Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: The New Testament Background: Writings from Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire That Illuminate Christian Origins by C. K. Barrett, C.K. Barrett ISBN: 0-06-060881-1 Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco Pub. Date: 01 October, 1995 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: good background for early NT environment
Comment: The book is basically a collection of quotes from contemporary authors -Jewish, Christian or pagan - living in the decades during and after the rise of early Christianity. A novice would not understand the usefulness of this book, but for someone like me who has a deep interest in the early beginnings of the Semitic faiths, this book is very useful indeed, as it contains certain quotes often used in Christian texts but obscure to track down its source (such as quotes from Epicurus or Josephus, for example). I would certainly recommend this book for those who know well enough the historical context of Christianity and wishes to use this book in order to track down (and gain) such references.
Rating: 5
Summary: A necessary text for finding the New Testament Background
Comment: Many have the idea in their minds that Christianity simply appeared in a vacuum, or that Christianity began when one's church was built. However, Jesus was born into a much different world than ours today. We must also remember that the New Testament writers and Church fathers were writing under different conditions as well, and these influences are seen in their writings.
Barrett's book should give the reader a fine background into the period of the New Testament. I personally think every New Testament class should require this text, if anything as a side textbook to be consulted when necessary. Barrett saves us the work of finding the appropriate background writings on our own. He has collected them and given us pertinent excerpts.
He gives writings from the:
Roman Empire- Here he has writings from Roman Statesmen and Emperors, showing policies towards the Jews, etc.
Papyri- He translates various everyday letters, wills, and deeds in Koine Greek, perhaps showing us what the average Christian or Jew may have experienced in everyday life.
Inscriptions- here he translates inscriptions on synagogues, tombs, and other buildings.
Philosophers and Poets- Excerpts from Plato, Epicurus, the Stoics, and many others show us the prevailing pagan philosophies of the day.
Gnosticism and Gnosis- this section has writings discovered at Nag-Hammadi and from other Gnostic groups lacking Christian influence. He has divided Gnosticism (the full blown heresy of the 2nd century) and Gnosis (the developing religion perhaps addressed in Colossians) into 2 groups for clarity.
He also has sections on the Mystery Religions, Jewish History (including readings from the apocrypha), Rabbinic Literature, Qumran Texts, Philo, Josephus, the Septuagint, the Targums, and finally from Jewish apocalyptic literature.
As can be seen, Barrett gives a fine survey of the time period using the writings of important Jews and Gentiles. Chronologically, the writings are all from the New Testament and the Ante-Nicene time periods in the Church. Overall, this is an essential text, which should introduce the student to the influences upon Christian Thought and writings, as well as to the world Jesus was born into and in which generations of Christians lived.
 |
Title: Backgrounds of Early Christianity by Everett Ferguson ISBN: 0802822215 Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company Pub. Date: 01 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $36.00 |
 |
Title: The New Testament: History, Literature, and Social Context by Dennis C. Duling ISBN: 0155078569 Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing Company Pub. Date: 03 December, 2002 List Price(USD): $62.95 |
 |
Title: Synopsis of the Four Gospels : Completely Revised on the Basis of the Greek Text of the Nestle Aland (English-only text) by Kurt Aland, K. Aland ISBN: 0826705006 Publisher: United Bible Societies Pub. Date: 01 June, 1982 List Price(USD): $18.99 |
 |
Title: The New Testament World: Insights from Cultural Anthropology by Bruce J. Malina ISBN: 0664222951 Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press Pub. Date: 01 March, 2001 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
 |
Title: The Dead Sea Scrolls Today by James C. Vanderkam ISBN: 0802807364 Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company Pub. Date: 01 April, 1994 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
