I am beginning an extensive study on the New Testament, particularly the life of Christ. What are your favorite New Testament Surveys or Introductions? What do you like about them? Thanks!
You may be able to find some ideas in this recent thread http://community.logos.com/forums/t/61299.aspx discussing Carson/Moo against Donald Guthrie. I think the majority of participants argued that while both are fine resources, Guthrie is a bit more scholarly and goes deeper in detail than Carson/Moo. On the other, more lightweight side of the spectrum I'd put Elwell & Yarbrough's "Encountering the New Testament" - all three of them are available in Logos, though I have them all in paper.
All three of these would probably be counted on the conservative side of issues like authorship and dating. However, for the life of Christ you may wish to look beyond NT introductions (which use a lot of pages for the epistles) into specialized literature.
I agree with what Mick has said.
For more of a focus on the Gospel accounts, I recommend Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey by Craig L. Blomberg
The table of contents shows how comprehensive it is:Part 1: Historical Background for Studying the Gospels Chapter 1: Political Background—An Overview of the Intertestamental Period Chapter 2: Religious Background—Hellenistic and Jewish Religion Chapter 3: Socioeconomic Background—Everyday Life in New Testament TimesPart 2: Critical Methods for Studying the Gospels Chapter 4: Historical Criticism of the Gospels Chapter 5: Literary Criticism of the GospelsPart 3: Introduction to the Four Gospels Chapter 6: The Gospel of Mark Chapter 7: The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 8: The Gospel of Luke Chapter 9: The Gospel of JohnPart 4: A Survey of the Life of Christ Chapter 10: The Historical Jesus—The Quests and the Chronology Chapter 11: The Birth and Childhood of Jesus Chapter 12: The Beginnings of Jesus’ Ministry Chapter 13: Jesus’ Galilean Ministry—Earlier Stages Chapter 14: Jesus’ Galilean Ministry—Later Stages Chapter 15: Additional Teachings of Jesus in Matthew, Luke, and John Chapter 16: Jesus’ Judean Ministry Chapter 17: Passion, Crucifixion, and ResurrectionPart 5: Historical and Theological Syntheses Chapter 18: The Historical Trustworthiness of the Gospels Chapter 19: The Theology of Jesus
I have recently finished reading through Da Silva's introduction - http://www.logos.com/product/2944/an-introduction-to-the-new-testament
I found it a fascinating approach - combining a good overall introduction and useful insights on each book with comments on exegetical methods and applications to pastoral ministry.
If these things are of interest to you then it's well worth a look
Carson/Moo are my 'first stop' and have used it today even in my studies, but I have both Guthrie and deSilva's books and you can't go wrong with any of them.
Da Silva's introduction - http://www.logos.com/product/2944/an-introduction-to-the-new-testament
Da Silva's book is a great study indeed. I am working through it right now, and I would recommend it!
For the Gospels, I would also recommend: Mark L. Strauss, Four Portraits, One Jesus http://www.logos.com/product/9679/four-portraits-one-jesus
Jesus the Messiah: A Survey of the Life of Christ by Robert H. Stein IMHO is one of the best survey introductions. It takes a synthetic view of Jesus' life, succinctly raising and answering the scholarly debates, while providing good insights. At 276 pages, it's a manageable read that doesn't go down rabbit trails. It's currently on pre-pub in a Baker collection on studies in life of Jesus
Thank-you everyone for your helpful suggestions. Much appreciated.
Thank-you Ted for the suggestion. I couldn't find the collection that you were suggesting. I thought that it would be the Baker Academic Jesus Studies (8 Volumes). However the volume you suggested in not in that collection. Please provide a link to the collection you were referring to.
May be the IVP Jesus Studies Collection:
http://www.logos.com/product/17716/ivp-jesus-studies-collection
Jesus the Messiah: A Survey of the Life of Christ by Robert H. Stein Please provide a link to the collection you were referring to.
Jesus the Messiah: A Survey of the Life of Christ by Robert H. Stein
Please provide a link to the collection you were referring to.
It’s located within the IVP Jesus Studies Collection, which is available now.
