Dictionary of the Later New Testament and its Developments

by Ralph P. Martin, Peter H. Davids

The Dictionary of the Later New Testament and its development follows the Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels and the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters as the third in a celebrated series of reference works on the Bible. Picking up where the previous volumes left off, this volume includes in its scope the book of Acts, the general epistles of Peter, James, Jude and John, and the books of Hebrews and Revelation. This Dictionary is without peer in its in-depth coverage of the most neglected books of the New Testament.
In addition to its coverage of this New Testament literature, a unique and valuable feature of this Dictionary is its extended coverage of developments in early Christianity through AD 150. Some articles, such as those on each of the apostolic fathers, focus exclusively on this postapostolic period. But nearly all topical articles take into consideration the writings of the apostolic fathers. Readers will enjoy a deeper and expanded understanding of how orthodox Christianity continued and developed in the years just following the New Testament era. No other single-volume reference work provides comparable coverage and assessment of the early patristic era and its theology.
The Dictionary of the Later New Testament and its developments is a timely response to post-Enlightenment Christians who are seeking to rediscover their ancient roots in the soil of the first two centuries of the Christian era. And it lays the foundation for budding students of the New Testament who are now being challenged to expand their field of vision to include the broader crucible in which the Christian tradition developed.

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

1289 pages, Hardcover

First published November 24, 1997

About the author

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

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

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

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

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

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

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Seth Channell · Rating 4 out of 5]

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