New Testament Survey
An overview of the New Testament, tracing its teaching with respect to historical background and literary character
Trinity College of Biblical Studies-Free Online Bible College


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Syllabus For New Testament Survey
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New Testament Survey
New Testament Survey
DESCRIPTION:
New Testament Survey is designed to introduce college students to the basic scholarship and interpretations of the Christian New Testament. Although one commentary will be used, supplemented with the outside readings, students are encouraged to consult other commentaries and sources that differ from the text. Theories about the inspiration and writing of the Bible, the original readers for various books and the context of Bible passages will be considered.
Register for this free Online Bible class by clicking on this link
Listen to Lectures(click on link to download)
The
Book of Revelation and the Old Testament
The
Book of Revelation and World View
Watch Videos
Read the New Testament in its entirety and online Material
These links:
Read online Textbooks and Articles (click on link to download)
Historical Introduction to the New Testament or
Introduction to the New Testament
When you have read each book of the New Testament email for quizzes
This is only Reference Material it is not required but recommeded
New Testament Maps and Artifacts
Online Images of New Testament Manuscripts
http://bpeterson.faculty.ltss.edu/Greek/MssImages.htm
http://www.kchanson.com/papyri.html
http://www.earlham.edu/~seidti/iam/interp_mss.html
Encyclopedia Criticism of the New Testament
http://www.skypoint.com/~waltzmn/
Old Testament Quotes in the New Testament
http://www.bible-researcher.com/quote01.html
Formation the Canonical Scriptures
http://www.bible-researcher.com/warfield2.html
http://www.bible-researcher.com/barker1.html
http://www.bible-researcher.com/antilegomena.html
http://www.pastornet.net.au/rtc/canon.htm
Virtual Museum Tour
http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Annodomini/entrance-en.html
Art works of the New Testament
http://www.abdn.ac.uk/stalbanspsalter/english/commentary/page019.shtml
http://www.pitts.emory.edu/dia/1521LuthWWBook/pc1.cfm
http://www.biblical-art.com/biblicalsubject1.asp?id=387
Christian Museum and Art Collection
http://www.christusrex.org/www1/vaticano/0-Musei.html
http://research.yale.edu:8084/divdl/eikon/subjects.jsp?subjectid=746
Cities of the Seven Churches of Asia
http://www.luthersem.edu/ckoester/Revelation/main.htm
Maps of the Seven Churches
http://pacificcoast.net/~muck/rev/revmap.html
http://www.revelationillustrated.com/shop/image01.asp
Archaeological Exploration of Sardis
http://www.artmuseums.harvard.edu/sardis/sardis.html
St Augustine's Commentaries
St Augustine-Homilies on the Gospel of John -homilies on the First Epistle of John.
St Chrysostom Commentaries
St Chrysostom-Homilies on the Gospel of St Matthew
St Chrysostom-Homilies on the Gospel of St John and the Epistle to the Hebrews
St Chrysostom-Homilies on The Book of Acts and Romans
St Chrysostom-Homilies on 1 Corinthians
Commentary
http://ccel.org/j/jfb/jfb/JFB00.htm
Holy Bibles
http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/rsv.browse.html
Listen to Holy Bible(Download Now)
Maps
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/INFO/MAP/ANE_Maps.html
http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/index.html
http://www.bible-history.com/biblehistoryonline_biblemaps.php
Bible Encyclopedia
http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/kjvwords.html
New Testament Survey
ONE RESEARCH PAPER of five or more pages will be assigned for the semester. It must explore some New Testament Passages as this is the purpose of the course. It will cover: 1) a Biblical theme or 2) a character or 3) the approach to the Bible of a religious group of your selection and include their interpretation of the passages most significant to them or 4) a movie, a book or play which brings in issues which to which the Bible seems to speak or 5) anything else you can relate to the Bible. It will be reedited and presented to the class during the last few class sessions.
TERM PAPER EXPECTATIONS
Use centered headings for each section of the Term Paper. Use the ([author's name, PAGE NUMBER(S)] ) style of citing any idea you borrow (or summarize) from any book or article listed above !! !!. Append a complete Bibliography of resources used to do the paper. USE AT LEAST FOUR OUTSIDE RESOURCES. Papers will be graded according to depth of research and understanding of the New Testament passages covered. Grammatical and spelling errors will have to be corrected so use the "Spell Check", if you use a computer.
