Exploring The New Testament: A Guide to the Gospels and Acts

This is the Second Edition of a well-received volume by scholars David Wenham and Steve Walton. It’s part of a 2 volume set with another volume by different scholars covering the rest of the New Testament. Actually, there are 4 other corresponding volumes that cover the Old Testament as well. Currently, this volume is available in either an attractive hardback volume or a more economical paperback edition.

It’s aimed at first- or second year college students. Though it has features that will appeal more to those planning to become scholars than pastors or Bible students, it is still a fine volume for anyone.

The page layout is appealing and there are multiple things to look at depending on what you’re studying at the moment. It is not set up as a chapter per NT book only as are so many such volumes. There’s over 40 pages to set the stage of Jesus and the NT. Next there is a a good bit of critical discussion that is not as interesting to many readers. There’s three chapters that discuss the direction of scholarly studies of Jesus. The balance of the book is on the four Gospels individually and Acts .

This book is my favorite of those I’ve used in this series and I recommend it.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Exploring The New Testament: A Guide to the Letters and Revelation

Here’s the Second Edition of a book by I. Howard Marshall, Stephen Travis and Ian Paul that is often paired with “Exploring the NT: A Guide to the Gospels” by different scholars. Currently, this volume is available in either an attractive hardback volume or a more economical paperback edition.

Aimed at beginning college students, this volume sometimes addresses issues that are more important to scholars than everyone else. Still, it is best that we all be aware at least of where current scholarship is trending.

The setup is exactly the same as its counterpart and that is a plus. In addition to presenting typical introductory issues, the authors give us sidebars to get us thinking. There’s a good introduction to Paul over a few chapters and a chapter for each of the NT books after Acts. Most are helpful, though the one on Revelation is too vague to be of use to the student.

This book and its counterpart are a great asset on studying the New Testament.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.