book by book
This work aims to introduce the New Testament to neophyte readers. And we consider them to be of two types.
The first are, in a sense, biblical novices. They are people who wish to explore the New Testament but have no idea where to start. These are individuals who, raised in a post-Christian society, see Christian relics around them existing like ruins and vestiges of the past. Despite this, these people seek to understand the Bible on two levels: either on a purely literary level or in the context of some form of spiritual quest. Regardless of the reader's intent, they will find in these pages the historical and cultural contexts to understand the New Testament. They will find sufficient relevant information to engage in an intelligent reading of the 27 books that make up this canon.
The second type of neophyte reader is the student of the Bible. They are in a university or seminary, studying theology or philosophy. They know the Bible for its cultural value but have never read it personally, the way one would read another great work. To succeed in this reading, they need a concise guide that refers to the historical and cultural elements that, in turn, will help them understand the text. In addition to the historical and cultural contexts set out in the chapters that follow, this reader will find the structures and outlines of the books in order to navigate their content effectively. They will then know which themes to pursue in their study of the New Testament.