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A Beginner's Guide to New Testament Studies: Understanding Key Debates
"This accessible and balanced introduction to key questions in New Testament studies fairly presents the spectrum of viewpoints on debated topics"--
196 pages, Hardcover
First published March 17, 2020
49 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Nijay K. Gupta
47 books200 followersNijay K. Gupta is Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary. He has written or edited more than twenty books and has published dozens of academic articles. He is an award-winning researcher and a member of the Society of New Testament Studies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 25, 2021
This is a hugely helpful introduction to thirteen of the most significant and complex debates in the world of New Testament studies. The book is accessible, informative, and effectively communicates the interpretive or theological significance of each of the issues discussed. I enthusiastically recommend this book.
January 31, 2022
The title is a perfect match for the content. Dr. Gupta provides an excellent overview of contemporary debates in New Testament studies. I found the concise chapters a perfect fit to satisfy my curiosity, and the references at the end an excellent resource for diving deeper. The writing was well done, and I could hardly put the book down.
March 8, 2022
I thought it did a great job completing what it set out to do, surveying the NT debates thoroughly and fairy.
April 15, 2020
Anyone thinking of picking up this book needs to know that it is about biblical scholarship rather than a layperson's guide to basic New Testament books. It is not popular debate over the New Testament nor about a survey of the 27 books of the New Testament. It is essentially about scholastic debates within the realm of NT biblical scholarship. Meant primarily for beginner students of New Testament scholarship, it summarizes many of the important controversies surrounding the subject. Controversies such as the which gospel is the earliest; whether some of the gospel writers had copied from an anonymous source named Q; how the synoptic gospels differ from John; authorship of some New Testament books; the view of Paul and Jesus; etc. These and many more form a primer for theological studies in the New Testament.
Author and professor Nijay Gupta summarizes the general issue before giving us various perspectives surrounding it. He is careful not to be dogmatic about the issue, choosing instead to lay out the basic ideas and points of view before giving a personal take on it at the end. For the new NT student, this book is a godsend. It is like a special edition of "New Testament Studies for Dummies." With this clear guide, New Testament students can grasp quickly the history and context of the matter concerned. The key debates include:
1) Understanding the Synoptic Problem
2) Perspectives surrounding the Search for the Historical Jesus
3) The Fourth Gospel
4) Relationship Between Jesus and Paul
5) Paul's Theological Perspective
6) Paul and the Jewish Law
7) Interpreting Revelation
8) Pseudonymity, Authorship and Authority in the New Testament
9) The New Testament and the Roman Empire
10) Women in Leadership in the New Testament
11) Justification by Faith vs Judgment by Works
12) The Old Testament in the New Testament
13) Application and Use of Scripture
Three Thoughts
=================
First, I must say I wish I had this book when I was in seminary. I enjoy the way Gupta introduces the issue, and gradually bringing in the different ideas surrounding it. By incorporating elements of his own teaching experience with regard to these studies, one would feel like being in a classroom with the author as professor! This book brings back a lot of memories from my seminary years. I remember having to grapple with the various debates and multiple perspectives on topics that seemed quite foreign. Why study the synoptic problem? What's the big deal with regard to the research controversy surrounding the historical Jesus? Surely, there is just one perspective of Paul, that is, Paul's!
Second, this book is not for everyone. For those who are not familiar with theological terms or seminary level education, they might find the studies more philosophical and technical. Some might even say that such debates are a waste of time. If that is your position, then such topics are not for you, at least for the moment. This is an academic treatment, not a Bible-Study type of book. While there are instances of Bible study, the way the Scripture is used tend to be meant for argumentative or illustrative purposes. Chapter 13 however speaks to most of us in terms of how we can apply and use Scripture. Of all the chapters, the general reader might appreciate this last chapter the most as it is not just a summary but an overview of the different ways we apply and use the Bible.
Third, readers will appreciate the author's gentle leading through the different facets of arguments and debates. Gupta does a great job in helping us sift through the maze of perspectives. I enjoy the way Gupta introduces the issue, and gradually bringing in the different ideas surrounding it. By incorporating elements of his own teaching experience with regard to these studies, one would feel like being in a classroom with the author as professor! Like a good professor, he includes some resources for advanced studies as well.
Nijay K. Gupta is Associate Professor of New Testament studies at Portland Seminary in Portland, Oregon. His research interests include Biblical theology, biblical hermeneutics and exegesis, Pauline literature, the Gospel of John, and New Testament ethics.
Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Academic and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
Author and professor Nijay Gupta summarizes the general issue before giving us various perspectives surrounding it. He is careful not to be dogmatic about the issue, choosing instead to lay out the basic ideas and points of view before giving a personal take on it at the end. For the new NT student, this book is a godsend. It is like a special edition of "New Testament Studies for Dummies." With this clear guide, New Testament students can grasp quickly the history and context of the matter concerned. The key debates include:
1) Understanding the Synoptic Problem
2) Perspectives surrounding the Search for the Historical Jesus
3) The Fourth Gospel
4) Relationship Between Jesus and Paul
5) Paul's Theological Perspective
6) Paul and the Jewish Law
7) Interpreting Revelation
8) Pseudonymity, Authorship and Authority in the New Testament
9) The New Testament and the Roman Empire
10) Women in Leadership in the New Testament
11) Justification by Faith vs Judgment by Works
12) The Old Testament in the New Testament
13) Application and Use of Scripture
Three Thoughts
=================
First, I must say I wish I had this book when I was in seminary. I enjoy the way Gupta introduces the issue, and gradually bringing in the different ideas surrounding it. By incorporating elements of his own teaching experience with regard to these studies, one would feel like being in a classroom with the author as professor! This book brings back a lot of memories from my seminary years. I remember having to grapple with the various debates and multiple perspectives on topics that seemed quite foreign. Why study the synoptic problem? What's the big deal with regard to the research controversy surrounding the historical Jesus? Surely, there is just one perspective of Paul, that is, Paul's!
