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The Untold Story of the New Testament Church: An Extraordinary Guide to Understanding the New Testament
This is the old version. The revised & expanded edition will release in 2025.
A Masterpiece in Narrative Ecclesiology
Watch the New Testament come alive! Understand God's Word like never before!
The New Testament is often hard to understand. A major reason is because it is not arranged in chronological order. Paul's letters, for example, are arranged by size rather than chronologically. This makes the New Testament a bit like a Chinese puzzle! For this reason, one famous Bible scholar said that reading the New Testament letters is like hearing one end of a phone conversation. The book you hold in your hands reconstructs the other end so that you can understand virtually every word.
"The Untold Story of the New Testament Church" is a unique Bible handbook that weaves Acts and the Epistles together chronologically . . . creating one fluid story. This epic volume gives readers a first-hand account of the New Testament drama that is riveting and enlightening. It includes dates, maps, and background information about the people, the cities, and the events of the first-century church using a "you-are-there" approach.
Get up-close and personal with apostles Paul, Peter, James and John and learn of their personal struggles. Understand the circumstances behind each inspired letter they penned. Watch the chaotic swirl of first-century people and events fall into place before your very eyes. Discover what Paul's "thorn in the flesh" really was. Learn what happened to all the apostles after the book of Acts was finished. Be ushered into the living, breathing atmosphere of the first century and uncover the hidden riches found in God's Word.
A Masterpiece in Narrative Ecclesiology
Watch the New Testament come alive! Understand God's Word like never before!
The New Testament is often hard to understand. A major reason is because it is not arranged in chronological order. Paul's letters, for example, are arranged by size rather than chronologically. This makes the New Testament a bit like a Chinese puzzle! For this reason, one famous Bible scholar said that reading the New Testament letters is like hearing one end of a phone conversation. The book you hold in your hands reconstructs the other end so that you can understand virtually every word.
"The Untold Story of the New Testament Church" is a unique Bible handbook that weaves Acts and the Epistles together chronologically . . . creating one fluid story. This epic volume gives readers a first-hand account of the New Testament drama that is riveting and enlightening. It includes dates, maps, and background information about the people, the cities, and the events of the first-century church using a "you-are-there" approach.
Get up-close and personal with apostles Paul, Peter, James and John and learn of their personal struggles. Understand the circumstances behind each inspired letter they penned. Watch the chaotic swirl of first-century people and events fall into place before your very eyes. Discover what Paul's "thorn in the flesh" really was. Learn what happened to all the apostles after the book of Acts was finished. Be ushered into the living, breathing atmosphere of the first century and uncover the hidden riches found in God's Word.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
609 people are currently reading
712 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
February 3, 2008
Wow, who knew the early church was so real and down to earth. Great book for helping to piece together the story of the Early Church in it's chronological order. Particularly like the sections where Viola paints the picture of what Ephesus, Corinth, Rome etc... were like to live in the 1st century. The power of the good news of the Kingdom of God was & is AMAZING and was the only thing that could band together rich, poor, merchant, slave, Jew, gentile, man & woman into one group - the church. Praying we can see this same love and power of the gospel in our age and transform our homes, communities and world.
December 5, 2017
This book is beautiful in its story telling, and therefore valuable for those who are interested in the history of the New Testament. The premise behind the book is brilliant, as it does bring to light and life the history behind all those books in the bible. I’d like to give the book 5 stars, but I cannot for the following reasons. First the author writes the book as if there was much more factual history available than there is. The precise dates and years, and the direct statements of who was involved and when are presented as if this represents truth. Yes, the author provides a very reasonable history based on the consensus of scholars, but I don’t believe any scholars would claim their dates to an accuracy better than 5 years (except perhaps near significant events, like Paul’s death and the fall of Jerusalem). This seeming accuracy will give a reader a false confidence, which might be damaging. Secondly, there is at least one statement that is completely false. When introducing Philippi, Viola writes: “Philippi is the famous battle site where Marc Antony defeated Octavian in 31 B.C.” I am not a very good historian, but even I recognised a problem here. Rather, Philippi is where Marc Antony and Octavian were on the same winning side in a civil war. Given this error, I wonder how many other wrong statements were made that I didn’t notice.
March 11, 2012
Frank Viola is a strong voice in the area of Organic Church and is perhaps best known for his book, Pagan Christianity. Many don't realize however, that Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices is just one book in a complete series that Frank has put together that in a very deliberate way progress one upon the other.
Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices is the second book in that series. This book, The Untold Story of the New Testament Church, is the first. It's first for a reason. What is foundational to the ecclesiology (Study of the Church) of Frank Viola is the approach to understanding the Bible that he takes. Many Christians do not have a strong understanding of from where their beliefs about many things come. Many of the doctrines and understandings in denominational churches come from an approach that is known as Systematic Theology. Systematic Theology finds its first expression in John Calvin's, Institutes of the Christian Religion. What Systematic Theology does in short, is it examines the entire Bible and finds every passage it can on a particular subject or theme and then it attempts to synthesize everything the Bible has to say on that particular subject into a comprehensive doctrine. Of course, every denomination or movement has their own particular means of making that synthesis and you wind up with a strong reason for why there are over 30,000 different denominations in protestantism.
Frank Viola doesn't entirely discount a Systematic Approach but he advocates an approach that when taken roots the Scriptures, and in this case particularly, the New Testament, in it's own historical context. Rather than splitting the scriptures up into their smallest thought components and stripping them of the immediate context that surrounds them (which Systematic Theology tends to do), Viola examines things in a way that puts the Scriptures into a narrative framework. Using the Scriptures themselves and in particular, the book of Acts as the means to understand who a particular book was written to or about scripture serves to begin to paint broad themes that find their context with the Scriptures themselves instead of relying upon tradition and philosophy to organize thoughts in a manner than may be completely foreign to anything that the original readers understood.
While this approach of Biblical Theology is not as well known or appreciated in many quarters as is the practice of Systematic Theology and proof-texting, Viola presents it in a "cookies on the lower shelf" manner that most readers will find easily understandable. Further, the book is intended to be read beside an open Bible that encourages the reader to read entire books in the NT with a better understanding of what was going on that prompted the author to address certain subjects and practices.
This book is first in the series for a reason. It provides a foundation for understanding why Viola presents things as he does in the following 4 books in the series:
Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices
Reimagining Church: Pursuing the Dream of Organic Christianity
From Eternity to Here: Rediscovering the Ageless Purpose of God
Finding Organic Church: A Comprehensive Guide to Starting and Sustaining Authentic Christian Communities
Having read the entire series and also having observed the criticism and controversy that at times can arise in reviews and discussion, many times this reviewer has taken note that much misunderstanding comes from the direction of those whose traditions are being challenged who equate those traditions with Scripture itself. If you want to give Viola's works a fair reading and evaluate them in context, this book is really where you need to start. When you understand how Viola is approaching Scripture then you'll understand why he comes to some of the conclusions that he does. Even if there is not full agreement, there will at least be a better appreciation of the foundations that underlie Viola's thinking and interpretation of Scripture and indirectly there should be a similarly increased self-awareness on the part of the critic as to why they may agree or disagree in part or whole with what he has to say.
Needless to say, it may just challenge the reader to accept much of what Viola is saying as it's the opinion of this reviewer that the foundations are indeed Biblical and less influenced by tradition and outside philosophies than are many other more prevelant and popular points of view that fall under the umbrella of Christianity today.
While this book is the shortest of the series, it really takes the most time to read and digest if you follow the recommendations to read from the New Testament itself as you work through the book. The reader who takes that time and effort will come out with the equivalent of a higher education hermeneutics (interpretation of scripture) course and a greater appreciation of all that goes into why we accept things as Biblically true or not.
5 stars not just because I agree with a great deal of what Viola has to say, but also because I believe he's done many a great service by opening to them a world of understanding in how to read the Bible that many professing Christians lack.
bart breen
Disclosure - A copy of this book was provided to this reviewer free of charge by the author for the sole purpose of inviting a review. No promises of any review or of a positive review were given or implied. The opinions expressed in this review represent the sole opinion of the reviewer based upon a reading of the book.
Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices is the second book in that series. This book, The Untold Story of the New Testament Church, is the first. It's first for a reason. What is foundational to the ecclesiology (Study of the Church) of Frank Viola is the approach to understanding the Bible that he takes. Many Christians do not have a strong understanding of from where their beliefs about many things come. Many of the doctrines and understandings in denominational churches come from an approach that is known as Systematic Theology. Systematic Theology finds its first expression in John Calvin's, Institutes of the Christian Religion. What Systematic Theology does in short, is it examines the entire Bible and finds every passage it can on a particular subject or theme and then it attempts to synthesize everything the Bible has to say on that particular subject into a comprehensive doctrine. Of course, every denomination or movement has their own particular means of making that synthesis and you wind up with a strong reason for why there are over 30,000 different denominations in protestantism.
Frank Viola doesn't entirely discount a Systematic Approach but he advocates an approach that when taken roots the Scriptures, and in this case particularly, the New Testament, in it's own historical context. Rather than splitting the scriptures up into their smallest thought components and stripping them of the immediate context that surrounds them (which Systematic Theology tends to do), Viola examines things in a way that puts the Scriptures into a narrative framework. Using the Scriptures themselves and in particular, the book of Acts as the means to understand who a particular book was written to or about scripture serves to begin to paint broad themes that find their context with the Scriptures themselves instead of relying upon tradition and philosophy to organize thoughts in a manner than may be completely foreign to anything that the original readers understood.
While this approach of Biblical Theology is not as well known or appreciated in many quarters as is the practice of Systematic Theology and proof-texting, Viola presents it in a "cookies on the lower shelf" manner that most readers will find easily understandable. Further, the book is intended to be read beside an open Bible that encourages the reader to read entire books in the NT with a better understanding of what was going on that prompted the author to address certain subjects and practices.
This book is first in the series for a reason. It provides a foundation for understanding why Viola presents things as he does in the following 4 books in the series:
Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices
Reimagining Church: Pursuing the Dream of Organic Christianity
From Eternity to Here: Rediscovering the Ageless Purpose of God
Finding Organic Church: A Comprehensive Guide to Starting and Sustaining Authentic Christian Communities
Having read the entire series and also having observed the criticism and controversy that at times can arise in reviews and discussion, many times this reviewer has taken note that much misunderstanding comes from the direction of those whose traditions are being challenged who equate those traditions with Scripture itself. If you want to give Viola's works a fair reading and evaluate them in context, this book is really where you need to start. When you understand how Viola is approaching Scripture then you'll understand why he comes to some of the conclusions that he does. Even if there is not full agreement, there will at least be a better appreciation of the foundations that underlie Viola's thinking and interpretation of Scripture and indirectly there should be a similarly increased self-awareness on the part of the critic as to why they may agree or disagree in part or whole with what he has to say.
Needless to say, it may just challenge the reader to accept much of what Viola is saying as it's the opinion of this reviewer that the foundations are indeed Biblical and less influenced by tradition and outside philosophies than are many other more prevelant and popular points of view that fall under the umbrella of Christianity today.
While this book is the shortest of the series, it really takes the most time to read and digest if you follow the recommendations to read from the New Testament itself as you work through the book. The reader who takes that time and effort will come out with the equivalent of a higher education hermeneutics (interpretation of scripture) course and a greater appreciation of all that goes into why we accept things as Biblically true or not.
5 stars not just because I agree with a great deal of what Viola has to say, but also because I believe he's done many a great service by opening to them a world of understanding in how to read the Bible that many professing Christians lack.
bart breen
Disclosure - A copy of this book was provided to this reviewer free of charge by the author for the sole purpose of inviting a review. No promises of any review or of a positive review were given or implied. The opinions expressed in this review represent the sole opinion of the reviewer based upon a reading of the book.
January 23, 2011
A good introduction to the chronological events of the first 40-50 years of the Church. It helped me place many of the lesser known Church planters in the context of Paul and Peters time. I would probably change the subtitle to, "An Introductory Guide to Understanding the NT".
March 26, 2010
the title and sub-title say it all.
January 13, 2022
Frank Viola tells the story of the New Testament church, beginning with the book of Acts and inserting insights from the Epistles and Revelation. He also includes historical information from the time period. While I liked the approach, he's not a very good storyteller. Sometimes the narrative seems a bit choppy. Each missionary journey was preceded by a map, helping readers visualize apostolic journeys. I'm not sure I would say this story is "untold" as most of it is written in the New Testament; however, the arrangement makes it useful for a chronological Bible study of this portion of the Bible.
June 3, 2014
Frank Viola writes a very comprehensive guide to the chronology of the New Testament. Basically, the book puts all New Testament events and works in chronological order and explains them. It chronicles the growth of the church under the ministry of Paul and puts in perspective many of his letters. It explains the purpose of the letters while giving a background of the areas to which he was writing to. In this book, I've learned more about the apostle Apollos than I've read anywhere else and I appreciate it greatly.
Pros:
The book is very easy to read and it gives the reader a rounded understanding of the New Testament and the background in which the books were written. I also find it commendable that Viola acknowledges that there are different views on when Jesus' resurrection was, something I've not seen acknowledged in mainstream Western Christian sources. I also appreciate the explanation of the geographical and cultural sensitivities displayed in the NT that the average reader would not normally be able to grasp.
