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The Essence of the New Testament

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The Essence of the New Testament surveys the books from Matthew to Revelation. Based on decades of scholarly research and classroom teaching, a team of biblical scholars from Liberty University provides a practical, readable, and insightful introduction to the second major division of the Christian biblical canon.

This uniquely illustrated, full-color volume features book introductions, background studies, outlines, surveys, theological concepts, practical applications, study questions, and helpful word studies.

Editors Elmer Towns and Ben Gutierrez draw from their lives as teachers to provide a well tested and proven New Testament overview written at the collegiate level, yet appropriate for pastors, scholars, and laymen alike. They represent the finest evangelical scholarship along with a passion to open windows of spiritual and practical insight into the biblical text.

This exciting new survey of the Scriptures highlights the key elements of the New Testament. The history, archaeology, and wisdom of the biblical world are revealed with an eye on the application of their moral principles, theological insights, and practical application to today’s world.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2012

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About the author

Elmer L. Towns

337 books48 followers
Dr. Elmer Towns is a college and seminary professor, an author of popular and scholarly works (the editor of two encyclopedias), a popular seminar lecturer, and dedicated worker in Sunday school, and has developed over 20 resource packets for leadership education. He began teaching at Midwest Bible College, St. Louis, Missouri, for three years and was not satisfied with his textbooks so he began writing his own (he has published over 100 books listed in the Library of Congress, 7 listed in the Christian Booksellers Best Selling List; several becoming accepted as college textbooks. He is also the 1995 recipient of the coveted Gold Medallion Award awarded by the Christian Booksellers Association for writing the Book of the Year, i.e., The Names of the Holy Spirit.

He was President of Winnipeg Bible College for five years, leading it to receive American Accreditation and Provincial authority to offer degrees (1960-1965). He taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, in greater Chicago, Illinois, in the field of Religious Education and Evangelism (1965-1971).

He is co-founder of Liberty University, with Jerry Falwell, in 1971, and was the only full-time teacher in the first year of Liberty's existence. Today, the University has over 11,400 students on campus with 39,000 in the Distance Learning Program (now Liberty University Online), and he is the Dean of the School of Religion.

Dr. Towns has given theological lectures and taught intensive seminars at over 50 theological seminaries in America and abroad. He holds visiting professorship rank in five seminaries. He has written over 2,000 reference and/or popular articles and received six honorary doctoral degrees. Four doctoral dissertations have analyzed his contribution to religious education and evangelism.

His personal education includes a B.S. from Northwestern College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a M.A. from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary also in Dallas, a MRE from Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and a D.Min. from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.

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Displaying 1 - 7 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Skai.
246 reviews
January 2, 2018
Required read for my bible class 'new testament survey'
Profile Image for Doris.
18 reviews
February 6, 2020
This is a great resource if you want to study the history of the New Testament. I read it for a New Testament class that I took on the University level.
Profile Image for Jimmy Reagan.
883 reviews62 followers
November 26, 2016
“The Essence of the New Testament: A Survey” by Elmer Towns and Ben Gutierrez is similar and companion volume to “The Essence of the Old Testament:A Survey” by Hindson and Yates. It too is aimed at beginning undergraduate students and serious laymen and continues B & H Academic’s reputation for premier surveys.

There are three chapters on introductory matters. The first two cover textual issues and New Testament interpretation respectively. The chapter on “The History Between the Testaments” sets the New Testament in perspective. While I prefer the design in its OT counterpart better, this is still acceptable. I would have also preferred a more broad approach on the Gospels than just focusing on the Synoptic Problem.

The real value in this volume is the chapters on the individual books of the New Testament. They are well done and include fine pictures, maps, charts, and content.

I highly recommend this survey, and think it even a better idea to grab its OT counterpart at the same time to have an outstanding set.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Profile Image for Dana J. Moore.
383 reviews37 followers
December 10, 2013
Great thorough survey of the New Testament. I read it for a college class, and it was very informative, easy to read and understand, detailed without being too detailed. I highly recommend this as a basic textbook on the books of the New Testament.
Profile Image for Paul Warburg.
5 reviews
January 5, 2015
Fantastic

I bought this book to study for a college exam and couldn't put it down. It absolutely strengthened my faith and presented many opposing views in a logical and unbiased fashion.
Profile Image for Eric .
8 reviews14 followers
December 18, 2015
Mandatory Reading for College Course

The essence of this book is comparable to the notes in a decent study Bible. It was what one would expect for a New Testament survey course.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 11 reviews

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