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Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey
This beautifully written and engaging survey offers an up-to-date New Testament introduction for undergraduate students and general readers. Powell presents disputed and controversial issues fairly, neither dictating conclusions nor privileging skepticism over faith-based perspectives. The book is written in a lively and engaging style and includes helpful sidebars, maps, tables, charts, glossary, diagrams, and suggestions for further reading. In addition, this full-color book includes beautiful artwork illustrating the reception of the New Testament through various times and cultures.
A companion Web site through Baker Academic's Textbook eSources features a video introduction from the author and a wealth of additional resources for students and instructors. Resources for students include introductory videos, chapter summaries, chapter objectives, study questions, flash cards, extra sidebars and charts, self quizzes, and bibliographies. Resources for professors include discussion prompts, pedagogical suggestions, PowerPoint outlines, and a test/quiz bank.
A companion Web site through Baker Academic's Textbook eSources features a video introduction from the author and a wealth of additional resources for students and instructors. Resources for students include introductory videos, chapter summaries, chapter objectives, study questions, flash cards, extra sidebars and charts, self quizzes, and bibliographies. Resources for professors include discussion prompts, pedagogical suggestions, PowerPoint outlines, and a test/quiz bank.
560 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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325 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
August 15, 2012
Powell's book is the best NT survey that I have encountered. He addresses critical issues evenly and often refrains from drawing conclusions for his readers. Also, the book is enriched with vivid Christian artwork from various times and places. The website associated with the book offers helpful tools for students and teachers.
May 31, 2015
I read this informative and entertaining overview of the New Testament in the US Episcopal Church's Education for Ministry class, along with the New Testament itself. It is excellent in providing the basics of modern scholarship in deciphering what this part of the Bible tells us, in plain, digestible language and includes a number of beautiful illustrations and historical facts (I recommend the electronic version available through iTunes that embeds videos and other interactive opportunities). I wouldn't call most textbooks "delightful," but this one was. Powell is a wonderful teller of the tale of the New Testament.
January 2, 2022
This is the first collegiate text book I've ever reviewed. Professor Powell does an amazing job of opening up the New Testament to its readers. His text is insightful, educational and at times, even humorous. Highly recommend this book!
June 28, 2025
It’s always strange to review a textbook, but I got a Goodreads Reading Challenge quota to meet, so why not? Anyway, this was for a class, of course. And as the name implies, it’s an academic introduction to the New Testament, though in this case “academic” doesn’t mean dense or inaccessible. Powell has a fairly breezy writing style, so as textbooks go, it’s actually an interesting and informative read.
What works even better is that Powell makes very good use of sidebars for handy reference when you need to look things up quickly (for example, to illustrate similarities and differences between the four gospels). Even better is the various artworks scattered throughout the book that illustrate various parts of the NT as seen from different cultures around the world, not just the usual Western European Christian art.
Anyway, Powell does a great job explaining the content and historical context of each book and letter, who (probably) did or didn’t write what, and the various theological interpretations and arguments that are still ongoing to this day. Some might find it a bit simplistic, but it IS meant as an introduction to a vastly complex and multi-faceted topic, so it worked great for me.
What works even better is that Powell makes very good use of sidebars for handy reference when you need to look things up quickly (for example, to illustrate similarities and differences between the four gospels). Even better is the various artworks scattered throughout the book that illustrate various parts of the NT as seen from different cultures around the world, not just the usual Western European Christian art.
Anyway, Powell does a great job explaining the content and historical context of each book and letter, who (probably) did or didn’t write what, and the various theological interpretations and arguments that are still ongoing to this day. Some might find it a bit simplistic, but it IS meant as an introduction to a vastly complex and multi-faceted topic, so it worked great for me.
June 26, 2017
I read this book for the Education for Ministry (EfM) class at my church, St. Paul's Cathedral San Diego, in conjunction with reading the New Testament itself. Powell presents an excellent, readable and approachable overview of the New Testament. The book takes each Gospel and every letter and explains them cogently and in an understandable manner. Each chapter includes an overview, a discussion of the history, and an analysis of themes. Powell presents the topics evenly and discusses controversy by presenting both sides of the issue. The text includes beautiful illustrations and it is linked online through the textbook publisher to the a number of additional resources. An excellent book in all respects!
