Introducing the New Testament: A Short Guide to Its History and Message

by D.A. Carson, Douglas J. Moo, Andrew David Naselli (Editor)

Abridgement of An Introduction to the Old Testament. This abridged edition of an established major textbook brings the best of New Testament scholarship to the church and makes it accessible to the average reader. This book focuses on historical questions dealing with authorship, date, sources, purpose, and destination of the New Testament books. By focusing on the essentials, the authors ensure that each book is accurately understood within its historical settings. For each New Testament document, the authors also provide a summary of that book's content and discuss the book's theological contribution to the overall canon. This abridgement includes questions at the end of each chapter to facilitate group discussion and personal review. It will help a new generation of students and church leaders better grasp the message of the New Testament

Genres: New Testament, Theology, Christianity, Reference

253 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 5, 2013

About the author

Donald A. Carson is research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He has been at Trinity since 1978. Carson came to Trinity from the faculty of Northwest Baptist Theological Seminary in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he also served for two years as academic dean. He has served as assistant pastor and pastor and has done itinerant ministry in Canada and the United Kingdom. Carson received the Bachelor of Science in chemistry from McGill University, the Master of Divinity from Central Baptist Seminary in Toronto, and the Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament from the University of Cambridge. Carson is an active guest lecturer in academic and church settings around the world. He has written or edited about sixty books. He is a founding member and currently president of The Gospel Coalition. Carson and his wife, Joy, reside in Libertyville, Illinois. They have two adult children.

Reviews

[Cbarrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the major arguments of "And Introduction to the New Testament" by Carson and Moo presented in just a few pages per chapter. Very helpful go to resource on introductory matters.

[Jenny Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Introducing the New Testament is written in similar style as Introducing the Old Testament. As each book is discussed, the content, author, genre, date, place, audience, purpose, and contributions are covered.

The authors made a couple points that impressed me. On p38, refreshingly they classify the rich man and Lazarus as a parable and the theme of stewardship. Then on p66 the authors do well to acknowledge the epistles that are disputed as to whether or not Paul wrote them.

Unfortunately the authors made points that disappointed. For example on p18 they claim that “gospel” conveys the saving act of Jesus but this is focusing on one aspect of Jesus and does include an explanation of Messiah and the connection to the Old Testament. On p125, the authors rely only on an English translation when claiming that women plural cannot be overseers or pastors. There are English Bibles that translate it, “I do not permit a woman” referring to a particular woman in a particular situation. In addition, “exercise authority” is one way to translate the unusual word (authentein), but other translations read “usurp authority” or “instigate conflict.” And on p16-61 they conclude that only one approach fits an interpretation of Revelation without even entertaining the idea that a mixed approach is possible.

I wanted to like this book for an overview of the New Testament as the authors seem to make some impressive points, but they fall back on traditional, American, evangelical interpretation. I cannot fully recommend this book, but I say proceed with caution.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good as far as textbooks go, but this serves more as a reference book then something that you can read from cover to cover. There was valuable information within, but read like an outline rather than a textbook.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Concise book, providing basic, introductory information for each book of the New Testament.

[Ben Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of each book in the NT. Definitely going to reference in the future.

[Robby Eckard]

A quality resource

[Emma Miars · Rating 4 out of 5]

great reference to go back to before teaching a book of the Bible in context.

[Greg Baughman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this three stars, but to be clear, I did like it. The content is good, clear, and concise. For the lay-reader interested in the bare bones, this is a quick, easy read. The main problem with this book is that one does not gain much more here than you would in, say, the introductions found in a good study Bible (like the ESV Study Bible). When paired with notes in such Bibles, I feel they may be more valuable to the lay reader. For the student or pastor, the fuller An Introduction to the New Testament by Carson and Moo is much preferred. Thus, while I like the book, I'm not sure it really meets a need, at least for an individual. As a book to go through in a Sunday School class, though, this would serve nicely, though it tends to gloss over some of the serious questions that an informed congregation may be deeply inquisitive about (such as authorship, date, and so forth).

[Trevor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a sucker for short guides and concise treatments of the Bible. I loved how quickly this book orientates you to each of the NT books. Its written in an outline for and you can read each chapter in about five to ten minutes. Moo and Carson are not lofty or undecided in their treatments. I recommend this book be on every one's shelf with its corresponding OT treatment from Tremper Longman III. I enjoyed reading each book of the NT much more after briefly looking at this book and I found myself reading the Bible much better because of it. Its not the kind of book you brag about having read, but its so practical that it cannot be missed. An added bonus is that they give recommend commentaries for each book broken up into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Short and sweet!