New Testament Survey
EXAMINATIONS: Three tests will consist of a choice of one long and one short question plus identification of several major Biblical terms or persons. Prior to each test students will receive review questions to prepare for the review of that section of the text. The tests themselves will be open book tests as they are designed to show the student' s understanding of the biblical interpretations studied, not how well they can memorize. Students will often be asked to give their own opinion as part of an essay. Always respond to all of the question when answering questions. The identification questions part of the test will be answered during the class before each main test. There will be no cumulative, final examination.
EVALUATION: Grades will be based mainly on test grades. The research paper will count as much as one test (50 points). The take home test based on the supplementary text will count 40 points. Essays on tests will have to be, clearly understandable and important terms must spelled correctly or else points will be taken off of the test. Research papers will be graded on grammar and spelling as well as content. The re-edited version of your research paper will have to be almost error free to be accepted. This paper will be presented at the end of the course, possibly getting extra credit for presentation and answering questions.
General Studies Goals Implemented In this Course:
General Education Areas of Emphasis (Criteria and Outcome)
Requires sufficient readings (in terms of volume and content) to provide fundamental knowledge: Texts are required in this and all other Philosophy and Religion courses.
Emphasizes critical thinking and problem solving skills (scientific, mathematical, social, and/or personal: This and all other Philosophy and Religion courses place particular emphasis on the development of critical thinking skills. Logic is a branch of philosophy and is foundational to all other disciplines. The critical approach is taken and expressed through writing and/or discussion.
Writing and/or other forms of composition in multiple formats are integral parts of this course: This and all other Philosophy and Religion courses require writing of some sort.
Students will learn to access information and use the information effectively and ethically: The Student Code and all conventions relevant to the discipline are enforced.
New Testament Survey
Religious Studies Goals
1. Improve Critical Reasoning Skills by analyzing, evaluating and presenting sound arguments-- Students will discuss a variety of theories about the writing of the new Testament and a variety of interpretations that differing denominations make of key texts. Students and the instructor discuss these interpretations and the examine the arguments for them.
2. Discover, refine, reflect on and critically examine beliefs on personal, philosophical, religious or ethical or public policy issues-- Study and discussion of the New Testament with the help of commentaries or other scholarly sources definitely leads students to critical examination of personal, philosophical, religious or ethical or public policy beliefs and positions
3. Practice Writing Skills—Students will write essays as part of their tests and they will write a research paper using outside resources.
New Testament Survey
HISTORY STUDENT WILL STATEMENTS
Identify historical causation, how historical forces influence current events and how contemporary problems have a historical antecedent. Yes
Describe Student Outcomes: Students will develop an awareness of historical evolution and influence of one of the great ideas and great books that has had a profound influence on contemporary ideas and current world problems.
Develop critical thinking skills by learning to distinguish between various kinds of documentary evidence and understand the difference between reliable and unreliable, valid and invalid sources. Yes
Describe Student Outcomes: Students will learn to analyze and evaluate a variety of forms of primary and secondary sources within an understanding of modern critical scholarship.
Use the perspective of history to analyze and discourage all forms of discrimination, including ethnic, racial, and/or gender. Yes
Describe Student Outcomes: Students will learn to counter prejudice and learn the Jewish/Christian roots of an inclusive universalistic ethic, foster understanding of and respect for other religious views; examine gender roles in an historical context.
Understand the individual life, and the immediate milieu, in an historical context to gain perspective on contemporary life and times. Yes
Describe Student Outcomes: Students will critically trace the history of ideas developed from this great work and place them in historical and cultural contexts with special reference to contemporary issues.
Practice written and oral communication skills by presenting rational arguments and conclusions based on the study of historical evidence. Yes
Describe Student Outcomes:
Students will gain enhanced communication skills through the presentation of oral and written arguments drawn from historical issues and sources Written exams, Quizzes, discussion and papers are employed.
New Testament Survey
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
l .Students will understand some of the theories about how the Christian New Testament came about..
2. They will understand some of the basic beliefs of the Jewish and Christian religions.
3.They will discover the influence which cultures have upon religions.
4.They will better understand the influence that religious belief can have on people's lives.
