A Beginner's Guide to New Testament Studies: Understanding Key Debates Kindle Edition
by Nijay K. Gupta (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 out of 5 stars 60 ratings
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This accessible and balanced introduction helps readers sort out key views on the most important debated issues in New Testament studies.
Well-known New Testament scholar Nijay Gupta fairly presents the spectrum of viewpoints on thirteen topics and offers reflections on why scholars disagree on these matters.
Written to be accessible to students and readers without advanced training in New Testament studies, this book will serve as an excellent supplementary text for New Testament introduction courses.
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Editorial Reviews
From the Back Cover
Understanding Key Debates in New Testament Studies
"This 'beginner's guide' is marked by a wise choice of crucial, controversial topics, accurate sketches of the perspectives of the major thinkers on the topics, judicious and open-handed appreciation of all there is to be learned, and, at the same time, student-sensitive reflections on how each topic matters for life and ministry. Bravo!"
--Scot McKnight, Northern Seminary
"Gupta is true to his title in A Beginner's Guide to New Testament Studies. His writing is thoroughly accessible and highly engaging, and it doesn't presume prior knowledge of the field of New Testament studies. Gupta provides a bird's-eye view of key issues in the field--from the historical Jesus, to Paul and the law, to New Testament application today. Gupta fairly portrays scholars on different sides of an issue and provides a final reflection of his own for each chapter. For anyone wanting an entrée to New Testament studies, this is the book for you."
--Jeannine Brown, Bethel Seminary, San Diego and St. Paul
"Right off the bat, I was asking myself into which of my classes I could incorporate this book. As I continued reading, however, I soon began to wonder if it was possible to incorporate it into all of them. With each chapter I read, I honestly thought, This chapter alone is worth the price of the book. The content is clear and evenhanded and is as comprehensive as possible while remaining appropriately concise. In addition to that, it's remarkably relevant, engaging, and fun."
--Joseph R. Dodson, Denver Seminary
"Surveying the issues of debate in New Testament studies can be a daunting task. Fortunately, Gupta has taken complex topics and laid them out in a palatable way, one that even the novice can understand and appreciate. In the end, the reader is left with an effective roadmap for navigating the rich and intricate field of New Testament studies."
--Jeanette Hagen Pifer, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
"This is a really helpful book. As an undergrad professor, I am often looking for a brief introduction to contested issues in New Testament studies that explains our academic debates to students in an accessible way. Gupta does this time and again in this work. It is a welcome resource to supplement New Testament introductions, which often lack the space to deal with issues in detail."
--Esau McCaulley, Wheaton College --This text refers to the paperback edition.
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About the Author
Nijay K. Gupta (PhD, Durham University) is professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary. He founded the popular blog Crux Sola and is the author of numerous books, including Worship That Makes Sense to Paul, A Beginner's Guide to New Testament Studies, and commentaries on Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Gupta lives in Portland, Oregon. --This text refers to the paperback edition.
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Publisher : Baker Academic (March 17, 2020)
Publication date : March 17, 2020
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Customer Reviews: 4.8 out of 5 stars 60 ratings
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Nijay K. Gupta
Nijay K. Gupta serves as associate professor of New Testament at Portland Seminary (George Fox University, Oregon).
He has written several books including: Worship That Makes Sense to Paul (Walter de Gruyter, 2010), Prepare, Succeed, Advance: A Guidebook for Getting a PhD in Biblical Studies and Beyond (Wipf & Stock, 2011), Colossians (Smyth & Helwys, 2013), 1-2 Thessalonians (Cascade, 2016), and The Lord's Prayer (Smyth & Helwys, 2018). He has also written numerous academic articles for journals such as Journal for the Study of the New Testament and The Catholic Biblical Quarterly. Gupta is a member of the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas and serves on the boards of Ex Auditu, Journal for the Study of Paul and His Letters, and the monograph series Biblical Interpretation (Brill). He is co-editor of the planned second edition of the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (InterVarsity Press).
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Customer reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from the United States
Anthony Lawson
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource on New Testament Studies
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2020
Nijay K. Gupta is a professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary and received his PhD from Durham University. He has written a number of Bible commentaries and several other academic works related to the New Testament.
