The New Testament in Its Social Environment

by John E. Stambaugh, David L. Balch

This insightful volume in the Library of Early Christianity examines the social, political, and economic world of early Christianity. The Library of Early Christianity is a series of eight outstanding books exploring the Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts in which the New Testament developed.

Genres: Theology, Religion, New Testament

Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Jon]

This is one of the best reference books on the social world of the New Testament that I've read. It does a great job of summarizing Jewish history leading up to the Roman period. It discusses family dynamics, religious ones, financial ones, governmental ones, and so on. In its final chapter, it covers the social dynamics apparent in individual cities. It's a short book and easy to read, but it isn't easily summarized, especially given the fact that I did not have opportunity to take notes on it right after completing it. But I will be coming back to this book, as I bought a copy to keep.

[court]

Decent at explaining the social parameters of the New Testament world in relation to class struggle and makeup.

[Riley McCarthy]

Mostly boring but some interesting topics - I would have liked it condensed into half the size

[Kipi (the academic stitcher)]

In order to thoroughly understand Paul's writings as well as the other New Testament books, you must understand the culture/society in which it was written. This book is an excellent introduction to the culture of 1st-century Roman world.

[Zach Waldis]

A bit dry but well worth the read. A great look into the classical world of early christianity.