Journal: Reformed Presbyterian Theological Journal
Volume: RPTJ 03:2 (Spring 2017)
Article: Book Review: A Biblical-Theological Introduction To The New Testament
Author: Richard C. Gamble

---

RPTJ 3:2 (Spring 2017) p. 28

Book Review:
A Biblical-Theological Introduction To The New Testament1

Richard C. Gamble

Professor of Systematic Theology
Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Gone are the days when the British evangelical Donald Guthrie could write a comprehensive thousand page NT Introduction combined with a companion massive NT Theology. Current NT research requires specialization for scholars to be able to keep abreast of the mountain of literature published in their field. With the growing information comes the need for a revised NT Introduction that is faithful to God’s word and incorporates God honoring biblical-theological insights. It is into that gap that Michael Kruger (RTS Charlotte President and Professor of NT) has moved. From the deep teaching resources found at a multi-campus institution like Reformed Theological Seminary, Kruger was able to ask colleagues to contribute introductory material from their specialized fields. Thus, we have a multi-author text written by nine colleagues who have the same view of the inerrancy of God’s word as well as the biblical precision to write from a distinctly reformed perspective. The best approach to review such a text is not to give a mini-summary of its contents but simply to highlight a few of the issues addressed in some of the sections as well as several of the advances proposed by the authors. Analysis will begin at the gospels and move through the NT.

The gospels, as a unique genre, will record Christ’s life and work in a fashion that will be different from anything that had been written before.2 Even though there are various gospels, since the whole Bible has one ultimate author, believing students can expect a similarity of message among the four.3 Concerning the first gospel, while the name Matthew appeared at his call (9:9), the gospel’s author did not identify himself as such.4 Some evangelicals are not certain

RPTJ 3:2 (Spring 2017) p. 29

of the time of this gospel’s composition, but a good estimate is around 63–66.5 There is no scholarly consensus on Matthew’s structure.6 Matthew’s purpose (proving that Jesus was the messianic Son of God) was also manifested in his writing style.7

Benjamin Gladd rightfully approaches Mark by underlining the importance of eyewi...

visitor : : uid: ()