5.They will be more aware of their own approach to interpreting and/or using the Christian New Testament
New Testament Survey
Answer the following
Matthew 1
1. Why is there focus on Jesus genealogy here ?
2. To whom does the angel come in this version?
Matthew 2
1. Who are the Magi?
2. Who were they seeking and for what purpose?
3. How did they find the baby?
4. How did they honor him?
5. Why did they not return to Jerusalem?
6. How is Hebrew prophecy related to the other events
in this chapter?
7. Why was Jesus raised in Nazareth?
Luke 1
1. What shocking and marvelous news does Mary receive from
Gabriel?
2. What is her reaction?
3. What is the story of John the Baptiser's birth?
Luke 2
1. What is one problem with the dating of Jesus' birth?
2. Why was Jesus born in a stable?
3. Who is Jesus called by the angel to Mary and to the
shepherds?
4. How were shepherds regarded in those days?
5. What was the reaction at those who heard them, Mary's
reaction?
6. Who were Simeon and Anna and what did they proclaim?
Luke 3
1. How is Jesus amcestry here different than in Matthew?
Mark 1
1. How does Mark use Isaiah's prophecy about Israel's
deliverance from Exile?
2. Why do the people believe that Jesus was special?
3. What immediately happened after that?
John 1
1. How does this gospel portray John the Baptiser?
2. What is the promise to those who receive the Word, The
Light that comes into the world?
3. What has God done through Jesus?
4. How does John the Baptiser describe Jesus?
5. How did Jesus gain his first disciples?
6. Why is there no temptation story here?
Luke 10-25-27 "The Parable of the Good Samaritan"
Why does Jesus ask him to give his
understanding of the Law first?
Is the scholar also asking about God's
command to love when he asks "who is my neighbor?"
In what socio-economic situation is the
man traveling by himself from Jerusalem to Jericho?
Does he have any power (power is the
ability to act)?
What will happen to him unless someone
helps him when the thieves get through with him?
Why might the priest and the Levite not
want to touch a man who might be dead?
Do they have any connection with this
legal scholar?
How did the Jews view the Samaritans (see
II Kings 17)?
What attitude does the Samaritan bring
into the situation?
What does he do? Do these actions likely
empower the traveler again?
In Christian thought is there anyone who
has entered into our situation with compassion
after we have been beaten up and left for
dead by life because of our sins and others sins against us?
Who has done the deeds of deliverance?
In telling this story, how has Jesus
encouraged the scholar to feel about him? What has he done
to this scholar emotionally in tellling a story where a
Samaritan and not the scholar's colleagues and
friends is the hero?
14. If Jesus is confronting the man with God's commands with
what command is Jesus confronting
Him?
15. Does Jesus invite the man to join him in obeying God's
command? Does Jesus invite all his
listeners and readers according to the commentary? What then
is the type of love that God
commands? What does it include in actions?
Matthew 5-7 Luke 6 Chapter 2
How many movements are there to each part
of the Sermon on the Mount ?
Why does he name them "Traditional
Piety", "Mechanism of Bondage" and "Transforming Initiative" ?
4. Do they contain a new law which Christians must obey to
obtain God's mercy or do they imply
that God might be acting in a more gracious way than that?
Chapter 3 add Romans
Why does say that that Jesus taught and
lived a "peacemaking ethic"?
If he did, what are the key steps in
serving as a peacemaker (empowered by God's Grace)
Matthew 4
What is Jesus basic proclamation?
How does he make this proclamation, in
words only?
Matthew 8
Read these stories of healing and see which motives for
healing you can discover and which ones that
are commonly assumed to be his motives are not implied here.
How does Jesus respond to the leper?
Why does he tell him to tell no one IF
Jesus wants everyone to know right away that he is the
Messiah (annointed king)?
Why does he tell the former leper to show
the priest that he is healed? Is a formerly marginalized
Person now restored to the community with
this healing?
Is the centurion a Jew?
What amazing thing doe he say to Jesus?
What gift does the centurion have that
Jesus says is part of the healing?
Is the healing of Peter's mother-in-law
significant? Is her response significant?
In what way does verse 17 seem to be a
strange interpretation of Isaiah 53:4?
Matthew 9
What attitude did the paralytic man's
friends (and apparently the man himself) show?