July 16, 2022
2022 bk 193. Textbook for my New Testament Class - but more readable than most textbooks. Powell provides a thoughtful look at the times and events of the New Testament period. I enjoyed the book and the discussions it promoted. The artwork selected by the author to enhance the book was amazing and I spent much time at his website and the websites of museums taking a 'second' look at artists interpretations of the New Testament, thanks to Powell's drawing the works to my attention.
May 2, 2025
Great overview of the New Testament. Objectively reviews all interpretations of New Testament books while explaining which ones are most popular or not. Great history on Paul and analysis of his authorship.
April 15, 2021
Clearly a general overview, but it's good at mapping the major scholarly and popular concerns of the New Testament. It's one of the better NT introductions I've read.
March 3, 2016
This book is fun and informative. It presents the New Testament as a compilation of books that each have incredible depth and fascinating backgrounds. Powell is open and honest about the difficulties and mystery the New Testament is full of and does not attempt to solve any problems. There are many pictures, figures, tables and lists to help make the info more visual.
Somehow the Preface was my highlight of reading this book, it is seriously hilarious and a welcome change in the midst of somewhat dull academical theological research for my degree.
Somehow the Preface was my highlight of reading this book, it is seriously hilarious and a welcome change in the midst of somewhat dull academical theological research for my degree.
May 8, 2010
On the one hand, this is a very helpful and thorough introduction to the Christian new testament, and it includes a helpful bibliography of additional reading for those who want to go more in-depth. On the other hand, this is about high-school-level academia (and I'm not in high school). It's just a little bit too basic and simplistic given the complexity of the material. I would recommend Dennis Duling's book on the NT instead.
July 24, 2016
A helpful college level textbook, thoughtfully and fairly written, that takes into account recent scholarly insights. There are buckets of virtual supplements, including introductory videos to every chapter (http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books...), and hyperlinks with more information on New Testament topics (http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books...).
May 28, 2019
As much as I hated EfM's year one book on the Old Testament by Collins, I loved this year's New Testament book by Powell. Collins' book just made me angry. I loved everything about this book. Powell does not go off the deep end making wild accusations but gives the majority interpretation and minority interpretations and pretty much leaves it up to the reader to accept or reject. The art work alone is worth the price of the book.
October 2, 2016
This text is a comprehensive overview of each of the books of the New Testament. The author provides great insight and scholarship. Powell gives thoughtful explanations and analysis while including beautiful artwork, tables, definitions, and sidebar material. No wonder this is a popular seminary textbook.
July 17, 2015
Best textbook yet from my course of study. We only read the chapters on the Gospels, but I will use this book extensively going forward. Well laid out, full of information and easy to read. It's a shame the next New Testament course does not use this text as well.
February 8, 2025
The second edition (2018) of Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey by New Testament scholar Mark Allan Powell is an exceptionally useful textbook, highly recommended for various purposes.
First and foremost, the book is well-suited for undergraduate students who are being introduced to the field of New Testament studies. It provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the scholarship in this discipline. Powell demonstrates an awareness of different approaches and perspectives, which he does not obscure but instead concisely explains. Various positions (e.g. about authentic authorship) are fairly represented, presented with both clarity and brevity. While the book does not delve deeply into each individual position, it offers enough insight to provide a broad and coherent overview.
The structure of the book is well-organized. It begins with two chapters on the ‘New Testament Background’, with Chapter 1 focusing on ‘The Roman World’ and Chapter 2 on ‘The Jewish World’. Following this contextual introduction, Powell provides an overview of ‘The New Testament Writings’ (Chapter 3). This chapter not only offers a general survey of the New Testament but also discusses the development of the canon and briefly introduces research methods (e.g., text criticism, source criticism).
After a chapter on Jesus (Chapter 4), the book systematically examines the various writings of the New Testament. The Gospels receive a dedicated introductory chapter (Chapter 5), followed by individual chapters on each Gospel and Acts. Following an introduction to the ‘New Testament Letters’ (Chapter 11), each letter is discussed in its own chapter, except for ‘The Pastoral Letters’ (Chapter 22) and ‘The Johannine Letters’ (Chapter 28), where 1–2 Timothy and Titus, as well as 1–3 John, are grouped together.
