This introduction to the New Testament offers a global, pluralistic, and interdisciplinary approach. It brings the world of the reader, world issues that involve the use or interpretation of the New Testament, and the best scholarship in Bible, Art, History, Theology, and Ethics together in a readable format. While using basic historical-critical and literary-critical scholarship to introduce the timeframe, contents, themes, and peculiarities of the books of the New Testament, the chapters also focus on examples of how the New Testament has functioned in cultures during the past 2,000 years. Chapter titles include Cultural Heritage of the New Testament, The Unexpected News of Jesus, The Gospel of Mark: A Humble Community Anticipating a Hopeful Future, The Gospel of Matthew: A Traditional Community Facing Change, The Gospel of Luke: A Diverse Community Engaged in Social Reform, The Gospel of John: A Troubled Community in Search of Truth, and The Acts of the Apostles: Christianity—A World Religion. For individuals with interest—but little or no formal training—in the academic study of the bible. Read Less