Would Jesus response sound surprising to
these people as well as to the religious leaders?
How is it easier to say, "Your sins are
forgiven" than to say "Stand up and walk"?
What is the common people's response to
the former paralytic walking?
What strange statement does the synagogue
official make in his request of Jesus?
What is the attitude of the woman towards
her opportunity to be healed?
How did the people respond to the dead
girl coming back to life? Is this related to Jesus'
basic proclamation?
What do the blind men call Jesus? Is that
important? Why does Jesus ask them to tell no one?
9. What does the summary of Jesus healings say about part of
the meaning of his healings?
Matthew 10
What does Jesus command and empower the
apostles to do?
Matthew 11
What do John's disciples ask Jesus and
what is Jesus' response?
What does Jesus invite everyone to do in
verses 28-29?
Matthew 12
Why is there a controversy over Jesus
healing the man with the paralyzed hand?
Why did Jesus give people orders not to
make him known?
Why does this seem a strange fulfillment
of the prophecy of Isaiah 42:1?
"If it is by the Spirit of God that I
drive out devils then….", what does Jesus say that shows?
What does the commentary say about the
sin against the Holy Spirit?
John 9
What is the assumption of the disciples
and the Pharisees about the man born blind?
What is Jesus' explanation?
What is the Pharisees claim about Jesus
and their "proof"?
How many times did the man or his parents
testify to the marvel Jesus had done?
Some say that this passage reflects the
time after the Jewish Christians had been ousted from the
synagogue, do you see evidence of this?
What is the formerly blind person ready
to do and what does Jesus tell him?
John 11
How close was Jesus to Lazarus, Martha
and Mary?
Why did he say that he waited until
Lazarus had died? What were the disciples afaraid of?
How does Thomas respond in verse 17 when
Jesus tells them he isgoing to Bethany (near
Jerusalem)?
Who does John call "Jews" in his gospel?
Jesus and his disciples are Jews of course?
Who is present when Lazarus is brought
back from death?
What does Martha tell Jesus and what is
the meaning of his response?
What is the result of Lazarus being
brought back to life? Does Chapter 12 seem to follow
naturally here?
This section belongs later but it describes a healing
miracle.
Luke 22:47-53 Matthew 26:51-56
Who got injured when Jesus was arrested?
What did Jesus do and say about this
injury?
Matthew 21 John 12 John 2
What do the people call Jesus? What does
Hosanna mean?
Does Jesus just act like a prophet or
does he act like he is claiming to be what the people have
Called him when he cleanses the temple of
the money changers and the animal sellers?
How does he use Jeremiah 7 in a strange
way?
Matthew 22
How did Jesus summarize the Torah ?
Why does he ask the Pharisees that
strange question about the Messiah (annointed king)?
Matthew 26:59-67 Matthew 27
What is the Sanhedrin trying to do and
how?
Does Jesus announce that he is the Christ
and does he make a more startling claim for even a
Heaven-sent king?
What is the High Priest's response? If
the Christian claim is true who has really blasphemed
(insulted God harshly)? According to
Genesis 3 does anyone else want to see themselves as
"like gods"?
What is the charge before Pilate and why
doe the religious leaders decide to take Jesus to Pilate
rather than stone him right where "he has
blasphemed" as both Jewish and Roman law would allow
them to do?
What is the charge placed over Jesus head
on the Cross?
If Pilate is the agent of Caesar, who has
really rebelled against the Lord of Lords and the
King of Kings according to Christians?
7. Again, according to Genesis 3 has anyone else been guilty
of rebellion against God?
(rebellion includes the plot to kill God and to do away with
God on order to have God's power)
John 3:14-15 John 12:32
According to John's gospel how is Jesus
to be lifted up (similar to what, why)?
What did Jesus say when the Greek
speaking Jews were brought to him?
Would the Roman Catholic practice of
wearing a crucifix and seeing Jesus on the Cross at church
fit with this claim of Jesus?
What about some favorite protestant hymns
(what is visualized in those)?
If the Christian claim that Jesus is the
Son of God (in a deeper and more complete way than a good
King was so considered) is true, then
what does these practices say about the nature of God?
Does Jesus' claim imply then that he went
to the Cross to accomplish something other that forgiveness
Alone? What (remember Jeremiah and other prophetic promises)?