Second, this book is not for everyone. For those who are not familiar with theological terms or seminary level education, they might find the studies more philosophical and technical. Some might even say that such debates are a waste of time. If that is your position, then such topics are not for you, at least for the moment. This is an academic treatment, not a Bible-Study type of book. While there are instances of Bible study, the way the Scripture is used tend to be meant for argumentative or illustrative purposes. Chapter 13 however speaks to most of us in terms of how we can apply and use Scripture. Of all the chapters, the general reader might appreciate this last chapter the most as it is not just a summary but an overview of the different ways we apply and use the Bible.
Third, readers will appreciate the author's gentle leading through the different facets of arguments and debates. Gupta does a great job in helping us sift through the maze of perspectives. I enjoy the way Gupta introduces the issue, and gradually bringing in the different ideas surrounding it. By incorporating elements of his own teaching experience with regard to these studies, one would feel like being in a classroom with the author as professor! Like a good professor, he includes some resources for advanced studies as well.
Nijay K. Gupta is Associate Professor of New Testament studies at Portland Seminary in Portland, Oregon. His research interests include Biblical theology, biblical hermeneutics and exegesis, Pauline literature, the Gospel of John, and New Testament ethics.
Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Academic and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
July 4, 2020
This book is NOT just for young seminarians!
I read/studied this book with a group of friends on Facebook -- reading a chapter per week and answering/discussing a question for each chapter.
I was surprised to find that I was already familiar with many of the debates (probably due to my advanced age, lol), and really enjoyed having the main points of the different perspectives so clearly laid out and explained. There is a 'Reflections' section at the end of each chapter that pulls that chapter all together, and is followed by reading lists segmented by one's level of interest or level of experience.
Dr. Gupta does not take a partisan stance on these topics, for which I am grateful. Life experience has led me to believe that godly people can disagree on many things, without calling their salvation into question, and I really appreciated the general neutrality in this presentation. (I'm still skeptical of the whole "Jesus Seminar"thing, but that's another topic, I'm sure!).
I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning the basics of these key debates that tend to underlie other debates and discussions, and then pursue the suggested reading if desired.
I read/studied this book with a group of friends on Facebook -- reading a chapter per week and answering/discussing a question for each chapter.
I was surprised to find that I was already familiar with many of the debates (probably due to my advanced age, lol), and really enjoyed having the main points of the different perspectives so clearly laid out and explained. There is a 'Reflections' section at the end of each chapter that pulls that chapter all together, and is followed by reading lists segmented by one's level of interest or level of experience.
Dr. Gupta does not take a partisan stance on these topics, for which I am grateful. Life experience has led me to believe that godly people can disagree on many things, without calling their salvation into question, and I really appreciated the general neutrality in this presentation. (I'm still skeptical of the whole "Jesus Seminar"thing, but that's another topic, I'm sure!).
I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning the basics of these key debates that tend to underlie other debates and discussions, and then pursue the suggested reading if desired.
July 7, 2020
Very readable and informative
I read this book as part of a discussion group. It was very interesting and covered areas I was not familiar with even though I have been a Christian a long time and have done New Testament survey. It seemed like a balanced approach and presented many diverse views. One valuable tool was a recommended reading list for beginner and more advanced study.
I read this book as part of a discussion group. It was very interesting and covered areas I was not familiar with even though I have been a Christian a long time and have done New Testament survey. It seemed like a balanced approach and presented many diverse views. One valuable tool was a recommended reading list for beginner and more advanced study.
Read
March 25, 2022great
March 5, 2025
Review Title: Good for a Newbie to Biblical Scholarship
I desire to understand the Bible better and thought it would be helpful to dip my toes into New Testament Studies. I found this book very interesting and neither too technical nor too abstract. The author, Nijay Gupta, is a professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary and has written several academic books on New Testament-related subjects. I recommend this book for newbies looking for an introduction to multiple views on various New Testament scholarly perspectives.
Introduction
“In each chapter, you will find a short introduction to the issue at hand, explication of two or more views, and a final set of reflections. … I do not expect that after consulting the short treatment of views I have offered, a reader will either (a) take a side or (b) change views (pxi).” “But we must believe knowledge is always good. Knowledge always has the capacity to lead us to better understanding (pxii).”
Chapter 1: The Synoptic Problem
“When we compare Matthew, Mark, and Luke in this way – lining up their versions of a particular story or saying and trying to puzzle out how they are similar and different – we are engaging in what scholars call the ‘Synoptic Problem (p2).” “With these new questions about memory, testimony, and oral and written traditions, the Synoptic Problem will continue to have a new life. What we are seeing is a broadening of approaches to this problem such that many more factors are taken into consideration beyond the more simplistic charts and figures of a few generations ago (pp11-12).”
Chapter 2: The Historical Jesus
“This approach to studying Jesus is about analyzing the sources (including the canonical Gospels) carefully and developing as well as possible a holistic theory about his life, influences, aim, and actions (p16).” The book describes four common approaches to the Historical Jesus: Jesus the Prophet, Jesus the Wise, Jesus the Social Revolutionary, and Jesus the Messiah. How scholars come to their conclusions depends on many factors including their sources, methods, background and contexts, as well as any a priori biases and beliefs.
Chapter 3: The Fourth Gospel and History
This chapter examines scholarly approaches to the following: “Why is [the Gospel of] John so different? How does John relate to the Synoptics? What are his sources of information? What are the major influences on his Gospel? What are his ultimate aims? (p33).” “But ultimately what makes the Fourth Gospel special is this often-jarring element of dramatic encounter with God through Jesus. Thus, John has bent the Gospel and biography genre so as to produce a dramatic performance of the Jesus story (p39).”
Chapter 4: Jesus and Paul
“‘Very many people … regard Jesus as a religious idealist who taught a simple religion of love and tolerance; they regard Paul very differently, as one who imposed his ideas onto others, and who, unlike Jesus, undervalued women and the marginalized of society’ (p41).” Two main views are discussed: “Paul beyond Jesus” and “Paul after Jesus”. “The Jesus-Paul discussion should encourage readers of the New Testament to eschew simplistic harmonization and appreciate the varied voices and contributions that come from different people, communities, and texts that composed and shaped what we now consider formative Christianity (p55).”
