Reading the New Testament as Christian Scripture

"The challenges facing anyone seeking to introduce the literature and message of the New Testament to this generation are many. Constantine Campbell and Jonathan Pennington have successfully responded to them with this remarkably useful and effective survey, rooted in their exhortation to read the biblical revelation as disciples expecting transformation. Their goal is to provide 'a guide for students to thoughtfully read the texts of Scripture themselves,' assisted by those who are 'a bit further along on the journey.' To achieve this, the authors helpfully structure each chapter according to the threefold pattern of orientation, exploration, and implementation. In the concise 'Orientation' section, students are introduced to the literary genre, structure, and key themes of each book or letter. In the major 'Exploration' section, the authors provide a succinct, theologically informed commentary to aid students in their understanding, as they themselves read each section of the biblical text. In the concluding 'Implementation' section, students are encouraged to move from the biblical context to the present day, through applications that demand a response. Color-coded sidebars punctuate each section, inviting students to consider intriguing insights, questions, and observations stemming from five areas--'Historical Matters,' 'Literary Notes,' 'Theological Issues,' 'Canonical Connections,' and 'Reception History.' Each chapter ends with 'Christian Reading Questions' that summon further reflection, often in relation to other portions of Scripture or pieces of art inspired by Christian theology. The book is littered with full-color maps, diagrams, tables, and photographs and concludes with a glossary of key terms highlighted throughout. Precious few texts succeed where this one excels--winsomely equipping beginning students of the New Testament with enough resources to understand and respond to its message without burying them with information. It will quickly become a standard choice for both novice and veteran educators. I enthusiastically recommend it!"

"For far too long students have been introduced to thoughtful engagement with the Bible through what is essentially an introduction to the discipline of biblical studies. I find that these introductions do a better job of training people to be professional biblical scholars than they do of helping them attend to the subject at hand--namely, God. This book is a welcome change. Campbell and Pennington foster the kind of engagement with the Scriptures that is so lacking today. Drawing on the resources of biblical studies, and integrating that with reception history and theology, this book encourages biblical engagement for the sake of becoming a faithful disciple of Jesus. I look forward to assigning the book and reaping the fruit of their labor. The book also helpfully attends to the fact that technology has radically changed the way students engage with the Bible (and all texts for that matter)--it is a thing to be searched with a search engine, mined for 'answers,' but not to be read in the purest sense of that word (as a transformative act). The introductory chapter alone is worth the purchase!"

"This is an excellent textbook. Campbell and Pennington offer students nuanced and reliable information about the historical background, reception history, canonical context, and more. Most importantly, the book begins each section of commentary with a reminder to read the biblical text. This book will help our students read and interpret well."

"Drs. Campbell and Pennington have given us a fine introductory textbook that reads the New Testament from a distinctly Christian perspective. Their focus on the New Testament books as Christian Scripture shines through on page after page, expressed in their engaging and lucid writing. The 'Implementation' section and discussion questions for each New Testament book are excellent features, helping Christian readers reflect on how they engage with Scripture today. The sidebars on more detailed points are a mine of useful information, and the chapters are well illustrated with maps, art, and architecture. This is a lovely book that will serve beginning readers of the New Testament very well."

"Those of us who teach Bible survey courses often lament the lack of Old and New Testament introductions that teach students how to read the text rather than simply learn about the text's origins and themes. Constantine Campbell and Jonathan Pennington have produced a New Testament introduction that is at once informative about basic background issues and at the same time a hermeneutical, theological, and canonical primer on how to read Holy Scripture as a Christian. This should be used in every classroom."

"The genre of New Testament introduction has been remarkably stable for some time and, because of the influence of traditional historical criticism, often focuses on the historical origins of the text--a kind of textual archaeology. While Campbell and Pennington are well aware of the value of introducing the origins of the New Testament texts, their work intentionally focuses on reading the New Testament as Christian Scripture. That is, they introduce modern readers to the subject matter to which the New Testament testifies--namely, the ultimate revelation of God in Jesus Christ. Campbell and Pennington address student-disciples on their journey of transformation by means of the canonical text of the New Testament. Student-disciples and professor-pastors should take up this introduction with confidence, because it not only gives instruction on what the New Testament is, but more, it illuminates what God does in and through the witness of the New Testament in the lives of faithful readers. Highly recommended."

"Campbell and Pennington have gifted both the church and the academy with a text that deftly combines the literary, canonical, and theological sensibilities required to understand the New Testament's message both in its own context and in our world today. I cannot wait to introduce this valuable resource to students."

"Eminently navigable and aesthetically pleasing, Reading the New Testament as Christian Scripture draws students into the central truths of the Christian faith. Campbell and Pennington come from a particular perspective on debatable topics, and so teachers will want to supplement to provide their students the full range of Christian perspectives, but in every instance the authors discuss such topics with clarity and grace. Therefore, I would be thrilled to offer this text to my New Testament students, both to include perspectives different from my own and, even more importantly, to show the even greater unity among scholars who consider the New Testament as Scripture."