Matthew 28
Who comes to the tomb to anoint Jesus'
body?
What do they discover who do they meet?
Who first spreads the news of Jesus"
Resurrection? How do the disciples react?
What does Jesus commission (command and
empower) them to do?
What is it about Jewish beliefs about the
Messiah and resurrection that indicates that if the disciples
were making up a story they wouldn't make up one like this?
Acts 1
The disciples are told to stay in
Jerusalem until when?
How does the description of what Jesus
commands them to do summarize the book of Acts?
Acts 2
What festival was Pentecost in the Jewish
year?
What happened to the disciples and to
their listeners from every nation of the Diaspora?
What time are we living in according to
Peter? For how long have we been doing so?
What claim of Peter really shakes up his
listeners? What is their response?
Is the order Peter gives as to steps to
salvation clearly the only possible way people can take?
Is this sermon successful?
How did the people show they were filled
with the Holy Spirit?
Acts 4
Were there divisions in the earliest
church?
Why did the people share everything?
What was the economic result?
Acts 6
Who were the Hellenistic Jewish widows
and why did their families complain? What could have
happened?
What was the apostles response (negative
and positive)?
Who was the most famous person chosen to
help?
What did he do and why did he get in
trouble with the religious authorities?
How seems involved in the stoning even if
he threw no stones?
Acts 9
What is Saul of Tarsus commissioned to do
in Antioch?
What interrupts his carefully thought out
plan?
What does Jesus command Saul to do?
Why is Annanias leery about takijng Saul
into his home?
What does God tell Annanias?
Acts 10
What is Peter's vision?
What does God's voice say and what is
Peter's response?
Does God's reply mean that all food had
always been clean?
What does any of this have to do with
Cornelius' vision and his sending a servant to come and bring
Peter to preach to him and his family?
What is the result of this sermon?
Acts 15
Are the jewish Christians happy about the
conversion of the Gentiles?
Why are some upset with Paul?
What does Peter share with the Church
Council?
What does Paul relate?
Who speaks for the council and what is
his decision?
How large would the church have been
today if that Council had not decided in favor of Paul's
approach to Gentiles. Who would likely not be part of the
church?
Romans 1
What can people tell about God without
the Bible or church authorities teaching them?
Why would this be called "ntural law"
theology and what does that imply?
Romans 3
Since all have sinned is there any
spiritual separation between Jews and Gentiles?
What then can people rely on for their
salvation ?
Romans 6
1. What should
the Christian's attitude be towards their past sins?
What does baptism mean?
Romans 8
1.Does human sin and salvation show signs of a spiritual
connection with nature?
2. What can God do when even the worst things happen to
people who trust God?
· 3. Does
anything separate Christians from God's love as mediated through Christ?
I Corinthians 1
1.What seems to be the problem here?
2. What are the different factions saying?
3. Why is Paul glad that he did not baptize many of
them?
I Corinthians 6 -7
1. Christians have become one with who?
2. What happens when people have sex?
3. What is the danger of going to a prostitute?
4. When people marry should they have sex often?
5. Is there a double standard in terms of the husband
owning his wife's body?
I Corinthians 11
1. Is what is described here a carry in dinner (called an
"agape meal" or "love feast") at the end of which
communion was celebrated among the Christians present?
2. Were people sharing their food or did the rich keep theirs
to themsleves?
· 3. What
happened to rich worshippers and poor worshippers as a result?
4. What does Paul remind them that the feast in all about?
5. In what context of the "Words of instituion" for the
Eucharist given here?
6. If the Church is called "the Body of Christ" what "Body"
do selfish worshippers fail to perceive?
I Corinthians 13
1.Who does this seem to describe best?
2. Why are Christians called "Christians"?
3. What is claimed that receiving God's love makes possible?
II Corinthians 5
1. Paul says that Jesus came for what purpose?
2. What is the change is the Christian in terms of their
outlook on the world?
Galatians 3
1. What are some people still insisting is necessary for
Christians to do?
2. What does Paul claim that Christians have?
3. Can Christians view other people differently or should
they keep the same cultural biases of everyone
else?
4. Does this passage seem to apply to whether Christians
should be ethnocentric? What about other
"isms"?