Chapter 5: Paul’s Theological Perspective
“Pauline scholars vigorously disagree on just about every area that Paul engages, except perhaps that his theology was focused on Jesus (p57).” “Four approaches or orientations are most common in Pauline scholarship, though we will quickly see that they are not necessarily exclusive (p58).” These include Justification by Faith, Salvation History, The Apocalyptic Paul, and Participation in Christ.
Chapter 6: Paul and the Jewish Law
“However, I was concerned that this sermon [at a friend’s church] would convey a problematic assumption that if the New Testament gospel is ‘good news’, then the Old Testament teaching is basically ‘bad news’ (p71).” “The New Perspective on Paul (NPP) opposes the attitude that Judaism of Paul’s day was legalistic and driven by works righteousness (p73).” “It is critical to examine the Pauline texts carefully in their own sociohistorical context. … This will require careful (re)examination of the words he uses and what they meant in his own environment (p83).” “Pistis is best understood as a representative term for the ideal Christian response to God, as a whole-person devotion to and dependence on Christ that is as inclusive of activity as our English word ‘commitment’ (p84).”
Chapter 7: Interpreting the Book of Revelation
“While it [the book of Revelation] combines different styles of communication, early Jewish and Christian readers would have recognized what the writer was trying to accomplish and would not have been bewildered by the symbolism or vivid language (pp90-91).” “The prologue sets the scene for the prophecies offered in Revelation. Here we are told t hat the revelation is first and foremost about Jesus Christ (1:1), transmitted through John (1:1-2). And the initial audience of this text in seven persecuted churches in Asia (p91).” The author describes four approaches to interpreting Revelation: Preterest (In the Past), Historicist (Throughout Time), Futurist (Not Yet), and Idealist (Timeless).
Chapter 8: Pseudonymity and the New Testament Letters
“Some biblical interpreters question whether some of the letters in the New Testament were actually written by the authors named in those letters (p103).” “There appears to be five factors that play into decisions related to authenticity or pseudonymity: style, personality, theological development, historical, implausibility, and pseudonymity tells (p105).” “On the subject of pseudonymity and the New Testament letters, the ongoing debate in scholarship is quite lively and far from reaching a consensus (p116).”
Chapter 9: The New Testament and the Roman Empire
“How did the earliest Christians conceive of their relationship with and responsibilities toward the Roman Empire? (p121)” “For Christians to attribute these same titles [as the Roman emperors had] to the crucified Jew, Jesus Christ. … How could they not be making a political statement (p122).” “Postcolonial criticism examines texts with a concern for power dynamics present in and behind the situation, especially how political platforms are established that support the colonizer and oppresses the colonized (p122).” Two views are highlighted: “New Testament Oppressing Empire” and “New Testament Negotiating Empire”.
Chapter 10: Women in Leadership in the New Testament
“There is a spectrum of views on what roles women can and should have in church leadership, but I will address this in terms of two main views: hierarchical male authoritative leadership (men viewed as exclusively authorized to hold authoritative positions over a congregation that includes men) and egalitarian authoritative leadership (men and women viewed as equal in respect to positions of authoritative leadership in the church) (p133).” “The reason why this has become such an important debate in the study of Scripture is that it touches on matters pertaining to real life in the church (p143).”
Chapter 11: Justification by Faith and Judgment according to Works
“The challenge comes with the fact that as often as the New Testament talks about salvation and justification by faith, it also addresses the idea that believers will be judged according to works (p146).” “Simply affirming the right facts about God does not save; event the demons know the truth and fear God (and yet will be condemned), James argues (2:19) (p152).” “Themes of both absolute divine grace and human responsibility and accountability are underscored in the New Testament (p155).”
Chapter 12: The Old Testament in the New Testament
“For the vast majority of Christians over the centuries, the Old Testament has been included within the Bible, but it often plays an unclear role in the distinctively Christian study of Scripture (p157).” “There are a number of times where the writer brings up the Old Testament in a way that seems loose or irresponsible with respect to the Old Testament author’s (original context) meaning (p158).” Gupta gives some background and context and then discusses two main perspectives: “Out of Context: New Testament Writers Were Not Concerned with Old Testament Context” and “Context Matters: New Testament Writers Were Concerned with Old Testament Context”. In addition, the author looks at the following ways scholars perceive New Testament writers viewing and using the Old Testament: Christological Interpretation, Progressive or Retrospective Reading, Divine Authorship, and Fulfillment Language.
Chapter 13: The Application and Use of Scripture
“Neither the direct-universal method nor the à la cart approach is ultimately a satisfactory approach to applying Scripture (p177).” Considerations include: From-the-Bible Application, Focusing on Principles, Progressive Revelation, Beyond-the-Bible Application, Redemptive-Movement Hermeneutics, and Drama Improvisation.
In conclusion, I found this introductory book to be interesting and informative about current hot topics in biblical scholarship. My favorite chapter was on the application and use of scripture because I sometimes wonder myself how to apply scripture to current situations that are not clearly addressed in the Bible. I would recommend this book as a starting point to increase awareness of various scholarly perspectives on the subjects covered.
I desire to understand the Bible better and thought it would be helpful to dip my toes into New Testament Studies. I found this book very interesting and neither too technical nor too abstract. The author, Nijay Gupta, is a professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary and has written several academic books on New Testament-related subjects. I recommend this book for newbies looking for an introduction to multiple views on various New Testament scholarly perspectives.
Introduction
“In each chapter, you will find a short introduction to the issue at hand, explication of two or more views, and a final set of reflections. … I do not expect that after consulting the short treatment of views I have offered, a reader will either (a) take a side or (b) change views (pxi).” “But we must believe knowledge is always good. Knowledge always has the capacity to lead us to better understanding (pxii).”
