Customer Reviews

New Testament History

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In this book Dr. Bruce explores Jewish and Christian history leading up to and including the time of the early Christian church, focussing mainly on the centuries immediately surrounding Jesus' life.

Bruce looks at both Biblical and external sources to tell of the major political, sociological and religious themes of the period from an historical perspective. He provides a running assessment of the degree reliability of each along with the content they provide. Bruce strikes an honourable balance: not "critically" dismissing Biblical evidence as unreliable, not picking out of it the elements that happen to agree with his preconceptions as the only reliable bits, but also not accepting the New Testament record without even considering any other sources to understand its contextual meaning. He rather builds the history of the current events to give context to the different views expressed in each source as they were being written. Generally, Bruce finds the Biblical documents as trust-worthy, while for example dividing Josephus' writings into the bits that are more accurate and those which were likely "spun" to gain the favour of his audience.

This book is structured largely chronologically.

In the period from the Hasmoneans through the time of Jesus, Bruce looks at the various competing schools of thought within Judaism, and provides insight into how they tie together. The intrigue by which the Herod who kills the infants of Bethlehem kills his own children, the politics around which the various governing parties who periodically appoint and fire high priests, the influence between Jewish and Roman rulers, the structure of the TNK Old Testament which explains Jesus' own quotes, all add depth to what I have long been familiar with from the Bible itself.

In the era immediately following Jesus, Bruce casts light on the differences between the Jewish and Gentile churches, and provides context around much of Paul's and Luke's writings in this light. Most of the discussion on this period within the church is limited to the New Testament documents, though the fewer details available from external sources are also listed. Finally, Bruce describes how after Titus' destruction of the Temple, the various schools within Judaism were reduced to one "accepted" thread which no longer included Christianity.

Bruce introduces us to variants in the historical record - including such factors as people not well familiar with Christianity referring the Jesus not as Christos, but rather Chrestos - a common slave name - or how the (Christian) "Nazarenes" were confused with another sect, the "Nazaraeans". There are several such changes in expression -- very similar in the language of the day, but totally lost on those of us who speak languages to the west of Greek -- that are interesting and provide some insight into how non-Christians then and now today see Christianity.

I am saddened first to read Dr. Bruce's work only now, 14 years after his "glorification" (to use an example of the New Testament language he interprets for us). Equally, though, we are fortunate to still benefit from his knowledge and wisdom now. I heartily commend this book to everyone who values the New Testament, to better understand the backdrop of the world in which its authors lived and wrote.

I read this work because it was reccomended through Ligonier Ministries, which was founded by the venerable Dr. RC Sproul (who I've met several times and yes, he is that smart).

There's a lot for everybody in this one: archaeology, theology, history (back to classical antiquity), you name it. This book is for the higher critic/revisionist who gleefully promote new works everyday finding alleged contradictions and other fallacies within the NT. F.F. Bruce raises problematic areas for consideration, but tries to resolve them where he can. Where he cannot, he simply states so. I can't think of a more honest and serious book of its kind, which is why this one has stood the test of time. The higher-critic crowd is always foisting their speculation-based conclusions on us in their books. But F.F. Bruce refreshingly uses his expert command of Greek and Hebrew and applies these scriptures to the historical context in which it was written.

Forget the lazy, fluff-stuff at your local Christian bookstore and pick this one up.

A. Goldman

Tallahassee, FL

I found this book very helpful in my study of the New Testament. The background information is great. The book is very readable. In college I was a history major, I wish we had had more of this kind of book. Dr Bruce brings things alive. He uses his resources well and paints a complete picture of the period. I am so glad this book was required for my New Testament Survey class at seminary.

I enjoy history and I am a Christian looking to support my faith. I bought this book for those two reasons. That said, this book has given me what I was looking for, but not without a cost. I am motivated don't get me wrong, hey I bought this for "leisure" reading. That said, I have to work to get up the energy to read this book. It is a good read, but not an easy read. It is dry. That said, it will give you information on the politics, history, religious groups and other information helpful in understanding the context of the new testament. If you are a casual reader, you have been warned. This book may sit on your shelf gathering dust...

This work is indispensable for anyone who wants to gain a clear understanding of NT background. Bruce is a scholar but his approach to academics is not too difficult. He does not add conjecture where evidence is lacking but at the same time supports his conclusions with dependable sources. What we do know of the ancient world is set forth and Bruce makes the study interesting and compelling. The chapters on the sects of Judaism were fascinating considering the recent discoveries at Qumran and the possible connection of John the Baptist to the Essenes. Rome is also a key player and we need not exhaustively cover the empire to understand its significance. What I like most about Bruce and other writers like him is their integrity without being pretentious and intellectualy superior. As a recent convert to Christianity circa 1980, I read this for the first time and it was foundational for my growth as a believer. If I had to narrow my library down to a few titles, this would be in the top 10.

This is required reading for well-rounded New Testament readers. Most of it is chronological, as opposed to topical, but the index is pretty good. There is a lot of good material here and Bruce does a good job of balancing views from different historians and sources.

2000 years back is a little far to think. But Bruce brings it
much to life and is a known reliable New Testament scholar. If
you must know, he was a Plymouth Brethren. H.L. Ellison is also.
I also like Bruce's commentaries on Acts and Hebrews.

Bruce has written books explicitly on the reliability of documents and so forth, but this is much more relevant to
me personally. What was it like? is what I'm after.

***NOTE***: Searching on Bruce's name in amazon.com gives
tons of other stuff somehow, so the best way to focus on
his works is to find one of them and then do the "all works
by same author" search from that book.

This is one of those books which everyone should read. The information set the stage for studying the New Testament. At the end of the Old Testament we find a very different world than in the beginning of the New. Assyrians, Babylonians, Philistines and the like are normal fare in OT, but in the NT it is Romans, Greeks, Herodians, Stoics, Pharisees, and other groups which are never mentioned in the OT. A lot can happen in four hundred years! (That is the time difference from end of Chronicles - "the last book in the Hebrew Bible" until Matthew's Gospel.) Dr. Bruce is very readable and his insights will help anyone who is trying to grasp the world of the New Testament. It is a book which every beginning student should purchase. It is also helpful to use as a resource for review.

Buy, read it, reccomend it to others!

just another excellent book from ff bruce! the author was one of the greatest evangelical scholars of the 20th century. it is said that the time of his death in 1990, he was able to write out the entire greek new testament from memory. this book is a thorough treatise on the history and sociology that form the background for new testament studies. it is a history book and as such is a little dry at times. still well worth the price.

One of the most balanced history books on Bible history available. Dr. Bruce is a phenomenal historian with a great deal of objectivity for an evangelical. He's not afraid to write about the controversial, but certainly remains faithful to the basic tenets of the Christian faith. This book is a must read for anyone who wishes to understand early Christianity in the context of its historical setting.