A Brief Introduction to the New Testament

by Bart D. Ehrman

Featuring vibrant full color throughout, A Brief Introduction to the New Testament, Third Edition, is a concise version of Bart D. Ehrman's best-selling The New A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings, Fifth Edition. Retaining the approach of the longer textbook while condensing and simplifying much of its material, this volume looks at the New Testament from a consistently historical and comparative perspective and emphasizes the rich diversity of the earliest Christian literature. Distinctive to this study is its emphasis on the historical, literary, and religious milieux of the Greco-Roman world, including early Judaism.

The text incorporates a wealth of pedagogical resources including an extensive text box program, study questions, maps, timelines, and more than seventy photos (including two photo essays). A comprehensive glossary contains more than 200 key terms; these terms appear in boldface type the first time they are used in each chapter and are also listed at the end of each chapter in which they appear.

Reflecting recent changes in scholarship, the third edition

* New "Take a Stand" boxes at the end of each chapter that help students synthesize the material

* New text boxes on textual criticism, forgery, the historical Jesus, and non-canonical texts

* Updated and expanded bibliographies

* An updated Student Website containing chapter summaries, key terms, guides for reading, and self-quizzes

* An updated Instructor's Manual that provides summaries, pedagogical suggestions, and a test bank

Ideal for undergraduate and seminary classes in the New Testament, Biblical Studies, and Christian Origins, A Brief Introduction to the New Testament, Third Edition, is an engaging and accessible introduction that encourages students to consider the historical issues surrounding these writings.

A FREE 6-month subscription to Oxford Biblical Studies Online (www.oxfordbiblicalstudies.com)--a $180 value--is available with the purchase of every new copy of this text!

Genres: Religion, History, Christianity, Nonfiction, Theology, Atheism, New Testament

377 pages, Paperback

First published February 19, 2004

About the author

Bart Denton Ehrman is an American New Testament scholar focusing on textual criticism of the New Testament, the historical Jesus, and the origins and development of early Christianity. He has written and edited 30 books, including three college textbooks. He has also authored six New York Times bestsellers. He is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Reviews

[Emm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is like the New Testament (from a Historical perspective) for dummies. It's an introductory text that is simple and easy to read and does a good job of putting events into a comprehensible timeline. I personally am learning a lot of things I didn't know about the time period and the process of the canonization of the New Testament, to name a few.

Ehrman's tone, however, is biased to say the least. He claims impartiality, but it is clear that he finds no value in religious interpretation and almost seeks joy in undermining religious belief. (He unfortunately turns to divisive shock-value in introducing certain historic figures such as Apollonius and is eager to highlight minor facts that seem to be superficially scandalous.) The chapter on Greco-Roman polytheism, however, was grossly simplified and oddly idealized--Ehrman painted this religious culture as an easy and fluid equal-opportunity environment for all deities and his laudations leave you wondering if he does not yearn for the "good old days" of polytheism. It's weird, but it seems like the bottom line, to Ehrman, is that anything is better than Christianity.

I think it's a good learning tool and a great introduction... if you can ignore Ehrman's voice.


*A note on organization: I realize that this is not overtly part of the field of classics, however, this book pays a lot of attention to the rise of Christianity within the context of the Roman Empire. (ie, from Nero-Constantine, it took Christianity 250ish years to be recognized "officially" by the Roman State...interesting!)

[John San Nicolas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ehrman is truly one of (if not the) most brilliant NT scholar of our time.

This text is a condensed version of a general NT study textbook. As such, there are some limitations for illuminating the nuances of biblical scholarship.

I rate this 4/5 for a few reasons:
- while Ehrman sometimes gives voice to other scholarly opinions other than his own, there are times when he only presents his position on matters far from settled. For clarity on these, see the New Oxford Annotated Bible.
- some parts of the text are tangential, but the rest is substantial in learning about the course material.
- a very heavy emphasis on reading Jesus, Paul, etc., as apocalypticists.

NT studies is something I wish churches were more open to. An amazing textbook for an amazing class!

[Gabe]

Pretty accessible introduction to the New Testament, but the more time I spend in New Testament studies the more Bart Ehrman's idiosyncracies (like his fixation on the historical Jesus) jump out to me.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

a good textbook look at the new testament, really interesting

[Thea]

Religious studies majors assemble!!!

[Aaron Z Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introductory text that walks a reader of the NT through several different types of ways to analyze and approach the text.

[teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

really, really good as an introduction and ehrman's writing style is always incredibly approachable and easy to follow. he makes everything easy to digest and understand

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

read this for an intro to NT class. Ehrman made the topic more interesting/engaging than most textbooks. Tho, of course, it was boring in some aspects.

[Blair Hodges · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introductory textbook written in a popular style. The "At a Glance" and "Something to Think About" boxes were very handy. Nice use of images. Spends more time presenting the author's views than presenting alternative perspectives, but still gestures toward other perspectives and gives fine advice in the suggestions for further reading. I read the first edition. I received the copy for free.

[Langfordlibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so very helpful. Ehrman does a great job of walking us through ways the NT can be studied, and goes into depth of its origins, who scholars think were the authors of the books, problems of believing it was written to be interpreted literally. I will keep it as a resource and revisit it.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

As far as academic books go, this is a great read. It really opened my eyes about the most prominent book in western civilization.

[Joshua Duffy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great critical look at the New Testament, but sometimes Ehrman's style just annoys me. Not really for those who enjoy a challenge to biblical inerrancy.

[AskHistorians]

A very good introduction to the methods and contexts of New Testament studies, going book-by-book. Written at the level of an interested undergraduate student.

[Luna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma states it perfectly. It is clear Ehrman has disdain for religion, but still ok for an introductory class. You definitely have to ignore his "voice" and tone.

[Tammi Owens]

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