The chapters are structured in a highly accessible manner. Each begins with a compelling introduction, followed by an ‘Overview’ that succinctly summarizes the New Testament text, usually within a single page. This is followed by a discussion of the ‘Historical Background’, which includes key topics such as authorship and dating. Powell then explores ‘Major Themes in [Book]’, which is arguably the most engaging part of each chapter. In these sections, the author skillfully highlights the central theological themes of each New Testament book. For example, the chapter on Colossians identifies ‘The Cosmic Christ’, ‘Realized Eschatology’, ‘Knowledge and Maturity’, and ‘Ecology’ as its primary themes. Powell remains closely tied to the text, drawing connections and emphasizing thematic continuity. Each chapter concludes with a ‘Conclusion’ and a ‘For Further Reading’ section.
Additionally, the chapters include ‘boxes’ that provide varied and enriching content. These boxes cover a range of topics, from historical context—such as ‘Slavery in the Roman World’ (Box 23.2)—to thematic insights into specific New Testament writings, as seen in Box 6.3, ‘The Presence of God in the Gospel of Matthew’. The chapters on the Gospels include helpful boxes that highlight, for example, the unique material in each Gospel. While the book’s introductions to the New Testament writings are primarily designed for beginning students, these boxes can also serve students at more advanced levels. Moreover, rereading introductory texts and revisiting thematic overviews is always beneficial. I first read this book in 2019 when I began my theological studies, and it was a true pleasure to revisit it.
In conclusion, Introducing the New Testament (2018) by Mark Allan Powell is a solid and insightful textbook for those seeking to familiarize themselves with the New Testament and its writings. The book’s primary strength lies in its treatment of thematic overviews for each New Testament book ('Major Themes in [Book]'). While it is mainly aimed at beginning undergraduate students, revisiting foundational material is always valuable. Moreover, both beginner and intermediate/advanced students can benefit from the book’s boxes and its concise summaries of scholarly debates. Powell excels at explaining complex issues in an accessible manner without oversimplification. He has mastered the art of distilling key ideas. For beginners, this book provides an excellent introduction; for intermediate/advanced students, it serves as a valuable resource for maintaining a broad perspective and avoiding the trap of getting lost in excessive detail. I highly recommend this book!
First and foremost, the book is well-suited for undergraduate students who are being introduced to the field of New Testament studies. It provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the scholarship in this discipline. Powell demonstrates an awareness of different approaches and perspectives, which he does not obscure but instead concisely explains. Various positions (e.g. about authentic authorship) are fairly represented, presented with both clarity and brevity. While the book does not delve deeply into each individual position, it offers enough insight to provide a broad and coherent overview.
The structure of the book is well-organized. It begins with two chapters on the ‘New Testament Background’, with Chapter 1 focusing on ‘The Roman World’ and Chapter 2 on ‘The Jewish World’. Following this contextual introduction, Powell provides an overview of ‘The New Testament Writings’ (Chapter 3). This chapter not only offers a general survey of the New Testament but also discusses the development of the canon and briefly introduces research methods (e.g., text criticism, source criticism).
After a chapter on Jesus (Chapter 4), the book systematically examines the various writings of the New Testament. The Gospels receive a dedicated introductory chapter (Chapter 5), followed by individual chapters on each Gospel and Acts. Following an introduction to the ‘New Testament Letters’ (Chapter 11), each letter is discussed in its own chapter, except for ‘The Pastoral Letters’ (Chapter 22) and ‘The Johannine Letters’ (Chapter 28), where 1–2 Timothy and Titus, as well as 1–3 John, are grouped together.
The chapters are structured in a highly accessible manner. Each begins with a compelling introduction, followed by an ‘Overview’ that succinctly summarizes the New Testament text, usually within a single page. This is followed by a discussion of the ‘Historical Background’, which includes key topics such as authorship and dating. Powell then explores ‘Major Themes in [Book]’, which is arguably the most engaging part of each chapter. In these sections, the author skillfully highlights the central theological themes of each New Testament book. For example, the chapter on Colossians identifies ‘The Cosmic Christ’, ‘Realized Eschatology’, ‘Knowledge and Maturity’, and ‘Ecology’ as its primary themes. Powell remains closely tied to the text, drawing connections and emphasizing thematic continuity. Each chapter concludes with a ‘Conclusion’ and a ‘For Further Reading’ section.