New Testament studies is a very broad area of research and includes scholars of varying beliefs, those who hold to high church ecclesiology and others with more of a low or free church view. Some are liberal, centrist, conservative, even fundamentalist. You'll find Christians, Muslims, Jews, and even some atheists among their number. Gupta is writing specifically for a Christian audience and more specifically an evangelical one. This shouldn't detract from this excellent little resource, but it does help the reader understand many of the statements and assumptions that the author makes at times.
With the breath of topics that one could cover it's nice that Gupta was able to pack so much into such a small package. He spends three chapters on topics related to the Gospels, three more on Paul, one on Revelation, and then several on various topics including pseudonymity, empire studies, justification by faith and works, women in leadership, and concludes with the relationship of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, and finally one on applying and using the New Testament.
Each chapter covers a specific topic, discussing the various views related to that topic, and ends with a reflection, and a suggested reading section that include a beginner and advanced readings. I think the suggested reading was one of the most valuable aspects of the book, giving readers additional resources for further study.
The one topic that I would have wished the author covered is related to the Gospels and specifically what they are and how they relate to history. Since Gupta already had three chapters related to the Gospels including one on the Gospel of John and history I can understand why he had to limit what was covered, otherwise his book could easily grow exponentially and go way beyond a beginners text.
The chapter that interested me the most was on empire studies, The New Testament and the Roman Empire. Although I have most of the books listed in the suggested reading section it's a topic that I haven't studied much and need to read some of the literature.
Like all books there are going to be sections that you really like and others that you are going to have problems with. Unfortunately the one I found that had some problems was chapter 7 on interpreting the book of Revelation.
Unfortunately Gupta muddles things with regards to dispensationism when he states that they fall into two main views regarding the millennium. They in fact do not. He writes,
"Scholars who subscribe to a dispensational approach to eschatology and biblical chronology split into two main views on the nature and placement of the millennium (thousand-year reign of Christ) according to Revelation 20:1–7. Those who argue in favor of premillennialism conceive of a thousand-year reign of Christ that follows Christ’s second coming (i.e., the second coming precedes the millennial reign of Christ). Others believe that the millennial kingdom (not necessarily a literal number) is an age of the flourishing of the church on earth, and the second coming of Christ follows this—hence this is called a postmillennial view."
Most postmillennialists do not associate with dispensationalism. The split that dispensationalists have concerns the question of the rapture, which Gupta does bring up in the next paragraph. Dispensationalists actually divide over the question of the timing of the rapture and it's relation with a seven year tribulation period. They fall into pretributional, midtribulational, posttribulational, and partial rapturists.
Honestly the short discussion here on the millennium should have been separated from that of the various approaches to the Book of Revelation. Indeed one can find different millennial views within each of the various approaches, for example, among preterists one can find amillennialists, postmillennialists, and historical premillennials.
The paragraph regarding why scholars reject rapture teaching may be correct but was really out of place for this work. The author no where else argues against a specific view.
I'd recommend in a second edition that the millennial discussion be made separate from the approaches to Revelation, that the distinctive rapture positions be presented within dispenationalism, and the arguments against rapturism be dropped.
With that said, don't let my comments about one chapter dissuade you from getting and reading this volume, it's excellent and will serve well the person interested in pursuing New Testament studies.
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2 people found this helpful
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Sarah H
5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource!
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2020
In this day in time, it is truly hard to find resources that are balanced and give fair and equal weight to both sides of a discussion. But Dr. Gupta has done just that. Highly recommend for anyone, beginner or not, trying to understand the history and current state of issues in the New Testament. He has taken complex issues and made them much easier for someone like me (not seminary-trained) to understand.
4 people found this helpful
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Casey
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction For Newcomers! Great Refresher for Longtimers!
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2021
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The headline says it all! Gupta does a great job summarizing the broad contours of current issues in New Testament studies for the beginner. I would absolutely use this as a text for an undergraduate NT survey class, or even as one of several for an Intro to NT Studies at the graduate level.
Not making textbook decisions? Even if you don't *have* to read this for school (I didn't) but are interested in the topic then Gupta's book is an excellent place to get you feet wet and learn where you might be interested to dig in more deeply.
Disclaimer: Dr. Gupta is one of my seminary profs, but I bought and read this book before he was!
One person found this helpful
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Russell W.
