Customer Reviews

New Testament Introduction (Master Reference Collection)

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This New Testament Introduction is a monster volume that is exhaustive in its content. Guthrie's book is considered by many scholars (i.e. D. A. Carson, Wilbur Smith, etc.) to be one of, if not the best Introduction to the New Testament texts available. This book is a standard text book at seminaries all across the country. It was first published in 1961 and has been revised, updated, and also endured the test of time (which can be the strongest enemy of any book). Guthrie covers every possible detail from each of the books of the New Testament, including literary form, characteristics of NT writings, purpose, place of origin, dates, languages, historicity, locality, readers (then and now), Synoptic Problem, form criticism and its development, and much, much, much, much, more! This book is well over 1000 pages of great research. If you are looking for a single volume which covers the NT, then you would need to look no further than this text. The bibliography of this book is over 100 pages, which is massive and very helpful if you like to branch off in your research. It is equally useful for the serious researcher and the lay person alike. In fact I bought my copy about 7 years ago and have used it prior to my seminary career, during my seminary career, and I know I will use it for the rest of my researching days. In my estimation there is no other Introductory text that surpasses this one.

This is an excellent text to get you into New Testament studies. The author clearly has deep respect, awe, and love for the NT canon. However, all sides of an issue are presented in a direct and scholarly manner with lots of references. Guthrie comes down strongly on the side of inerrancy AFTER discussing all other views. The writing is excellent.

Do not expect pretty pictures and slick shiny pages in this text. Instead what you will get is a great reference book that you will use repeatedly. My 1971 edition is worn out so I bought the recent edition. Also this edition has many more references incorporating recent work.

I do have one caveat. Before you delve into this book please be sure that you have a good working knowledge of the NT. If you do not then get one of the survey books first. There are excellent survey texts put out by folks like Gundry, Kromaki, and others.

I cannot say enough about the quality of this work. If you are serious about NT scholarship rush out and get this book. You may not agree with the author's theology in all areas but the book is definitely a MUST. Definitely a valuable addition for your study of the New Testament.

NEW TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION by Donald Guthrie probably remains the standard conservative work of its genre. If you want to find consistently conservative views on the authorship, dating, and textual integrity of the books of the New Testament (NT), then this is the place to go. (Raymond Brown, who generally ignores conservative writers, describes this book as "very important".)

As an example of Guthrie's approach, take II Peter: Of all the books of the NT this is the one most likely to be pseudonymous. Guthrie marshals a substantial amount of evidence indicating that Peter could have written it. Much of this you won't find in other NT introductions, which often take for granted that it is a second century work.

It should be noted that this is an introduction to the books of the New Testament. Guthrie does not provide background studies on the history and culture of NT times, or synopsis of the events of the NT (life of Christ, journeys of Paul, etc.) Because of the limited scope of this work (and its length) it is definitely not the first book to read if you are new to the NT.

In the world of New Testament Intro's, Guthrie is the standard. This intro covers background info of each NT book, to include authorship, date, style, unity, problems, etc. If you're buying a New Testament Intro, you can't go wrong with Guthrie, it's the finest. Not as exhaustive, but just as good, and better priced... is the Intro by Carson/Moo/Morris. Both are first rank in scholarship.

The two books complement each other well, either one is a great buy, for your money, Carson is a better value. If they were the same price, Guthrie would edge out Carson, but not by much. Stay away from all other NT intro's, such as Brown, Kummel, Ladd, etc. None can compete with Carson or Guthrie. I have Brown's sitting on my shelf collecting dust, whereas Guthrie and Carson I reference often.

If you're buying a commentary on a specific book, check out my written review for Carson's Intro. I list the best of the best, however, I don't list Bible books that have no clear cut stand out commentary. For example, Mark has several that are arguably the best, but none stand out (stay away from Hooker on Mark, it's garbage). Carson must have lost his mind when he endorsed her in his commentary survey....

Great treatment. Academically rigorous but lacks the obligatory dryness that plagues other works on the subject. Good balance between evangelical and objective.

For what it was written for, this book does a great job. It is essentially a study of Higher Criticism of the New Testament. Guthrie does excellent work in putting forth the various positions held by numerous scholars. While not of the same theological bent as I, this work is a necessary evil when pursuing any graduate or post graduate degree in the field of Biblical Study. I highly recommend it on that foundation.

As far as NT Introductions are concerned, you simply cannot beat this work. Thanks, Dr. Guthrie, for compiling such an extensive, yet easily understood, Introduction.

I have found this book to be easy to read and it explains the subject well. I encourage anyone to buy it.

An excellent scientific work.

Chatzieleftheriou S. Konstantinos
Teacher of Orthodox Theology
conchatzi@yahoo.gr