This clearly written introduction to the Gospels and Acts offers a student-friendly approach that is rooted in up-to-date scholarship and actual classroom experience. Particularly aimed at students of theology, Exploring the New Testament: A Guide to the Gospels & Acts introduces
- Jewish and Roman background
- literary genres and forms
- conventional as well as new approaches to the study of the Gospels and Acts
- debated issues such as authorship, date and setting
- the quest for the historical Jesus
- content and major themes of each of the Gospels and Acts
- the intersection of New Testament criticism with contemporary issues of faith and culture
- clearly stated goals for each chapter
- What Do You Think boxes posing issues to consider
- Digging Deeper boxes exploring select topics in greater detail
- boxed summaries highlighting essential facts
- practical study aids, including how to use a Gospel synopsis and how to exegete a Gospel text
- charts visually organizing complex material such as chronologies and genealogies
- maps giving quick geographical and spatial orientation to events
- topics for essays or research papers suggested for each chapter
- Further Reading giving annotated bibliographies for each chapter, classified by introductory or intermediate levels
- pointers to relevant articles in IVP's Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, facilitating parallel use of this valuable reference tool
- quotations from relevant ancient texts such as Josephus
- double-column formatting for easy reading
- glossary of terms to aid beginning students
- subject and Scripture indexes for quick access to topics