Additionally, the chapters include ‘boxes’ that provide varied and enriching content. These boxes cover a range of topics, from historical context—such as ‘Slavery in the Roman World’ (Box 23.2)—to thematic insights into specific New Testament writings, as seen in Box 6.3, ‘The Presence of God in the Gospel of Matthew’. The chapters on the Gospels include helpful boxes that highlight, for example, the unique material in each Gospel. While the book’s introductions to the New Testament writings are primarily designed for beginning students, these boxes can also serve students at more advanced levels. Moreover, rereading introductory texts and revisiting thematic overviews is always beneficial. I first read this book in 2019 when I began my theological studies, and it was a true pleasure to revisit it.
In conclusion, Introducing the New Testament (2018) by Mark Allan Powell is a solid and insightful textbook for those seeking to familiarize themselves with the New Testament and its writings. The book’s primary strength lies in its treatment of thematic overviews for each New Testament book ('Major Themes in [Book]'). While it is mainly aimed at beginning undergraduate students, revisiting foundational material is always valuable. Moreover, both beginner and intermediate/advanced students can benefit from the book’s boxes and its concise summaries of scholarly debates. Powell excels at explaining complex issues in an accessible manner without oversimplification. He has mastered the art of distilling key ideas. For beginners, this book provides an excellent introduction; for intermediate/advanced students, it serves as a valuable resource for maintaining a broad perspective and avoiding the trap of getting lost in excessive detail. I highly recommend this book!
December 8, 2023
A beautiful textbook covering important historical and thematic information related to the New Testament. Easy to follow and objective in its treatment of various issues. I enjoyed reading this text.
4.6/5
"The New Testament generally presents 'being a Christian' as a matter of being in a living relationship with Jesus Christ, a relationship that must be construed differently from that which human beings once had with the earthly Jesus. Sometimes Jesus is envisioned as dwelling within the individual believer. More often the metaphor is reversed such that the believer is found in Christ - that is, as one part of the corporate entity that now makes up Christ's body on earth. In any event, the relationship is mutual: believers abide in Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ abides in them." (pg. 90.)
"For Matthew, the church is not a static institution but rather a dynamic movement, an assembly of missionaries who go out into the world as sheep in the midst of wolves in order to bring good news, healing, and life. Followers of Jesus will be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. The world may not appreciate them, but it will be a better place because of them." (pg. 130)
"He [Matthew] portrays the people of Israel as a whole as taking responsibility for the murder of Christ, calling out, 'His blood be on us and our children!' It is likely that Matthew meant this verse to be read ironically: the blood of Christ brings forgiveness of sins, so the Jewish people are not evoking a curse upon themselves but instead are unwittingly praying for salvation." (pg. 138)
"Ultimate, Jesus has not come to heal the sick or argue with Pharisees; he has come to give his life. It is God's will that He do this; indeed, it appears to be God's will that he die on the cross as one who has been betrayed, deserted, denied, and forsaken. This is His destiny - what God wants to happen and what Satan wants to prevent." (pg. 152)
"Mark does not think that any aspect of the Jesus story can be understood apart from the cross. Jesus tells people not to talk about his miracles or his glorious transfiguration because those elements of his biography must be understood in context, and the proper context for interpreting them does not come until the end of the story, when Jesus dies on the cross. Until then people may be impressed by his authoritative teaching and awed by his miracles, but in this story no one is able to grasp what it means for Jesus to be the Messiah or Son of God before he is crucified." (pg. 154)
"In an ironic sense, the gentiles are offered salvation not because God's plan for Israel failed but rather because it succeeded: the restoration of Israel is accomplished through the repentance of a faithful remnant, allowing the next phase of God's plan to take effect." (pg. 219)
"Letters bridged the gap of physical space and brought the greetings, prayer, teaching, and benediction of prominent Christian leaders to those who hungered for the word of truth and hope of the gospel. It is not so different for us, as readers of these letters today. The only essential difference is that the gap has grown larger: it is now temporal and cultural as well as spatial." (pg. 245)
"Paul wants all people - Jews and gentiles - to live in a way that is pleasing to God, but he thinks that the Jews failed to do this, and he believes that the gentiles will do not better if they are simply shown the Scriptures and told to live according to God's law. True obedience to the will of God comes through faith, as a result of being reconciled with God and receiving the gift of God's Spirit... people can now be counted as righteous even though they continue to struggle and fail to live as God wished (theologians call this 'imputed righteousness'); and people can now be transformed so that they actually are able to please God in ways that would not be possible otherwise (theologians call this 'effective righteousness')." (pg. 280)
4.6/5
"The New Testament generally presents 'being a Christian' as a matter of being in a living relationship with Jesus Christ, a relationship that must be construed differently from that which human beings once had with the earthly Jesus. Sometimes Jesus is envisioned as dwelling within the individual believer. More often the metaphor is reversed such that the believer is found in Christ - that is, as one part of the corporate entity that now makes up Christ's body on earth. In any event, the relationship is mutual: believers abide in Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ abides in them." (pg. 90.)
