Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey, 2nd ed.

by Mark Allan Powell

Publisher:

Baker Academic

, 2018

Overview

This lively, engaging, and up-to-date introduction to the New Testament has been carefully designed for the classroom. Mark Allan Powell presents disputed and controversial issues fairly, neither dictating conclusions nor privileging skepticism over faith-based perspectives. A recognized expert in New Testament studies, he nevertheless writes in a lucid style that communicates well to undergraduates. Chapters appear in canonical order but are designed for assignment in any order.

Besides helpful teaching aids like sidebars, maps, tables, charts, glossary terms, diagrams, and suggestions for further reading, this full-color textbook includes beautiful artwork illustrating the reception of the New Testament through various times and cultures. The second edition has been thoroughly revised in response to feedback solicited from dozens of professors and features an updated interior design. It offers expanded coverage of the New Testament world in a new chapter on Jewish backgrounds, features dozens of new works of fine art from around the world, and provides extensive new online material for students and professors.

Key Features

• Perfect for students, instructors, and laity
• Includes glossary, artwork, maps, and index
• 2nd Edition includes new chapter on Jewish backgrounds

Contents

Top Highlights

“One thing that Jesus means in proclaiming God’s rule as a present reality is that ‘holiness’ is now contagious in a way that ‘uncleanness’ was before: what is holy now has the power to transform what is unclean.” (Page 155)

“Patron-client relationships would form a significant backdrop for the development of Christian theology. The term most often used for the patron’s bestowal of benefits is charis (typically translated as ‘grace’ in the New Testament), and the term that is often used for the client’s expected attitude of loyalty toward his or her patron is pistis (often translated as ‘faith’ in the New Testament). Thus the phenomenon of patron-client relationships seems to have served as a rough analogy for divine-human encounters in which the constitutive elements are grace and faith: God gives to people freely and generously (grace), and this arouses within people an appropriate response of trust, devotion, and willingness to serve (faith).” (Page 33)

“The point, for Mark, seems to be that discipleship is a relationship established by the call of Christ and defined by his own faithfulness, not by any merit that can be attributed to the disciples themselves.” (Page 157)

“Second, the titles that these books now bear reflect ancient church traditions that often do not hold up to scrutiny.” (Page 61)

“First, the books are not arranged in chronological order.” (Page 61)

Praise for the Print Edition

Mark Allan Powell’s Introducing the New Testament is just what today’s students need: the length is right, the perspective balanced and fair, the choice of content perfect, the layout reader-friendly and attractive, and the author is a respected New Testament scholar and popular classroom teacher. Adopting this book as the primary text for introductory Bible courses (in a college, seminary, or church) is a no-brainer. I recommend it highly.

—Craig A. Evans, John Bisagno Distinguished Professor of Christian Origins, Houston Baptist University

Mark Allan Powell’s Introducing the New Testament is a real gem, a true diamond, not in the rough but well polished. Like a diamond, it reflects the multifaceted beauty of the New Testament text. Like a diamond, it is a concentrate of years of scholarship. Like a diamond, it is a thing of beauty, with its artistic reproductions and useful illustrations. Like a diamond, it is valuable, with a wealth of information that is not readily available elsewhere in any one place.

—Raymond F. Collins, Warren Blanding Professor of Religion emeritus, The Catholic University of America; visiting scholar, Brown University

This splendid introduction to the New Testament is vivid, engaging, and designed to reach a broad audience. Its clear and accessible style invites contemporary readers into the biblical world, while the colorful graphics catch the eye and stimulate the imagination. Historical, literary, and theological questions are addressed in ways that invite readers to venture further into the scriptures. As a resource for teachers and students, it is excellent.

—Craig R. Koester, professor of New Testament, Luther Seminary

Product Details

• Title: Introducing the New Testament, 2nd Edition: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey
• Author: Mark Allan Powell
• Edition: 2nd Edition
• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Publication Date: 2018
• Pages: 592
• Resource Type: Introduction
• Topic: Biblical Studies

About Mark Allan Powell

Mark Allan Powell was Professor of New Testament at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio until his retirement in 2018. He is editor of the HarperCollins Bible Dictionary and author of numerous books on the Bible including the widely used textbook, Introducing the New Testament. Powell has served as Chair of the Matthew Group and of the Historical Jesus Section for the Society of Biblical Literature.