Reading the New Testament

Reading the New Testament was written by Pheme Perkins and was published by Paulist Press in 1988. This book was assigned for the ILM course titled Jesus and the Gospels which focused on his life, message, death, and resurrection. It provided detail about the types of literature and kinds of stories, as well as the current understanding about how it was passed on and gathered into written form, and eventually collected into what we call the Christian Scriptures. This was another fascinating book with information on every page, and I really enjoyed it. It also prompted some very interesting discussions in class, about the infancy narratives and other stories, who Jesus was, and how what he taught about the Kingdom of God became the basis for Christianity. I would recommend this book to those that are interested in understanding the New Testament.

The jacket says, "Reading the New Testament has been recognized as a very valuable way to introduce students to modern historical-critical interpretation of the New Testament without sacrificing its primary message. It brings a sure grasp of biblical scholarship and an understanding of the interdependence of scripture and the church. It is an excellent book for anyone wishing to start a study of the New Testament as an individual or a member of a group.

This second and revised edition of Reading the New Testament has obviously profited from the reactions of hundreds of students and other readers in the last decade. It will be especially welcome in adult bible study groups who are always in search of affordable materials of outstanding quality.

Pheme Perkins is professor of theology at Boston College. She received her Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins from Harvard University and has served as president of the Catholic Biblical Association and the New England region of the American Academy of Religion. She is the author of fourteen books.