New Testament Theology

by Eckhard J Schnabel

New Testament Theology is a major new contribution to New Testament scholarship by renowned scholar Eckhard Schnabel.

While many New Testament theologies approach the material through a particular thematic construct (e.g., covenant), Schnabel takes a different approach. First, he focuses on Jesus Messiah and his significance for the early church. Second, he seeks to describe the theology of the New Testament as it was written and read in its historical context. This approach honors the fact that the authors and original readers of the New Testament were real people dealing with real issues in their specific ecclesiological, cultural, and missiological settings. Schnabel comprehensively combines a historical description of the New Testament's theology with a systematic reflection on the New Testament's message and the convictions of Jesus and his early followers.

This valuable contribution to the field will be insightful reading for students, scholars, and pastors.

1214 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2023

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eckhard J. Schnabel's "New Testament Theology" is a refreshing and insightful exploration of the theological landscape of the New Testament, marked by 3 distinctive features that set it apart from other works in the field.

The first noteworthy aspect of Schnabel's approach is his focused exploration of Jesus as the Messiah and his profound significance for the early Christian community. By placing Jesus at the center of the theological discussion, Schnabel highlights the foundational role of Christology in shaping the New Testament's overarching narrative. This emphasis not only aligns with the core of Christian belief but also provides readers with a coherent understanding of how the figure of Jesus influenced the theological perspectives of the early church.

The second distinctive feature of Schnabel's work lies in his commitment to describing the theology of the New Testament within its historical context. Acknowledging the real-life circumstances, ecclesiological challenges, and cultural dynamics faced by the original authors and readers, Schnabel brings a historical depth to his analysis. This contextual approach adds layers of richness to the theological discussions, allowing readers to appreciate the relevance of New Testament teachings in the specific socio-cultural and missiological settings of the early Christian communities. Sure one may wish for more exegesis as to why he came to a certain conclusion here and there but that goes for any theology of the New Testament.

Schnabel's commitment to historical context is not merely an academic exercise but a homage to the reality that the New Testament was written by real people dealing with real issues. By delving into the ecclesiological, cultural, and missiological dimensions of the New Testament writings, Schnabel provides readers with a more authentic and nuanced understanding of the theological concerns addressed by the biblical authors.

Of course thirdly, one expected and will appreciate Schnabel's consideration of the ecclesiological aspects of the New Testament contributing to a missiological understanding of the role of the church in mission. By examining the formation and practices of the early Christian communities, he provides insights into how the church served as a central agent in the mission, emphasizing the communal and relational aspects of spreading the Christian message.

[Benaya Keppler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eine solide Theologie, die von der großen Kompetenz Schnabels zeugt. Leider liest sich das Werk nicht wie eine Theologie, sondern wie ein Nachschlagwerk zu vielen einzelnen Themen. Der Schreibstil ist dahingehend eher anstrengend und belohnt keine Lektüre größerer Textabschnitte.

[Matthias · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful written, deep and comprehensive Theology of NT. Very well structured if you want to look up certain passages again later.