on critical issues, and substantiate the Christian faith.³ (New Testament Abstracts, January 1999)

³Attractively produced with maps and photographs, review and study questions, summaries and suggestions for further reading. Introductory matters including geographical and historical background, the modern search for Jesus and the critical approach to scripture are all give due consideration. Š The learning process is enhanced with by means of a multimedia CD-ROM.³ (The Expository Times, February 1999)

³An excellent evangelical Bible survey resource. This volume does more than simply present the content of each New Testament book. Historical, cultural, and geographical backgrounds are interwoven to help readers understand the broader context in which Scripture must be understood. Š Easy to read and visually pleasing, this volume includes many features both teachers and students will find useful. Š This is a good resource for students and lifelong learners alike.³ (Bibliotheca Sacra, January-March 1999)

³Included in good pedagogical fashion are various study aids: key people, places, summaries, review questions. The suggestions for further reading are even-handed and by no means limited to an evangelical viewpoint. The book is beautifully illustrated with photos, maps, and diagrams.³

--Religious Studies Review (April 1999)

³How textbooks have changed! It now takes a village to write a textbook and the benefits are evident both visually and pedagogically in this appealing first volume of Baker's Encountering Biblical Studies series for undergraduates. The 'special effects' provided by the educational and graphic consultants enhance the substantial and thoroughly evangelical content. . . . This attractive and well-prepared volume should do well in the Christian college textbook market for which it has been designed. It would also be a wonderful addition to church libraries and could cheerfully be recommended to anyone interested in learning more about the New Testament.³--James A. Meeks (Presbyterion)

³Encountering the New Testament is designed to be an introductory text for students coming to the study of the New Testament for the first time. It is an excellent resource for this purpose, and will likely find a wide acceptance on both sides of the Atlantic not only for its clear, concise summaries of the state-of-the-art in contemporary scholarship, but also for the attractive way in which it is presented, and its clearly articulated educational orientation. . . . All in all, though, this has to be one of the most attractive packages available, written by scholars of impeccable reputation in an easily accessible style that will be eminently relevant to the needs of today's students of the New Testament.³--John Drane (Scottish Journal of Religious Studies)

'The overall combination of textbook with CD-Rom, resource manual, and reader presents an attractive, engaging, and competent introduction for undergraduates. As I said at the outset, it is a new benchmark.'--Larry R. Helyer, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Journal

'Teachers and students will find the book useful for its purpose. Aspects of history, geography, sociology, criticism, and theology are introduced. Both volumes should be in Bible colleges and seminary libraries. Pastors and interested laypeople will also benefit from them.'--David W. Baker, Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin

'The authors are to be credited with accomplishing what they set out to do. New Testament teachers will find these books a great resource and their students will find these works interesting reading.'--Douglas J. Culver, Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin

³While expressing sound Christian belief and devotion, it demonstrates a mastery of the New Testament in its ancient setting.³--Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin

'This work is highly recommended for both its informative value and the unique accomplishment for a bibliography, it is interesting and entertaining to read.'--The Master's Seminary Journal

Related Books

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Encountering the Old Testament - A Christian Survey - Arnold, Bill T., and Bryan E. Beyer
Encountering the Book of Psalms - A Literary and Theological Introduction - Bullock, C. Hassell
Encountering the Book of Genesis - - Arnold, Bill T.
Encountering John - The Gospel in Historical, Literary, and Theological Perspective - Köstenberger, Andreas J.