Читать книгу The Origins of Christianity and the New Testament - Rebecca I. Denova - Страница 12

Understanding the background and nuances of ancient texts requires years of study and analysis. Rather than burden the reader with the details of scholarly expositions and debates, Boxes are provided in the chapters that summarize issues or add detail to the background; for example, “Hell and Heaven” and “Jewish Sects in the Second Temple Period”.

Figures and Timelines appear within the chapters and highlight maps, schematics, and some of the archaeological sites associated with the New Testament. I have traveled to and explored all these sites. When appropriate I add a few details to each place.

Understanding both the world of ancient Christianity as well as scholarly methods of analysis often requires a vocabulary not familiar to the lay reader. Throughout the text, words and concepts will appear in bold print and are then defined in a convenient Glossary at the end.

Each chapter contains “Suggestions for Further Reading” for those who wish to explore the material in depth. The Suggestions include both traditional studies and more recent articles and books.

I have taught a course on the “Origins of Christianity and the New Testament” for over twenty-five years. Some students enter the course with more background than others, usually from Bible Study programs in their churches. In the beginning there is often some anxiety over the fear that a historical approach to Jesus will uncover something that will challenge their faith. “Faith” by its very nature is not subject to verification or scientific analysis. This text is not designed to challenge anyone’s faith – it is to provide an understanding of how that “faith” originated in the first century.

Like trying to “prove” that God created the world in six days, similar attempts to “prove” that Jesus is the savior of the world fail on equal terms. Rather, what this text attempts to do is explore why Paul, Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John believed he was the savior of the world (and what that meant to them). Theirs is our only historical evidence. Some facts will surprise readers; contrary to Renaissance and modern art, Jesus did not have blond hair and blues eyes. However, there is nothing in the text that will diminish the overall message and traditional teachings of Jesus.