In other ways, however, this volume is distinctive. One example is the way we have tried to make this volume more accessible to the pastor or even the layman who teaches the Bible in their local church. Generally speaking, New Testament introductions have tended to focus primarily on historical-critical issues related to the background of each of the 27 books. While many introductions spend considerable time engaging in highly technical discussions about dating, authorship, textual history, they often devote comparably little space to the theological, doctrinal and practical aspects of these books.

Over the last year or more, I have been involved in a number of publishing projects, including several academic articles (as chapters in books), and a volume on Christianity in the second century.  But, I am particularly excited about the forthcoming volume I am editing entitled, A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament (Crossway, 2016).

This introduction has multiple contributors, all of which are current or past professors at Reformed Theological Seminary.  The NT volume (along with an OT counterpart) are being written in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of RTS coming up in 2016.

I am blessed to have such a fine collection of scholars in this volume, including Guy Prentiss Waters, Simon Kistemaker, Chuck Hill, Reggie Kidd, Robert Cara, Bruce Lowe, William Barcley, and Ben Gladd.  The multi-authored nature of the introduction allows each of them to work in their areas of specialty.

Needless to say, there have been many New Testament introductions prior to this one—from Theodor Zahn’s massive two-volume Einleitung in das Neue Testament (Leipzig, 1897) to D.A. Carson’s and Douglas Moo’s very popular An Introduction to the New Testament (Zondervan, 2005). So, one may wonder whether we really need another one. What is distinctive about this particular volume?

In many ways, of course, this new volume is not distinctive. Like many of the volumes that have come before, it is designed to accomplish the same basic task, namely to introduce the reader to the major historical, exegetical, and theological issues within each of the 27 books.

In other ways, however, this volume is distinctive. One example is the way we have tried to make this volume more accessible to the pastor or even the layman who teaches the Bible in their local church. Generally speaking, New Testament introductions have tended to focus primarily on historical-critical issues related to the background of each of the 27 books. While many introductions spend considerable time engaging in highly technical discussions about dating, authorship, textual history, they often devote comparably little space to the theological, doctrinal and practical aspects of these books.

However, for the average Bible study leader or local pastor, such discussions are not always their primary need as they prepare their lesson or sermon.

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