New Testament History
A Narrative Account
About
"A superb book about New Testament history. . . . Very informative, not only for students and scholars of the New Testament, but for a broad readership. . . . The book is a profitable introduction and guide to the history of Christianity and a valuable general resource book."--Moschos Goutzioudis, Review of Biblical Literature
Essential to an understanding of the New Testament is a comprehension of the individuals, events, and social movements that shaped the setting from which Jesus and his followers emerged. Unfortunately, many accounts by historians can leave readers feeling overwhelmed and confused. New Testament History provides a worthy solution to this problem. A well-known expert on the social situation of the New Testament, Ben Witherington offers an engaging look into the world that gave birth to the Christian faith.
Endorsements
"This is a very readable and informative survey of the rise of Christianity against its historical background. I can think of no higher praise than to say that this book may well do for this generation what F. F. Bruce's New Testament History did for an earlier one."--I. Howard Marshall, University of Aberdeen
"A well written and informative overview not only for theologians and specialists but also for every educated and interested reader. It gives a fine introduction to the time of Jesus and the apostles and includes several new historical and archaeological insights. The numerous illustrations are also valuable."--Martin Hengel, University of Tübingen
"Ben Witherington's New Testament History fills a significant gap in biblical background textbooks. This well-written book, with its choice photographs, maps, and sidebars, will engage and enlighten students painlessly! I recommend it enthusiastically."--Craig A. Evans, Acadia Divinity College
The Author
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Ben Witherington III
Ben Witherington III (PhD, Durham) is the Jean R. Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, and emeritus professor of New Testament at the University of St. Andrews. He is also a John...
Continue reading about Ben Witherington III
Reviews
"This is a fine choice for undergraduates and lay church members, as well as more advanced students, who will most appreciate Witherington's sensitivity to the complexities of history."--Publishers Weekly
"Beginning with the introduction--which eschews the usual John-vs.-the-Synoptics categorization of the Gospels in favor of a more nuanced approach, in which Luke's Acts is the historical sore thumb alongside the three Jesus biographies--this primer on New Testament history tips some sacred cows while teaching students the basics. The textbook format is informative without being stuffy, augmented by sidebars, maps, illustrations and photographs of ancient sites and scrolls. This is a fine choice for undergraduates and lay church members, as well as more advanced students, who will most appreciate Witherington's sensitivity to the complexities of history."--Publishers Weekly
"I can't imagine anyone with a college education and interested in the New Testament not being fascinated by the history in this book. I wholeheartedly recommend it for most church libraries."--Church Libraries
"An engaging narrative replete with clear maps and judiciously chosen excerpts from many sources."--Religious Studies Review
"[A] well-written, comprehensive introduction. . . . One might disagree with some of W.'s individual theories, but the considerable amount of good material presented more than compensates for this."--Jude Winkler, Catholic Biblical Quarterly
"Ben Witherington has written a superb book about New Testament history. . . . Very informative, not only for students and scholars of the New Testament, but for a broad readership, because Witherington uses a variety of scholarly techniques and methods, offering a fresh picture of the historical background of the New Testament. The book is a profitable introduction and guide to the history of Christianity and a valuable general resource book. . . . While Witherington's book is an excellent scholarly work that treats its complex subject with depth and insight, it is accessible to the general reader as well." --Moschos Goutzioudis, Review of Biblical Literature
"Witherington is already well know for a string of major NT commentaries and other works on biblical and NT topics and this one can be added to the collection with confidence. . . . Professor Witherington is a reliable guide to the NT era and this book can be recommended to student and general reader alike. Ministers will find much concise background information to inform and enliven many a sermon."--Howard C. Bigg, Anvil
"This is a very readable book, basically to be commended highly as a survey of major events of the first century of Christianity. . . . Witherington is an extraordinarily prolific NT author, with half a dozen substantial commentaries to his credit. . . . A fresh and enlightening overview of events in, surrounding, and generative of, the New Testament."--Richard Briggs, Heythrop Journal
"A well-written, instructive overview, New Testament History easily engages and holds the reader's interest. It includes maps, sidebars, and judicious excerpts from many historical sources and adds new historical and archaeological insights. It is well footnoted. Scriptural, ancient-text, and subject indexes are included. Highly recommended for all congregational libraries. A fine student text, too."--Monica Tenney, Church and Synagogue Libraries
"In [the first] chapter, Witherington begins the helpful dialogue boxes that he will continue throughout the book. . . . There are also helpful timelines given throughout the book. These make for easy references to otherwise complex historical details. . . . This is an excellent book. It is highly accessible and engaging--at several points it becomes a page-turner that is difficult to put down--a high compliment for a work of scholarship. The recounting of history is vivid and has the potential to draw the reader into the world of the New Testament in a way that makes the time period come alive. Such an introduction will make excellent reading for classroom use or for the general reader."--Ruth Anne Reese, Asbury Theological Journal
"[Witherington] brings his vast knowledge of Greco-Roman history and society to this task. . . . The book is a well-written, easily-read narrative overview of the history it attempts to depict. Those who have read Witherington's other works will readily recognize his light but scholarly writing style. . . . There are a number of very useful inclusions within the book. Within every chapter Witherington includes short excursuses entitled 'A Closer Look', in which he provides pertinent background discussion on relevant New Testament topics. . . . He includes a number of short excursuses in shaded boxes which provide detailed background information on geographic places or socio-cultural practices. . . . The information within these two types of excursuses is necessary to delve deeper into the points and issues that Witherington makes in his main narrative. They add a richness to the book without bogging it down into a scholarly dissertation. A second excellent feature of the book is its charts and tables in which Witherington quickly summarizes time frames. . . . New Testament History provides a useful introduction to the New Testament both in terms of the individuals and events depicted within the pages of the New Testament and the documents which comprise the New Testament. It gives a framework for understanding the political, social, and religious contexts of the New Testament, which is necessary to interpret these Scriptures properly."--David A. Huctwith, Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism