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The Essence of the New Testament: A Survey
The Essence of the New Testament, Second Edition surveys the books of the New Testament from Matthew to Revelation. Drawing on decades of scholarly research and classroom teaching, the authors provide a practical, readable, and insightful introduction to the second major division of the Christian biblical canon.
This new edition contains new information about the emergence of an early Christian canon, the significance of Second Temple Judaism for New Testament study, an overview of tools for New Testament research, an introduction to Jesus studies, and a synopsis of the relationship of the Old Testament to the New Testament.
Other beneficial features for students and instructors
· More than 150 full-color photographs, maps, illustrations, and charts
· Introductions to each New Testament book, including background, outline, message, and theological significance
· Introductory chapters on how we got the New Testament, principles of interpretation, the intertestamental period, and the Synoptic problem
· Sidebars focusing on significant topics and Greek word studies for English readers
· Study questions and recommended further reading
Editors Elmer L. Towns and Ben Gutierrez draw from their years of teaching experience to provide a time-tested New Testament overview written at the college level, yet also appropriate for pastors, scholars, and laypeople. They combine the finest evangelical scholarship with a passion to open windows of spiritual and practical insight into the biblical text.
This new edition contains new information about the emergence of an early Christian canon, the significance of Second Temple Judaism for New Testament study, an overview of tools for New Testament research, an introduction to Jesus studies, and a synopsis of the relationship of the Old Testament to the New Testament.
Other beneficial features for students and instructors
· More than 150 full-color photographs, maps, illustrations, and charts
· Introductions to each New Testament book, including background, outline, message, and theological significance
· Introductory chapters on how we got the New Testament, principles of interpretation, the intertestamental period, and the Synoptic problem
· Sidebars focusing on significant topics and Greek word studies for English readers
· Study questions and recommended further reading
Editors Elmer L. Towns and Ben Gutierrez draw from their years of teaching experience to provide a time-tested New Testament overview written at the college level, yet also appropriate for pastors, scholars, and laypeople. They combine the finest evangelical scholarship with a passion to open windows of spiritual and practical insight into the biblical text.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2012
35 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Elmer L. Towns
337 books48 followersDr. 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.
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 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 2, 2018
Required read for my bible class 'new testament survey'
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.
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August 31, 2020Basic survey of the inception of the New Testament and its contents
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November 2, 2021GOODE
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.
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.
Read
December 8, 2016A friend in college recommended this book to me (she had to read it for one of her classes). She said it was very factual and helpful for her. So I gave it a shot. I wasn't expecting much but I actually learned a lot from this book. There were a lot of facts and details that I never knew before. It was a nice read.
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.
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.
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.
Read
October 9, 2014Even though this book was for a class I was taking, I enjoyed it immensely. There is a lot of information packed into it.
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.
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.
January 3, 2021
Read for a college class - helpful with understanding the New Testament.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews