The World That Shaped the New Testament, Revised Edition

by Calvin J. Roetzel

In this book, Calvin Roetzel explores the social, political, religious, and intellectual environment of the New Testament writers. Roetzel maps the major features of the first-century landscape so that the student may be able to view the whole, and through the whole gain new perspective on and insight into each part. Now updated with the most current scholarship and with revisions taking into account archeological findings, this is the best available introduction to the subject. Expanded materials include discussion of the social structure of Roman society, political dimensions of Pharisaism, Hellenistic religious expression, the Jewish Diaspora, the influence of the Septuagint on the Gospel writers and Paul, and women in antiquity. Pictures are integrated into the text at relevant points, the end of each chapter contains suggestions for further reading, and there is also a current and comprehensive bibliography of topics and authors.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity

176 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1986

Reviews

[Lee Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little introduction to the political and religious atmosphere of New Testament times. I read this 2002 revised edition which I picked up at a Christian campus bookstore, where it is sold as a textbook.

The political setting begins with Alexander the Great and continues on into the time of Herod the Great and his descendants. It discusses competing Jewish sects (Pharisees, Sadducees, etc.), Hellenistic philosophies (Stoicism, the Cynics, and Neopythagoreanism), early Gnosticism, and the Imperial Cult. It delves into the social and family setting in Palestine and the Diaspora, and explains the role of the Temple. It talks about modes of scriptural interpretation (such as midrash) and the influence of Philo and the rabbis. It concludes by attempting to describe (for most of us can at best only imagine) a worldview which accommodates angels, demons, and other supernatural explanations in a dualistic world, and the eschatological expectations held by the Jews. Into this atmosphere strode Jesus.

It’s short, not at all in depth, but very good as an intro to the times.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful and well written survey on the topic. Although I don’t agree with all of his assumptions or conclusions, I found in his chapters several insights that I have not gleaned from other works on this subject.

[Joel Wentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admittedly not the easiest read, but "World" more than makes up for this by being absolutely chock-full of relevant and clear historical information. Most historical-critical or socio-rhetorical works on biblical studies are overly-wrought, 800+ page tomes of information, but Roetzel's little book is slim, the topics are clear, and the way each relates to the text of the NT is extremely helpfully outlined. I highly, highly recommend this little book for those interested in biblical studies, and I'm sure I will be referring back to this one for quite a while.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1985, this is the kind of book that could easily have become dated in the past 35 years. But Roetzel has kept to the essentials. While some details may have to be updated, by and large this is a useful introduction to the world in which the New Testament authors found themselves. Roetzel's theological commitments rarely show themselves (until the last chapter), but they don't interfere with the usefulness of the book. Recommended for someone who wants a brief introduction to the Greco-Roman world of the first century.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

So accessible and handy as an introductory book about the ancient world in the Mediterranean.

[Kevin Zabihi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and dense, provided a vivid picture and needed information

[Becca Sloan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nuanced and insightful look into the context of the Nee Testament, and I found it very helpful.

[Eddy Ekmekji · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned some helpful things about first century Palestinian Culture and Judaism at shaped the NT world. I would have liked a little more expansion in the role of apocalyptic literature, and the various economic classes, but what I got was not bad.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sad reminder that I thoroughly dislike Roetzel's writing style. It would be a really useful background book if it were easier to read.

[Mick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, in an academic-textbooky kind of way. Lots of insight into The Greek, Roman, and Hebraic cultures in which the books of the NT were written.

[Rick Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roetzel presents a very helpful overview of the historical context in which the New Testament came into being.