Survey of the NT
Pastor Viju Mathai
Latest posts by Pastor Viju Mathai (see all)
- Discernment vs. Judgment – V (God’s Guidelines for Discerning) - April 4, 2016
- Discernment vs. Judgment -IV (How do we Discern) - April 4, 2016
- Discernment vs. Judgment -III (Diakrino, Dokimazo) - April 4, 2016
Texts and context
An excellent collection of short texts that are extremely helpful in introducing us to the political, social, intellectual, and cultural contexts of the world into which Jesus came.
The Immortals
A short list of the main Greek gods and goddesses, with some description
Early Jewish Writings
Deuterocanonical and pseudepigraphical material; the Dead Sea Scrolls; Philo of Alexandria; Flavius Josephus; and excerpts from the Talmud.
Greek philosophers
Thumbnails of some of the greats.
The Mystery Religions
Take some of what you read here with a grain of salt, but the article has useful links showing both the background of ancient mystery religions, and the lineage and extent of modern Gnostic (capital G) movements and influences.
Gnosticism
An extensive treatment from The Catholic Encyclopedia.
Early writings from, or related to, Christian sources
This extensive collection of sources covers from about 30 – 250 CE. It includes biblical literature, pseudepigrapha, early patristic writing, gnostic literature, general correspondence, and other extant literature of historical significance.
Ancient Jewish Accounts of Jesus
Six accounts; also Celsus and Tertullian.
The Historical Jesus Puzzle
An overview by William R. G. Loader.An article critiqing The Jesus Seminar, entitled: “The Gospel According to the Jesus Seminar” by Birger A. Pearson, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, University of California, may be accessed at: http://id-www.ucsb.edu/fscf/library/pearson/seminar/home.html
“From Jesus to Christ”
PBS’ series “From Jesus to Christ” was a five-part television series that stands as one of the most ambitious treatments of New Testament issues in the media. While drawing on interpretive resources that are mainly left of center, there is still plenty of useful information here. And, of course, it is important for those who are going to be part of the academic conversation about biblical issues to know what others are saying.
A Synoptic Gospels Primer
By Mahlon H. Smith. Quite a comprehensive overview.
Footsteps of Paul
Click your way through the travels of Paul.
A short chronology of Paul’s life
Links to other biblical timelines sites, including a timeline of the church from 30-313.
A useful overview of Pauline theology
From professor Barry D. Smith of Atlantic Baptist University. Obviously, Reformed in orientation.