Chapter 1: The Synoptic Problem
“When we compare Matthew, Mark, and Luke in this way – lining up their versions of a particular story or saying and trying to puzzle out how they are similar and different – we are engaging in what scholars call the ‘Synoptic Problem (p2).” “With these new questions about memory, testimony, and oral and written traditions, the Synoptic Problem will continue to have a new life. What we are seeing is a broadening of approaches to this problem such that many more factors are taken into consideration beyond the more simplistic charts and figures of a few generations ago (pp11-12).”
Chapter 2: The Historical Jesus
“This approach to studying Jesus is about analyzing the sources (including the canonical Gospels) carefully and developing as well as possible a holistic theory about his life, influences, aim, and actions (p16).” The book describes four common approaches to the Historical Jesus: Jesus the Prophet, Jesus the Wise, Jesus the Social Revolutionary, and Jesus the Messiah. How scholars come to their conclusions depends on many factors including their sources, methods, background and contexts, as well as any a priori biases and beliefs.
Chapter 3: The Fourth Gospel and History
This chapter examines scholarly approaches to the following: “Why is [the Gospel of] John so different? How does John relate to the Synoptics? What are his sources of information? What are the major influences on his Gospel? What are his ultimate aims? (p33).” “But ultimately what makes the Fourth Gospel special is this often-jarring element of dramatic encounter with God through Jesus. Thus, John has bent the Gospel and biography genre so as to produce a dramatic performance of the Jesus story (p39).”
Chapter 4: Jesus and Paul
“‘Very many people … regard Jesus as a religious idealist who taught a simple religion of love and tolerance; they regard Paul very differently, as one who imposed his ideas onto others, and who, unlike Jesus, undervalued women and the marginalized of society’ (p41).” Two main views are discussed: “Paul beyond Jesus” and “Paul after Jesus”. “The Jesus-Paul discussion should encourage readers of the New Testament to eschew simplistic harmonization and appreciate the varied voices and contributions that come from different people, communities, and texts that composed and shaped what we now consider formative Christianity (p55).”
Chapter 5: Paul’s Theological Perspective
“Pauline scholars vigorously disagree on just about every area that Paul engages, except perhaps that his theology was focused on Jesus (p57).” “Four approaches or orientations are most common in Pauline scholarship, though we will quickly see that they are not necessarily exclusive (p58).” These include Justification by Faith, Salvation History, The Apocalyptic Paul, and Participation in Christ.
Chapter 6: Paul and the Jewish Law
“However, I was concerned that this sermon [at a friend’s church] would convey a problematic assumption that if the New Testament gospel is ‘good news’, then the Old Testament teaching is basically ‘bad news’ (p71).” “The New Perspective on Paul (NPP) opposes the attitude that Judaism of Paul’s day was legalistic and driven by works righteousness (p73).” “It is critical to examine the Pauline texts carefully in their own sociohistorical context. … This will require careful (re)examination of the words he uses and what they meant in his own environment (p83).” “Pistis is best understood as a representative term for the ideal Christian response to God, as a whole-person devotion to and dependence on Christ that is as inclusive of activity as our English word ‘commitment’ (p84).”
Chapter 7: Interpreting the Book of Revelation
“While it [the book of Revelation] combines different styles of communication, early Jewish and Christian readers would have recognized what the writer was trying to accomplish and would not have been bewildered by the symbolism or vivid language (pp90-91).” “The prologue sets the scene for the prophecies offered in Revelation. Here we are told t hat the revelation is first and foremost about Jesus Christ (1:1), transmitted through John (1:1-2). And the initial audience of this text in seven persecuted churches in Asia (p91).” The author describes four approaches to interpreting Revelation: Preterest (In the Past), Historicist (Throughout Time), Futurist (Not Yet), and Idealist (Timeless).
Chapter 8: Pseudonymity and the New Testament Letters
“Some biblical interpreters question whether some of the letters in the New Testament were actually written by the authors named in those letters (p103).” “There appears to be five factors that play into decisions related to authenticity or pseudonymity: style, personality, theological development, historical, implausibility, and pseudonymity tells (p105).” “On the subject of pseudonymity and the New Testament letters, the ongoing debate in scholarship is quite lively and far from reaching a consensus (p116).”
Chapter 9: The New Testament and the Roman Empire
“How did the earliest Christians conceive of their relationship with and responsibilities toward the Roman Empire? (p121)” “For Christians to attribute these same titles [as the Roman emperors had] to the crucified Jew, Jesus Christ. … How could they not be making a political statement (p122).” “Postcolonial criticism examines texts with a concern for power dynamics present in and behind the situation, especially how political platforms are established that support the colonizer and oppresses the colonized (p122).” Two views are highlighted: “New Testament Oppressing Empire” and “New Testament Negotiating Empire”.
Chapter 10: Women in Leadership in the New Testament
“There is a spectrum of views on what roles women can and should have in church leadership, but I will address this in terms of two main views: hierarchical male authoritative leadership (men viewed as exclusively authorized to hold authoritative positions over a congregation that includes men) and egalitarian authoritative leadership (men and women viewed as equal in respect to positions of authoritative leadership in the church) (p133).” “The reason why this has become such an important debate in the study of Scripture is that it touches on matters pertaining to real life in the church (p143).”
Chapter 11: Justification by Faith and Judgment according to Works
“The challenge comes with the fact that as often as the New Testament talks about salvation and justification by faith, it also addresses the idea that believers will be judged according to works (p146).” “Simply affirming the right facts about God does not save; event the demons know the truth and fear God (and yet will be condemned), James argues (2:19) (p152).” “Themes of both absolute divine grace and human responsibility and accountability are underscored in the New Testament (p155).”
Chapter 12: The Old Testament in the New Testament
“For the vast majority of Christians over the centuries, the Old Testament has been included within the Bible, but it often plays an unclear role in the distinctively Christian study of Scripture (p157).” “There are a number of times where the writer brings up the Old Testament in a way that seems loose or irresponsible with respect to the Old Testament author’s (original context) meaning (p158).” Gupta gives some background and context and then discusses two main perspectives: “Out of Context: New Testament Writers Were Not Concerned with Old Testament Context” and “Context Matters: New Testament Writers Were Concerned with Old Testament Context”. In addition, the author looks at the following ways scholars perceive New Testament writers viewing and using the Old Testament: Christological Interpretation, Progressive or Retrospective Reading, Divine Authorship, and Fulfillment Language.
