New Testament History

He can make you wanna pop your head and forget what he said when he interprets some passages in Acts (they are rare) but altogether he is to be taken and received as a Historian.If your gonna pick up anything from FF Bruce, I suppose your wanting to know the material your looking into well and have a thorough go around on it. If that’s the case, be a student. I think in the first chapter alone I looked up 35 definitions, printed them off and after I had a nicer grip on them I read the first chapter again. Its the many praetors, lictors, legates, proconsuls, garrisons I had to get acquainted with, it changed the way I read the Bible for sure, they are full of them— & let me tell you.. it is easy to learn definitions but it is extremely hard to find accurate and fair treatments of history.This book has been good, I do think though the book by Everett Ferguson on Background of Christianity is more accurately what I was expecting from this but I don't regret reading it.**Perhaps though... someone could seriously advance the quality of this book by including an introduction to the general structure of the Roman government and the general setting in which all these things took place, probably giving some necessary summary of the defined words he uses throughout the book that if you haven't been introduced to the topic would need to have at least a glance at before reading and of course a lovely glossary tacked on at the end would wrap this thing neatly up. As a bonus, some maps, photos and the like would set this off as a textbook to be competitive even today. I don’t know of many other people that have been as learned in the political history during this setting and taken up this sort of systematic account of New Testament history. It’s a excellent one.**

Great historical information, but an extremely dry read. If you are into history you'll love this book. I'm not that into history, so for me it is a chore to get through. However, the information within is worthy, so I am taking it a bit at a time. I have learned new information, so it's time well spent even though while reading it feels like I'm back in school.

I highly recommend this book if you are a serious Bible student and want to know the hows and whys of the New Testament. Another excellent book by the same author is NEW TESTAMENT HISTORY which you can also buy on Amazon. F.F. Bruce was a magnificent Biblical scholar who wrote with a style that was easy to understand by the layperson yet in such depth that serious students could absolutely depend on for accuracy.

i am checking on F.F.Brucefor his devotion and faithi was told and i listenabout reading plani am in Revelation 21:20started on morning of day01aug2008 at Genesis 1:1and being positive about Biblei am all as devoted as i canAuthorised King James BibleBUT...i have suspicionEnglish REVISED Version 1881started with brainwashingpolitically correct godlessinto stiff materialisticflesh flesh but flesh push'hort&co scholars' withwholehearted support oflower case protestant priesthoodbent all over towards Vaticanwent for 'easy to read'rubbish under 'revised holy bible'using inferior manuscriptsfilled up with 'hort&co' theoriesme being eager to touchthe center of Christianitythat has been off limits forover hundred and fifty yearsin hands of 'highest scholars'time has come for BELIEVERSto say where the cookie crumblesto give us a break to real BELIEFblast the fixed idea mummyfiedscholars that talk to each otherconspire with booksellers and prieststo sell US what we don't wantdried rubbish that drove sweet Jesusto grave by 'off limits' phariseesand nowadays scribbling 'hort&co scholars' thatcannot stop producing 'their' lower case bibles

Great book a classic

Okay, I had to order this for a class. At first, I had to read everything at least twice. I joked that the F.F. (why can't these guys just use their first name) stood for "you have to read everything twice and then you still won't know what it means. But, if you can stick with it, it gets better. It's a good overview of NT History. I was struck by the things he chose to write about as well as things he chose not to write about. But overall, this is a definitive work.

What did I use this product for? It's a book -- I read it! "A book is to read."What did I like or dislike? I used to have this book, and it is exactly as I remember. I dislike having to wear bifocals to read it, but that's an age-related problem.

This is an "old" book, 1970s, but it a very well written, highly readable history of the times, philosophies, theology, and everything surrounding Christianity, and how all of this interacted with Christianity. It is very clear and understandable, not getting too technical or lengthy on any subject. Keep a copy of the New Testament handy, because there are lots of references, and you can track the New Testament with ancient history. This is a very good choice for Christians who want to learn more about the history of the early church and the times and places.

Although written forty years ago F F Bruce's New Testament History remains a classic scholarly study of the political and philosophical background before, during and after the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. In this book Bruce traces, in infinite and objective detail, the context of the Jewish Messianic Hope prevalent at the time of Jesus. He also identified the sources and interpretations of that Hope amongst the various Jewish groups living under Roman rule.Bruce specialised in the study of Paul the Apostle and there are plenty of references to Paul's influence as an early convert to the Christian faith. However, the book is also a brilliant description of Judaea during the Roman occupation, the philosophical schools prevalent at the time (including the different Helenistic influences) and the Jewish politico-religious groups including the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes and Zealots. The political nature of these sects (which Josephus referred to as schools, "after the Greek fashion") was expressed in their doctrine and attitude towards Roman authority. Bruce's own characterisation of each of them is masterful.Bruce was a member of the Plymouth Brethren but did not share the dispensationalist outlook sometimes associated with their teachings. He also differed on the nature of Biblical inerrancy taking the view that the Bible was historically accurate but not necessarily precise. However, in his view, a lack of precision did not invalidate the historical record. Neither did any passages open to debate invalidate the Christian gospel or its theological implications. As he pointed out, "Apart from the New Testament writings and later writings dependent on these our sources of information about the life and teaching of Jesus are scanty and problematic" However, he noted, this is not surprising using the example of Haji Mirza Ali Khan, Fakir of Ipi, to illustrate his point superbly.Bruce draws attention to the non Christian sources of information about Christians including Suetonius, Josephus, Tacitus and others and he is not averse to questioning original works where he thinks they may have been modified to suit Christian tastes. He also makes reference to the Gospel of Thomas pointing out, "it may well be genuine" but drawing attention to the difficulties involved in authenticating a document which appears without any life-context.However, there is clear life-context for Bruce's description of the primitive Jerusalem church, the conflict between Christians and orthodox Jewish authority as well as conflict between Jews and Gentiles all of which is set in its political, social and religious context. His description of time and place is an essential read for anyone seeking to establish the truth about early Christianity whether as an apologist or critic. Bruce was an expert in his subject and an objective historian of the highest quality. Where matters are uncertain he states so quite specifically.Bruce would not have accepted the claims put forward by those who suggest that Paul created Christianity (a view developed in Germany theologians during the nineteenth century and whose supporters included Adolph Hitler). For Bruce, Paul preached the gospel of the risen Christ - whatever the consequences. Everything else (including pastoral duties) were secondary to that evangelical role. All this is described with the scholarly detachment expected of a Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis.New Testament History is a book of the greatest integrity which demands to be read and has stood the test of time. A five star rating well deserved.

quality was fine.

Once you passed the first 100 pages it starts getting very interesting. The first 100 pages are like gum, something you have to chew on for a long time before it gets understandable. At least for the "medium" christian like I am.Highly recommended book. This book makes the New Testament History alive!

Wants to know the New Testament History - here it is.

Good book