Dictionary of the Later New Testament & Its Developments: A Compendium of Contemporary Biblical Scholarship

by Ralph P. Martin (editor), Peter H. Davids (Editor)

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The third of IVP's critically acclaimed series of dictionaries of the New Testament provides focused study on the often-neglected portions of the New Acts, Hebrews, the General Epistles, and Revelation. Furthermore, its scope goes beyond the life of the New Testament church to include the work of the apostolic fathers and early Christianity up through the middle of the second century.

The Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments offers a summa of New Testament studies. Designed to bring students, teachers, pastors, and general readers up to date and up to speed, this one-of-a-kind reference volume presents more information than any other single work—dealing exclusively with the theology, literature, background, and scholarship of the later New Testament and the apostolic church.

In-depth, comprehensive articles focus on theological themes, methods of interpretation, background topics, and various other subjects specifically related to the study of New Testament theology and literature. Expert contributors include Darrell Bock, George R. Beasley-Murray, I. Howard Marshall, Ben Witherington III, and James D. G. Dunn. Wide-ranging articles span from the books of James and Jude to household codes, from the Roman emperor cult to gnosticism and docetism, questions of canon to second-century church leaders like Ignatius and Polycarp.

The Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments takes its place alongside the Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels and Dictionary of Paul and His Letters in presenting mature evangelical scholarship—committed to the authority of Scripture, utilizing the best of critical methods, and maintaining a dialogue with contemporary scholarship and the challenges facing the church.

Reference volumes in the IVP Bible Dictionary Series provide in-depth treatment of biblical and theological topics in an accessible, encyclopedia format, including cross-sectional themes, methods of interpretation, significant historical or cultural background, and each Old and New Testament book as a whole.

Genres: Reference, Theology, New Testament, Christian, Biblical, Nonfiction, Christianity

1242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 24, 1997

About the author

Ralph Martin (1925-2013) was a distinguished New Testament scholar and a significant figure in the post-World War 2 resurgence of British evangelical scholarship. Born in Anfield, Liverpool, England, his early education was interrupted in 1939 by the war, and he was conscripted to work in the coal mines of Lancashire. After the war he pursued ministerial training at Manchester Baptist College and in 1949 earned his B.A. at the University of Manchester. In 1963 he completed his Ph.D. at King’s College, University of London. In 1969 Martin joined the faculty of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, where he would serve as professor of New Testament from 1969 to 1988, and director of the graduate studies program beginning in 1979. He resumed his teaching there in 1995 as Distinguished Scholar in Residence. Throughout his academic career he stayed involved in preaching, teaching laypeople and other pastoral ministry. He was the author of numerous studies and commentaries on the New Testament, including Worship in the Early Church, the volume on Philippians in The Tyndale New Testament Commentary series, and 2 Corinthians and James in the Word Biblical Commentary, for which he also served as New Testament editor.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a pastors, usually the first books which are purchased are commentaries, followed by practical works with only a second thought towards biblical dictionaries and encyclopedias. This could not be a worse process of thinking, for dictionaries specifically those produced in the series titled, the IVP Bible Dictionary series, for this is a top-notch and needed addition to a basic pastor set of works as well as a scholars library.

I was first introduced to this series in seminary, and have found them deeply insightful and for the most part theologically sound and great aides in understanding complex parts of scripture. In this work, the dictionary of the Latter New Testament and it's developments, edited by Ralph P. Martin and Peter H. Davids, the books of Hebrews-Revelation, are explored with specific focus on various imagery and interpretation.

This work has a truly wide scope in explaining views that are out in the world, both Orthodox an unorthodox as well as types of criticism, tradition and interpretation, and various hermeneutical issues which need to be addressed. I specifically found those dealing with textual criticism and motifs to be quite enjoyable and insightful in my teaching of the book of Hebrews. It is highly scholarly, this work will be of use to a pastor who has some foundations in studying that of views that differ with his or with views that would broaden his horizons.

Well I have said that I give her with a few views in this work specifically that of the feminist interpretation of scripture, editor’s Martin and Davids do a phenomenal job of aiding the reader in their understanding of the latter part of the New Testament. I therefore recommend this as a purchase to both pastors and Scholars if they have the money to purchase this what can be expensive volume in the phenomenal, IVP Bible dictionary series. You will not be disappointed.

I received this work from IVP Academic, for the purpose of an unbiased review.

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid resource in this series of theological dictionaries, provided you know it will require brain power and discernment. With so many contributors from across the theological spectrum it can be difficult to find consistency at times, but I thought the articles in this volume were reliable for the most part.

[Seth Channell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a great reference book to have on the latter New Testament writings. It is comprehensive.