Chapter 13: The Application and Use of Scripture
“Neither the direct-universal method nor the à la cart approach is ultimately a satisfactory approach to applying Scripture (p177).” Considerations include: From-the-Bible Application, Focusing on Principles, Progressive Revelation, Beyond-the-Bible Application, Redemptive-Movement Hermeneutics, and Drama Improvisation.
In conclusion, I found this introductory book to be interesting and informative about current hot topics in biblical scholarship. My favorite chapter was on the application and use of scripture because I sometimes wonder myself how to apply scripture to current situations that are not clearly addressed in the Bible. I would recommend this book as a starting point to increase awareness of various scholarly perspectives on the subjects covered.
January 7, 2022
With this very accessible book, Nijay Gupta has done an excellent service to (especially beginner) students of New Testament studies. He helpfully boils down the most important, ongoing debates in the field without getting bogged down in the minutia of the matters. I’d highly recommend it to anyone wanting to get a foundational grasp of the key conversations happening in New Testament studies.
May 23, 2022
Ok. Gupta seems to mention N.T. Wright in every chapter while leaving many Orthodox and Catholic scholars out of the discussion. He didn't mention the renewal of patristic exegesis or anything of the sort either, which is a noteworthy development in new testament studies, imo.
April 22, 2020
Great overview of critical NT studies debates.
July 26, 2020
Nijay K. Gupta is a professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary and received his PhD from Durham University. He has written a number of Bible commentaries and several other academic works related to the New Testament.
New Testament studies is a very broad area of research and includes scholars of varying beliefs, those who hold to high church ecclesiology and others with more of a low or free church view. Some are liberal, centrist, conservative, even fundamentalist. You'll find Christians, Muslims, Jews, and even some atheists among their number. Gupta is writing specifically for a Christian audience and more specifically an evangelical one. This shouldn't detract from this excellent little resource, but it does help the reader understand many of the statements and assumptions that the author makes at times.
With the breath of topics that one could cover it's nice that Gupta was able to pack so much into such a small package. He spends three chapters on topics related to the Gospels, three more on Paul, one on Revelation, and then several on various topics including pseudonymity, empire studies, justification by faith and works, women in leadership, and concludes with the relationship of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, and finally one on applying and using the New Testament.
Each chapter covers a specific topic, discussing the various views related to that topic, and ends with a reflection, and a suggested reading section that include a beginner and advanced readings. I think the suggested reading was one of the most valuable aspects of the book, giving readers additional resources for further study.
The one topic that I would have wished the author covered is related to the Gospels and specifically what they are and how they relate to history. Since Gupta already had three chapters related to the Gospels including one on the Gospel of John and history I can understand why he had to limit what was covered, otherwise his book could easily grow exponentially and go way beyond a beginners text.
The chapter that interested me the most was on empire studies, The New Testament and the Roman Empire. Although I have most of the books listed in the suggested reading section it's a topic that I haven't studied much and need to read some of the literature.
Like all books there are going to be sections that you really like and others that you are going to have problems with. Unfortunately the one I found that had some problems was chapter 7 on interpreting the book of Revelation.
Unfortunately Gupta muddles things with regards to dispensationism when he states that they fall into two main views regarding the millennium. They in fact do not. He writes,
"Scholars who subscribe to a dispensational approach to eschatology and biblical chronology split into two main views on the nature and placement of the millennium (thousand-year reign of Christ) according to Revelation 20:1–7. Those who argue in favor of premillennialism conceive of a thousand-year reign of Christ that follows Christ’s second coming (i.e., the second coming precedes the millennial reign of Christ). Others believe that the millennial kingdom (not necessarily a literal number) is an age of the flourishing of the church on earth, and the second coming of Christ follows this—hence this is called a postmillennial view."
Most postmillennialists do not associate with dispensationalism. The split that dispensationalists have concerns the question of the rapture, which Gupta does bring up in the next paragraph. Dispensationalists actually divide over the question of the timing of the rapture and it's relation with a seven year tribulation period. They fall into pretributional, midtribulational, posttribulational, and partial rapturists.
Honestly the short discussion here on the millennium should have been separated from that of the various approaches to the Book of Revelation. Indeed one can find different millennial views within each of the various approaches, for example, among preterists one can find amillennialists, postmillennialists, and historical premillennials.
The paragraph regarding why scholars reject rapture teaching may be correct but was really out of place for this work. The author no where else argues against a specific view.
I'd recommend in a second edition that the millennial discussion be made separate from the approaches to Revelation, that the distinctive rapture positions be presented within dispenationalism, and the arguments against rapturism be dropped.
With that said, don't let my comments about one chapter dissuade you from getting and reading this volume, it's excellent and will serve well the person interested in pursuing New Testament studies.
New Testament studies is a very broad area of research and includes scholars of varying beliefs, those who hold to high church ecclesiology and others with more of a low or free church view. Some are liberal, centrist, conservative, even fundamentalist. You'll find Christians, Muslims, Jews, and even some atheists among their number. Gupta is writing specifically for a Christian audience and more specifically an evangelical one. This shouldn't detract from this excellent little resource, but it does help the reader understand many of the statements and assumptions that the author makes at times.
With the breath of topics that one could cover it's nice that Gupta was able to pack so much into such a small package. He spends three chapters on topics related to the Gospels, three more on Paul, one on Revelation, and then several on various topics including pseudonymity, empire studies, justification by faith and works, women in leadership, and concludes with the relationship of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, and finally one on applying and using the New Testament.
Each chapter covers a specific topic, discussing the various views related to that topic, and ends with a reflection, and a suggested reading section that include a beginner and advanced readings. I think the suggested reading was one of the most valuable aspects of the book, giving readers additional resources for further study.
The one topic that I would have wished the author covered is related to the Gospels and specifically what they are and how they relate to history. Since Gupta already had three chapters related to the Gospels including one on the Gospel of John and history I can understand why he had to limit what was covered, otherwise his book could easily grow exponentially and go way beyond a beginners text.
