"The New Testament (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus, as well as events in first-century Christianity."
The second part of the Christian Bible, which contains the four Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, Epistles, and Revelation.
The historical context of the New Testament: Understanding the historical context in which the New Testament was written can help one appreciate the social, political, and religious milieu of the first-century Mediterranean world.
Authorship and dating of the New Testament texts: Knowing who wrote each of the New Testament books and when they were written can help one understand the theological and historical contexts that shaped each text.
Canonization and transmission of the New Testament: Understanding how and why the New Testament canon came to be established can shed light on why certain books were included and others were excluded, and provide insight into the historical and theological debates that surrounded these decisions.
The literary genres of the New Testament: The New Testament includes a diverse range of literary genres, including gospels, letters, apocalyptic literature, and historical narratives. Learning to identify and understand these genres can enhance one's appreciation for the different perspectives and rhetorical strategies employed by the authors.
The historical Jesus: Many scholars have sought to reconstruct the life and teachings of the historical Jesus based on the accounts found in the New Testament. Exploring different approaches to this task can help one appreciate the complexity of the scholarship surrounding the figure of Jesus.
The formation of Christian communities: Studying the ways in which early Christian communities formed and evolved can help one understand the social and cultural contexts that shaped the development of Christianity.
The theology of the New Testament: Examining the theological themes that run throughout the New Testament can provide insight into the ways in which early Christians sought to understand and articulate their faith.
The relationship between Judaism and Christianity: Understanding the historical and theological relationship between Judaism and Christianity can illuminate the ways in which early Christians sought to differentiate themselves from their Jewish roots while also drawing on Jewish traditions.
The history of New Testament interpretation: Investigating how different groups and individuals have interpreted the New Testament over the centuries can provide a glimpse into the diverse ways in which religious beliefs and practices have evolved.
Contemporary issues in New Testament scholarship: Engaging with the latest debates and discussions in New Testament scholarship can help one appreciate the ongoing relevance of this ancient text to modern religious and cultural contexts.
Matthew: A gospel that focuses on the genealogy and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Mark: A gospel that details the ministry and miracles of Jesus Christ.
Luke: A gospel that provides a comprehensive narrative of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
John: A gospel that emphasizes the divinity of Jesus Christ and his teachings.
Acts: A book that describes the founding and growth of the Christian church, as well as the spread of the gospel message.
Romans: A letter of Paul to the church in Rome, discussing the importance of faith and grace in salvation.
1 Corinthians: A letter of Paul to the church in Corinth, addressing issues such as divisions, sexual morality, and the use of spiritual gifts.
2 Corinthians: A letter of Paul to the church in Corinth, discussing his own apostleship and facing challenges in ministry.
Galatians: A letter of Paul to the churches in Galatia, emphasizing salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than adhering to Jewish customs or laws.
Ephesians: A letter of Paul to the church in Ephesus, discussing the unity of believers in Jesus Christ and the spiritual blessings that come through him.
Philippians: A letter of Paul to the church in Philippi, discussing joy in the midst of suffering and the importance of humility.
Colossians: A letter of Paul to the church in Colossae, emphasizing the supremacy of Jesus Christ and the freedom he provides.
1 Thessalonians: A letter of Paul to the church in Thessalonica, discussing the hope of Jesus' return and encouraging believers to lead holy lives.
2 Thessalonians: A letter of Paul to the church in Thessalonica, addressing concerns about the second coming of Jesus and the need for perseverance.
1 Timothy: A letter of Paul to Timothy, a young leader in the church, providing practical instruction on leadership and sound doctrine.
2 Timothy: A letter of Paul to Timothy, encouraging him in his ministry and warning against false teaching.
Titus: A letter of Paul to Titus, a leader in the church in Crete, discussing the qualifications of church leaders and sound doctrine.
Philemon: A personal letter of Paul to Philemon, urging him to forgive and restore a runaway slave who had become a believer in Jesus Christ.
Hebrews: A letter that emphasizes the superiority of Jesus Christ over the Old Testament sacrificial system and encourages believers to persevere in their faith.
James: A letter that focuses on living out one's faith with good deeds and practical wisdom.
1 Peter: A letter of Peter encouraging believers to persevere in the midst of suffering and persecution by living as holy citizens of God's kingdom.
2 Peter: A letter of Peter warning against false teachers and emphasizing the importance of sound doctrine and ethical living.
1 John: A letter of John emphasizing the importance of love and providing tests of true faith.
2 John: A personal letter of John to a specific church, warning against false teachers and encouraging believers to love and walk in truth.
3 John: A personal letter of John to a specific church, commending a leader in the church and warning against a destructive influence.
Jude: A letter that warns against false teachers and encourages believers to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.
"The first division of the Christian Bible is called the Old Testament, which is based primarily upon the Hebrew Bible; together they are regarded as sacred scripture by Christians."
"The New Testament is a collection of Christian texts originally written in the Koine Greek language."
"The New Testament consists of 27 books."
"4 canonical gospels by the 'Four Evangelists' (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)"
"The 13 Pauline epistles"
"The earliest known complete list of the 27 books is found in a letter written by Athanasius, a 4th-century bishop of Alexandria, dated to 367 AD."
"The 27-book New Testament was first formally canonized during the councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397) in North Africa."
"Pope Innocent I ratified the same canon in 405."
"These councils also provided the canon of the Old Testament, which included the deuterocanonical books."
"There is no scholarly consensus on the date of composition of the latest New Testament texts."
"John A. T. Robinson, Dan Wallace, and William F. Albright dated all the books of the New Testament before 70 AD."
"Agnostic scholars, such as Bart D. Ehrman and Stephen L. Harris, date some New Testament texts much later than this."
"Richard Pervo dated Luke–Acts to c. 115 AD."
"David Trobisch places Acts in the mid-to-late second century."
"Scholars generally agree that the Gospels were written forty to sixty years after the death of Jesus."
"They thus do not present eyewitness or contemporary accounts of Jesus's life and teaching."
"The ESV Study Bible claims the following: Because Luke, as a second generation Christian, claims to have retrieved eyewitness testimony... the gospel account of Luke 'was received as having apostolic endorsement and authority from Paul and as a trustworthy record of the gospel that Paul preached.'"
"Letter to the Colossians (Col. 4:14), Letter to Philemon (Philem. 23–24), and Second Letter to Timothy (2 Tim. 4:11)"
"Rom. 2:16, according to Eusebius in Ecclesiastical History 3.4.8"