Cons:
The writing describing the ~*spiritual*~ realm (the existence of the Trinitarian Godhead, the afterlife in the New Jerusalem, etc.) is somewhat disappointing in my opinion, and it seems oddly placed. The entire book is factual and evidence based, but these portions have less to do with facts than mystical beliefs within the Christian faith and I feel that the writing used for those portions lacks the sensitivity, if you will, needed for describing transcendent realities. In addition to this, Viola also downplays the serious roles that women played in apostolic leadership and active roles within the church. While he does mention most, (if not all) of the major female figures within the Early NT church, he limits their scope of influence to their social or business status rather than the fact that they were considered coworkers and spiritual leaders in the Gospel of Christ. He also incorrectly writes down Junia's name as "Junias", favoring the masculine grammatical erasure of Junia, a female apostle whom many men past and present have tried to repress from church memory. There is also some insensitive language regarding Jewish people, particularly when describing the Jewish community in Alexandria as a "ghetto".
Overall, this book is an excellent resource for those wishing to begin in understanding the New Testament and its importance. :)
Pros:
The book is very easy to read and it gives the reader a rounded understanding of the New Testament and the background in which the books were written. I also find it commendable that Viola acknowledges that there are different views on when Jesus' resurrection was, something I've not seen acknowledged in mainstream Western Christian sources. I also appreciate the explanation of the geographical and cultural sensitivities displayed in the NT that the average reader would not normally be able to grasp.
Cons:
The writing describing the ~*spiritual*~ realm (the existence of the Trinitarian Godhead, the afterlife in the New Jerusalem, etc.) is somewhat disappointing in my opinion, and it seems oddly placed. The entire book is factual and evidence based, but these portions have less to do with facts than mystical beliefs within the Christian faith and I feel that the writing used for those portions lacks the sensitivity, if you will, needed for describing transcendent realities. In addition to this, Viola also downplays the serious roles that women played in apostolic leadership and active roles within the church. While he does mention most, (if not all) of the major female figures within the Early NT church, he limits their scope of influence to their social or business status rather than the fact that they were considered coworkers and spiritual leaders in the Gospel of Christ. He also incorrectly writes down Junia's name as "Junias", favoring the masculine grammatical erasure of Junia, a female apostle whom many men past and present have tried to repress from church memory. There is also some insensitive language regarding Jewish people, particularly when describing the Jewish community in Alexandria as a "ghetto".
Overall, this book is an excellent resource for those wishing to begin in understanding the New Testament and its importance. :)
August 26, 2008
Excellent book on practical Christianity.
February 15, 2009
Excellent and enlightening history of the new testament.
January 27, 2011
The current order of the books of the Bible is not in Chronological order. What happens when you read everything as they emerged? A story starts to unfold.
December 14, 2025
This is the old version from 2005. While it's really good, it's nothing compared to the new edition which is much better, more accurate, and more up-to-date and endorsed by many scholars. Check out "The Untold Story of the New Testament Church: Revised and Expanded" 2025 release.
December 19, 2025
Check out the new version released in 2025, the revised and expanded edition. It's far better than this version. You can find it and my review on GoodReads. Here are endorsements for the revised edition from the publisher's landing page.
“In The Untold Story of the New Testament Church: Revised and Expanded, Frank Viola brings context and background together, inviting us on a captivating journey through the birth and growth of the first-century church. With a reputation for captivating prose and heartfelt storytelling, Viola brings his unique perspective to reconstruct the events from Matthew to Revelation. The Untold Story offers a plausible chronological narrative that reveals the grand tapestry of God’s kingdom plan and brings the characters of the story to life.” (From the Foreword)
Craig S. Keener, F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary
“Context matters. Sequence is helpful. Background illuminates the text. These three premises stand underneath this book which places the New Testament in the world from which it emerged. This unique volume is full of documentation as well, showing the care that went into it. For pastors and all others interested in the unfolding of the New Testament, this book is a treasure to mine.”
Darrell Bock, Executive Director for Cultural Engagement Hendricks Center Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies
“How do the writings of the New Testament hang together? What was going on among those first-century followers of Jesus that invited the words of warning, encouragement, and guidance we find in the letters of Paul, Peter, and the rest? Frank Viola performs an invaluable service for Christians today by centering this book on the story of the early church, what he calls “the community of the King.” The result is a highly readable (and well-researched) story of the New Testament church, a genuinely accessible biography of the church, that congregations and classrooms will find indispensable.”
Joel B. Green, Senior Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Fuller Theological Seminary
“With great erudition, Frank Viola has provided readers with a wonderful resource. It would be an understatement to say the breadth of research involved in this project is ‘impressive.’ Highly recommended.”
Michael Licona, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament Studies, Houston Christian University
“In this fascinating volume Frank Viola seeks to write a narrative history of the early church by examining the New Testament documents within their respective historical and chronological contexts. In those areas where conjecture is required, Viola draws on a wealth of biblical, extra-biblical, and scholarly sources. His conclusions are plausible and consistently interesting and insightful. This is an excellent resource for those seeking to understand authentic Christianity by listening to its earliest voices.”
Mark L. Strauss, Ph.D., University Professor of New Testament, Bethel Seminary, Bethel University
"In one volume Frank Viola has recast the entire New Testament as a single readable narrative, but as supported by scholarly notation of the highest order. The second-century theologian Tatian managed to combine the four Gospels into one narrative; Viola has achieved this for the whole New Testament. In the main text, we have the well-told, reconstructed story, while the footnotes open a wonderland of highest-level scholarship. This single book is for the general reader, the pastor, and the academic. The Untold Story of the New Testament Church is an amazing accomplishment. I know of no book like it. Highly recommended."
Paul Barnett, Ph.D., New Testament Scholar and Lecturer Emeritus, Moore College, Sydney; teaching fellow at Regent College, Vancouver
“This is an enormously helpful survey of the history of the roughly thirty years from the ministry of Jesus to the end of the apostolic period, replete with comments on the significance of historical events for the faith of Jesus followers and with comments on secondary literature. Viola is both humble as he interacts with the research of numerous scholars, and bold as he presents a coherent narrative of God's revelation through Jesus Messiah and His earliest disciples and apostles. Readers of any level will benefit immensely from a careful reading of this study.”
Eckhard Schnabel, Mary F. Rockefeller Emeritus Distinguished Professor of New Testament Studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
“I know no other book like this. Written for everyday readers, it is accessible, engaging, and compelling—and yet it is meticulously researched with depth and breadth of learning, in conversation with leading scholars in the field. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand how the whole New Testament fits together—as history, theology, and mission.”
