An Introduction to the New Testament and the Origins of Christianity

by Delbert Burkett

Overview

First published in 2002, this book offers an authoritative and accessible introduction to the New Testament and early Christian literature for all students of the Bible and the origins of Christianity. Delbert Burkett focuses on the New Testament, but also looks at a wealth of non-biblical writing to examine the history, religion and literature of Christianity in the years from 30 CE to 150 CE. The book is organized systematically with questions for in-class discussion and written assignments, step-by-step reading guides on individual works, special box features, charts, maps and numerous illustrations designed to facilitate student use. An appendix containing translations of primary texts allows instant access to the writings outside the canon. For this new edition, Burkett has reorganized and rewritten many chapters, and has also incorporated revisions throughout the text, bringing it up to date with current scholarship. This volume is designed for use as the primary textbook for one and two-semester courses on the New Testament and Early Christianity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781316800096
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/03/2019
Series:	Introduction to Religion
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	42 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Delbert Burkett is Seynaeve Professor of Christian Origins at Louisiana State University. He has written or edited a number of books and articles on Jesus, the New Testament title 'Son of Man', and the Synoptic Gospels. He has received several teaching awards and a major research grant. He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and was elected to the Society for New Testament Studies.

Table of Contents

Part I. Historical and Religious Background: 1. Introduction; 2. Jews among Greeks and Romans; 3. Basic Second Temple Judaism; 4. Varieties of Second Temple Judaism; 5. Jewish hopes for the future; 6. Hellenistic religion, philosophy, and world-view; 7. An overview of early Christian history; 8. The making of the New Testament; Part II. Jesus and the Gospels: 9. Introduction to the Gospels; 10. The synoptic problem; 11. The Gospel of Mark; 12. The Gospel of Matthew; 13. The Gospel of Luke; 14. The Gospel of John; 15. The apocryphal Jesus; 16. The quest for the historical Jesus; Part III. Acts: 17. The book of Acts; Part IV. Pauline Christianity: 18. Paul, his letters, and his churches; 19. Gentiles and the law (1): Galatians; 20. Gentiles and the law (2): Romans; 21. Problems of church life: 1 Corinthians; 22. Problems of church life: 2 Corinthians; 23. The imminent parousia: 1 and 2 Thessalonians; 24. Prison Epistles (1): Philippians and Philemon; 25. Prison Epistles (2): Colossians and Ephesians; Part V. Judaic Christianity: 26. Judaic Christianity; 27. The letter of James; 28. The Didache; Part VI. Gnostic Christianity: 29. Gnostic Christianity; 30. The Gospel of Thomas; Part VII. Proto-Orthodox Christianity: 31. Proto-Orthodox Christianity; 32. Conflict in the church (1): pastoral epistles; 33. Conflict in the church (2): Jude and 2 Peter; 34. Conflict in the church (3): Johannine Epistles; 35. Conflict in the church (4): letters of Ignatius; 36. Conflict in the church (5): 1 Clement; 37. Relation of Christianity to Judaism (1): Hebrews; 38. Relation of Christianity to Judaism (2): Epistle of Barnabas; 39. Conflict with the Roman world (1): 1 Peter; 40. Conflict with the Roman world (2): Revelation; Appendixes: Appendix 1. Lucian on sacrifices; Appendix 2. The Essenes; Appendix 3. Jewish messianic hopes; Appendix 4. Divine humans and their births; Appendix 5. Apotheoses; Appendix 6. Miracle stories in the ancient world; Appendix 7. The Infancy Gospel of Thomas; Appendix 8. The Gospel of Peter; Appendix 9. The Didache; Appendix 10. Selections from the Gospel of Thomas; Appendix 11. Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans 1–9; Appendix 12. Selections from 1 Clement; Appendix 13. Selections from the Epistle of Barnabas; Appendix 14. Conflict with Rome.

Editorial Reviews

A textbook designed to be used along with a Bible for a one-semester course. It provides a selection of primary sources from outside the New Testament that are relevant for the origins of Christianity. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"Burkett delivers what he promises to do in this historical approach to the NT and Christian origins." James R. Wicker, Southwestern Journal of Theology

"The book's strongest point is Burkett's lucid, simplified style, reflecting his experience in teaching undergraduates." Interpretation

"Burkett's book is well written and well argued for this audience and his insistence on treating New Testament texts equally with other early Christian texts is a valuable contribution to introductory study." Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"It is by far the most useful and balanced introduction to the study of the literature of early Christianity published recently...Strongly recommended." Expository Times

"...eminently suited to classroom use for beginners. Burkett's style is clear and readily comprehended: his stance on the main literary and critical issues is fair and judicious." Novum Testamentum

"...it serves its purpose very well. It is clearly written, and by drawing attention to views of different scholars it usually refuses to be dogmatic." Neotestamentica

"Burkett follows a very well thought-out approach throughout, and is clearly drawing on his own teaching experience...I would certainly recommend this book as a basic introductory work for...undergraduates." Scripture Bulletin

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