Into the World of the New Testament - by Daniel Lynwood Smith (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Daniel Lynwood Smith orients readers of the New Testament to its historical and cultural settings, introducing the cast of characters, and illuminating key concepts by exploring their use in ancient texts. Smith includes quotations from many primary sources including Josephus, Tacitus, the Qumran Community, Pliny the Younger, and other carefully chosen texts from lesser-known ancient sources. These texts are all carefully woven together with commentary, to provide a narrative framework for the material and guide students through the text. A glossary of complex terms is provided, to make everything as clear as possible for the newcomer to New Testament studies.

This integrative approach both introduces the key sources to the reader and elaborates on their significance for understanding the New Testament. In an admirably concise format Smith is able to cover the military-political history of Israel-Palestine, the messianic movements of Second Temple Judaism, the ancient practice of crucifixion and the development of the Christian canon. Through immersion in these ancient Jewish, Christian, and Greco-Roman texts and contexts, contemporary readers take a step closer to experiencing the New Testament with first-century eyes and ears.

Review Quotes

"This excellent work is easy to read, sensitive to the historically uninformed student, yet highly informative concerning the context of the NT. Drawing on particularly key sources, Smith also helpfully engages the reader with what is relevant to the interests that brought them to the study in the first place. The texts, reflecting the range of Jewish and other Greco-Roman sources, are judiciously chosen, reflecting the relevant period and spheres of influence. The narrative flow of Smith's work keeps the insights intriguing." --Craig S. Keener, Asbury Theological Seminary, USA

"With this new book, Daniel Smith offers a fresh approach to the challenge of introducing students to the writings of the New Testament. Thoughtful attention to both text and context helps readers navigate the path into the cultural world of the New Testament, and from there to arrive at deeper, richer understanding of New Testament literature. Judicious probes of select interpretive questions and substantial excerpts from early Jewish and Greco-Roman texts familiarize readers with many of the 'fascinating voices and artifacts' from the world that shaped the New Testament. Writing with clarity and verve, Daniel Smith takes readers on an intriguing and informative journey 'Into the World of the New Testament, ' and back--and beyond. As a companion volume read in tandem with a Study Bible, this will be a valuable resource--heartily recommended!" --John T. Carroll, Union Presbyterian Seminary, USA

"In this introductory textbook on Greco-Roman and Jewish backgrounds designed to illuminate the New Testament in an introductory course which focuses on actually reading the New Testament itself, Daniel L. Smith has produced a remarkably well-structured and useful teaching tool. The book is extraordinarily well-written by an experienced teacher who knows how to engage students. With appropriate quotations from a wide variety of ancient texts in translation accompanied by basic bibliographies, the author provides an appropriate entré into the biblical texts. The volume concludes with an extensive glossary of terms, signaled in the text by printing important terms in boldface type. Everyone who teaches an introductory NT course should seriously consider using this text as a pedagogical aid." --David E. Aune, University of Notre Dame, USA

"This companion to the New Testament offers students an opportunity to read the New Testament intelligently. It is neither a substitute for reading the New Testament by summarizing it and the questions related to it nor a survey of the background of the New Testament. It is a judicious selection and commentary on ancient texts and their relevance to the basic issues of the New Testament. I heartily recommend it for use in introductory courses." --Greg Sterling, Yale Divinity School, USA

"Primary texts (mostly literary) are well-selected and diverse, and Smith treats his chosen topics capably ... His admirably clear and accessible writing is well-suited for undergraduates ... this promises to be an effective teaching tool." - Religious Studies Review

"[Laura C. Sweat's] writing is clear, her exegesis is judicious, and her arguments are persuasive. I can envision both those working with narrative criticism and theological interpretation of the gospels finding something of substance to interact with here. I also think Sweat's work has the potential to open the door for further explorations of theological paradox in Mark and elsewhere in the NT." - Religious Studies Review

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