Behind the Scenes of the New Testament: Cultural, Social, and Historical Contexts edited by B.W. Longenecker, E.E. Shively, and T.J. Lang, is a new book that provides readers with a deep dive into the world of the New Testament.
Because my upcoming book The Untold Story of the New Testament Church: Revised and Expanded is print ready and due to release March 2025, I wasn’t able to cite this book before I turned my manuscript into the publisher. In this regard, the bad news is that new books will come out each year about New Testament background, so it’s impossible for me to include them in my book at this point.
The good news is that all of the material in this volume is already contained in The Untold Story via hundreds of other sources, some of which came from some of the authors of this work.
Behind the Scenes simply puts much of this background information under one hardcover volume. Therefore, it serves as a helpful resource for students and scholars.
This new book book is structured in a way that allows readers to explore various aspects of the New Testament world systematically. It covers a wide range of topics, including historical geography, archaeology, broad historical contexts, and event-based historical contexts. This organization helps readers build a holistic understanding of the environment in which the New Testament texts were written and read.
One of the strengths of this work is its interdisciplinary approach. The editors have brought together a diverse group of contributors, each bringing their expertise to bear on specific aspects of New Testament background. This collaborative effort results in a rich and nuanced exploration of the cultural, social, and historical contexts that informed the writing and reception of the New Testament texts.
The volume excels in its treatment of historical geography, providing readers with a clear understanding of the physical landscapes that served as the backdrop for the events and writings of the New Testament. Archaeological insights form another cornerstone of this work. The contributors skillfully integrate the latest archaeological findings to shed light on the material culture of the New Testament era. This approach brings the ancient world to life, allowing readers to visualize the settings in which the early Christian communities lived and worshipped.
The sections dealing with broad historical contexts are particularly valuable. They provide a panoramic view of the political, economic, and social landscapes of the Roman Empire, helping readers understand the complex world in which Christianity emerged and spread. This macro-level perspective is balanced with detailed explorations of specific events and their historical contexts, offering a multi-layered understanding of the New Testament world.
One of the most significant contributions of this volume is its exploration of themes that run through the New Testament. The editors and contributors have done an excellent job of integrating knowledge from various fields to illuminate key concepts and ideas that permeate the texts. This thematic approach helps readers see the interconnectedness of different New Testament writings and their shared cultural and historical backgrounds.
The book’s accessibility is another notable feature. While it maintains scholarly rigor, the writing is clear and engaging, making it suitable for a wide range of readers. Students will find it an excellent companion to their New Testament studies, while scholars will appreciate the depth of research and the fresh insights offered.
However, like any work of this scope, “Behind the Scenes of the New Testament” has its limitations. The sheer breadth of topics covered means that some areas may not receive as much depth as specialists might desire. Additionally, the diversity of contributors, while generally a strength, can sometimes lead to slight variations in approach or emphasis across different sections. In this connection, I agree with Longenecker on some things; on others I side with Craig Keener, Joel B. Green, Paul Barnett, Clinton Arnold, and Darrell Bock. (Interestingly, Barnett wrote a superb book years ago with the same title Behind the Scenes of the New Testament, IVP 1990, Foreword by Michael Green.)
In conclusion, “Behind the Scenes of the New Testament: Cultural, Social, and Historical Contexts” is an impressive achievement in New Testament background studies. It offers a comprehensive, well-researched, and accessible exploration of the world that gave birth to the New Testament writings.
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