The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings
7th Edition
by Professor Bart D. Ehrman (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 59 ratings
Featuring vibrant full color throughout, the seventh edition of Bart D. Ehrman's highly successful introduction approaches the New Testament from a consistently historical and comparative perspective, emphasizing the rich diversity of the earliest Christian literature.
Distinctive to this study is its unique focus on the historical, literary, and religious milieux of the Greco Roman world, including early Judaism.
As part of its historical orientation, the book also discusses other Christian writings that were roughly contemporary with the New Testament, such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Apocalypse of Peter, and the letters of Ignatius.
Editorial Reviews
Review
"The depth of the scholarship and the exhaustive content in The New Testament is impressive. The exploration of the New Testament documents from a historical and exegetical perspective is invaluable. Ehrman's writing style is engaging, conversationalist, and easy to follow. I can imagine him in a
conversation with his students as he wrote the book."--William Rodriguez, Bethune Cookman University
"Excellent. The book's main strengths are its impeccable scholarship and clarity of explanation. It's the only textbook I use in any course."--Corrie Norman, University of Wisconsin-Madison
"The New Testament draws from a rich consultation with numerous resources, aptly distributed, so that Ehrman gives a nod to all parties, policies, and nuances. His prose style is substantive and accessible and his treatment of theological platforms is respectfully acknowledged. The book's advantage
is its appeal to 21st-century students."--Doris Plantus, Oakland University
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Top reviews from the United States
MJ Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Masterfully written in easily understandable language, and revised repeatedly so it is current and up to date on research
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2016
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For any student of the New Testament, this is a truly academic, magnificently explained, work which is laid out in clear and simple language. This is a textbook, non-judgemental, just the facts and theories, explaining the New Testament. Bart Ehrman is the quintessential professor/academic, and this textbook, which has been revised repeatedly so as to stay up to date and current on research, walks you through how the New Testament was written, the books which it is composed of, the historic data supporting it, and information about the writers (in terms of what is historically known about them). I have many of his, and other author's works on more specific titles regarding the New Testament, such as Lost Christianties, How Jesus Became God, Jesus Before the Gospels, etc. But this particular book, The New Testament, is a succinct, beautifully written overview of the New Testament and is an important work if you want to understand it from a masterful academic and professor. There is no writer out there who does a better job breaking it all down into clear and simple language for lay people and students than Bart Ehrman.
18 people found this helpful
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LOGAN
5.0 out of 5 stars I Love his style.
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2016
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Excellent book. Bart Ehrman has no theological bias and just gives the facts. I love that about him.
8 people found this helpful
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W. triplette
5.0 out of 5 stars just the facts, mam.
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2016
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anyone who professes to be a Christian needs the info in this book. it is balanced, and at a depth that a freshman at a decent university can understand it. the author has no axe to grind here, it is a "just the facts, mam," investigation of each book of the new testament. it is an excellent resource for church groups, Christian youth groups, or anyone else wanting to get to the truth of the new testament, without the special sauce served by those wanting to alter the writings to suit their own tastes.
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Ron Henderson
5.0 out of 5 stars Expensive, but worth it.
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2017
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Expensive but excellent guide to the New Testament for the lay person. History, not religious dogma.
4 people found this helpful
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Paul B
5.0 out of 5 stars Ehrman writes in a clear and interesting manner as a ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2018
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Ehrman writes in a clear and interesting manner as a historian of early Christianity. He explains what is fact, opinion and gives an indication of the probability of each particular viewpoint. Even though this is a textbook, I am reading it for my own edification and am finding it fascinating.
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Ricky Brake
5.0 out of 5 stars The quintessential book to understanding the NT from a historians point only
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2018
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I read a lot of Christianity History books, and this one rolls it all together to better understand the history of all the books...
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Charles
3.0 out of 5 stars A bit of a confusing read.
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2019
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Not a great text, a bit of a tough read.
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VickiT
5.0 out of 5 stars Needed this for a class - enjoying this version
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2017
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Needed this for a class. So far, I'm enjoying this version.
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