Constantine R. Campbell, Professor and Research Director, Sydney College of Divinity
“This volume is a creative and fascinating portrayal of the rise of Christianity and the establishment of churches throughout the Mediterranean world. Viola weaves the evidence of the New Testament into a single unfolding and compelling story. Yet he does so not with unbridled imagination, but with a profound reliance on the best scholarship available. The end result is an accurate, engaging and compelling account of this movement that has had a monumental impact on history and continues to do so today. For someone unacquainted with this story, this book is the ideal starting point. For those who are familiar with the New Testament, this volume will greatly enhance your understanding and appreciation of the rise of Christianity.”
Clinton E. Arnold, Research Professor of New Testament, Talbot School of Theology (Biola University)
“Frank Viola has produced a truly remarkable book—a reconstruction of the gospel story of the New Testament church that skillfully and helpfully presents the events recorded in Matthew through Revelation in a chronological rather than canonical order. His Untold Story of the New Testament Church captures well the geographical setting, historical context and social world of the first-century by taking the best of biblical scholarship and packaging it in a user-friendly format and readable style. The result is a fresh reading of the ancient biblical text that the modern reader will find highly engaging and spiritually edifying.”
Jeffrey A. D. Weima, Professor of New Testament Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan
“There is ever so much more to the story of the early church than we hear about in the Acts of the Apostles. As we read through the letters of Paul and of the other early Christian leaders in the New Testament, we cannot fail to notice this fact. How does Titus, whom Acts never mentions, fit into Paul's ministry? Where are Paul’s second and third visits to the churches in Corinth? When does Peter start writing letters? What happens after AD 62, where the narrative of Acts simply ends? Frank Viola has bravely and diligently undertaken the task of collecting the many bits and pieces of this story that can be known from the letters alongside Acts and of presenting one plausible vision of how all these pieces can be synthesized into a coherent, unfolding story—and thus how the various books of our New Testament emerge within and speak back into this larger story.”
David A. deSilva, Trustees’ Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek, Ashland Theological Seminary
“In The Untold Story of the New Testament Church, bestselling author Frank Viola offers a lengthy innovative reconstruction correlating the chronological sequence in the narrative of Acts with the apostolic journeys and letters of Paul and the other apostles. A treasure trove of detail for Christian pastors and leaders of Bible study, with magisterial references to books and articles by Christian New Testament scholars.”
Richard Horsley, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Liberal Arts and the Study of Religion at the University of Massachusetts, Boston
“What happens when passion for equipping the next generation of Christians meets a lifetime of loving the Lord, studying His Word, and drawing on the insights of evangelical scholarship? The Untold Story of the New Testament Church is Frank Viola’s compelling narrative of God’s eternal purpose, focused on the formation and journey of God’s ekklesia community—His people, past, present, and future. Using Acts as the central framework, Viola enriches the story with historical details and insights drawn from other sources, especially the letters of Paul, Peter, James, John, etc. This vivid retelling brings to life Paul and his companions—alongside Peter, James, and John—chronicling the conflicts and hardships they endured and their unwavering courage to proclaim Jesus as promised Messiah and Savior. Viola’s ‘plausible reconstruction’ not only fills in the New Testament’s historical narrative but also invites readers to see themselves as part of an ongoing story. (Lovers of footnotes will find themselves in paradise!)”
Amy J. Chase, Ph.D., Drew University, Madison, New Jersey
“Frank Viola’s The Untold Story of the New Testament Church offers a compelling narrative of the entire New Testament and early Christianity from the Gospels to Revelation. It’s truly a monumental accomplishment that connects history and Scripture with attention to detail as a cohesive whole. Viola engages with all the major scholarship making this both a highly readable book and one that is grounded in solid research. While there are books that focus on the life of Jesus and the ministry of Paul, there really is nothing else that looks at the story of early Christianity in the New Testament as comprehensively and that is accessible to non-academics. This book deserves to be read, reread, and studied in churches and in the classroom.”
Alan Bandy, Robert Hamblin Chair of Biblical Exposition Professor of New Testament and Greek at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
“In The Untold Story of the New Testament Church Frank Viola tackles an ambitious project, one few have dared to try. He reconstructs early Christian history—from Pentecost to Patmos—into a compelling, chronological, storied whole. Often, we take the letters of Paul in isolation from the letters of John or the Acts of the Apostles or the book of Revelation. Instead, Viola knits these together into a satisfying account of what happened in the first century of the Jesus movement. This is no solo project; he analyzes loads of data with the help of top scholars from around the world to guide him, and us. What emerges is an engaging, intricately told, plausible account of the origins of our Christian faith that sheds fresh light on all the New Testament letters. The story continues . . .”
David B. Capes, Ph.D., New Testament Scholar and Director of Academic Programming, The Lanier Theological Library and Learning Center, Houston, Texas
“A masterpiece! The Untold Story of the New Testament Church is stunning in its sweep – compelling and readable. It’s an enthralling journey into the New Testament story – a work full of depth and insight. While many books on the New Testament approach the material in a piece-meal fashion, Viola’s new contribution takes a different approach. It puts the entire New Testament in chronological order and brings the reader into a thrilling “you-are-there” narrative. This work is a rich feast for all students of the Bible. Everyday Bible readers will find it accessible and engrossing while Bible experts will appreciate the detailed sources and exquisitely nuanced exegesis. The Untold Story is the ultimate guide to understanding the New Testament. A beautiful piece of work, and a real service to the body of Christ by putting the pieces together in readable form. You will feel deepened in the Lord after you finish it.”
Jon Zens, D.Min., theologian, author, editor of Searching Together
“Don’t be put off by the size of this book! Frank Viola uses the evidence from your Bible to tell the story of Jesus and the New Testament church as a single drama from beginning to end. Using the biblical accounts, he weaves a careful, readable chronology that (as the title asserts) has never been done before! The book’s length results from detailed footnotes by many New Testament scholars, who affirm the author’s research. In this way, both general Bible readers, as well as scholars, can appreciate an accessible, previously “untold story” of the New Testament church.”
Reta Halteman Finger, professor emerita of New Testament at Eastern Mennonite University
“Understanding the early church requires more than just dry facts. Frank Viola's The Untold Story of the New Testament Church takes on the monumental task of retelling this history in a captivating narrative, offering a fresh perspective on the people, places, and events that shaped Christianity.”