"For Matthew, the church is not a static institution but rather a dynamic movement, an assembly of missionaries who go out into the world as sheep in the midst of wolves in order to bring good news, healing, and life. Followers of Jesus will be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. The world may not appreciate them, but it will be a better place because of them." (pg. 130)
"He [Matthew] portrays the people of Israel as a whole as taking responsibility for the murder of Christ, calling out, 'His blood be on us and our children!' It is likely that Matthew meant this verse to be read ironically: the blood of Christ brings forgiveness of sins, so the Jewish people are not evoking a curse upon themselves but instead are unwittingly praying for salvation." (pg. 138)
"Ultimate, Jesus has not come to heal the sick or argue with Pharisees; he has come to give his life. It is God's will that He do this; indeed, it appears to be God's will that he die on the cross as one who has been betrayed, deserted, denied, and forsaken. This is His destiny - what God wants to happen and what Satan wants to prevent." (pg. 152)
"Mark does not think that any aspect of the Jesus story can be understood apart from the cross. Jesus tells people not to talk about his miracles or his glorious transfiguration because those elements of his biography must be understood in context, and the proper context for interpreting them does not come until the end of the story, when Jesus dies on the cross. Until then people may be impressed by his authoritative teaching and awed by his miracles, but in this story no one is able to grasp what it means for Jesus to be the Messiah or Son of God before he is crucified." (pg. 154)
"In an ironic sense, the gentiles are offered salvation not because God's plan for Israel failed but rather because it succeeded: the restoration of Israel is accomplished through the repentance of a faithful remnant, allowing the next phase of God's plan to take effect." (pg. 219)
"Letters bridged the gap of physical space and brought the greetings, prayer, teaching, and benediction of prominent Christian leaders to those who hungered for the word of truth and hope of the gospel. It is not so different for us, as readers of these letters today. The only essential difference is that the gap has grown larger: it is now temporal and cultural as well as spatial." (pg. 245)
"Paul wants all people - Jews and gentiles - to live in a way that is pleasing to God, but he thinks that the Jews failed to do this, and he believes that the gentiles will do not better if they are simply shown the Scriptures and told to live according to God's law. True obedience to the will of God comes through faith, as a result of being reconciled with God and receiving the gift of God's Spirit... people can now be counted as righteous even though they continue to struggle and fail to live as God wished (theologians call this 'imputed righteousness'); and people can now be transformed so that they actually are able to please God in ways that would not be possible otherwise (theologians call this 'effective righteousness')." (pg. 280)
January 6, 2024
This is a very carefully written textbook as befits a book designed to be used in both secular and sectarian settings. The author rarely if ever comes down firmly on any contentious issue in N.T. studies but rather reports consensuses where they exist along with competing viewpoints. I became aware of this book because it is quoted in the Wikipedia article on pseudepigrapha and I wanted to see what else the author had to say on the subject. As it turns out, he has quite a bit to say. He reports, probably correctly, that most scholars believe that the forgers of N.T. books such as 2 Peter did not think they were doing anything dishonest, a view challenged by Bart D. Ehrman in his magisterial work Forgery and Counterforgery: The Use of Literary Deceit in Early Christian Polemics. One idea mentioned by Powell that Ehrman does not consider is that pseudepigraphy was considered acceptable in the early years of Christianity but was later condemned because of abuse. Powell does admit, though, that there is no evidence for this idea.
After several chapters on general subjects in N.T. studies, Powell includes chapters on every book in the N.T., going through them one by one (except in the cases of the pastoral and Johannine letters, which get a single chapter for each set of three). As I have made the book of Revelation a special topic of study, I was especially interested in what Powell had to say about that book. I think he handled it well except that he did not mention the interpretive method of the historic premillennialists, saying in one place that all premillennialists are futurists (not true).
