Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

The New Testament as pastoral response -- The environment of early Christianity : essential landmarks -- The cultural and social world of the early church : purity, honor, patronage and kinship -- The four Gospels and the One Jesus : critical issues in the study of the Gospels -- The Gospel according to Mark : following in the way of the cross -- The Gospel according to Matthew : following the words of the Messiah -- The Gospel according to Luke : following the heart of the Father -- The Acts of the Apostles : following the leading of the Spirit -- The Gospel according to John : following the One from above -- The Epistles of John : painful breaches of the bond of unity and love -- A prologue to the study of Paul's letters -- The letter to the Galatians : walking in line with the Spirit -- The Thessalonian correspondence : living in the light of the "day" -- The Corinthian correspondence : valuing oneself and others in the Lord -- The Epistle to the Romans : the God of Jew and Gentile -- The Epistle to the Philippians : unity in the face of adversity -- The Epistle to Philemon : the slave is our brother -- Excursus : pseudepigraphy and the New Testament canon.

The Epistles to the Christians in Colossae and Ephesus : walking in the light of Christ's victory -- The letters to Timothy and Titus : trustworthy management of God's household -- The Epistle to the "Hebrews" : living in trust and gratitude toward God -- The Epistle of James : promoting consistency of belief and behavior -- The first letter of Peter : an ethic for resident aliens awaiting their inheritance -- Jude and 2 Peter : the dangers of deviant disciples -- The Revelation of John : living in the light of God's triumph.

Some introductions to the New Testament highlight the historical contexts in which the New Testament literature was written. This introduction gives particular attention to the social, cultural and rhetorical contexts of the New Testament authors and their writings. Few introductions to the New Testament integrate instruction in exegetical and interpretive strategies with their customary considerations of authorship, dating, audience and message. This introduction capitalizes on the opportunities, introducing students to a relevant facet of interpretation with each portion of New Testament literature. Rarely do introductions to the New Testament approach their task mindful of the needs of students preparing for ministry. This introduction is explicit in doing so, assuming as it does that the New Testament itself -- in its parts and as a whole -- is a pastoral response. Each chapter on the New Testament literature closes with a discussion of the implications for ministry formation. These integrative features alone would distinguish this introduction from others. But in addition, its pages brim with maps, photos, points of interest and aids to learning. Separate chapters explore the historical and cultural environment of the New Testament era, the nature of the Gospels and the quest for the historical Jesus, and the life of Paul. This introduction by David A. deSilva sets a new standard for its genre and is bound to appeal to many who believe that the New Testament should be introduced as if both scholarship and ministry mattered. - Publisher.