Christoph Heilig, Ph.D., New Testament Scholar and Research Group Leader at the University of Munich
“In The Untold Story of the New Testament Church: Revised and Expanded, Frank Viola has engaged the wider world of biblical scholarship and produced a work that flows like a novel but is in fact part New Testament Introduction, part New Testament history, and part Christian inspiration. I love that he's included the text of the New Testament in his understanding of the chronological order of their original production and set these writings within the story of how the earliest Church grew following Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Viola is a gifted writer and this book will help persons hungry to know more about Scripture and the Jesus to whom it testifies.”
Brian D. Russell, Ph.D, Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary
“After decades of being immersed in the New Testament text and countless hours studying a wide variety of New Testament scholarship, Frank Viola has produced a unique book that will not only enable readers to understand the message of the New Testament on a much deeper level but will also draw people closer to Jesus Christ. Viola tells the story of the early church in an engaging way and supplements that story with a plethora of scholarly footnotes to back up every description of how the first Christians lived and what they experienced. By mining the cultural, sociological, and political details of the New Testament world, Viola makes the story of those early followers of Jesus come alive in a new way. The Untold Story of the New Testament will captivate ordinary readers and engage scholars without losing the average high school or college student. It is a gift.”
Tim Oslovich, Master of Theological Studies, Harvard Divinity School, Bishop of the Alaska Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
“In The Untold Story of the New Testament Church: Revised and Expanded, Frank Viola brings context and background together, inviting us on a captivating journey through the birth and growth of the first-century church. With a reputation for captivating prose and heartfelt storytelling, Viola brings his unique perspective to reconstruct the events from Matthew to Revelation. The Untold Story offers a plausible chronological narrative that reveals the grand tapestry of God’s kingdom plan and brings the characters of the story to life.” (From the Foreword)
Craig S. Keener, F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary
“Context matters. Sequence is helpful. Background illuminates the text. These three premises stand underneath this book which places the New Testament in the world from which it emerged. This unique volume is full of documentation as well, showing the care that went into it. For pastors and all others interested in the unfolding of the New Testament, this book is a treasure to mine.”
Darrell Bock, Executive Director for Cultural Engagement Hendricks Center Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies
“How do the writings of the New Testament hang together? What was going on among those first-century followers of Jesus that invited the words of warning, encouragement, and guidance we find in the letters of Paul, Peter, and the rest? Frank Viola performs an invaluable service for Christians today by centering this book on the story of the early church, what he calls “the community of the King.” The result is a highly readable (and well-researched) story of the New Testament church, a genuinely accessible biography of the church, that congregations and classrooms will find indispensable.”
Joel B. Green, Senior Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Fuller Theological Seminary
“With great erudition, Frank Viola has provided readers with a wonderful resource. It would be an understatement to say the breadth of research involved in this project is ‘impressive.’ Highly recommended.”
Michael Licona, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament Studies, Houston Christian University
“In this fascinating volume Frank Viola seeks to write a narrative history of the early church by examining the New Testament documents within their respective historical and chronological contexts. In those areas where conjecture is required, Viola draws on a wealth of biblical, extra-biblical, and scholarly sources. His conclusions are plausible and consistently interesting and insightful. This is an excellent resource for those seeking to understand authentic Christianity by listening to its earliest voices.”
Mark L. Strauss, Ph.D., University Professor of New Testament, Bethel Seminary, Bethel University
"In one volume Frank Viola has recast the entire New Testament as a single readable narrative, but as supported by scholarly notation of the highest order. The second-century theologian Tatian managed to combine the four Gospels into one narrative; Viola has achieved this for the whole New Testament. In the main text, we have the well-told, reconstructed story, while the footnotes open a wonderland of highest-level scholarship. This single book is for the general reader, the pastor, and the academic. The Untold Story of the New Testament Church is an amazing accomplishment. I know of no book like it. Highly recommended."
Paul Barnett, Ph.D., New Testament Scholar and Lecturer Emeritus, Moore College, Sydney; teaching fellow at Regent College, Vancouver
“This is an enormously helpful survey of the history of the roughly thirty years from the ministry of Jesus to the end of the apostolic period, replete with comments on the significance of historical events for the faith of Jesus followers and with comments on secondary literature. Viola is both humble as he interacts with the research of numerous scholars, and bold as he presents a coherent narrative of God's revelation through Jesus Messiah and His earliest disciples and apostles. Readers of any level will benefit immensely from a careful reading of this study.”
Eckhard Schnabel, Mary F. Rockefeller Emeritus Distinguished Professor of New Testament Studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
“I know no other book like this. Written for everyday readers, it is accessible, engaging, and compelling—and yet it is meticulously researched with depth and breadth of learning, in conversation with leading scholars in the field. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand how the whole New Testament fits together—as history, theology, and mission.”
Constantine R. Campbell, Professor and Research Director, Sydney College of Divinity
“This volume is a creative and fascinating portrayal of the rise of Christianity and the establishment of churches throughout the Mediterranean world. Viola weaves the evidence of the New Testament into a single unfolding and compelling story. Yet he does so not with unbridled imagination, but with a profound reliance on the best scholarship available. The end result is an accurate, engaging and compelling account of this movement that has had a monumental impact on history and continues to do so today. For someone unacquainted with this story, this book is the ideal starting point. For those who are familiar with the New Testament, this volume will greatly enhance your understanding and appreciation of the rise of Christianity.”
Clinton E. Arnold, Research Professor of New Testament, Talbot School of Theology (Biola University)
“Frank Viola has produced a truly remarkable book—a reconstruction of the gospel story of the New Testament church that skillfully and helpfully presents the events recorded in Matthew through Revelation in a chronological rather than canonical order. His Untold Story of the New Testament Church captures well the geographical setting, historical context and social world of the first-century by taking the best of biblical scholarship and packaging it in a user-friendly format and readable style. The result is a fresh reading of the ancient biblical text that the modern reader will find highly engaging and spiritually edifying.”
Jeffrey A. D. Weima, Professor of New Testament Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan
“There is ever so much more to the story of the early church than we hear about in the Acts of the Apostles. As we read through the letters of Paul and of the other early Christian leaders in the New Testament, we cannot fail to notice this fact. How does Titus, whom Acts never mentions, fit into Paul's ministry? Where are Paul’s second and third visits to the churches in Corinth? When does Peter start writing letters? What happens after AD 62, where the narrative of Acts simply ends? Frank Viola has bravely and diligently undertaken the task of collecting the many bits and pieces of this story that can be known from the letters alongside Acts and of presenting one plausible vision of how all these pieces can be synthesized into a coherent, unfolding story—and thus how the various books of our New Testament emerge within and speak back into this larger story.”
David A. deSilva, Trustees’ Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek, Ashland Theological Seminary
“In The Untold Story of the New Testament Church, bestselling author Frank Viola offers a lengthy innovative reconstruction correlating the chronological sequence in the narrative of Acts with the apostolic journeys and letters of Paul and the other apostles. A treasure trove of detail for Christian pastors and leaders of Bible study, with magisterial references to books and articles by Christian New Testament scholars.”