The chapter that interested me the most was on empire studies, The New Testament and the Roman Empire. Although I have most of the books listed in the suggested reading section it's a topic that I haven't studied much and need to read some of the literature.
Like all books there are going to be sections that you really like and others that you are going to have problems with. Unfortunately the one I found that had some problems was chapter 7 on interpreting the book of Revelation.
Unfortunately Gupta muddles things with regards to dispensationism when he states that they fall into two main views regarding the millennium. They in fact do not. He writes,
"Scholars who subscribe to a dispensational approach to eschatology and biblical chronology split into two main views on the nature and placement of the millennium (thousand-year reign of Christ) according to Revelation 20:1–7. Those who argue in favor of premillennialism conceive of a thousand-year reign of Christ that follows Christ’s second coming (i.e., the second coming precedes the millennial reign of Christ). Others believe that the millennial kingdom (not necessarily a literal number) is an age of the flourishing of the church on earth, and the second coming of Christ follows this—hence this is called a postmillennial view."
Most postmillennialists do not associate with dispensationalism. The split that dispensationalists have concerns the question of the rapture, which Gupta does bring up in the next paragraph. Dispensationalists actually divide over the question of the timing of the rapture and it's relation with a seven year tribulation period. They fall into pretributional, midtribulational, posttribulational, and partial rapturists.
Honestly the short discussion here on the millennium should have been separated from that of the various approaches to the Book of Revelation. Indeed one can find different millennial views within each of the various approaches, for example, among preterists one can find amillennialists, postmillennialists, and historical premillennials.
The paragraph regarding why scholars reject rapture teaching may be correct but was really out of place for this work. The author no where else argues against a specific view.
I'd recommend in a second edition that the millennial discussion be made separate from the approaches to Revelation, that the distinctive rapture positions be presented within dispenationalism, and the arguments against rapturism be dropped.
With that said, don't let my comments about one chapter dissuade you from getting and reading this volume, it's excellent and will serve well the person interested in pursuing New Testament studies.
April 29, 2020
This is a much needed and extremely helpful book. It has a few short comings (which I'll mention below), but they are minor compared to the strengths and the need for a book such as this. The basic premise is simple: far too often students leave their undergrad work, and enter seminaries or post-grad programs in Biblical Studies, and encounter a series of discussions, terms, and debates the likes of which they've never encountered. This is especially true, in my opinion, for students like myself, who did a BA in Bible at a Christian university and then did master's and PhD work in Bible at an academic university. After my BA, I was "the theology guy." I had ministry experience. I was supposed to have it figured out. I got to my academic master's program and spent the first 6 months trying to figure out what everyone was on about. This book is written for people like myself when I was set adrift in the academic environment. Had I had a book like this in the final year of my BA, or better yet had my Christian university even broached these important subjects, I would have been prepared. For these reasons, I hope this book gains a wide readership.
The book covers important academic debates such as the synoptic problem, the new perspective on Paul, empire studies, the historical Jesus, and more.
I admire the book for a few important reasons: first, it is accessible, relatively thorough, and Gupta details various views without taking one himself. His job is to make the reader aware of debates and provide a starting point for the reader to engage and develop his/her own view. This is the right approach. Second, the need for the book should have been obvious. I'm surprised that it didn't exist before, and I'm glad Gupta had the epiphany that the book was needed. Third, I think that, with a few slight exceptions, Gupta chose his topics very wisely. Of the 13 chapters presented here, at least 8-10 of these are the core issues I also had to reckon with when I entered grad school. The last three topics in the book were covered well enough in my BA program, but the others were very much relatively new territory to me at the time, and they were the topics that made up the bulk of my attention through both of my master's programs.
I do have three suggestions for how the book could have been improved. First, in the chapter on Paul's theology, there was no real mention of the post-NPP crowd (Stowers, Johnson-Hodge, etc), but they've made a huge impact on Paul studies and probably should have been mentioned, even if briefly, so that the reader knows where Paul perspectives are shifting post-NPP. Second, the chapter on justification did not mention Dunn's arguments regarding the various uses of the metaphor, in particular his view that justification in Galatians is about Gentiles joining the Jews more so than justifying them before God. This is mentioned briefly in the chapter in Paul's theology, but also needs to be addressed as a specific aspect of justification itself. Similarly, Gupta mentions briefly that terms for "faith" can mean something more akin to "allegiance" than simple "belief," but he does not mention the work of scholars like Bates and McKnight in establishing an actual shift in justification thinking in regard to this. Third, and maybe most importantly, Gupta has a very simple chapter on the use of Scripture, but a second, follow-up chapter on interpretive models would be extremely helpful in a book with an agenda such as this. When I entered my post-grad program I was blindsided, first, by some of the various uses of higher criticism (historical, social, textual, etc), and second, by some of the ways scholars have gone beyond those critical models (theological, canonical, etc). A chapter would be useful to explain trends, such as the Tubingen School, historical criticism, post-liberalism, feminist criticism, narrative criticism, ecotheology, etc. A large number of Christian universities, especially conservative ones, ignore these trends.
Overall, this is a very helpful book. One I'll recommend to my own future students, and one which will lead me towards many great conversations, I'm sure.
The book covers important academic debates such as the synoptic problem, the new perspective on Paul, empire studies, the historical Jesus, and more.
I admire the book for a few important reasons: first, it is accessible, relatively thorough, and Gupta details various views without taking one himself. His job is to make the reader aware of debates and provide a starting point for the reader to engage and develop his/her own view. This is the right approach. Second, the need for the book should have been obvious. I'm surprised that it didn't exist before, and I'm glad Gupta had the epiphany that the book was needed. Third, I think that, with a few slight exceptions, Gupta chose his topics very wisely. Of the 13 chapters presented here, at least 8-10 of these are the core issues I also had to reckon with when I entered grad school. The last three topics in the book were covered well enough in my BA program, but the others were very much relatively new territory to me at the time, and they were the topics that made up the bulk of my attention through both of my master's programs.
