An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods & Ministry Formation

Raising the Bar for New Testament Study

David A. deSilva’s foundational work An Introduction to the New Testament offers a richly layered exploration of the New Testament, bridging rigorous scholarship with ministry application. This volume guides readers toward a deeper, more meaningful understanding of the Scriptures.

While many New Testament introductions zero in on the historical contexts in which the New Testament literature was written, this introduction goes further, giving particular attention to the social, cultural, and rhetorical contexts of the New Testament authors and their writings. DeSilva introduces students to relevant facets of interpretation with each portion of the New Testament literature, integrating instruction in exegetical and interpretive strategies with the customary considerations of authorship, dating, audience, and message. This multifaceted approach equips readers with a thorough understanding of the New Testament and its enduring significance.

An Introduction to the New Testament stands out with a range of exceptional features:

• Explores social, cultural, and rhetorical contexts in addition to historical context.
• Integrates interpretive and exegetical strategies with insights into authorship, dating, audience, and message.
• Bridges the gap between scholarship and practice by including implications for ministry in each chapter.
• Provides extensive maps, photos, points of interest, and aids to learning.
• Includes additional chapters on the historical and cultural environment of the New Testament, the nature of the Gospels and the quest for the historical Jesus, and the life of Paul.

An Introduction to the New Testament is a comprehensive and carefully crafted introduction to the New Testament and is established as an authoritative textbook and resource for students. This beautiful, full-color second edition has been updated throughout with new scholarship and additional images. If you are convinced that a New Testament introduction should integrate scholarship and ministry, make An Introduction to the New Testament your first choice.

David A. deSilva (PhD, Emory University) is Trustees’ Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. He is the author of over twenty-five books and an ordained elder in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church.