New Testament history : a narrative account / Ben Witherington III.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Witherington, Ben, III, 1951-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bible. New Testament--History of Biblical events.

Bible.

Bible. New Testament--History of contemporary events.

Bible. New Testament.

History of contemporary events.

History of Biblical events.

Physical Description:

430 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Carlisle, Cumbria : Paternoster Press ; Grand Rapids, Mich. : Baker Academic, [2001]

Summary:

Essential to an understanding of the New Testament world is a comprehension of the individuals, events, and social movements that shaped the world from which Jesus and his followers emerged. Unfortunately, the accounts of Josephus and other early historians are complex and often leave students feeling overwhelmed and confused.New Testament History provides a worthy solution to this problem. A well-known expert on the social world of the New Testament, Ben Witherington offers an engaging look into the world that birthed the Christian faith.In this succinct yet readable narrative, Witherington carries the reader from the intertestamental Maccabean wars to the reign of Domitian and the exile of John, focusing especially upon the life of Christ. Witherington closely explores the geographical, political, social, and religious influences that shaped the leaders and social movements of the day. The inferiority complex of Alexander the Great and the stories of "Little Boots" and Nero are a few examples of such case studies.This rich chronicle leaves readers with a better understanding of the social and political climate of the New Testament world, tackling controversies and issues with depth and clarity. Students, pastors, and interested readers will enjoy this stimulating account and appreciate its readable narrative style. New Testament History contains a number of pedagogical features, including illustrations, sidebars, "Closer Look" sections, maps, and charts.

Contents:

Prolegomenon: Of History, Historians, and Biographers 14

1 From Alexander to Alexandra and Beyond (356-67 B.C.) 29

2 The Rise of the Herodians, the Birth of Jesus, and the Dawn of an Empire (63-4 B.C.) 49

3 The Herodians and Their Prophetic Adversaries: John and Jesus (4 B.C.-A.D. 27) 80

4 The Coming of the Prefect and of the Perfect: Pilate of Rome and Jesus of Nazareth (A.D. 26-29) 107

5 The Trials and Tribulations of Jesus (A.D. 29-30) 132

6 The Rising of the Son and the Birth of the Church (A.D. 30-33) 160

7 The Roads from Jerusalem (A.D. 33-37) 188

8 Dark Passages (A.D. 37-47) 213

9 The Gentile Mission and the Jerusalem Council (A.D. 48-49) 228

10 Good News Heading West (A.D. 50-52) 249

11 The Expansion of the Enterprise (A.D. 53-57) 274

12 Trials and Executions: Signs upon the Earth (A.D. 58-62) 301

13 Through the Refiner's Fire (A.D. 63-68) 333

14 The Dawn of the Age of Inspiration (A.D. 68-70) 356

15 Beyond Jerusalem, Jamnia, and the Julio-Claudians (A.D. 70-81) 370

16 The Dominion of Domitian (A.D. 81-96) 390

Ancient Writings 419.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

0801022932

OCLC:

47182425