Ephesians 1
1. Does Paul describe here a secret knowledge here known only
by the "in" group?
2. What does he say is the eternal purpose of God? What does
that imply?
Ephesians 5
1. When people start with quoting "wives obey your husbands"
are they leaving out an important verse that
comes earlier?
2. The first sentence in a paragraph is usually called what?
What does it tell?
3. Does the first sentence in this paragraph give the actual
command while the following verses give
examples of how to follow the command in marriage?
4. If that is so then does "husbands love your wives" sound
patronizing or could this be the way husbands
are to live out the overall command for marriage?
5. Is there any command here to husbands that they are
responsible to see to it that their wives obey them?
Is there such a command anywhere in the Bible?
6. If husbands are to love as Christ loved the church what
are husbands supposed to do?
Why would Chrstian women no longer be
punished by having their husbands "lord it over them"?
Philippians 3
1. Did some of the people at Phillipi claim to be perfect ?
2. What did Paul say that he could do because of Christ
although he would never claim perfection for
himself?
3. To what does Paul compare the Christian life?
Colossians 1
1. If all things are created through Christ do the domination
systems ("the powers" of sexism, racism, classism,etc.) hold power in reality or
does Paul say that Christ has taken their power away?
2. What are Christians not living by when they live as if
these domination systems are the only way that the
world works (or even is supposed to work)?
Philemon
1. Who is Onesimus? Why does Paul write this letter?
2. What does Paul want Philemon to do but out of love, not
obeying Paul's command and resenting it?
3. Although Paul does not condemn the institution of slavery
outright in what way could he be said to have
placed a "ticking time bomb" within the Christian approach to
this type of oppression, a "time bomb" that
would not go off until people were ready to understand his
message more deeply?
I Thessalonians 4
1. Does Paul not want Christians to grieve at all over the
death of their loved ones?
2. How might those who believe that death is the end of
existence grieve?
3. What is Paul telling the Thessalonians about their loved
ones who have died before Christ comes
"in power" (which they all assume is going to happen soon)?
4. Does the purpose of these verses seem to be to make a
theological point about "the rapture" or to bring
ease of mind to Christians worried about their loved ones?
I Timothy 6
1. With what should we be content?
2. What attitude can lead Christians into traps?
3. What is at the root of every evil?
4. What is the effect when this verse is misquoted?
Hebrew 4 - 7
1. Why can Christians approach God with confidence?
2. What did previous High Priests have to do each year?
3. How could Christ have offered himself as a sacrifice once
and for all?
Hebrews 11 -12:1
1. Why are these men and women being called examples here?
What was their attitude?
2. What is the crowd of witnesses doing? How should the
runners be affected by them?
James 3
1. What is the warning to teachers?
2. Why such harsh warnings about "mere words"?
James 5
1. What should people not do if they truly believe that these
are "the last days"?
2. How have many gotten to be rich?
3. Is it the agreed upon wage that is not paid that cries out
to God or is it the wage which does not help
workers and their families meet their basic needs (which God
promises them will be met in Matthew 6)?
I John 4
1. Who knows God (experientially)?
2. What is the deepest truth to say of God?
3. How has God shown love most powerfully?
4. How can Christians know if the love of God lives in them?
Jude
1. Briefly sum up Jude's message
2. Why do you think Jude quotes from (Enoch)Apocrypha Literature?
3. Explain why you think Protestant Christians are so uneasily about reading Apocrypha Literature
when a Canonical book quotes from one (Jude quoting Enoch)?
Revelation
Chapter 1
1. Where are the seven churches of Asia Today(What Country(s)
2. How many division are there in the book of Revleation?
Chapter 4
1. Who are the four living creatures?(also see Ezekiel 1:1-14 - vision of four heavenly creatures with four faces each: human being, lion, ox, eagle and Ezekiel 10:1-22)
Chapter 5
Who is this chapter talking about? Explain your answer
Chapter 6-22
Who are the four horsemen? Explain your answer
Explain the different views concerning the wrath of God, Tribulation, Millennial Reign, Great White Throne Judgment, and The Consumption The New Heaven and the New Earth

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Copyright 2006
New Testament Survey
An overview of the New Testament, tracing its teaching with respect to historical background and literary character
Trinity College of Biblical Studies
.