Introducing Jesus - by Andreas J Köstenberger (Paperback)

About the Book

"Can anyone in our high-tech world truly understand someone who lived two thousand years ago? Can we get through twenty centuries of tradition to the real person who started it all? Andreas Kèostenberger shows that the Gospels, the four earliest records about Jesus, do just that. These writings, named Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, alongside key facts about the ancient world, bring Jesus's life, his words, and his legacy into focus. Introducing Jesus gets to the heart of what was-and is-important about Jesus. Kèostenberger uses succinct prose, photographs, maps, charts, and more to address these questions: What did each gospel writer intend to convey about Jesus? What historical backgrounds help us understand Jesus better? What aspects of Jesus's life and teaching do the Gospels emphasize? What does Jesus mean to people living today? Adapted from Kèostenberger's The Jesus of the Gospels (2020) for a younger readership, Introducing Jesus lends itself well to the typical organization of a high school year or college semester. A corresponding website includes resources for instructors"--

Book Synopsis

A book for those who think they know Jesus and for those who know they don't.
Can anyone in our high-tech world truly understand someone who lived two thousand years ago? Can we get through twenty centuries of tradition to the real person who started it all? Andreas Köstenberger shows that the Gospels, the four earliest records about Jesus, do just that. These writings, named Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, alongside key facts about the ancient world, bring Jesus's life, his words, and his legacy into focus.
Introducing Jesus gets to the heart of what was--and is--important about Jesus. Köstenberger uses succinct prose, photographs, maps, charts, and more to address these questions:

• What did each gospel writer intend to convey about Jesus?
• What historical backgrounds help us understand Jesus better?
• What aspects of Jesus's life and teaching do the Gospels emphasize?
• What does Jesus mean to people living today?

Adapted from Köstenberger's The Jesus of the Gospels (2020) for a younger readership, Introducing Jesus lends itself well to the typical organization of a high school year or college semester. A corresponding website includes resources for instructors.

