Popular Survey of the New Testament, A [Hardcover]

Norman L. Geisler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2008

Understanding the New Testament is a daunting but exciting task. Our world is so different from that of the first century. The dress, travel, vocation, and custom of biblical characters are all foreign to us. Yet it is important to understand the context and content of the New Testament if we are to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Of the making of New Testament studies there is no end, so readers may rightly wonder why yet another manual is needed. Does this volume offer insights not easily available elsewhere? Geisler, dean of Southern Evangelical Seminary and Bible College, and author of more than 70 books dealing with the Bible and Christianity, gathers decades of findings of New Testament scholars into a truly accessible and readable overview, aimed at readers at all levels. Beginning with a fine explanation of the various critical methodologies used in analyzing the scriptural record, he then treats each book in the New Testament, addressing questions about authorship, the date of writing and the book's intended audience, and a clear explanation of the content of each book. Several appendixes bring Geisler's study to a close, including a list of keywords in the New Testament and a harmonization of miracles in the various gospels. Numerous charts and full-color photos enhance the presentation, making the book an excellent choice for course adoption. Geisler thinks even beginning students can appreciate and understand the canon and demonstrates beautifully the simplicity and consistency of these writings. This is a book worth owning. (Dec.)
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From the Back Cover

Understanding the New Testament is a daunting but exciting task. Our world is so different from that of the first century. The dress, travel, vocation, and custom of biblical characters are all foreign to us. Yet it is important to understand the context and content of the New Testament if we are to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ.

A Popular Survey of the New Testament is designed to help ordinary people enrich their understanding of New Testament people and events. It addresses many questions that readers of the Bible may have, such as:

• Who wrote the books of the New Testament and to whom were they writing?
• When were these books written and why?
• How can a warning about first-century Gnostics help Christians today?
• What can today's believers get out of a letter about a slave returning to his master?
• How can we tell if what is written in the New Testament is true history or just mythology?

Illustrated throughout with color photos, charts, and maps, and written in an easy, informal style, this survey is accessible and enjoyable to anyone who wants to better understand the New Testament.


Norman L. Geisler is dean of Southern Evangelical Seminary and Bible College, Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the author of more than sixty books, including A Popular Survey of the Old Testament.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (February 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801012996
• ISBN-13: 978-0801012990
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Norman Geisler (PhD, Loyola University) is president of Southern Evangelical Seminary and author or coauthor of over fifty books including Decide for Yourself, Baker's Encyclopedia of Apologetics, and When Skeptics Ask.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Easy Primer Made Too Sleek, November 8, 2009

By 

Conrade Yap (Vancouver, BC Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Popular Survey of the New Testament, A (Hardcover)

I must admit that Geisler has done a rather good job in distilling the New Testament simple enough for the average Bible reader. His highlight of themes gives a clear overview of the emphases of each book. I especially appreciate the compare/contrast format that Geisler uses to demarcate both differences as well as similarities of each book. His use of alliteration, memory keys and various pedagogical tools within the book gives a very useful framework for us to hang on to.

Having said that, there are some things I feel less than desirable.

1) Personally, I like his Christ-centered focus of the whole Bible. My question is, whether that truly reflects the intention of the original authors? While I am all for Christ being the entire focus, in inductive Bible study, we need to let the Bible speak for itself, to avoid putting words into the Bible.

2) His mnemonics chosen is too sleek for my personal liking. I feel he has overdone it.

3) Some of the themes he highlights, while memorable may appear to unfairly straitjacket the Bible. The Bible often has more than one theme.

In summary, I must say I enjoyed Geisler's book. It makes a good introductory book to help educate the ordinary Church member who does not know much about the New Testament apart from choice verses. It also makes a helpful reference texts when we deal with controversial verses in the Bible. However, for the serious student, it will be better that this book be only an accompanying supplement to other reference books and commentaries. My rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

conrade

5.0 out of 5 stars This needs to be more popular, July 1, 2010

By 

Lee Willie - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Popular Survey of the New Testament, A (Hardcover)

I have been studying the Bible for over 30 years and I have found that Norm Geisler is very thorough and concise at the same time. The major point to note is his look at the Christology of the whole Bible, Old and New Testaments together. I have the prequel, "A Popular Survey of the Old Testament" and with these two books form the bases of a 'Though the Bible in 30 Hours' course I am preparing this summer.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Lord with us., October 4, 2009

By 

Dene McFadden "faith seeker" (Charlotte, NC USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Popular Survey of the New Testament, A (Hardcover)

"Popular Survey of the New Testament" by Norman L. Geisler is the text book for a course that I am taking called New Testament Survey. I had never envisioned the New Testament in the way that Dr. Geisler does. I understood that it was about Christ's life on earth and of his ministry, and teachings but so much more has been revealed through this study. The book gives a firm historic foundation as well as interpretation of scriptures which are insightful as well as intriguing. If you want to know more about the New Testament Scriptures, Jesus'life, mission, and where we fit in all this, please read this book and follow along with the bible readings. It will be a true eye opener for you, and I hope a life changing event as well.