I do have three suggestions for how the book could have been improved. First, in the chapter on Paul's theology, there was no real mention of the post-NPP crowd (Stowers, Johnson-Hodge, etc), but they've made a huge impact on Paul studies and probably should have been mentioned, even if briefly, so that the reader knows where Paul perspectives are shifting post-NPP. Second, the chapter on justification did not mention Dunn's arguments regarding the various uses of the metaphor, in particular his view that justification in Galatians is about Gentiles joining the Jews more so than justifying them before God. This is mentioned briefly in the chapter in Paul's theology, but also needs to be addressed as a specific aspect of justification itself. Similarly, Gupta mentions briefly that terms for "faith" can mean something more akin to "allegiance" than simple "belief," but he does not mention the work of scholars like Bates and McKnight in establishing an actual shift in justification thinking in regard to this. Third, and maybe most importantly, Gupta has a very simple chapter on the use of Scripture, but a second, follow-up chapter on interpretive models would be extremely helpful in a book with an agenda such as this. When I entered my post-grad program I was blindsided, first, by some of the various uses of higher criticism (historical, social, textual, etc), and second, by some of the ways scholars have gone beyond those critical models (theological, canonical, etc). A chapter would be useful to explain trends, such as the Tubingen School, historical criticism, post-liberalism, feminist criticism, narrative criticism, ecotheology, etc. A large number of Christian universities, especially conservative ones, ignore these trends.
Overall, this is a very helpful book. One I'll recommend to my own future students, and one which will lead me towards many great conversations, I'm sure.
July 14, 2020
Nijay K. Gupta has written an introduction to New Testament studies aimed at students, pastors, and aspiring scholars. Characteristic of his other work, this book is clear and engaging. Gupta also makes great use of metaphor and other tools to help his readers understand subject matters that may be foreign.
The premise of the book is simple: Gupta has selected 13 subjects within New Testament studies that young scholars will need to be aware of if they intend to enter the field. While Gupta would be the first to say that he is not an expert on every matter that is relevant to NT studies, his grasp on the matters selected in this book demonstrates that he has done his homework.
We should commend Gupta for providing objective analysis in these chapters. For example, I know that from Dr. Gupta’s blog and Twitter feed that he is an Egalitarian, but you wouldn’t be able to tell from his analysis of the debate in chapter 10, “Women in Leadership in the New Testament.” This even-handed analysis is impressive.
Each chapter has suggestions for further reading. Gupta helpfully gives examples of introductory and advanced options in these sections, as well as options that specifically represent the various sides of these debates.
The chapters represent a variety of subjects in the New Testament, although there are, of course, areas that he didn’t address that could have warranted a chapter (such as “Textual Criticism,” “Greek Language,” or “New Testament Ethics”).
At just under 200 pages, this book shouldn’t take too much time to read, and I highly recommend it to any interested in New Testament Scholarship.
The premise of the book is simple: Gupta has selected 13 subjects within New Testament studies that young scholars will need to be aware of if they intend to enter the field. While Gupta would be the first to say that he is not an expert on every matter that is relevant to NT studies, his grasp on the matters selected in this book demonstrates that he has done his homework.
We should commend Gupta for providing objective analysis in these chapters. For example, I know that from Dr. Gupta’s blog and Twitter feed that he is an Egalitarian, but you wouldn’t be able to tell from his analysis of the debate in chapter 10, “Women in Leadership in the New Testament.” This even-handed analysis is impressive.
Each chapter has suggestions for further reading. Gupta helpfully gives examples of introductory and advanced options in these sections, as well as options that specifically represent the various sides of these debates.
The chapters represent a variety of subjects in the New Testament, although there are, of course, areas that he didn’t address that could have warranted a chapter (such as “Textual Criticism,” “Greek Language,” or “New Testament Ethics”).
At just under 200 pages, this book shouldn’t take too much time to read, and I highly recommend it to any interested in New Testament Scholarship.
January 17, 2020
All in all, I think this book is an excellent primer to someone who is thinking about pursuing a higher theological education, or for someone who has previously earned a degree but would like to follow the debates a bit more closely. For pastors or ministers working with students, or for those who would like to study a bit more deeply even if not pursuing a degree, will find a lot in this book. I would be curious how they could apply it to their congregations, but it might trigger more advanced studies for a pastor/minister and open doors for them to help their congregation go deeper into theology.
my full review at my blog, chriswerms .wordpress .com.
my full review at my blog, chriswerms .wordpress .com.
March 15, 2020
As a Biblical studies amateur, I found this book so useful in examining a wide range of topics in a balanced and thorough way. It helped illuminate issues that are debatable, but often not clearly explained in discussions of biblical topics. The book is easy to read, and carefully thought out. While the author has opinions on the topics, he presents both sides in a fair and even way. The author also provides a helpful reading list at the end of each chapter, graded from beginner to advanced. I would recommend the book to anyone interested in the Bible, whether they are exploring contemporary scholarship or would merely like some background information to consider.
May 14, 2020
Това е много добро въведение към някои трудни и спорни теми в новозаветното изследване. Ключовата дума в предното изречение е въведение. Ако някой очаква задълбочен анализ на всички доказателства ще остане разочарован. Но ако търси сравнително кратко и ясно представяне на проблема, различните гледни точки и подходи към него, някои бележки без да се взема страна и насоки към добра допълнителна литература това е точно за него.
Лично на мен като цяло книгата не ми даде нищо ново, но я намирам за много интересна, добре написана и много полезна за подходящата група хора.
Лично на мен като цяло книгата не ми даде нищо ново, но я намирам за много интересна, добре написана и много полезна за подходящата група хора.
