The New Testament: A Student's Introduction

by Stephen L. Harris

Designed for students beginning their first systematic study of the Christian Scriptures, The New A Student’s Introduction is reader-friendly and effectively organized to facilitate student learning. The text surveys the historical and cultural background of the early Christian era and offers cogent discussions of each of the New Testament’s twenty-seven books, from the Gospel biographies of Jesus to the mystic symbols of Revelation. In addition to presenting the Jewish and Greco-Roman context in which the canonical authors wrote, the text incorporates important scholarship that helps illuminate each document’s principal themes and religious significance. This well-balanced introduction, featuring numerous maps, charts and essays, enhances students’ understanding of the first-century Christian experience and distinctive worldview.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity, New Testament, Church, Reference

544 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

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There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Stephen L. Harris is Professor Emeritus of Humanities and Religious Studies at California State University, Sacramento, where he served ten years as department chair. A Woodrow Wilson Fellow, he received his M.A. and Ph.D. from Cornell University. A member of the Society of Biblical Literature, his publications include Understanding the Bible (8th edition, 2011); The Old Testament: An Introduction to the Hebrew Bible (with Robert Platzner); Classical Mythology: Images and Insights (with Gloria Platzner); Exploring the Bible; and Fire Mountains of the West: The Cascade and Mono Lake Volcanoes, a survey of volcanic hazards on the U.S. Pacific Coast; and for National Geographic Books, Restless Earth, a study of global earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. He contributed the chapter on “Archaeology and Volcanism” to the Encyclopedia of Volcanoes (Academic Press, 2000).

Reviews

[Christopher Sauerwein · Rating 1 out of 5]

For a textbook I would expect a non-religious approach but this book exhibits sledgehammer-like bias and, at times, outright sarcasm. I found myself frequently thinking how unprofessional and badly written it is.

[Lanny Newton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to the New Testament.

[Bjm Index]

8

[Jamie Partusch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great in depth information on The New Testament.