Review Quotes

"Introducing Jesus makes the Gospels come alive in a way that is both accessible and deeply enriching. Drawing on the distinctive voices of the evangelists, Dr. Köstenberger beautifully unifies their narratives, offering readers a comprehensive and engaging introduction to Jesus's life and teachings. This book is not only a valuable resource for students and educators, but also a reflection of Dr. Köstenberger's profound insight and dedication to making spiritual knowledge approachable for all. I highly recommend it for believers and nonbelievers alike!"--Jordan Raynor "
Bestselling author of The Sacredness of Secular Work and Redeeming Your Time" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Andreas Köstenberger, one of the experts on the Gospels in our day, provides an accessible and heartwarming introduction to the Jesus of the Gospels. A wonderful resource for students and for all who wish to encounter Jesus Christ."--Thomas R. Schreiner "
Professor and Associate Dean, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Books on this subject may be so technical that only scholars can make sense of them. Not so here. The author makes wonderfully plain what the Gospel writers were convinced of―that Jesus is Lord, and that his life, teachings, self-sacrifice, and resurrection are not dead tales of the past. Rather, they are truths that remain life-changing right now. Read each Gospel with this book as a guide. It will give you fresh eyes for Jesus's meaning on the vast stage of first-century Jewish expectation and Roman history. And it will open up avenues for the informed personal commitment to Jesus now that all four Gospels commend."--Robert W. Yarbrough "
Professor of New Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Having taught through Köstenberger's The Jesus of the Gospels for both church and college audiences, I am excited that Introducing Jesus offers a streamlined version for high school students along with anyone interested in meeting Jesus for the first time. This book hits that coveted balance of accessibility and substantive content as it walks readers through what is historically referred to as "the fourfold Gospel." By closely following each account's storyline and theological emphasis, along with various points of application, Introducing Jesus offers more than a mere study of an extraordinary life; it summons the reader to action--follow Jesus and become more like Him. Furthering the call are various suggested resources from Köstenberger at the book's end, tools proven to equip readers in what it means to follow the Jesus of the fourfold Gospel in a world hostile to Him."--Cory M. Marsh "
Professor of New Testament, Southern California Seminary,
Scholar in Residence, Revolve Bible Church" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"I have always longed for a work that helps us read the Gospels well, not merely to understand what happened but also to grasp their theological import. Success at that task is no small endeavor; it requires facility in historical context, literary structure, exegesis, and theology. In Introducing Jesus, Köstenberger has brought all these qualities together in clear exposition so that we have a companion that walks us through the Gospel accounts, explaining the significance of each event the way the Gospel writer desired us to see them. This volume is an invaluable resource and a must have for all those who yearn to know our Lord's life the way the biblical authors fully intended."--Abner Chou "
President and John F. MacArthur Endowed Fellow, The Master's University and Seminary" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"In Introducing Jesus, Andreas Köstenberger supplies a much-needed resource for an often neglected audience: college students. You get first-rate, up-to-date scholarship without getting bogged down in overly technical detours suitable only for doctoral students. In a clear, engaging, and inspiring way, Köstenberger centers on the most important questions and issues confronting students when they study the life of Jesus. As a well-respected and established evangelical scholar, Köstenberger offers a thorough treatment of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John without losing sight of the one, fourfold gospel. Brilliantly done! I highly recommend Introducing Jesus."--J. Scott Duvall "
J. C. and Mae Fuller Professor of New Testament, Ouachita Baptist University" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"In this helpful introduction to the Jesus of the canonical Gospels, Andreas Köstenberger helps us all to appreciate that Jesus was far too complex a historical and religious figure for one portrait to do him justice. We should be thankful that we have four, each of which contribute something to our overall understanding of our Savior. Portraits are not like bare photographs; they are inherently interpretative in their very nature, and so what we actually have in the New Testament are four distinct―but yet compatible―portraits of the real Jesus of both history and faith, which help us "see him more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly, day by day." Highly recommended!"--Ben Witherington, III "
Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"It is sometimes claimed that today's students know comparatively less about the Bible than past generations. Whatever the status of such comments, this new textbook by Andreas Köstenberger, Introducing Jesus, does something that very few recent publications even attempt. It was designed to fill a gap that is primarily aimed toward high school students, homeschoolers, or anyone else who desires a basic treatment of who Jesus is, including his teachings and actions that made him utterly unlike anyone else who ever lived. Here is a reliable guide to pursue along with the Gospels, either in personal or group settings. This solid work of research, wisdom, and application marks just such a readable text that is much needed today."--Gary R. Habernas "
Distinguished Research Professor, Liberty University" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Köstenberger's Introducing Jesus is intended to be an introduction to the four Gospels for high school and college students and, very intentionally, as an introduction to Jesus. The consistent focus on the biblical text ensures that the life and message of Jesus is indeed the center of the book. The fruit of many years of careful scholarship, this fine, easily accessible introduction is highly recommended for Christians and non-Christians alike."--Eckhard J. Schnabel "
Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"This book is a treasure! My colleague Andreas Köstenberger has brought his seasoned scholarship, his decades-long engagement with Scripture, and his love for Jesus to bring us a remarkable book! It is accessible and informative, easy to follow, and a pleasure to read. And it's a book for everyone--for all Christians (including pastors, Bible-study leaders, and campus ministers) as well as for those wanting to know more about the person who not only changed history, but also transformed the lives of his contemporaries and continues to do so today."--Paul Copan "
Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics, Palm Beach Atlantic University,
Author, Is God a Vindictive Bully? and An Introduction to Biblical Ethics" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"This work is a succinct overview of the four evangelists' individual accounts of the life of Christ. Köstenberger is the guide you want for this pilgrimage through the four Gospels. Landmarks and contours are pointed out, light is shone on some of the more difficult texts, and there is even a plan to tour the four books in thirty days. Those who are journeying this terrain anew will be aided to know Jesus and to acknowledge the Gospels as the good news―the best news ever!"--Abraham Kuruvilla "
Carl E. Bates Professor of Christian Preaching, The Southern Theological Seminary" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Whether you're new to the Bible or have been reading it your whole life, Introducing Jesus will serve as a reliable companion to your reading. Providing a helpful mixture of explanations of terms and events, insights on Old Testament background, and overviews on how each Gospel is arranged, this book will serve to broaden and deepen your understanding of who Jesus is and what his ministry and message is all about."--
Nancy Guthrie "
Bible teache, r
Author, Saints & Scoundrels in the Story of Jesus" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"While we have many books about Jesus and the Gospels, we have very few that do what Andreas Köstenberger's does. Here, finally, is a volume that is introductory and accessible, but without sacrificing scholarly depth and up-to-date research. Such a combination will be a great benefit to college-aged students and to any Christian looking for a jargon-free overview of the Gospels."--Michael J. Kruger "
President, Reformed Theological Seminary" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)