The A to Z of the New Testament

So you think you know the New Testament?

Did you know that Jesus made puns? Did you know that Paul never calls himself or the churches he writes to “Christian?” Did you know that we don’t know who wrote the Letter to the Hebrews, or if it’s even really a letter?

James F. McGrath sheds light on these and many other surprising realities of Scripture in The A to Z of the New Testament. Cutting through common myths and misunderstandings of problematic bible passages, James F. McGrath opens up expert knowledge to laypeople in his friendly introduction to New Testament studies. Each chapter in this fresh, accessible volume begins with a provocative anecdote or fact and then pulls back the curtain to inform curious readers about how scholars approach the issue. Along the way, McGrath explains unfamiliar terminology and methodology to nonspecialists with humor and clarity.

You’ve graduated from Sunday School. Ask the hard questions. Take Scripture on its own terms. Invigorate your Bible study with The A to Z of the New Testament as your guide.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The ABCs of New Testament Study

Born In A Barn?!

Camels, Critters, and Calculations

Dead Men Walking

Eat Whatever is Set Before You

Fulfilling or Failing: Would Matthew Get an “F” in Biblical Interpretation?

Greasy Jesus?

Hate Your Enemies

Intent, Interpretation, and Intertextuality

Joking Aside

Keep On Keeping the Commandments

Language, Please (What the…Hell?)

Mud In Your Eye

Naked Truth: Jesus Didn’t Wear Pants

Only One God: The First Christians Were Monotheists

Plagiarism in the Gospels?

Quotation Marks Required

Revelations is NOT in the Bible

Scribes and Secretaries: Who wrote the Letters of Paul?

Telephone Game?

Unmentionables: “Christians” and Other Things Paul Doesn't Mention

Variations and Variants

Women With Authority

X Marks the Spot: How Do We Know the Shape of the Cross?

Y Chromosome?

Zacchaeus, Zebedee, Zechariah

(Conclusion)

Acknowledgements