Ancient Texts for New Testament Studies: A Guide to the Background Literature

by Craig A. Evans

One of the daunting challenges facing the New Testament interpreter is achieving familiarity with the immense corpus of related literatures. Scholars and students alike must have a fundamental understanding of the content, provenance, and utility for New Testament interpretation of a wide range of pagan, Jewish, and diversely Christian documents.

Ancient Texts for the Study of the New Testament provides descriptions of all ancient literature that is relevant for serious study of the New Testament writings. Readers can quickly survey the literature clustered under various headings (such as the Apocrypha, Dead Sea Scrolls, or early Rabbinic literature), easily access brief definitions and descriptions, and then consider examples of how the literature sheds light on the background and interpretation of specific passages in the New Testament. There are several helpful appendices, including one that lists, beginning with Matthew and ending with Revelation, potentially significant parallels between New Testament passages and the ancient writings treated in the book.

This thoroughly revised and significantly expanded edition of Noncanonical Writings and New Testament Interpretation examines a vast range of ancient literature, masterfully distilling details of date, language, text, and translation into an eminently usable handbook. Craig Evans evaluates the materials' relevance for interpreting the New Testament and provides essential biographies. Although the book is written at an introductory level, its comprehensive scope makes it useful even for the seasoned scholar.

Genres: New Testament, Biblical Studies, Theology, Christianity, History, Christian History, Old Testament

576 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2005

About the author

Craig A. Evans (PhD, Claremont Graduate University) is Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Acadia Divinity College in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. He is a frequent contributor to scholarly journals and the author or editor of numerous publications.

Reviews

[Bryan Kuranaga · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have lost the practice and discipline of understanding the Bible on its own terms and in its own contexts. Though ANE texts may not be divinely inspired, such texts provide us with an understanding of the particular worldview that the majority of people held during the time of the biblical writers. It would be false to think that the biblical writers did not know of the opposing worldviews and did not write, in part, polemically. This book by Evans provides a compilation of various writings around the time of the composition of the Bible.

[Gage Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best reference of all time for New Testament Studies. Excellent descriptions and perspectives. The money is in the Appendices which catalogue every New Testament passage with a corresponding Ancient Text.

This does it all. Dead Sea Scrolls, Apocrypha, Ancient Historians, Targum, Mishna… it’s honestly boring lol but if you need it, it’s one the most powerful books ever.

Craig ‘Clutch’ Evans, the winner and scholar.

[David Tee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book for everyone. It is merely a record of almost all the different texts available for very serious bible students who want to see what the ancient people have written and how it applies to their lives.

It is more of a resource than any other type of book

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction. I was really impressed with how exhaustive the introduction was. He obviously couldn’t go into too much depth for any of the specific topics, but it’ll work as a really good reference guide for how to begin a research project on NT Backgrounds topics in the future.

[Timothy Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Invaluable resource that I will return to frequently.

[Reggie Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great work and valuable resource.

[Brenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best source I've found for extra-biblical New Testament literature. It makes a great companion volume to E. Ferguson's "Backgrounds of Early Christianity."

[Brian LePort · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely valuable resource.