The Archeology of the New Testament: The Life of Jesus and the Beginning of the Early Church [Paperback]

Jack Finegan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 14, 1992

The Archeology of the New Testament is the authoritative illustrated account of what is presently known about the chief sites and monuments connected with the life of Jesus and the history of the early church. To follow the order of the New Testament, it first investigates sites connected with John the Baptist and then proceeds to Bethlehem and Nazareth, Samaria and Galilee, Jerash, Caesarea, Jericho, the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, and Emmaus. Each site is illustrated, and the accompanying text, numbered to facilitate cross-reference, contains a bibliography. This edition has been completely revised to reflect the most recent scholarship and excavations, and it contains many new entries. Anyone concerned with the historical, geographical, and cultural background of the New Testament will want to study this classic work as it retraces the steps of Jesus. "The definitive handbook. Finegan's comprehensive treatment of almost every problem in the field of New Testament archeology as well as his judicious evaluation of the evidence makes this book indispensable to every serious student of the Bible."--The New York Times Book Review

Editorial Reviews

Review

The definitive handbook. Finegan's comprehensive treatment of almost every problem in the field of New Testament archeology as well as his judicious evaluation of the evidence makes this book indispensable to every serious student of the Bible. -- Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 465 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press; Revised edition (December 14, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691002207
• ISBN-13: 978-0691002200
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,042,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, but too short!, January 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Archeology of the New Testament: The Life of Jesus and the Beginning of the Early Church (Paperback)

This is a wonderful and lovingly prepared work. For the best of all worlds, I would suggest reading this with the incredible companion book, "The Autobiography of Jesus of Nazareth and the Missing Years". Then it is almost like an interactive experience, because you see the real man Jesus through "The Autobiography..." and see exactly where he lived in this book. It may appear a daunting book because of its 400 + pages, but I found it too short! If there is anything else the authors could have included in this excellent book, it can only because there is still 2000 years of dust on it! Buy it today.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable Resource, February 28, 2006

By 

Dr. James Gardner (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Archeology of the New Testament: The Life of Jesus and the Beginning of the Early Church (Paperback)

This book is an enormous treat - an archeological book written by a biblical scholar. It's hard to know which aspect provides the more valuable information. Of particular interest and surprise is the amount of coverage of such topics as John the Baptist, the Tombs, and the Cross.

The book is well written and amply illustrated. There are few notes: the author instead includes lots of information in the text itself. Also, there is no bibliography, although there is an extensive "List of Ancient Sources" which is highly informative. If I had one criticism it is that the book assumes the reader is not a beginner, and as a result this may not be the best introductory text.

Written in 1969, the book is dated. Yet almost everything relevant to the archeology of the New Testament had been discovered by this date, so the few finds since (e.g., the ossuary of James the Just) do not negate the book's value.

Every New Testament reader should have this book in their library.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast becoming my #1 resource, April 15, 2007

By 

~serapha~ - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Archeology of the New Testament: The Life of Jesus and the Beginning of the Early Church (Paperback)

I have the revised edition of this text (1992), and before purchasing it from Amazon, I frequently came to the site to research information from this book. The book is technical enough to satisfy the researcher, yet easy to read for the beginner in archaeology or Bible. I've quoted from this text for several research papers for college classes. It's concise and reliable in its presentation and information.