Rating: 
Summary: Comprehensive, but...
Review: ...Boring. As a reference, this is a great book, a thorough (and thick & heavy) survey of New Testament theology by one fo the the heavy hitters of NT scholarship. I read this book, however, as part of a graduate seminar, and found it extraordinarily boring, as, I believe, surveys of this sort are often doomed to be. If you're looking for something to read cover-to-cover, this is a tough one. The writing is lucid throughout--no problem there. There is simply too much information packed between the two covers, without an angle. It's like reading the encyclopedia.Nevertheless, if what you want is a reference, this is the book. Brown covers a very wide range of scholarship, and varying opinions in discussing the books of the NT. At the end of each chapter, he gives a long list of books for suggested reading.
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive, but...
Review: ...Boring. As a reference, this is a great book, a thorough (and thick & heavy) survey of New Testament theology by one fo the the heavy hitters of NT scholarship. I read this book, however, as part of a graduate seminar, and found it extraordinarily boring, as, I believe, surveys of this sort are often doomed to be. If you're looking for something to read cover-to-cover, this is a tough one. The writing is lucid throughout--no problem there. There is simply too much information packed between the two covers, without an angle. It's like reading the encyclopedia. Nevertheless, if what you want is a reference, this is the book. Brown covers a very wide range of scholarship, and varying opinions in discussing the books of the NT. At the end of each chapter, he gives a long list of books for suggested reading.
Rating: 
Summary: A must-have for everyone interested in the New Testament
Review: A thorough and scholarly examination of the New Testament which is entirely accessable to the lay reader. Father Brown lucidly sets forth the social, religious, political and historical context of each book without losing sight of the essential Christian message. His approach is an intellectually-challenging counterbalance to the work of the "Jesus Seminar"; he expounds on the development of each New Testament book without challenging its essential, spiritual veracity. Well done, indeed.
Rating:
Summary: excellent intro from a moderate viewpoint
Review: another 5 stars for father brown (unfortunately posthumously). in this book, brown, a renowned 20th century catholic priest/scholar, tried to write a readable yet comprehensive intro to all facets of NT study. this volume treats all NT books, albeit briefly, giving the consensus of modern scholarship regarding authorship, purpose, date etc. as a note to conservative evangelicals (of which i am one), brown here is decidedly centrist in his stances. in accordance with modern catholic doctrine on biblical interpretation, brown lets history shape our understanding of the biblical message. for instance, brown would agree that such NT books as 2 Peter, Colossians, Ephesians, 1 & 2 Timothy etc, were not written by peter or paul. if you have read enough of brown's work, you know he IS a believer, and only occasionally his writings reflect it. i should say that whether one is liberal or conservative, brown was one of the best NT theologians ever. even as a conservative i can get alot from his work. so...... get this book! even if you don't agree with all of it, you will learn alot!
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Resource
Review: As a lay person with an interest in scripture I have found Raymond Brown a wonderful resource. This book is fairly friendly to read even if you are not a scripture scholar and gives a good background and thoughtful discussion of various schools of thought on interpretation. Finally, though, Fr. Brown is an orthodox Catholic without pushing the agenda. If you are interested in bible study from both a doctrinal and personal growth perspective, this is a great book to have nearby.
Rating:
Summary: A noteworthy book by a brilliant scholar.
Review: Both the Church and the Academy have desparatly needed an introduction to the New Testament which was both balanced in its approach and thoroughly academic. Thus, academics and laypersons alike will benefit from this outstanding contribution by the late Fr. Brown. Fr. Brown approaches the New Testament from a balanced perspective, acknowledging the various scholarly opinions and controversies inherent in biblical criticism, while at the same time retaining a great love for the text as the Word of God. I particularly appreciated the fact that if Fr. Brown was unsure about his position on an issue, for instance, regarding the authorship or dating of a book, he was willing to say so! What a refreshing lack of academic hubris! This book is suitable for use as an upper division undergraduate theology text, as a graduate level introduction, or as a seminary text.
Rating:
Summary: ABSOLUTELY THE FINEST NEW TESTAMENT INTRO AVAILABLE!
Review: Brown's "Introduction" (if something over 800 pagescan be called an "introduction"!) is nothing less than amasterpiece of Modern Biblical Scholarship. It covers every NT topic imaginable - The NT Social and Political World, Authorship, Christology, major Themes, historicity, Theological divisions, Manuscript Dating, even the Historical Jesus Debate - in an even-handed, (fairly) non-technical, heavily footnoted manner. The book is extremely well documented with charts and maps and references from some of the world's most renowned Catholic and Protestant Scholars. If you must own only ONE Intro. to The New Testament, MAKE IT THIS ONE.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction from a great scholar
Review: During his career, Brown (emeritus, biblical studies, Union Theological Seminary, New York) has enlightened and challenged scholars. Here he brings his extensive knowledge to bear in a volume primarily for beginners, though it will serve equally well those who are not. Because of the intended audience, he has made certain choices about content and form. First, he focuses on the established 27-book New Testament canon based upon the "wide agreement about the twenty-seven works to be included in a normative or canonical collection." Second, he deemphasizes the prehistory of the documents (sources, editions, and so forth) and emphasizes the documents in their canonical form. He begins most chapters with a "General Analysis of the Message" and addresses issues such as authorship, date, and composition afterward. So, for example, readers are helped to understand the individual messages of Matthew, Mark, and Luke without getting bogged down in the "synoptic problem." Due to his emphasis on the finished form of the New Testament documents, even those who disagree with some of the author's critical judgments will benefit from this volume. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries.'
Rating:
Summary: Good for us pagans too!
Review: Excellent and straightforward discussion of NT. Although Brown does have a strong point of view, he generally (but not always) indicates where controversies exist and where others disagree with him.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent, if denominational, review of the New Testament
Review: Father Brown's review of the New Testament is both well-reasoned and comprehensive. Even though it is a large book, it is only able to brush the surface of it's subject. Many areas cry out for a more in-depth look. Luckily, Father Brown includes an extensive bibliograpy that points the seeker to further scholarship. My only real problem with this book is that it is a Roman Catholic book. That is, when Father Brown is on neutral theological ground he is erudite, informed and displays a laser-like ability to cut to the essential. When he strays into Roman dogma, he shuts down his intellect and relies on "it is considered to be infallible". This is completely understandable from a Roman Catholic cleric, but disappointing in a theologan. Other that this propensity, excellent in all ways.
|