Richard Horsley, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Liberal Arts and the Study of Religion at the University of Massachusetts, Boston
“What happens when passion for equipping the next generation of Christians meets a lifetime of loving the Lord, studying His Word, and drawing on the insights of evangelical scholarship? The Untold Story of the New Testament Church is Frank Viola’s compelling narrative of God’s eternal purpose, focused on the formation and journey of God’s ekklesia community—His people, past, present, and future. Using Acts as the central framework, Viola enriches the story with historical details and insights drawn from other sources, especially the letters of Paul, Peter, James, John, etc. This vivid retelling brings to life Paul and his companions—alongside Peter, James, and John—chronicling the conflicts and hardships they endured and their unwavering courage to proclaim Jesus as promised Messiah and Savior. Viola’s ‘plausible reconstruction’ not only fills in the New Testament’s historical narrative but also invites readers to see themselves as part of an ongoing story. (Lovers of footnotes will find themselves in paradise!)”
Amy J. Chase, Ph.D., Drew University, Madison, New Jersey
“Frank Viola’s The Untold Story of the New Testament Church offers a compelling narrative of the entire New Testament and early Christianity from the Gospels to Revelation. It’s truly a monumental accomplishment that connects history and Scripture with attention to detail as a cohesive whole. Viola engages with all the major scholarship making this both a highly readable book and one that is grounded in solid research. While there are books that focus on the life of Jesus and the ministry of Paul, there really is nothing else that looks at the story of early Christianity in the New Testament as comprehensively and that is accessible to non-academics. This book deserves to be read, reread, and studied in churches and in the classroom.”
Alan Bandy, Robert Hamblin Chair of Biblical Exposition Professor of New Testament and Greek at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
“In The Untold Story of the New Testament Church Frank Viola tackles an ambitious project, one few have dared to try. He reconstructs early Christian history—from Pentecost to Patmos—into a compelling, chronological, storied whole. Often, we take the letters of Paul in isolation from the letters of John or the Acts of the Apostles or the book of Revelation. Instead, Viola knits these together into a satisfying account of what happened in the first century of the Jesus movement. This is no solo project; he analyzes loads of data with the help of top scholars from around the world to guide him, and us. What emerges is an engaging, intricately told, plausible account of the origins of our Christian faith that sheds fresh light on all the New Testament letters. The story continues . . .”
David B. Capes, Ph.D., New Testament Scholar and Director of Academic Programming, The Lanier Theological Library and Learning Center, Houston, Texas
“A masterpiece! The Untold Story of the New Testament Church is stunning in its sweep – compelling and readable. It’s an enthralling journey into the New Testament story – a work full of depth and insight. While many books on the New Testament approach the material in a piece-meal fashion, Viola’s new contribution takes a different approach. It puts the entire New Testament in chronological order and brings the reader into a thrilling “you-are-there” narrative. This work is a rich feast for all students of the Bible. Everyday Bible readers will find it accessible and engrossing while Bible experts will appreciate the detailed sources and exquisitely nuanced exegesis. The Untold Story is the ultimate guide to understanding the New Testament. A beautiful piece of work, and a real service to the body of Christ by putting the pieces together in readable form. You will feel deepened in the Lord after you finish it.”
Jon Zens, D.Min., theologian, author, editor of Searching Together
“Don’t be put off by the size of this book! Frank Viola uses the evidence from your Bible to tell the story of Jesus and the New Testament church as a single drama from beginning to end. Using the biblical accounts, he weaves a careful, readable chronology that (as the title asserts) has never been done before! The book’s length results from detailed footnotes by many New Testament scholars, who affirm the author’s research. In this way, both general Bible readers, as well as scholars, can appreciate an accessible, previously “untold story” of the New Testament church.”
Reta Halteman Finger, professor emerita of New Testament at Eastern Mennonite University
“Understanding the early church requires more than just dry facts. Frank Viola's The Untold Story of the New Testament Church takes on the monumental task of retelling this history in a captivating narrative, offering a fresh perspective on the people, places, and events that shaped Christianity.”
Christoph Heilig, Ph.D., New Testament Scholar and Research Group Leader at the University of Munich
“In The Untold Story of the New Testament Church: Revised and Expanded, Frank Viola has engaged the wider world of biblical scholarship and produced a work that flows like a novel but is in fact part New Testament Introduction, part New Testament history, and part Christian inspiration. I love that he's included the text of the New Testament in his understanding of the chronological order of their original production and set these writings within the story of how the earliest Church grew following Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Viola is a gifted writer and this book will help persons hungry to know more about Scripture and the Jesus to whom it testifies.”
Brian D. Russell, Ph.D, Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary
“After decades of being immersed in the New Testament text and countless hours studying a wide variety of New Testament scholarship, Frank Viola has produced a unique book that will not only enable readers to understand the message of the New Testament on a much deeper level but will also draw people closer to Jesus Christ. Viola tells the story of the early church in an engaging way and supplements that story with a plethora of scholarly footnotes to back up every description of how the first Christians lived and what they experienced. By mining the cultural, sociological, and political details of the New Testament world, Viola makes the story of those early followers of Jesus come alive in a new way. The Untold Story of the New Testament will captivate ordinary readers and engage scholars without losing the average high school or college student. It is a gift.”
Tim Oslovich, Master of Theological Studies, Harvard Divinity School, Bishop of the Alaska Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
May 20, 2012
This is an excellent extra resource for Bible study though the title is a bit deceiving. The story is not Untold because it is in the Bible. However this resource takes the letters of the New Testament and places them in chronological order using Acts and historical detail to fill in the background of each one. I have been using this book for Bible study for several months and will go through it again in a couple of years. Viola does, at times, make blanket statements that one must look into a bit further which is why I'm not giving it 5 stars. I loved reading the letters in chronological order rather than grouped by author and the historical background for each was top notch and definitely shed some new light on what they contain. The best part for me was when you would get to the point on the page that said, "Pause and read Romans" or "Pause and read Galatians". It is not very often that one sits down and reads an entire book of the Bible through in one sitting we. We parse it up into smaller bits far too often. Reading the books as a whole is an entirely different experience. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in studying Scripture.
February 10, 2014
This book has really helped me understand the bigger picture of just what it took for this new faith to grow and how it all fit together.
In The Untold Story of the New Testament Church, Frank Viola takes all the New Testament books and puts them in their proper chronological order, detailing the missionary journeys of Paul and how the early churches began. We get a first-hand "you are there" narrative, traveling with Paul on his journeys and feeling Paul's disappointments and his victories.