After several chapters on general subjects in N.T. studies, Powell includes chapters on every book in the N.T., going through them one by one (except in the cases of the pastoral and Johannine letters, which get a single chapter for each set of three). As I have made the book of Revelation a special topic of study, I was especially interested in what Powell had to say about that book. I think he handled it well except that he did not mention the interpretive method of the historic premillennialists, saying in one place that all premillennialists are futurists (not true).
March 29, 2019
Excellent survey of the NT. Format is friendly, has a plethora of pics, helpful informational inserts, online services, and up to date framing of materials.
Some downsides include a heavy reliance on N. T. Wright and a slant towards New Perspective. For this reason the Book of Romans was particularly disappointing. The section on the historical Jesus makes no mention of the Shroud of Turin but does refer to the misleading composite of Richard Neave.
The Pauline dichotomy in Acts versus his letters is a bit exaggerated. He misunderstands (in my view) the meaning of the phrase “under the law,” calls biblical patriarchy of Paul a form of chauvinism, never mentions justification via imputation of righteousness, identifies Junia as an Apostle rather than well known to the Apostles, conflates justification with reconciliation, seems to make justification a process, assumes the Corinthians were drunk rather than simply intoxicated at the meals, articulates what I would regard as a weak argument against circumcision, assumes categories in Eph 6 are all spiritual foes, wrongly sees a conflict with Gal 3:28 and hierarchical structures (repeatedly), thinks Paul radically disagreed with James on Jewish identity markers, and argues that the poor are more godly than the rich.
Despite these reservations, there are many examples of tremendous insight and clarity of issues with respect to modern scholarship. Pedagogically superb and exhibitive of a breadth of content masterfully presented.
Some downsides include a heavy reliance on N. T. Wright and a slant towards New Perspective. For this reason the Book of Romans was particularly disappointing. The section on the historical Jesus makes no mention of the Shroud of Turin but does refer to the misleading composite of Richard Neave.
The Pauline dichotomy in Acts versus his letters is a bit exaggerated. He misunderstands (in my view) the meaning of the phrase “under the law,” calls biblical patriarchy of Paul a form of chauvinism, never mentions justification via imputation of righteousness, identifies Junia as an Apostle rather than well known to the Apostles, conflates justification with reconciliation, seems to make justification a process, assumes the Corinthians were drunk rather than simply intoxicated at the meals, articulates what I would regard as a weak argument against circumcision, assumes categories in Eph 6 are all spiritual foes, wrongly sees a conflict with Gal 3:28 and hierarchical structures (repeatedly), thinks Paul radically disagreed with James on Jewish identity markers, and argues that the poor are more godly than the rich.
Despite these reservations, there are many examples of tremendous insight and clarity of issues with respect to modern scholarship. Pedagogically superb and exhibitive of a breadth of content masterfully presented.
August 1, 2018
I read this book as part of my summer class over the New Testament. I'm glad that this was our textbook! It didn't just inform the readers, it also brought up plenty of questions about the Bible. For example, the Gospel of Mark is listed second among the four Gospels, but most Biblical scholars believe it was written first. It's shorter than Matthew or Luke, and it frequently changes verb tenses mid-sentence, which makes it seem like a rough draft of the other two Synoptic Gospels.
Another interesting fact was the "Saul/Paul" name change. Most Biblical texts call him Saul prior to his conversion and Paul afterwards. However, this book said that he used both names prior to his conversion, as part of an Ancient Roman 'code-switching'. He would be Saul to his Jewish peers and Paul to his Roman peers. His friend Silas had a Latin name as well, Silvanus.
My favorite part of the textbook, though, would be the author's sense of humor. For example, he says that the author's inconsistent verb tense in Mark is "enough to drive a grammar teacher mad". He later claims that the book of Acts "has everything but dinosaurs" and responds to a morbid excerpt from Phillipians by saying, "No one ever turns that into a camp song". Anybody who wants to study the New Testament, but can't find the enthusiasm to do so, should check out this book. The author's personality and writing style will definitely restore that enthusiasm.
