Description: Preface Part I. AN INVITATION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT Photo Essay: The Jewish and Hellenistic Background of Early Christianity 1. An Overview of the New Testament Key Topics/Themes / What Is the New Testament? / The New Testament and the Hebrew Bible / Language and Literature of the New Testament / Other Early Christian Literature / Scholarly Approaches to the New Testament / Summary / Questions for Review / Questions for Discussion and Reflection / Terms and Concepts to Remember / Recommended Reading 2. How the New Testament Was Formed and Handed Down to Us Key Topics/Themes / Formation of the New Testament Canon / Transmitting the New Testament Texts / English Translations / Summary / Questions for Review / Questions for Discussion and Reflection / Terms and Concepts to Remember / Recommended Reading 3. The Two Worlds in Which Christianity Originated: Jewish and Greek Key Topics/Themes / The One God, Yahweh / The Torah / The Divine Promises / The Jerusalem Temple / The World of Greek Thought and Culture / Greek Philosophy / Greco-Roman Religion / The Mystery Religions / Summary / Questions for Review / Questions for Discussion and Reflection / Terms and Concepts to Remember / Recommended Reading 4. The Troubled World into Which Jesus Was Born Key Topics/Themes / Alexander and His Successors / Antiochus's Persecution and the Maccabean Revolt / The Roman Emperors / The Jewish Revolt Against Rome / Summary / Questions for Review / Questions for Discussion and Reflection / Terms and Concepts to Remember / Recommended Reading 5. The Diverse World of First-Century Judaisms Key Topics/Themes / First-Century Jewish Diversity / The Messiah: First-Century Expectations / Messianic Claimants Before and After Jesus / Summary / Questions for Review / Questions for Discussion and Reflection / Terms and Concepts to Remember / Recommended Reading Part II. DIVERSE PORTRAITS OF JESUS Photo Essay: Archaeological Sites and Artifacts Associated with Jesus' Life 6. The Gospels: Form and Purpose Key Topics/Themes / The Gospels and Modern Scholarship / Assumptions and Approaches / The Synoptic Problem / The Gospel of John / Literary Analysis of the Gospels / Summary / Questions for Review / Questions for Discussion and Reflection / Terms and Concepts to Remember / Recommended Reading 7. Mark's Portrait of Jesus: The Hidden Messiah and Eschatological Judge Key Topics/Themes / Mark's Historical Setting / Mark's Puzzling Attitude Toward Jesus' Close Associates / Mark as a Literary Narrative / Prelude to Jesus' Public Ministry / The Galilean Ministry: Inaugurating the Kingdom / The Journey to Jerusalem: Jesus' Predestined Suffering / The Jerusalem Ministry: A Week of Sacred Time / Mark's Passion Narrative: Jesus' Trial and Crucifixion / Postlude: The Empty Tomb / Summary / Questions for Review / Questions for Discussion and Reflection / Terms and Concepts to Remember / Recommended Reading 8. Matthew's Portrait of Jesus: The Great Teacher Key Topics/Themes / Relation to the Hebrew Bible / Authorship, Purpose, Sources, and Organization / Introduction to the Messiah: Infancy Narrative / The Beginning of Jesus' Proclamation / First Major Discourse: The Sermon on the Mount / First Major Discourse: The Sermon on the Mount / First Narrative Section: Ten Miracles / Second Major Discourse: Instructions to the Twelve Apostles / Second Narrative Section: Questions and Controversies / Third Major Discourse: Parables on the Kingdom / Third Narrative Section: From the Rejection in Nazareth to the Transfiguration / Fourth Major Discourse: Instructions to the Church / Fourth Narrative Section: The Jerusalem Ministry / Fifth Major Discourse: Warnings of Final Judgment / Fifth and Final Narrative Section: The Passion Story and Resurrection / Summary / Questions for Review / Questions for Discussion and Reflection / Terms and Concepts to Remember / Recommended Reading 9. Luke's Portrait of Je

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