I would encourage everyone to get the book and read it. Viola adds great footnotes at the end of the chapter which let you know where in the scripture he is referencing along with insightful bits of information that make the story of the first century church come alive. I had the Kindle version and read the book on my iPad and used my iPhone to read the footnotes at the end of the chapter as I came to them on my iPad.
In The Untold Story of the New Testament Church, Frank Viola takes all the New Testament books and puts them in their proper chronological order, detailing the missionary journeys of Paul and how the early churches began. We get a first-hand "you are there" narrative, traveling with Paul on his journeys and feeling Paul's disappointments and his victories.
I would encourage everyone to get the book and read it. Viola adds great footnotes at the end of the chapter which let you know where in the scripture he is referencing along with insightful bits of information that make the story of the first century church come alive. I had the Kindle version and read the book on my iPad and used my iPhone to read the footnotes at the end of the chapter as I came to them on my iPad.
April 30, 2013
I found this book late in my study of the book of Acts, so I have not read every bit of this book but I was so impressed that I am going to go ahead at write this review and I will finish this book as I prep for next years class in the fall. Lots of good sources but the strength is how this book lays out the New Testament out chronologically. I teach Acts with the letters in chronological order so this book was invaluable to me.
Only wish I had found it sooner!
Only wish I had found it sooner!
February 14, 2011
This book just doesn't live up to all the hype. It is supposed to put NT into chronological order, linking up Acts with Paul's letters and whatnot. It doesn't do a very good job, and Viola can't help but slip his anti-institutional rhetoric in everywhere, even where it means disregarding the clear meaning of various passages.
December 3, 2009
This is great for putting things into perspective in the New Testament. The way the Bible is put together is a bit mixed up - this takes the guessing out of when and where things are happening.
You can understand better the context of the writings.
Nice.
You can understand better the context of the writings.
Nice.
March 14, 2013
Stellar book that ties together snippets of the NT in a way that will transform how you look at Paul's life. Only improvement would be better and more extensive footnotes, preferably on each page. Excellent read. A keeper.
July 8, 2017
I haven't been this excited to read the Bible in a long time! This book goes through the New Testament chronologically, giving context for each book. I found myself re-reading each book of the NT through a brighter lens, with more understanding.
April 10, 2019
Well written and very informative
The author has written a very interesting and chronology story of the establishment and growing pains of the church. The author has made the church history easier to read and understand.
The author has written a very interesting and chronology story of the establishment and growing pains of the church. The author has made the church history easier to read and understand.
July 12, 2012
Good look at the history of the New Testament Church...
September 5, 2013
A beautiful love story that evades the human heart and makes room for Christ to emerge in all of his passion for mankind. A classic gem.
January 5, 2014
Very good work. I highly recommend it.
April 24, 2014
Awesome book, with plenty of endnotes.
September 9, 2019
Over the years my understanding of Scripture has been greatly enhanced by scholars who present a historical narrative that weaves various Bible data into a sequential timeline. AB Bruce's The Training of the Twelve and Bock's work, Jesus According to Scripture were my two first introductions to this genre of Biblical studies.
More recently, John Pollock's two works on Paul The Apotsle and Jesus the Master continue my literary odyssey. Now I have encountered in this book yet another delightful contribution to the community of biblical thinkers.
Viola writes with such brevity of thought on the New Testament story that you sense the priority of each section as you read it. He has done us a great service by placing the NT books/epistles in their historical context without assuming the detached objectivity often associated with scholarly pursuits. In other words, he is not writing as a mildly interested third party. You sense his love for Christ and the church as you read the pages of this book.
Ample footnotes help you to follow his reasoning. The Scriptural citations are enormous and there are corroborating historical details added for effect. There is also an excellent bibliography to peruse.
He references his affection for Gene Edwards and his literary style follows a similar tone. The celebration of the primitive church is so central to this book. My biggest takeaways were:
1. The sheer magnitude of the struggle to proclaim the gospel throughout that first century of Christianity is deeply moving.
2. Paul's persistent struggles to combat false teachers, oppressive authorities, unfaithful followers and the constant encroachment of pagan practices on the prescient faith are portrayed in such an ineradicable manner that I gained a deeper appreciation for the apostolic enterprise of the early church.
3. As I traced the challenges and heartbreaks of the apostolic band I also gain a greater appreciation for the irrepressible nature of the gospel message. Seeing the magnitude of what confronted those fledgling churches and understanding the limited direct spiritual supervision they had with the founders of their churches (in some cases merely weeks), I am left to conclude that there is a divine resiliency in Spirit-led proclamation. Greater than culture, false teachers, human limitations and undesirable circumstances, the body of Christ marches forward with both a brazen imperfection and potent spiritual force marking each step.
4. It is a godly endeavor to simply be immersed in the NT story. My abiding time was deepened by this elementary journey I took with those early apostles. Seeing how they strove under the direction of the Holy Spirit provided a profound inspiration for my inner man and a deep yearning to persist in their footsteps.
This is a book worth taking time to absorb because it draws us back to the book and the Master that is found in its sacred pages.
More recently, John Pollock's two works on Paul The Apotsle and Jesus the Master continue my literary odyssey. Now I have encountered in this book yet another delightful contribution to the community of biblical thinkers.
Viola writes with such brevity of thought on the New Testament story that you sense the priority of each section as you read it. He has done us a great service by placing the NT books/epistles in their historical context without assuming the detached objectivity often associated with scholarly pursuits. In other words, he is not writing as a mildly interested third party. You sense his love for Christ and the church as you read the pages of this book.
Ample footnotes help you to follow his reasoning. The Scriptural citations are enormous and there are corroborating historical details added for effect. There is also an excellent bibliography to peruse.
He references his affection for Gene Edwards and his literary style follows a similar tone. The celebration of the primitive church is so central to this book. My biggest takeaways were:
1. The sheer magnitude of the struggle to proclaim the gospel throughout that first century of Christianity is deeply moving.
2. Paul's persistent struggles to combat false teachers, oppressive authorities, unfaithful followers and the constant encroachment of pagan practices on the prescient faith are portrayed in such an ineradicable manner that I gained a deeper appreciation for the apostolic enterprise of the early church.
3. As I traced the challenges and heartbreaks of the apostolic band I also gain a greater appreciation for the irrepressible nature of the gospel message. Seeing the magnitude of what confronted those fledgling churches and understanding the limited direct spiritual supervision they had with the founders of their churches (in some cases merely weeks), I am left to conclude that there is a divine resiliency in Spirit-led proclamation. Greater than culture, false teachers, human limitations and undesirable circumstances, the body of Christ marches forward with both a brazen imperfection and potent spiritual force marking each step.
