Introduction to the New Testament: History and Literature of Early Christianity

Rating:
Summary: History, Culture and Religion of the Hellenistic Age
Review: Helmut Koester's History, Culture and Religion of the Hellenistic Age is Volume One to his Introduction to the New Testament. It is intended to provide an introduction, but the reader will come away with much more than that. This review covers only the first volume.

Koester covers a wide range of topics pertaining to the ancient world including political, religious, intellectual, and technological histories and seems to demonstrate thorough knowledge of each. His intention is to provide a linear transition between Old and New Testaments and place the entire Bible into its proper historical context. Many religious groups including the Maccabees, Pharisees, and Samaritans are placed in perspective to the greater world in which the interacted. The reader will fully understand what the political and intellectual world was like during the time Christianity was being established.

Koester's unique way of identifying chapters and subparts makes for quick and easy internal cross reference, though his alpha-numeric style is similar to a government regulation or corporate standard operating procedure.

Though his knowledge of his subject matter is unquestionable, Koester does demonstrate several weaknesses that readers must accommodate. He has a strong pro-Hellenistic bias, particularly evident in Chapter 3 when he claims Galen's books are "the last truly great medical works from the ancient times" or how the "Roman period and beyond" were a "decline of scholarship and science." Koester's work is occasionally detailed to the point of tediousness. His chapters on the many religious cults and philosophies do not appear to be written for the casual reader. The level of detail demonstrates his knowledge but come across as somewhat confusing. He also dwells exclusively in the world of political and intellectual leaders, the common people are not described in any convincing detail. This is peculiar because the focus of the Bible, particularly the New Testament is upon the ordinary people who often get caught up in the intrigues and realities of the Roman world.

A final weakness is in his presentation style. He provides no notes to any sources throughout the book. He lists bibliographies for each chapter, but does not differentiate between his work and that of others.

Yet this is still a valuable book that can teach much of the world of the New Testament. Christianity and the New Testament did not evolve in a vacuum, and Koester does much to help the reader fully appreciate what the world in which they did emerge in was like.

Rating:
Summary: Improved version of original version
Review: Helmut Koester,the retired professor of NT and Ecclesiastical History at Harvard Divinity School,has produced an improved version of the 2nd volume of his Intro. to the NT,which was originally an English translation of his German work.The first edition of this work is considered the premier NT Introduction from a traditional historical,higher critical perspective,from a Bultmannian perspective.(Rudolph Bultmann was his doktorfater ("doctoral adviser".)

The unique geographical and chronological perspective of this volume,explaining the historical development of Early Christianity,while placing the discussion of its literature,canonical and noncanonical,in this context(a la Walter Bauer),has not changed,there is a greater attempt to explian these writings from a literary perspective,something that the original volume didn't do very well because of its historical focus.For example, the treatment of Mark, Luke-Acts,and the Pastoral Epistles are masterful in this edition.He even ventures some discussions of the theological implications of the development of certain trajectories for the life of the church as it has impacted us even to this day.

One area of improvement in this version is the language:it's simpler and thus makes reading Koester's somewhat dense writing style much easier.This makes this edition more user-friendly for an upper-level undergraduate.

THe bibliography has been updated and,to a certain degree,certain viewpoints have been moderated, or he is less dogmatic about them.For example,his identification od the author of the Pastoral Epistles as Polycarp he acknowledges as a minority opinion.And in his much improved section on Jesus,he firmly sides with the "Third Quest" scholars in terms of the proper methodology for ascertaining an accurate portrait of Jesus.(This is ironic sense in the bibliography for this chapter he does not cite the major works associated with this perspective:Jesus and Judaism by E.P. Sanders;Jesus and the Victory of God by N.T. Wright;or Jesus the Millenarian Prophet by Dale Allison.

The only caution I have about this work is that for a person who is beginning NT study a work like this would not give them a balanced view of the breadth of "mainstream" critical views in NT studies. This book propogates Koester's mature views,which many critcal scholars would disagree with,and since he doesn't explicitly interact with other viewpoints by citing opposing authors in this book,this could give a skewed perspective on the state of contemporary NT studies which can be very contentious when it comes to issues such as the role of noncanonical literature(e.g., Gospel of Thomas,the Dialogue of the Savior,the Apocryphon of James)as being crucial in understanding the earliest stage of the development of the gospel traditions).

But,in terms of his perspective,this is by far the best treatment of the NT and early Christian writings. There is none to compare.

Rating:
Summary: presuppositions, self-contradictions, and bias
Review: I was disgusted upon reading this book to the point that I could not concentrate. Helmut Koester is obviously an intelligent man, but his writing on the New Testament is blatantly skewed. Almost every page has some sort of unsubstantiated claim that he states as fact (the most common seemed to be: "This is legendary"). This leaves his arguments without legs to stand on. If he has evidence to back up his claims, he should present it; otherwise, I do not know how we can be expected to accept his statements at face value.

Koester also discredits himself by frequently taking quotations out of context. It is absolutely imperative to read this book with a copy of the Bible next to you, in order to check every reference he makes. A number of times, I found that the chapters and verses he quoted had little, if anything, to do with what he was discussing; and if they did, a quick reading of the text preceding or following the citation would often reveal that his interpretation of a particular phrase or sentence failed to take the context into account. This often changed the meaning so much that I wondered how he could even take himself seriously.