Another interesting fact was the "Saul/Paul" name change. Most Biblical texts call him Saul prior to his conversion and Paul afterwards. However, this book said that he used both names prior to his conversion, as part of an Ancient Roman 'code-switching'. He would be Saul to his Jewish peers and Paul to his Roman peers. His friend Silas had a Latin name as well, Silvanus.
My favorite part of the textbook, though, would be the author's sense of humor. For example, he says that the author's inconsistent verb tense in Mark is "enough to drive a grammar teacher mad". He later claims that the book of Acts "has everything but dinosaurs" and responds to a morbid excerpt from Phillipians by saying, "No one ever turns that into a camp song". Anybody who wants to study the New Testament, but can't find the enthusiasm to do so, should check out this book. The author's personality and writing style will definitely restore that enthusiasm.
December 14, 2020
It is actually the second (2018) edition I am reviewing--this is the finest book surveying the New Testament I have read. It would make an excellent textbook for an undergraduate class in Survey of the New Testament. The author does not take sides in scholarly disputes but lays out all positions and allows the student to decide between them. The clarity of the writing is refreshing--all academics should write so clearly, especially in textbooks for college and university courses. The author's style is also engaging, drawing in the reader. It is clear that the author is excited about the New Testament, believes it to be a fascinating read, and communicates that excitement to the reader. I found no factual errors regarding academic content, though perhaps he should reconsider his story of Psalm 46 in the KJV and Shakespeare since that has been discredited! That is such a minor point, but I figured it worth mentioning (if you're interested, Google "Psalm 46" and "Shakespeare" together and you will find the information you need). Although the author is an Evangelical Protestant, the book is written in such a way that it could be used by teachers of many ideologically different views. I recall the excitement of my seminary courses in New Testament, and this book helped me recapture that excitement. I believe that this is the ideal textbook for students in New Testament even if they have not been exposed to the New Testament before. It has my highest recommendation.
April 25, 2025
I will be honest and say that I read most but not all of this for my Intro to NT class. That being said - I really loved it.
I was pleasantly surprised at such a great book with nuanced writing, art in each chapter from a diverse array of artists, and an egalitarian stance (again, didn’t read every chapter so maybe I missed something!) given that it was written in 2009 by a white man. At one point, the author defines and explains circumcision. My first reaction was that it was kind of odd because I’ve literally never read an anatomical explanation of circumcision in a Bible/Theology book. My second thought was, “Wow! How inclusive!” The author didn’t assume that it would be just men reading his book and that maybe he would have readers who had never been circumcised.
And the art pieces from the ANE depicting circumcision were certainly memorable 😳😳😂
Overall, a really accessible book. In fact, it’s probably the only textbook-type-book I’ve ever read where I felt like I genuinely understood the majority of what was being said. Love!
I was pleasantly surprised at such a great book with nuanced writing, art in each chapter from a diverse array of artists, and an egalitarian stance (again, didn’t read every chapter so maybe I missed something!) given that it was written in 2009 by a white man. At one point, the author defines and explains circumcision. My first reaction was that it was kind of odd because I’ve literally never read an anatomical explanation of circumcision in a Bible/Theology book. My second thought was, “Wow! How inclusive!” The author didn’t assume that it would be just men reading his book and that maybe he would have readers who had never been circumcised.
And the art pieces from the ANE depicting circumcision were certainly memorable 😳😳😂
Overall, a really accessible book. In fact, it’s probably the only textbook-type-book I’ve ever read where I felt like I genuinely understood the majority of what was being said. Love!
June 27, 2018
Originally read in 2015, at which time I was using it as a year 2 EFM text. I thought the book was clear, but rather elementary and read as if it was written at about an early-high school level. I loved the pictures though.
Read again in 2017/2018, this time as a mentor with an EFM group. The book is clearly written and is a thorough introduction that both groups I have gone through EFM with have enjoyed. I still love the pictures, but although I think it is probably perfect for this use, I also consider it a bit simplistic and basic, good for a lay study group such a EFM, where not everyone will want to go into greater scholarship, or again, as an entry-level introduction to New Testament scholarship.
Read again in 2017/2018, this time as a mentor with an EFM group. The book is clearly written and is a thorough introduction that both groups I have gone through EFM with have enjoyed. I still love the pictures, but although I think it is probably perfect for this use, I also consider it a bit simplistic and basic, good for a lay study group such a EFM, where not everyone will want to go into greater scholarship, or again, as an entry-level introduction to New Testament scholarship.