5.0 out of 5 stars The New Testament for Everyman / an Intro
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2020
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Read this book as part of a study and really learned a lot. I feel like it was a great introduction to NT basics, major themes, controversies, etc. I’m struck by how incredibly narrow my understanding was prior to reading this book.
4 people found this helpful
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Patricia Bergen
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome guide for anyone outside of academia who wants to be informed
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2021
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Great guide to the current scholarship for someone bit directly involved in academia. The book follows through with exactly what it plans to provide. You can pick it up find a chapter you’re interested in and have a one stop shop to begin a deep dive or just get an overview of an important subject.
2 people found this helpful
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susan gilchrist
5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT SOURCE OF INFORMATION
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2020
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This book is a must read as a source for understanding The New Testament. Dr. Gupta has done so much research and then presented in a way which is both easy to absorb yet not all inclusive. Reading this book will spark one to continue researching.
3 people found this helpful
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Matthew D. Van Winkle
5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and Concise.
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2021
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This book gives a clear and concise covering of the New Testament issues current being talked about among scholars. The book gives insight into what leads people to different views, and how the various views interact with each other. A great read!
One person found this helpful
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Dr. Roy E. Ciampa
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview!
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2021
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A wonderful way for newcomers to get an initial overview of key issues in the interpretation of the New Testament!
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries
Jenn
5.0 out of 5 stars Solid introduction to NT Studies
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 15, 2021
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This is an easy to read book that provides a solid introduction into current debates in NT studies. The author does a good job of providing an overview of the debates and outlining the different points of views. It serves as a useful introduction to these themes and provides recommendations of other sources for those who want to go deeper into the mentioned topics.
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Adam Winn
5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Resource for Students and Pastors!
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2020
In A Beginner's Guide to New Testament Studies, Nijay Gupta has provided an excellent resource for pastors and students of the New Testament--or anyone who is interested in New Testament studies. With great clarity and balance, Gupta introduces the reader to 13 major areas of debate in New Testament studies. Each chapter follows a helpful and effective pattern, an introduction to the issue/debate, a fair and balanced treatment of the different positions in the field, a thoughtful reflection on the debate and its significance, and a helpful and balanced bibliography that directs the reader to sources that will aid in further investigation. This book could and should be used in introductory courses on the New Testament at both the undergraduate and graduate/seminary level. It is an excellent supplementary text to a standard New Testament Introduction. I know I will be using it in such a capacity in the future.
I will add that beyond being an excellent resource for "beginners" in the field, I also found the book to be a helpful resource for me personally. Though I have been in the field of New Testament studies for almost 15 years now, my own teaching and research has kept me from staying on top of the debates in various parts of the field. Through reading this book, I was able to quickly get up to speed in areas I had neglected for too long.
Thank you Nijay Gupta for this excellent resource!
5 people found this helpful
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JW Brookman
5.0 out of 5 stars Read. This. Book.
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2020
Easy-to-read and informative, I learned something new on every chapter. Dr. Gupta expertly threads the needle of making the material accessible to the non-theologian while respecting his reader’s overall intelligence and desire to learn. Each chapter even-handedly explores multiple schools of thought on various topics ranging from Paul & the Law to Works vs Faith. The book presents the complex in a simple way—and then challenges the reader to think and decide what his/her individual beliefs are. Highly recommend.
2 people found this helpful
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michael w pannell
4.0 out of 5 stars A solid work worthy of attention
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2020
Dr. Nijay K. Gupta has put together this can of worms - or rather this introduction to New Testament studies - at least in part for people like me.
I'm a long-time student of the Bible but rarely have done so in a scholarly fashion. As an introductory work, "Beginner's Guide to New Testament Studies" takes a scholarly approach without requiring readers to have a scholarly background.
It's scholarly-lite if you will.
And to be clear, it's not a Bible study, it's a study of the books, history, authors and ideas of the New Testament and how they are viewed, interpreted and debated. It's an introduction for the rest of us, those with degrees of biblical knowledge but not degrees in it.
I believe the book suits those of us who are vaguely aware - or maybe often unaware - of the depth and degree of thoughts, ideas, controversies and arguments on most topics in theology and who want to expand understanding or at least discover what horizons lie beyond their own stream.
