An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods, and Ministry Formation, 2nd ed.

by David A. deSilva

Publisher:

IVP Academic

, 2018

Overview

This New Testament introduction is different.

Many introductions zero in on the historical contexts in which the New Testament literature was written. This introduction goes further—to give particular attention to the social, cultural, and rhetorical contexts of the New Testament authors and their writings.

Few introductions to the New Testament integrate instruction in exegetical and interpretive strategies with the customary considerations of authorship, dating, audience, and message. This introduction capitalizes on the opportunity, introducing students to a relevant facet of interpretation with each portion of New Testament literature.

Rarely do introductions to the New Testament approach their task mindful of students preparing for ministry. This introduction is explicit in doing so, recognizing as it does that the New Testament itself—in its parts and as a whole—is a pastoral resource. Each chapter on the New Testament literature closes with a discussion of implications for ministry formation.

These integrative features alone would distinguish this introduction from others. But in addition, its pages brim with maps, photos, points of interest, and aids to learning. Separate chapters explore the historical and cultural environment of the New Testament era, the nature of the Gospels and the quest for the historical Jesus, and the life of Paul.

First published in 2004, David A. deSilva’s comprehensive and carefully crafted introduction to the New Testament has been long established as an authoritative textbook and resource for students. This beautiful, full-color second edition has been updated throughout with new scholarship and numerous images. It is the first choice for those convinced that a New Testament introduction should integrate scholarship and ministry.

Key Features

• Provides social, cultural, and rhetorical contexts of the New Testament authors and their writings
• Integrates instruction in exegetical and interpretive strategies
• Helpful for pastors and ministry preparation

Contents

• The New Testament as Pastoral Response
• The Environment of Early Christianity
• The Cultural and Social World of the Early Church
• The Four Gospels and the One Jesus
• The Gospel According to Mark: Following in the Way of the Cross
• The Gospel According to Matthew
• The Gospel According to Luke
• The Acts of the Apostles
• The Gospel According to John
• The Epistles of John
• A Prologue to the Study of Paul’s Letters
• The Letter to the Galatians
• The Thessalonian Correspondence
• The Corinthian Correspondence
• The Epistle to the Romans
• The Epistle to the Philippians
• The Epistle to Philemon
• The Epistles to the Christians in Colossae and Ephesus
• The Letters to Timothy and Titus
• The Epistle to the “Hebrews”
• The Epistle of James
• The First Letter of Peter
• Jude and 2 Peter
• The Revelation of John

Top Highlights

“A better explanation for Jesus’ reluctance to have reports of his miracles and identity spread prematurely is found in Mark’s conviction that Jesus’ messiahship cannot be understood apart from his passion, and thus discipleship itself cannot be properly lived until the confession ‘Jesus is the Christ’ is stripped of its misunderstandings and seen in light of the passion.” (Page 182)

“Moreover, these readers claim that a demonstration of the obsolescence of the old covenant would be important for Jewish rather than Gentile Christians.” (Page 686)

“Common to most of these mystery religions was the promise of sharing in the eternal life of the deity” (Page 63)

“A third arena for exegesis, then, is social and cultural texture, which moves from the world of the text to the world of the author and audience.” (Page xxiv)

“Apocalypticism essentially arose in response to the apparent failure of the Deuteronomistic view of history” (Page 22)

Endorsements

This excellent introduction, which I use for my New Testament introduction classes, meets a special need, especially for seminarians concerned about how their New Testament study relates to ministry. It displays a wide knowledge of scholarship in the entire New Testament canon and its historical contexts, and capably introduces students to both traditional and more current approaches (including rhetorical, literary, and social). deSilva’s concern for ministry application is a valuable and unique feature, and his extensive proficiency in the ancient sources, already demonstrated in earlier works, makes him an especially trustworthy guide in this area. He presents the entire range of positions fairly so that students from diverse backgrounds receive a fair survey of views and the arguments for each; deSilva’s conclusions are also fair and carefully supported. This welcome new edition takes this work to an even higher level.

—Craig S. Keener, F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary

This is unquestionably the best seminary-level introduction to the New Testament. deSilva offers clear explanation, crucial background, and sensible exegetical judgments, while also including helpful reflections for ministry formation. This revised edition is more than a cosmetic update—deSilva breaks down the pressing critical issues in New Testament studies today and offers invaluable, updated reading recommendations. This reference work, which I will consult regularly, deserves a permanent place on the shelves of students and pastors (until the next edition!).

—Nijay K. Gupta, associate professor of New Testament at Portland Seminary

David deSilva has written one of the most helpful introductory textbooks on the New Testament currently available. And now, it’s new and improved and in full color as well. This winsome textbook should secure a wide readership, and richly deserves to be a standard required text at Christian colleges and seminaries for many years to come. Highly recommended!

—Ben Witherington III, Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods & Ministry Formation (Second Edition)
• Author: David A. deSilva
• Edition: Second Edition
• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2018
• Logos Release Date: 2019
• Pages: 896
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. N.T. › Introductions
• ISBNs: 9780830874002, 9780830852178, 0830874003, 0830852174, 0830866108, 9780830866106
• Resource ID: LLS:INTRONTDESILVA2ED
• Resource Type: text.monograph.introduction.new-testament
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-12-02T20:40:24Z

About David A. deSilva

Dr. David A. deSilva, PhD, is the Trustees’ Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ohio, where he’s taught since 1995.

He’s written over 20 books in the areas of New Testament and Second Temple Judaism, including Unholy Allegiances: Heeding Revelation's Warning (Hendrickson, 2013), The Jewish Teachers of Jesus, James, and Jude (Oxford, 2012),Seeing Things John’s Way: The Rhetoric of the Book of Revelation (WJKP, 2009), An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods & Ministry Formation (IVP, 2004), Introducing the Apocrypha (Baker Academic, 2002), and Perseverance in Gratitude: A Socio-rhetorical Commentary on the Epistle “to the Hebrews” (Eerdmans, 2000). He’s also interested in spiritual formation, having written Sacramental Life: Spiritual Formation through the Book of Common Prayer (IVP, 2008) and Praying with John Wesley (Discipleship Resources, 2001).

He’s ordained in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, and serves as director of music and organist at Christ United Methodist Church in Ashland. He and his wife, Donna Jean, have three sons.