May 26, 2019
Overall, I probably prefer the work of Bart Ehrman when it comes to textbooks for New Testament studies. But Powell does a good job too, especially in his introductions to the chapters and his treatment of the book of Revelations. Every now and then he bends too far over backwards trying to satisfy all the varieties of theologians. Often, it is true, that all groups can be accommodated, but sometimes he bends to the point of stretching credibility, as in discussing the pseudo-Pauline letters. His chosen illustrations, so colorful, are practically worth the price of the book. I've had a hard time finding completely satisfactory New Testament commentaries, and I would say that in general he does a good job, especially considering the broad audience his is trying to reach.
November 21, 2024
This is a good introduction to the New Testament for anyone who comes to the table without any prior experience or knowledge. It doesn't, therefore, go very deep in the theological truths found in the NT, but it does a fantastic job explaining the historical context, authorship, debates surrounding each book, and the main themes of each book! I e joyed reading it. I put it lower in rating because it wasn't very deep, and it had some Lutheran influence (the author is Lutheran). Not that Lutheran is bad, but some of the ideas are written with that influence in mind, and not being Lutheran personally, I wanted to keep that in mind as I read it. Otherwise, this served as a good "textbook" for my New Testament class!
March 23, 2018
Great book! Professors, please choose this book for your students, you will not regret it. I read this book as part of NT class for Seminary. This book is jampacked with colorful artwork, fun facts and more. Each NT book possesses its own chapter. The chapter begins with a summary/introduction of the book. It guides the reader through the historical context, then separates the key themes of the book. I love reading this book and am sad I will no longer see Mark Powell on my reading list. I would read this book even if I wasn't in a NT class! Professors again please place this on your required reading lists today!
July 31, 2020
This is a decent entry level book for people looking to learn about the Christian Scriptures more fully. There are definitely great parts to it, and fun little bits of information, but overall it's very basic.
I read this one as part of the EFM course, and so I was able to access the online supplemental materials, many of which were very interesting and informative. This book definitely is most useful as a baseline text for a class with more expansive materials and an experienced instructor.
I recommend, if you are interested in this subject and this text, that you enroll in the EFM program, the test alone is not enough.
I read this one as part of the EFM course, and so I was able to access the online supplemental materials, many of which were very interesting and informative. This book definitely is most useful as a baseline text for a class with more expansive materials and an experienced instructor.
I recommend, if you are interested in this subject and this text, that you enroll in the EFM program, the test alone is not enough.
May 12, 2025
We were assigned this book as part of the reading for Education for Ministry course sponsored by the Seminary of the Southeast. This book is essential to understand the nuances , historical perspective and issues with the New Testament. I found this book easy to read and looked forward to reading it after reading the books of the New Testament. I think it is particularly good with the discussion about Paul and the Pauline Corpus. Profoundly engaging and essential for a good understanding of a study of the New Testament.This is written for church membership and not highly technical and in depth for one who is pursuing seminary study.
December 12, 2022
This is a well written and accessible book. Perfect for an undergrad study or someone who wants to get an easy overall view of each book of the New Testament. Powell’ s book will prove helpful for those who might be teaching books of the Bible and want to get a quick and helpful snap shot of it’s themes. Not all of Powell’s conclusions are not always in keeping with a conservative reformed theology.He is good at interacting with a broader academic without leading us down the rabbit holes of speculation.
May 11, 2019
This is the best textbook I’ve ever read, partly because it is the only textbook I’ve been able to read all the way through! It is well written, concise yet a lot of information, nonjudgmental and stating multiple views. The best are the side boxes, nonessential but still good information to have. A bonus is the artwork! I’ve tried another New Testament textbook but couldn’t stick with it even in seminary. This is the best.
January 29, 2020
This is a fantastic introduction for those new to the New Testament or wanting to understand what modern scholarship reveal about these ancient texts.
Easy to read as Powell has a great style to his writing. Chapters are well sectioned giving a good cadence.
The book has some fantastic artwork as well from all around the world and all different styles.
If you are looking to get a bit deeper into the New Testament this is a good bet.
Easy to read as Powell has a great style to his writing. Chapters are well sectioned giving a good cadence.
The book has some fantastic artwork as well from all around the world and all different styles.
If you are looking to get a bit deeper into the New Testament this is a good bet.
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