This volume introduces students to

Jewish and Greco-Roman background
2, literary genres and forms
3, issues of authorship, date, and setting
4, the content and major themes of each book
5, various approaches to the study of the Gospels and Acts
6. the intersection of New Testament criticism with contemporary faith and culture
7. Now in its third edition, this popular textbook has been updated and revised to take account of the latest advances in scholarly findings and research methods, including new sections on

the impact of social memory theory on Gospel studies
the relationship of John's Gospel to the Synoptics
recent work on characterization in narrative studies of the Gospels
the way the Hebrew Scriptures are read by the New Testament authors
the contribution of archaeology to New Testament studies
updated bibliographies highlighting the most important and influential works published in the last decade
Especially suited as a textbook for courses on Jesus, the Gospels, or Acts, this book is a valuable guide for anyone seeking a solid foundation for studying the New Testament.