Product Description

This comprehensive examination of the sacred literature of early Christianity introduces the literature and world of the early followers of Jesus. It explores fundamental issues such as the relationship between history and faith, the place of critical methodology, the transmission of the New Testament writings, the historical context of early Christianity, and the formation of the canon. It looks at writings, personalities, and issues outside the New Testament. Sixty color pictures by noted photographer Richard Cleave enhance the fifty black and white images, maps, and charts.

“Porter and McDonald have presented us with what is perhaps the best current introduction to early Christianity and its literature. Well-informed at every turn and supplemented with helpful charts, bibliography, pictures and time-lines, this work presents the phenomenon of early Christianity in a thoroughgoing historical manner while still being respectful of the faith dimensions of the sources. The hard questions about the relationship of faith and history (e.g., about the resurrection of Jesus) are taken on without apologies and without polemics. Recent trends in New Testament scholarship (e.g., rhetorical criticism) are helpfully summarized and analyzed. This work should serve for a long time as a standard textbook for seminary students and others, whether or not one agrees with all the authors’ conclusions. Highly recommended.”
—Dr. Ben Witherington, III, professor of New Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary, U.S.A., and St. Andrews University, U.K.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #966912 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 736 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781565632660
• BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

About the Author
Lee Martin McDonald is principal of the college and professor of New Testament studies at Acadia Divinity College in Nova Scotia, Canada. He is also the author of The Formation of the Christian Biblical Canon.

Stanley E. Porter is professor of New Testament at Roehampton College, London. He has authored numerous volumes, including Idioms of the Greek New Testament and The Book of Romans: A Grammatical-Rhetorical Commentary.

Customer Reviews

superb!!!! level headed and well balanced!!
this is a fantastic full bodied resource for studying the new tesament. It is well researched by two bona fide new testament scholars and the material is fair by dipping into both conservative, liberal, and semi-conservative views on many of the issues. The conclusions drawn on many subjects are sober and sane. Many issues are treated: new testament backgrounds, canon formation, Jesus studies, individual book issues and more. Just a great resource, a wealth of carefully researched material, I couldn't recommend it more!!