Theology of the New Testament: A Canonical and Synthetic Approach

Frank S. Thielman

Zondervan Academic, Mar 22, 2011 - Religion - 800 pages

Studying the theology of the New Testament can be a daunting task, even to the knowledgeable Bible student or pastor. Each of the twenty-seven books, written by various authors, has its own theological emphasis and nuances. How do we elicit a coherent message from such theological diversity, especially given that some of the theological statements in the New Testament seem to be at odds with one another? Is such an endeavor achievable or even valid? Theology of the New Testament takes a balanced approach in response to these challenges. Frank Thielman presents a theology of the New Testament that is careful to take into account the cultural and historical circumstances surrounding each book and the New Testament as a whole. He not only examines each book’s theological content individually, but also in relation to the rest of the New Testament, particularly within each of the three theological units that comprise the New Testament: the gospels and Acts, the Pauline epistles, and the general epistles and Revelation. This canonical and synthetic approach honors both the theological diversity of the various books and the theological connections between the books. In the end, Thielman finds a unified theological vision of the New Testament, anchored in the centrality of Jesus Christ. Frank Thielman’s Theology of the New Testament is an outstanding achievement. The book is marked by scholarly depth, exegetical rigor, and theological profundity. Both students and professors will profit immensely from this lucid treatment of the theology contained in the New Testament documents. Thomas R. Schreiner Professor of New Testament, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary An accessible presentation of the key theological points of the New Testament books by an accomplished New Testament scholar and teacher. Its clear style, lucid organization, and sound theological insight make it a prime resource for serious students in both the academy and the church. Karen H. Jobes, PhD Associate Professor of New Testament, Westmont College

Contents

• Preface: 9
• Abbreviations: 13
• INTRODUCTION: 17
• The Basic Questions: 19
• The Persistence and Importance of a Fourfold Gospel: 45
• The Death of Gods Son as Good News: 57
• New Wine in Old Skins: 84
• The Place of Christians in the Progress of Salvation History: 111
• Faith in Jesus as the Means to Eternal Life: 150
• Four Diverse Witnesses to the One Gospel of Jesus Christ: 181
• The Coherence and Center of Pauls Theology: 219
• Maintaining Faith Love and Hope in the Midst of Suffering: 234
• Perseverance Despite Persecution and False Teaching: 250
• The Grace of God and the Truth of the Gospel: 262
• A Plea for Peace Holiness and Fidelity: 276
• The Importance of the Gospels Progress: 307
• Power Perfected in Weakness: 323
• The Gospel of Gods Righteousness: 342
• Christ Preeminent in Cosmos and History: 375
• Reconciliation in Practice: 387
• The Unity of Church and Cosmos in Christ: 393
• The Church as Pillar and Foundation of Truth: 408
• Knowing God Doing Good and Making Salvation Attractive: 423
• Faithfulness to the Gospel: 430
• The Common Emphases and Central Convictions of Pauls Letters: 438
• THE NONPAULINE LETTERS AND: 481
• The Wisdom of the Undivided Life: 496
• Contending for the Faith against a Perversion of Gods Grace: 512
• The Truth about Jesus His Death and His Love Command: 536
• Avoiding Those Who Have Abandoned Truth and Love: 556
• On Suffering as a Christian: 569
• Jesus as Perfecter of the Faith and Leader of the Faithful: 585
• Meaning amid Oppression: 612
• The Clash of World Views in Hebrews to Revelation: 651
• The Theological Unity of the New Testament: 681
• Works Cited: 727
• Scripture and Apocrypha Index: 763
• Other Ancient Literature Index: 787

About the author

Frank Thielman (PhD, Duke University) is Presbyterian professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, in Birmingham, Alabama. He is the author of Philippians in the NIV Application Commentary series.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Theology of the New Testament: A Canonical and Synthetic Approach
• Author: Frank S. Thielman
• Publisher: Zondervan Academic, 2011
• ISBN: 031086433X, 9780310864332
• Length: 800 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Biblical Studies / History & Culture; Religion / Biblical Studies / New Testament / Jesus, the Gospels & Acts; Religion / Christian Theology / Eschatology; Religion / Christian Theology / History