New Testament foundations: a guide for Christian students
VOLUME 1: THE FOUR GOSPELS MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, JOHN. "Probably no other religious writings are as well known and well loved as these four accounts of the birth, life, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ which stand at the beginning of the New Testament. The early church (perhaps even Mark himself) gave them the special name "Gospel." What was meant by that term? And, once we understand what "Gospels" are, how can we as modern readers avail ourselves of the full riches of these books? Questions like these lie behind the writing of this comprehensive new guide by a renowned New Testament scholar. New Testament Foundations, Volume 1, is meant to help today's student of the four Gospels gain a better grasp of the meaning of the New Testament, particularly its opening books. What the Gospels record may in broad outline be familiar to almost everyone. For the serious student however, especially one who looks forward to preaching these documents, there is a good deal to be learned from a careful and close examination of them. The approach to the New Testament that marks this volume and its sequel has been tested in a decade of classroom teaching in the United States and Great Britain. That students will learn the most, Professor Martin believes, who comes to the study of the New Testament with the most complete willingness to listen to what it has to say. It is the Gospel texts themselves, not contrived theories about what they mean, which reflect the theological message of the early church. A concern for appropriating the meaning of the texts themselves was in the forefront of the author's mind while writing this book. Here is a master teacher at work, leading the student to an ability to appreciate the biblical text and its meaning with increasing depth and clarity. Valuable background chapters introduce the various critical disciplines, survey the history of the Mediterranean world at the time the Gospels were being written, acquaint he reader with the various strands of which first-century Judaism was woven, and give representative exegesis of three particularly significant Gospel passages. This is a guide for Christian students. The Gospels are, as the author states, "primarily church books and are so best understood by those who stand within the household of Christian faith." It is Professor Martin's conviction, to which this volume attests, that the academic discipline of Gospel criticism can heighten immeasurably the encounter with the living Lord to which Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John point." Publisher VOLUNE 2: THE ACTS, THE EPISTLES, THE APOCALYPSE. "A companion volume to Professor Martin's guide to the four Gospels, this book focuses on the Acts of the Apostles, New Testament epistles, and the Apocalypse. It has been prepared with a similar goal--to provide an understandable and useful handbook for the study of Scripture. Particularly helpful to the student, these volumes aim to develop proper attitudes and tools with which to appreciate and convey to others the meaning of the New Testament. The treatment is not meant as an "introduction" in the sense of a general investigation of each New Testament book, nor is it a guide to biblical criticism, although a number of questions in this area are touched upon. That the book is addressed to "Christian Students" is intended to imply no ecclesiastical or denominational bias but it does illustrate the author's conviction that New Testament study is "of a special relevance to those who stand within the household of Christian faith." Of primary importance when reading Scripture is a knowledge of its historical and contextual setting. Thus, throughout the book the reader is exposed to the political, social, religious, and philosophical world of the first century. Professor Martin draws on this background as he traces the rise of the Christian mission related in the book of Christian mission related in the book of Acts. Paul's letters are examined in the light of their historical and pastoral context, while the theological and ethical problems of the churches are given special notice. Following a discussion of the non-Pauline material the student is presented with an opportunity to practice what has been learned as three passages are introduced and annotated to aid the exegete. What is impressed upon the reader is that the New Testament books are theological works, written out of a living faith to express that living faith. The variety and richness of the New Testament and its traditions, the effect of the contemporary historical situation on the writers and the expression of their faith is clearly seen. Yet this diversity emerges against the background of certain constants--in particular the presence of the risen Christ in the company of the faithful." Publisher
Print Book, English, [1975-78]
Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, [1975-78]