To me, it seemed clear that Koester made up his mind about the meanings and history of the New Testament and THEN went to the text in an effort to prove his ideas, instead of using the text to form his opinions. For someone considered a serious scholar, this work is embarrassing.

Rating:
Summary: presuppositions, self-contradictions, and bias
Review: I was disgusted upon reading this book to the point that I could not concentrate. Helmut Koester is obviously an intelligent man, but his writing on the New Testament is blatantly skewed. Almost every page has some sort of unsubstantiated claim that he states as fact (the most common seemed to be: "This is legendary"). This leaves his arguments without legs to stand on. If he has evidence to back up his claims, he should present it; otherwise, I do not know how we can be expected to accept his statements at face value.

Koester also discredits himself by frequently taking quotations out of context. It is absolutely imperative to read this book with a copy of the Bible next to you, in order to check every reference he makes. A number of times, I found that the chapters and verses he quoted had little, if anything, to do with what he was discussing; and if they did, a quick reading of the text preceding or following the citation would often reveal that his interpretation of a particular phrase or sentence failed to take the context into account. This often changed the meaning so much that I wondered how he could even take himself seriously.

To me, it seemed clear that Koester made up his mind about the meanings and history of the New Testament and THEN went to the text in an effort to prove his ideas, instead of using the text to form his opinions. For someone considered a serious scholar, this work is embarrassing.

Rating:
Summary: History and Literature of Early Christianity
Review: In History and Literature of Early Christianity, Helmut Koester concludes his Introduction to the New Testament. Unlike the first volume, readers of this volume will gain a thorough knowledge of the New Testament. Koester analyzes biblical figures from John the Baptist to Jesus, and then the various apostles who established the several early Christian churches.

Koester remains focused on the New Testament throughout the book, differing from Volume I by not subjecting the reader to diatribes on arcane subject matter that only partially involved the biblical world. Any reader of the New Testament will find Koester's analyses helpful in understanding how the several New Testament books were written and learn of at least one solid interpretation as to their intent.

Koester expands beyond traditional New Testament books by including many that most people will be unfamiliar with, but together comprise the majority of early Christian writings. Unfortunately, Koester does not spend much time explaining why some of these writings were considered canonical while others were not; and consequently why some were ultimately included in the New Testament, while others were omitted.

Similarly, Koester does not write much on the confrontations between Jesus and the Pharisees, and at times contradicts himself by blaming both the Jews and the Romans as being most responsible for Jesus' execution. Koester's theology never considers the crucifixion as preordained by God.

But Koester maintains his masterful presentation of antiquity and the early church, and this book should be considered essential for serious biblical scholars.

Rating:
Summary: finest introduction to the New Testament on the market
Review: The academic community is extremely well served with several excellent introductions to the New Testament. The standard introduction is still the one by Kummel which is written in the old style of author, date of writing, etc. Helmut Koester's two-volume introduction to the New Testament is of a different kind and of a different class. Although described as an introduction, it is really for those who already understand the critical issues surrounding New Testament scholarship. Koester writes with unparalleled erudition. His is the only introduction to the New Testament currently available which does full justice to the large body of noncanonical writings that come from the same period as the New Testament. Koester is unapologetic for his rigorously critical approach, inherited from his teacher Rudolph Bultmann. Although the work was originally written in German, the second edition has been completely revised in English and reads like an English work. Those who are interested in New Testament studies will find this an absorbing, complex, satisfying account even if they find themselves disagreeing with Koester at significant points. The best part of the work is that it is written so well that one cannot put it down. In short, the finest introduction to the New Testament on the market.

Rating:
Summary: the finest introduction to the New Testament on the market
Review: The academic community is well served with several excellent introductions to the New Testament. The standard introduction is still that of Kummel which is written in the old style of author, date of writing, etc. Helmut Koester's two-volume introduction to the New Testament is of a different kind and of a different class. Although described as an introduction, it is really for those who already understand the critical issues surrounding New Testament scholarship. Koester writes with unparalleled erudition. His is the only introduction to the New Testament currently available which does full justice to the large body of noncanonical writings that come from the same period as the New Testament. Koester is unapologetic for his rigorous critical approach, inherited from his mentor Bultmann. Although the work was originally written in German, the second edition has been completely revised in English and reads like an English work. Those who are interested in New Testament studies will find this an absorbing, complex, and deeply satisfying account even if they find themselves disagreeing with Koester at significant points. The work is written so well that one cannot put it down. In short, the finest introduction to the New Testament on the market.


Rating:
Summary: Excellent Reference
Review: This book provides an excellent reference source on the background of the NT. It is not the sort of book meant to be read straight through, but one which I have found myself returning to again and again to look up this or that name, movement, or event. A must have for students and pastors.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Reference
Review: This book provides an excellent reference source on the background of the NT. It is not the sort of book meant to be read straight through, but one which I have found myself returning to again and again to look up this or that name, movement, or event. A must have for students and pastors.

Rating:
Summary: Historical Critical Methods Champion
Review: Well, much to Laura Nasarallah's schagrin I am off and running with H.Koester's book. Mr. Koester is one of the stalwart figures of the Historical Critical hermeuntic and he proves it here with a text of stunning scope and good accuracy. Although he fails on a few points, the overall introduction that he provides is invaluable to students of the field and a wonderful primer on the method. Overall I think that any one with an interest in antquity or biblical investigation beyond the confines of Sunday morning will greatly enjoy this text. But one thing, make sure you have plenty of caffiene ready.