July 11, 2020
Easy-to-read and informative, I learned something new in every chapter. Dr. Gupta expertly threads the needle of making the material accessible to the non-theologian while respecting his reader’s overall intelligence and desire to learn. Each chapter even-handedly explores multiple schools of thought on various topics ranging from Paul & the Law to Works vs Faith. The book presents the complex in a simple way—and then challenges the reader to think and decide what his/her individual beliefs are.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
July 14, 2020
Dr. Gupta offers a well-rounded, broad sweeping survey of the key debates in New Testament studies. He deftly navigates hard topics, shining light on admirable positions, yet also presenting weaknesses within their structures, all while making scholarly issues clear and easy to digest for a casual reader or uninitiated theologian (which we all are in some way). Mostly, Dr. Gupta reminds us that the Christian faith and especially Christian theology is not a monolith of undisputed dogma, but a weaving and engaging conversation--an exploration into the mind of God.
Recommended.
Recommended.
July 4, 2020
Gupta's book is an accessible introduction to major issues debated in the New Testament studies. It will be useful for introductory New Testament courses at undergraduate and seminary-level. It may also be helpful for pastors who want to refresh their memory about major debates in academic literature and all who are 'relative newcomers' to the field. More on my blog: https://fsylwestrowicz.com/book-thoug...
February 28, 2024
This is a very helpful introduction to New Testament studies, designed for those with little or no background. Each chapter guides the reader through a specific issue (eg. the Synoptic Problem) with a clear explanation of the issue and a presentation of various perspectives. Chapters end with resources for further study. This is an excellent place to start for an introduction to New Testament studies.
April 13, 2020
An excellent beginner's survey of contemporary New Testament studies as informed by history. Fair, nuanced, well written and all in all, very helpful! This helped me round out a seminary NT course I recently took.
May 13, 2021
A fantastic introduction to current issues in NT studies. Perfect for someone curious to dive deeper, an undergrad honors class, or an introductory seminary class on NT studies. I'd highly recommend it.
March 20, 2023
A great intro to the basic points of New Testament Studies! Dr. Gupta does a great job summarizing many of the discussion points without speaking negatively about the ones he disagrees with. He gives both sides of topics equal room for discussion.
February 20, 2020
I appreciate the accessibility and of this text. As a sometimes church curriculum writer, I value writers who can talk about complex theological ideas in sensible ways. Highly recommended.
April 4, 2023
This book does exactly what the title infers. If you're interested in NT studies but don't know where to start, Gupta's clear writing and summary of the issues is definitely the place.
May 23, 2025
Provided a welcome, easy-to-read break from 'New Testament in Antiquity' this semester. I'm pretty I read the whole thing.
June 8, 2025
Great starter overview of NT studies!
August 13, 2025
Fascinating
December 31, 2024
Nijay K. Gupta, universitair hoofddocent Nieuwe Testament aan het Portland Seminary, schreef een gids om wegwijs te maken in de discussies die momenteel binnen de nieuwtestamentische wetenschap gevoerd worden: A Beginner’s Guide to New Testament Studies. Een handige manier om helderheid te krijgen met betrekking tot discussies, posities en argumenten, want voor een nieuwkomer kunnen die discussies onoverzichtelijk zijn. Als twitteraar en blogger is Gupta steeds bezig om zijn vakgebied uit te leggen voor buitenstaanders en om verheldering met betrekking tot posities binnen de wetenschap te geven. Zo liet hij op zijn blog een groot aantal nieuwtestamentici zich voorstellen.
In deze Beginner’s Guide worden vooral discussies die momenteel spelen in de nieuwtestamentische wereld in kaart gebracht:
Wat is de relatie tussen de verschillende evangeliën? (synoptisch probleem)
Wat kunnen we zeggen over de historische Jezus?
Is het evangelie van Johannes, dat in beschrijving nogal eens afwijkt van de andere evangeliën historisch betrouwbaar?
Wat is de relatie tussen Paulus en Jezus: Staat Paulus op een authentieke manier in de lijn van Jezus? Of trok Paulus het christendom in een spoor dat van Jezus afweek en was hij daarom de ‘uitvinder van het christendom’?
Wat is de beste sleutel om Paulus te begrijpen: Rechtvaardiging door geloof, heilsgeschiedenis, participatie in Christus of apocalyptiek?
Wat is Paulus’ visie op de Joodse wet?
Hoe moet het Bijbelboek Openbaring worden geïnterpreteerd?
Zijn er brieven die geschreven zijn onder een pseudoniem en zo ja, wat betekent dat voor de exegese?
Hoe verhoudt zich het Nieuwe Testament zich tot het Romeinse Rijk: pasten de christenen zich aan of wezen ze het Romeinse Rijk af?
Mogen vrouwen volgens het Nieuwe Testament leiding geven aan een gemeente?
Rechtvaardiging door geloof of rechtvaardiging door de werken?
Hoe is de verhouding tussen Oude en Nieuwe Testament?
Kan het Nieuwe Testament worden gebruikt in de ethiek?
Gupta schetst beknopt verschillende posities en laat zien welke argumenten een rol spelen. Daarna reflecteert hij kort hoe de discussies geduid moeten worden. Elk hoofdstuk wordt afgesloten met enkele boekentips bij de verschillende posities.
De hoofdstukken zijn kort en zakelijk geschreven. Een hoofdstuk heeft tussen de 10 en 15 pagina’s. Een beginneling in de Nieuw-Testamentische wetenschap krijgt een heldere uitleg over een aantal belangrijke discussies die nu spelen. De thema’s die uitgewerkt zijn, komen naar mijn idee voort uit de colleges die Gupta geeft: Paulus neemt een grote rol in. De brieven die in de loop van de tijd de benaming ‘katholieke zendbrieven’ hebben gekregen, blijven onderbelicht. Dat een Beginner’s Guide beknopt blijft qua omvang begrijp ik, maar er hadden best wat thema’s bijgepast: archeologie en Nieuwe Testament, Nieuwe Testament en de klassieke oudheid, retoriek en literaire genres, theologie van het Nieuwe Testament. Mogelijk heeft Gupta deze thema’s uit deze Beginner’s Guide gelaten, omdat ze in een inleiding op het Nieuwe Testament over het algemeen worden gethematiseerd. Voor mijzelf waren de meeste thema’s niet nieuw, maar het was wel prettig om zo een overzicht te krijgen. Een goede zet om dit boek te schrijven en uit te werken!
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