The World of the New Testament (Green and McDonald)

Joel B. Green and Lee Martin McDonald, ed. The World of the New Testament (Baker Academic, 2017).

Book Description: Two respected senior scholars have brought together a team of distinguished specialists to introduce the Jewish, Hellenistic, and Roman history and culture relevant for understanding the New Testament and the early church. The book includes seventy-five photographs, fifteen maps, numerous tables and charts, illustrations, and bibliographies. All students of the New Testament will value this reliable, up-to-date, comprehensive textbook and reference volume on the New Testament world.

From the Editors: Editor Joel Green explains:

The World of the New Testament is notable for the breadth of the topics covered, the relative brevity of each of the chapters, and the suggested bibliography for further reading at the end of each chapter. This makes it an ideal, go-to source for major questions related to understanding the New Testament in its social and historical world.

Distinctive Features: Editor Joel Green explains:

This book draws on experts for each of its short chapters. The result is that readers are treated to up-to-date discussions. It includes lots of photographs, maps, and other learning tools that supplement the text.

Nijay’s Notes:

Like Green says, these are brief, up-to-date essays that will get you caught up on the NT world. Highly recommended!

Contents

1. Introduction Joel B. Green and Lee Martin McDonald
2. New Testament Chronology Lee Martin McDonald Part 1: Setting the Context: Exile and the Jewish Heritage
3. Exile Nicholas Perrin
4. The Hasmoneans and the Hasmonean Era Larry R. Helyer
5. The Herodian Dynasty Everett Ferguson
6. Monotheism Nathan MacDonald
7. The Scriptures and Scriptural Interpretation Lidija Novakovic Part 2: Setting the Context: Roman Hellenism
8. Greek Religion Moyer V. Hubbard
9. The Imperial Cult Nicholas Perrin
10. Greco-Roman Philosophical Schools John T. Fitzgerald
11. Civic and Voluntary Associations in the Greco-Roman World Michael S. Moore
12. Economics, Taxes, and Tithes David J. Downs
13. Slaves and Slavery in the Roman World S. Scott Bartchy
14. Women, Children, and Families in the Greco-Roman World Lynn H. Cohick
15. Education in the Greco-Roman World Ben Witherington III Part 3: The Jewish People in the Context of Roman Hellenism
16. Temple and Priesthood David Instone-Brewer
17. Jews and Samaritans Lidija Novakovic
18. Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes Michelle Lee-Barnewall
19. The Dead Sea Scrolls C. D. Elledge
20. Prophetic Movements and Zealots James D. G. Dunn
21. Apocalypticism Larry R. Helyer
22. Synagogue and Sanhedrin Kenneth D. Litwak
23. Jews in the Diaspora David A. deSilva
24. Noncanonical Jewish Writings Daniel M. Gurtner
25. Jewish Identity, Beliefs, and Practices Archie T. Wright
26. Jewish Education Kent L. Yinger
27. Healing and Healthcare Joel B. Green Part 4: The Literary Context of Early Christianity
28. Reading, Writing, and Manuscripts E. Randolph Richards
29. Pseudonymous Writings and the New Testament Lee Martin McDonald
30. Literary Forms in the New Testament Thomas E. Phillips
31. Homer and the New Testament Thomas E. Phillips
32. Josephus and the New Testament Michael F. Bird
33. Philo and the New Testament Torrey Seland
34. Rabbinic Literature and the New Testament Bruce Chilton
35. Early Canonical Christian Writings Nicholas Perrin Part 5: The Geographical Context of the New Testament
36. Jesus Research and Archeology James H. Charlesworth
37. Egypt John D. Wineland
38. Palestine Thomas R. Hatina
39. Syria, Cilicia, and Cyprus Mark Wilson
40. The Province and Cities of Asia Paul Trebilco
41. Galatia Mark Wilson
42. Macedonia Gene L. Green
43. Achaia Gene L. Green
44. Rome and Its Provinces Thomas Hatina Additional Resources Money in the New Testament Era Lee Martin McDonald Measurements in the New Testament Era Lee Martin McDonald Glossary Joel B. Green and Lee Martin McDonald Indexes

About the Author: Joel B. Green (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is provost, dean of the School of Theology, and professor of New Testament interpretation at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He is the author or editor of numerous books, including the Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics, the Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, The World of the New Testament, Introducing the New Testament, and commentaries on Luke and 1 Peter. He is also editor-in-chief of the Journal of Theological Interpretation.   Lee Martin McDonald (PhD, University of Edinburgh), before his retirement, was professor of New Testament studies and president of Acadia Divinity College. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including The Biblical Canon, and coeditor of The Canon Debate (with James Sanders), and The World of the New Testament (with Joel Green). He lives in Mesa, Arizona.