An Introduction to the New Testament and the Origins of Christianity / Edition 1

by Delbert Burkett

Overview

This book offers an authoritative and accessible introduction to the New Testament and early Christian literature for all students of the Bible and anyone interested in the origins of Christianity. It is designed primarily for undergraduate courses in the New Testament, biblical studies and early Christianity. There are questions for in-class discussion and written assignment, step-by-step reading guides on individual works, special box features, charts, maps and numerous illustrations designed to facilitate student use. With this textbook and the Bible, the student should therefore have all the necessary basic texts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521007207
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/10/2002
Series:	Introduction to Religion
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	618
Product dimensions:	6.89(w) x 9.72(h) x 1.54(d)

About the Author

Delbert Burkett has degrees from Harvard and Duke, with a specialization in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught religious studies at a number of colleges and universities, currently serving as Associate Professor at Louisiana State University. His book The Son of Man Debate: A History and Evaluation (Cambridge University Press, 1999) received critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. Other works include articles for New Testament Studies and Novum Testamentum. He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and the Society for New Testament Studies.

Table of Contents

Part I. Historical and Religious Background: 1. Introduction; 2. Jews among Greeks and Romans; 3. Religion of Second-Temple Judaism; 4. Varieties of Second-Temple Judaism; 5. Jewish hopes for the future; 6. Hellenistic religion, philosophy, and world-view; 7. An overview of Early Christian history; 8. The making of the New Testament; Part II. Jesus and the Gospels: 9. Introduction to the Gospels; 10. The dynoptic problem; 11. The Gospel of Mark; 12. The Gospel of Matthew; 13. The Gospel of Luke; 14. The Gospel of John; 15. The apocryphal Jesus; 16. The quest for the historical Jesus; Part III. Acts: 17. The Book of Acts; Part IV. Pauline Christianity: 18. Paul, his letters, and his churches; 19. Gentiles and the law (1): Galatians; 20. Gentiles and the law (2): Romans; 21. Problems of church life: 1 Corinthians; 22. Problems of church life: 2 Corinthians; 23. The imminent Parousia: 1 and 2 Thessalonians; 24. Prison epistles (1): Philippians and Philemon; 25. Prison epistles (2): Colossians and Ephesians; Part V. Judaic Christianity: 26. Judaic Christianity; 27. The letter of James; 28. The Didache; Part VI. Gnostic Christianity: 29. Gnostic Christianity; 30. The Gospel of Thomas; Part VII. Proto-Orthodox Christianity: 31. Proto-Orthodox Christianity; 32. Conflict within the church (1): 1 Clement; 33. Conflict within the church (2): Pastoral Epistles; 34. Conflict within the church (3): Jude and 2 Peter; 35. Conflict within the church (4): Johannine Epistles; 36. Conflict within the church (5): Letters of Ignatius; 37. Relation of Christianity to Judaism (1): Hebrews; 38. Relation of Christianity to Judaism (2): Epistle of Barnabas; 39. Conflict with the Roman World (1): 1 Peter; 40. Conflict with the Roman World (2): Revelation; Appendixes: 1. Lucian on sacrifice; 2. The Essenes; 3. Jewish Messianic hopes; 4. Divine men and their births; 5. Apotheoses; 6. Miracle stories in the ancient world; 7. The infancy Gospel of Thomas; 8. The Gospel of Peter; 9. The Didache; 10. Selections from the Gospel of Thomas; 11. Selections from 1 Clement; 12. Selections from the epistle of Barnabas; 13. Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans 1-9; 14. Conflict with Rome.

Editorial Reviews

"Burkett delivers what he promises to do in this historical approach to the NT and Christian origins." James R. Wicker, Southwestern Journal of Theology

"The book's strongest point is Burkett's lucid, simplified style, reflecting his experience in teaching undergraduates." Interpretation

"Burkett's book is well written and well argued for this audience and his insistence on treating New Testament texts equally with other early Christian texts is a valuable contribution to introductory study." Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"It is by far the most useful and balanced introduction to the study of the literature of early Christianity published recently...Strongly recommended." Expository Times

"...eminently suited to classroom use for beginners. Burkett's style is clear and readily comprehended: his stance on the main literary and critical issues is fair and judicious." Novum Testamentum

"...it serves its purpose very well. It is clearly written, and by drawing attention to views of different scholars it usually refuses to be dogmatic." Neotestamentica

"Burkett follows a very well thought-out approach throughout, and is clearly drawing on his own teaching experience...I would certainly recommend this book as a basic introductory work for...undergraduates." Scripture Bulletin

From the Publisher

A textbook designed to be used along with a Bible for a one-semester course. It provides a selection of primary sources from outside the New Testament that are relevant for the origins of Christianity. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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