4. It is a godly endeavor to simply be immersed in the NT story. My abiding time was deepened by this elementary journey I took with those early apostles. Seeing how they strove under the direction of the Holy Spirit provided a profound inspiration for my inner man and a deep yearning to persist in their footsteps.
This is a book worth taking time to absorb because it draws us back to the book and the Master that is found in its sacred pages.
March 13, 2022
I enjoyed this, but I am not really sure what about it qualifies it as "untold." A more accurate title might have been, "The New Testament, seen in a new way." The book points out that if someone were to sit down and read the New Testament from start to finish, the reader can easily get confused because the events are told out of order. The letters that form much of the NT are organized based on length, with some of the later letters appearing first.
THIS book tries to set forth the events in the NT in chronological order. It is mostly the story of the early Christian church, through the end of the first century A.D. It is presented as a narrative and could be seen as a travel documentary through the early Christian age. Having the stories presented in this way is definitely different and helpful. There are numerous references to the books and letters that are being presented, so it is easy to follow along in the Bible, if you wish. At numerous points, readers are encouraged to do just that.
What I really liked is that the book helps to place the letters into the context of when they happened, so you can see the WHY behind them. Maybe THAT is the untold part? I am not sure. But it was an interesting read and I gained greater insight about the life and times of the Apostles and the early Christians. Seeing all of this, and particularly where things stood at the end of the book, it is particularly amazing that the Christian faith exists and to an extent continues to flourish, almost 2,000 years later.
THIS book tries to set forth the events in the NT in chronological order. It is mostly the story of the early Christian church, through the end of the first century A.D. It is presented as a narrative and could be seen as a travel documentary through the early Christian age. Having the stories presented in this way is definitely different and helpful. There are numerous references to the books and letters that are being presented, so it is easy to follow along in the Bible, if you wish. At numerous points, readers are encouraged to do just that.
What I really liked is that the book helps to place the letters into the context of when they happened, so you can see the WHY behind them. Maybe THAT is the untold part? I am not sure. But it was an interesting read and I gained greater insight about the life and times of the Apostles and the early Christians. Seeing all of this, and particularly where things stood at the end of the book, it is particularly amazing that the Christian faith exists and to an extent continues to flourish, almost 2,000 years later.
June 21, 2017
This was an enjoyable read. I used it also as a tool for my church's class on Acts and the history of the early church. It reads like a narrative of the story of Acts, including various stops along the way to provide historical and cultural context as well as the production of NT epistles. This is ideal for someone teaching/studying the book of Acts in a Bible class setting.
Viola certainly put a great deal of work into citation and projecting various scenarios to account for the goings on in and around Acts. It is controversial to take on such a project because dating events in Acts and the authorship of Epistles is like building a house of cards. Viola does not really address all of the proposed theories for dates, but this is understandable considering the scope of his project. Thus, he picks a date or timeline and sticks with it. While I agreed with some of the dates he provided, I also disagreed with some of the latter epistolary dates. You don't have to agree on the dates and timeline he provides to benefit from the way this book is written. Very valuable.
Viola certainly put a great deal of work into citation and projecting various scenarios to account for the goings on in and around Acts. It is controversial to take on such a project because dating events in Acts and the authorship of Epistles is like building a house of cards. Viola does not really address all of the proposed theories for dates, but this is understandable considering the scope of his project. Thus, he picks a date or timeline and sticks with it. While I agreed with some of the dates he provided, I also disagreed with some of the latter epistolary dates. You don't have to agree on the dates and timeline he provides to benefit from the way this book is written. Very valuable.
May 20, 2018
This is a fantastic telling of the events of the New Testament Church in chronological order, instead of the layout of the written New Testament.
Find the correct layout, and suddenly the events of the New Testament Church following the death of Jesus, and the writing of the New Testament come to life.
This book puts it all into the order it should be read in. With the background as to why each book was written. Paul's letter's suddenly come alive with their meaning! I've heard many a Christian state that Paul is so contradictory in his writings. Well, suddenly there is no contradiction if you understand to whom he was writing and why he was writing to them!
Learn how each of the Apostle's dies. Learn what the New Testament Church itself was like. How it nearly faced extinction thanks to Nero!
This has been one of the best Bible helps I have read in a L-O-N-G time!
This is an absolute must read for any New Testament scholar, whether that be a layman, or a minister!
I absolutely highly recommend this read!
Find the correct layout, and suddenly the events of the New Testament Church following the death of Jesus, and the writing of the New Testament come to life.
This book puts it all into the order it should be read in. With the background as to why each book was written. Paul's letter's suddenly come alive with their meaning! I've heard many a Christian state that Paul is so contradictory in his writings. Well, suddenly there is no contradiction if you understand to whom he was writing and why he was writing to them!
Learn how each of the Apostle's dies. Learn what the New Testament Church itself was like. How it nearly faced extinction thanks to Nero!
This has been one of the best Bible helps I have read in a L-O-N-G time!
This is an absolute must read for any New Testament scholar, whether that be a layman, or a minister!
I absolutely highly recommend this read!
March 2, 2025
A remarkable achievement. Viola’s literary masterpiece is breathtaking in its analysis of the first-century church. Gripping story-telling, captivating narrative, and profoundly insightful are apt descriptions for this amazing book. The Untold Story of the New Testament Church: Revised and Expanded is accurate, engaging, and entertaining. The book will be used by Christians for generations to unlock the New Testament. Written with striking detail and intellectual vibrancy, this powerful volume puts you inside the story as it brilliantly weaves the narrative in Acts with the epistles against the backdrop of first-century history. The immense sourcing will please academics and the readable narrative will thrill non-specialists. Raising the Viola catalog to new heights, this is an admirably accessible work backed by fine scholarship. The book empowers readers to gain a deeper understanding of the New Testament and effectively apply its teachings in contemporary life. This is the New Testament guide of all New Testament guides—a magnificent work.
October 23, 2017
Sometimes in reading the Bible, because it's not in chronological order, the meaning gets missed or there are seeming contradictions. Did you know, for example, that the books of the Apostle Paul which make up over 1/3 of the New Testament were placed in order from largest to smallest and not chronological order? This book helps put the New Testament in proper perspective. It tells the story of the New Testament in chronological order while also providing important historical context to the story. It is a short read (less than 200 pages). My only objections to the book were: 1) too little is written about Revelation; 2) The author seems at one point to advocate predestination (the idea that God picked out who would and would not be saved). I'm not sure this is his view but it certainly seemed like it to me. Other than that, I enjoyed and learned from the book and can now read the New Testament with a more orderly view of what is happening when and the context.
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