Gupta's book was an opportunity to broaden my scope as to what other thinkers, theologians and members of the Body of Christ distant from my own are on about.
I believe the range of what Gupta addresses is presented well in other reviews here so I'll not go into that.
"Beginner's Guide" presents material without advocating one heavy-handed polemic over another. Gupta does close each chapter with his own observations to provide context and a setting to help consider differing views but doesn't menacingly work to sway readers.
I read the book with a diverse group of different backgrounds who wanted to examine ideas -including they're/our own preconceived notions - and weigh them against one another's views and the views of scholars/theologians past and present. We tried to honestly let ideas pass through the fire to see what was worthy of clinging too, giving up, altering or pursuing further study on.
"Beginner's Guide" served us well - very well - though at times it was frustrating as we compared and contrasted our own ideas while learning and processing the findings and ideas of others and the highly diverse and frequently opposing theologians represented. (Why can’t the other guys see this - it's so clear!). At times new material, as you might imagine, was simply baffling. (What's the point?) But always it was challenging and most often rewarding as I/we gained insights into truths and greater understandings leading to improved forbearance toward others' positions.
Personally, I found the last chapter, "The Application and Use of Scripture," most helpful in clarifying some of my own thinking and moving forward in understanding relationship with Jesus and God's Word. This even though I expected to be more interested in several other topics.
Though I was not inspired to chuck my life situation to pursue a life of scholarly biblical studies full-time, I very much appreciate Gupta, a professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary and author of numerous commentaries, for wrangling the worms of New Testament studies in the manner he did and helping me gain insight and further my sorting them out.
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Mariana Emie
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2020
As a part of a New Testament Cohort during lockdown times, this book came in as such a gem!!
I'm so glad tho that i got to fill my quarantine days with some good wisdom shared on this.
What i like the most is that topics, and themes are presented and then different views, different theologians, different theories are presented as well. I always found so hard to fight back an opinion that sounded coherent or convincing enough, so i feel like this book really challenged me to look for my own answers and opnions since he presents to us many different views, and ongoing discussions.
Easy to understand but also learn a lot of new words/terms (english isnt my first language) and great starter for some good New Testament taste.
10/10 Recommend.
One person found this helpful
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AllyCat
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant introduction to academic approaches to the NT
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2020
I had the privilege of participating in a cohort study of this wonderful book under the guidance of Dr Gupta during the lock down and it was the highlight of my spring! Dr Gupta is insightful and the footnotes alone will keep you in reading for the rest of your life! If you are wanting to dip your toe into the academic theological waters, start here! Buy this book!
One person found this helpful
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David Brimhall
4.0 out of 5 stars Well-rounded, broad sweeping survey of important topics.
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2020
Dr. Gupta offers an unbiased exploration of the key debates in New Testament studies. He deftly navigates hard topics, shining light on admirable positions, yet also presenting weaknesses within their structures, all while making scholarly issues clear and easy to digest for a casual reader or uninitiated theologian (which we all are in some way). Mostly, Dr. Gupta reminds us that the Christian faith and especially Christian theology is not a monolith of undisputed dogma, but a weaving and engaging conversation--an exploration into the mind of God.
Recommended.
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Israel W.
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! Both for the novice and the learned
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2020
...this book is great for you alone, or with a group of people, regardless of your depth of understanding on these topics. I was pleasantly surprised by the ease which Dr Gupta introduced me to so many new (to me) topics of discussion.
2 people found this helpful
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Bill Steele
5.0 out of 5 stars Author Has a Gift for Explaining Things
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2020
The author does an exceptional job of explaining complex issues in a way that is understandable for anyone. I have listened to him on podcasts and read other things he has written, and I conclude he has a true gift for explaining things. I look forward to reading more of his work.
One person found this helpful
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Mae88
5.0 out of 5 stars So helpful!
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2021
Such a helpful book. I highly recommend it, especially if you wanting to get a concise “lay of the land” regarding key debates. Very approachable. A joy to read!
Also, check out Gupta’s book on the Lord’s Prayer! It’s fantastic!
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Shane Blackshear
5.0 out of 5 stars A textbook you can't put down.
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2021
Nijay's aim is to help new students gain a beginning understanding of scholarly New Testament subjects. He does this and more. This is the first time I couldn't put down a textbook.
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