Rating: 
Summary: A Great One Volume Commentary
Review: In general, I believe that if a person is going to give a book as a gift, a gift certificate is a better option than actually buying the book, unless the person decides to send something to me from my Amazon.com wish list. At this time I have quite a few books I will probably never read that were given to me as gifts.Raymond Brown's AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT is one exception to this rule of mine. I was given this book as a gift and I have used it over and over again.For many years, Raymond Brown was one of the Roman Catholic Church's preeminent scripture scholars. As a matter of fact, he was one of the first biblical scholars taken seriously by non-Catholic scripture scholars. His primary area of expertise is John's Gospel, though he has written well received commentaries on Jesus' birth and death. This volume is a general introduction to the entire New Testament. It includes a section devoted to the major developments in New Testament study, commentaries on the books themselves, and concludes with information about the current quest for the historical Jesus. While the commentaries are general, any one volume commentary would be general, it does help a person studying scripture come up with new insights about a text as well as answer questions about troubling passages. Perhaps what makes this volume so interesting is the number of places Brown includes information that might not ordinarily be found in a one volume commentary. This information can give the reader a new perspective on scripture and demonstrate once again that the Bible has spoken to people in the past, and still continues to speak to people today.
Rating:
Summary: since the bread we break is one_
Review: In short (not to fatigue with another enthusiastic review):
Father Brown's book covers anything on every NT book, maintaining always a balanced poise, not obscuring nor whitewashing the problems and with a clarity both of mind and of style.
What I'd like to stress is that this unique book is deceivingly easy to read, for every word is packed with knowledge and a life
experience, and so are the up-to-date bibliographies at the end of each chapter. I haven't seen a book as useful as this for decades! Father Brown S.I., in memoriam.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutly Fabulous
Review: Raymond Brown has once again proven with this volume why he is one of the greatest New Testament scholars in the world today. His thoroughness is unsurpassed. He intricately explains each point in detail, leaving very little for the dedicated reader to continue to wonder about. Still, it does its best to raise healthy questions and by no means considers itself to be the definitive work. It only presents a main line scholarly perspective, sticking straight to the middle and not giving much voice to fundamental or liberal interpretations except to acknowledge their existence. Still, the book is quite wonderful and makes one of the best references out there for anyone interested in New Testament studies.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutly Fabulous
Review: Raymond Brown has once again proven with this volume why he is one of the greatest New Testament scholars in the world today. His thoroughness is unsurpassed. He intricately explains each point in detail, leaving very little for the dedicated reader to continue to wonder about. Still, it does its best to raise healthy questions and by no means considers itself to be the definitive work. It only presents a main line scholarly perspective, sticking straight to the middle and not giving much voice to fundamental or liberal interpretations except to acknowledge their existence. Still, the book is quite wonderful and makes one of the best references out there for anyone interested in New Testament studies.
Rating:
Summary: Best New Testament Introduction I have read.
Review: Raymond Brown, now dead, has surely produced a widely accessible introduction. Without the usual flummery so common in general texts, Father Brown's moderate and scholarly approach is a treat. I specially enjoy the numerous references at the end of each chapter. The footnotes are excellent and highly useful. If there is one flaw it is that there are no "must have" references within the recomended reading lists.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Guide to the New Testament
Review: The author has done a great service for new readers of the New Testament. This book presents a balanced and informative introduction to the New Testament that is both scholary and extremely well written. There are adequate footnotes and bibliographical references for those who wish to explore a topic in greater detail. I read this book as I read the New Testament and I would recommend this approach to others. Father Brown is both knowledgable and enthusiastic about his subject matter and after reading this book so was I. Thank you Father Brown.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: The best introduction to the New Testament on the market, hands down, maybe the best ever. A must-have for scholars, students of all levels and any English speaker who wants to know about the New Testament.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: The best introduction to the New Testament on the market, hands down, maybe the best ever. A must-have for scholars, students of all levels and any English speaker who wants to know about the New Testament.
Rating:
Summary: Summary of New Testament for both the scholar and the novice
Review: The book is substantive enough for use in university settings yet accessable for those who for the first time wish to seriously engage in a review of the New Testament. Father Brown (who past away in early August, 1998) was widely recognized by both Catholics and Prostestants as one of the leading Biblical scholars of our day. His writing is readable yet thourough, allowing progress through the material while giving the reader a confidence that the basics of each of the books of the New Testament have been communicated.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction, great scholar
Review: The late Raymond E. Brown was a tremendous scholar and a devout Christian. In all he did, Father Brown carefully applied the tools of critical scholarship while never apologizing for his faith. In a scholastic battlefield too often dominated by extremists on the left and the right, Father Brown was a breath of fresh air who drew fire from both sides. This Introduction first provides helpful background information about the formation of the New Testament and the social and political world that produced it. Father Brown then carefully analyzes each book of the New Testament with consideration for issues such as who the author was, where the book was written, and who the author's initial audience was. More importantly, each book is then carefully analyzed in light of this information for the meaning it conveyed in the social and historical context in which it was written. As another reviewer has said, you can't read this book beneficially without also reading the New Testament. But for searching, inquisitive readers who are willng to put in that effort, this book provides a truly informative, intellectually honest introduction to the greatest story ever told.
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