This introduction gives particular attention to the social, cultural, and rhetorical contexts of the New Testament authors and their writings. It integrates instruction in exegetical and interpretive strategies with their customary considerations of authorship, dating, audience, and message. This introduction introduces students to a relevant facet of interpretation with each portion of New Testament literature. It is mindful of the needs of students preparing for ministry. It views the NT as a pastoral response.

An Introduction to the New Testament focuses on historical questions dealing with authorship, date, sources, purpose, destination, and so forth. For each New Testament document, the authors also provide a summary of that book's content, discuss the book's theological contribution to the overall canon, and give an account of current studies on that book, including recent literary and social-science approaches to interpretation.

Exploring the New Testament, Volume One introduces students to Jewish and Greco-Roman background, literary genres and forms, debated issues such as authorship, date and setting content and major themes of each book, conventional as well as new approaches to the study of the Gospels and Acts, the latest scholarship in the quest for the historical Jesus, and the intersection of New Testament criticism with contemporary faith and culture.

Exploring the New Testament, Volume Two introduces students to Greco-Roman background and ancient letter writing content and major themes. It describes Paul's life, mission, and theology and issues of authorship, date, and setting. It includes methods in reading and interpreting the New Testament Letters and Revelation. It also considers the intersection of New Testament criticism with contemporary issues of faith and culture.

Introducing the New Testament is a guide to the writings of the New Testament for beginners as well as Bible students. This book discusses in a clear and balanced way the New Testament's literature, its message, and the issues raised by a careful reading of its pages. It is aimed at putting the message of the Christian Scriptures back within the reach of general readers. Although informed by the current scholarship in the history, traditions, and literature of the New Testament, this book is primarily designed to induct readers of the New Testament into sensitive appreciation and serious awareness of its major figures and concerns.

Interpretation requires the interweaving of theology, history, and literature. In Introduction to the New Testament Carl R. Holladay does just that. He roots each of the New Testament's twenty-seven writings in their historical, literary, and theological contexts. A true "Reference Edition," Holladay provides thorough, detailed, and exacting overviews, background material, and textual analysis. Holladay leads readers to consider questions of canon, authority, and genre that shape the formation of the text and the text's formation of the identity, theology, and mission of the church today.

Guthrie engages the issues of authorship and authenticity, purpose and structure, historical context and cultural setting. In these discussions, as well as in the notes and bibliographies, he draws on a wealth of recent scholarly research which gives added value to this classic resource.