New Testament Background

by C. K. Barrett

Publisher:

SPCK

, 1987

Overview

C. K. Barrett’s selection of background documents to the New Testament has been an essential reference book for students of Christian origins for nearly 40 years. Carefully chosen from a wide range of sources, and annotated with the impeccable scholarship for which professor Barrett is renowned, this collection brings the world of the first century vividly to life.

Now, Professor Barrett has revised and enlarged the book, taking account particularly of the Qumran material and Gnostic literature, including the Nag Hammadi texts. The addition of these new sections, together with other significant changes throughout, brings the book up to date. The chapters on Josephus, the Targums and Apocalyptic have all been enlarged, and there is new material from the Greek tragedians.

A new generation of students will be as well served with this edition as their teachers were with the first. The book includes selections from: Apocrypha & Pseudepigrapha (including 1 Enoch, 4 Ezra, 1 & 2 Maccabees), Dead Sea Scrolls, Eusebius, Gnostic literature (including Hermetic, Mandaean & Nag Hammadi Texts), Greek & Latin authors (including Aristotle, Suetonius, Tacitus & Zeno), inscriptions, Josephus, Old Testament (including Septuagint & Targums), Papyri, Philo, Rabbinic literature (including Midrashim, Mishnah & Talmuds).

In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Provides an essential reference book for students of Christian origins
• Brings the world of the first century vividly to life
• Includes new sections and significant changes

Contents

• The Roman Empire
• The Papyri
• Inscriptions
• The Philosophers and Poets
• Gnosis and Gnosticism
• Mystery Religions
• Jewish History
• Rabbinic Literature and Rabbinic Judaism
• Qumran
• Philo
• Josephus
• Septuagint and Targum
• Apocalyptic

Top Highlights

“The Essenes* have a reputation for cultivating peculiar sanctity” (Page 158)

“Seneca may be read for practical Roman philosophy; interesting and often amusing glimpses of character and social custom under the Empire can be found in, for example, the works of Lucian, in Trimalchio’s Supper (Petronius), and in the Metamorphoses (Apuleius).” (Page xxiv)

“In order to understand the Hermetica it is above all necessary to grasp that their authors were men who believed that there had been revealed to them a Gospel which it was their mission to preach to mankind.” (Page 94)

“though there is in the New Testament only one Apocalypse, apocalyptic material is to be found in almost every book” (Page 317)

“Punishment was inflicted on the Christians,* a class of men given to a new and mischievous superstition” (Page 16)

Product Details

• Title: The New Testament Background: Selected Documents
• Author: C. K. Barrett
• Edition: Revised
• Publisher: SPCK
• Print Publication Date: 1987
• Logos Release Date: 2013
• Pages: 392
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. N.T. › History of contemporary events; Jews › History--To 70 A.D--Sources; Mediterranean Region › History--Sources
• Resource ID: LLS:NTBCKGBARRETT
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-12T04:51:19Z

About C. K. Barrett

C. K. Barrett (1917–2011) was emeritus professor of divinity at the University of Durham in England, and a determined Methodist. His work is held in very high regard and is featured prominently in many contemporary publications.

C. K. (Charles Kingsley) Barrett first studied at Shebbear College but soon transferred to Pembroke College to study theology. Barrett then trained for the Methodist ministry at Wesley House in Cambridge. In 1945, he was appointed lecturer in divinity at the University of Durham where he was eventually elected professor in 1958.

Barrett was especially known for having authored numerous scholarly articles and books, including commentaries on The Epistle to the Romans, The First Epistle to the Corinthians, and The Second Epistle to the Corinthians in the Black’s New Testament Commentary (BNTC) series, as well as On Paul: Essays on His Life, Work, and Influence in the Early Church and the titles in Select Works of C. K. Barrett (7 vols.).