In the Writings of the New Testament Luke Timothy Johnson offers a compelling interpretation of the New Testament as a witness to the rise of early faith in Jesus. Critically judicious and theologically attuned to the role of the New Testament in the life of the church, Johnson deftly guides his reader through a wealth of historical and literary description and invites critical reflection on the meaning of these ancient writings for today.
“Luke Johnson’s text is a compelling account of the birth and growth of early Christian faith in Jesus. Challenging yet eminently accessible, it is an exceptional classroom tool for bridging the gap between the writings of the early church and the modern reader. This new edition only improves on an early excellent academic resource.” -Robert Cleveland, Saint Joseph’s University
“The Writings of the New Testament has long served to introduce students to the rich historical and literary background of the New Testament. Johnson’s enduring contribution is his consistent use of this knowledge in the service of understanding the New Testament texts. His clear and insightful interpretation serves as a model for students as they gain skills for their own interpretive work. The discussion on teaching and the expanded study questions, both new to this edition, are excellent resources for teachers who wish their students to engage the meaning of the texts as well as the critical questions of scholarship.” -Susan E. Hylen, Assistant Professor of New Testament, Vanderbilt Divinity School
Luke Timothy Johnson is Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta. His works include The Real Jesus: The Misguided Quest for the Historical Jesus and the Trust of the Traditional Gospels; Religious Experience in Earliest Christianity: A Missing Dimension in New Testament Studies (Fortress, 1998); Faith’s Freedom: A Classic Spirituality for Contemporary Christians (Fortress, 1990); and The Letter of James (in the Anchor Bible).
