Customer Reviews

Popular Survey of the New Testament, A

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

"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.

This book is very well written. The one thing I really like is that you can tell that it is a 21st century book. It grabs the essence of the books of the Bible and gets to the point quickly instead of pages and pages of trying to get to the point. A good read for laity, students and teachers.

Popular Survey of the New Testament, A this book is a great study aid, when you have the Old Testament Version and want to study both the OT and NTs. Aids in any bible study classes, book by book.