Introduction to the New Testament: History, Culture, & Religion of the Hellenistic Age

by Helmut Koester and Helmut Köster

Book Overview

While the first American edition of this book, published more than a decade ago, was a revised translation of the German book, Einf hrung in das Neue Testament, this second edition of the first volume... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 080062100X
• ISBN13: 9780800621001
• Release Date: January 1982
• Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishing
• Length: 2 Pages
• Weight: 2.20 lbs.

Customer Reviews

History, Culture and Relgion of the Hellenistic Age

A detailed overview of the time from Alexander the Great up to Roman period. The only thing better was Volume II. I highly recommend this book.

Very informative; a must read!

As a religiously observant Jew, I found this book to be an excellent read. It details the background and culture of the Hellenistic age. Though it does not get into many details of the syncretism of Hellenistic ideas with direct comparisons to the "New Testament" a person who is well read in the NT will see the parallels immediately. If you want to understand the language and contexts in which the NT was written, this book will help you understand the likes of the diatribe, gymnasia, and the like. Though I found his treatment lacking on the Jewish side - obviously with biases from a German-scholar's standpoint - it was still overall a good summary. I would recommend "The Jews in the Time of Jesus" by Wylen or "How to Read the Bible" by Brettler for a better liberal scholar's work on 2nd Temple Judaism. If you're looking for more conservative Jewish views, a search for counter-missionary organizations can provide what you are looking for. I assume many mainstream traditional Christians may shy away from this book since it is a liberal theological approach to their scriptures, but I know of no other easy-to-read book that will detail the Greek language, culture and religion as well. Though it does not give as many details as more focused books can on more precise subjects, this is an excellent beginning book for the curious. Absolutely essential for any person who studies comparative religions!

Excellent Reference

This book provides an excellent reference source on the background of the NT. It is not the sort of book meant to be read straight through, but one which I have found myself returning to again and again to look up this or that name, movement, or event. A must have for students and pastors.

History, Culture and Religion of the Hellenistic Age

Helmut Koester's History, Culture and Religion of the Hellenistic Age is Volume One to his Introduction to the New Testament. It is intended to provide an introduction, but the reader will come away with much more than that. This review covers only the first volume.Koester covers a wide range of topics pertaining to the ancient world including political, religious, intellectual, and technological histories and seems to demonstrate thorough knowledge of each. His intention is to provide a linear transition between Old and New Testaments and place the entire Bible into its proper historical context. Many religious groups including the Maccabees, Pharisees, and Samaritans are placed in perspective to the greater world in which the interacted. The reader will fully understand what the political and intellectual world was like during the time Christianity was being established.Koester's unique way of identifying chapters and subparts makes for quick and easy internal cross reference, though his alpha-numeric style is similar to a government regulation or corporate standard operating procedure.Though his knowledge of his subject matter is unquestionable, Koester does demonstrate several weaknesses that readers must accommodate. He has a strong pro-Hellenistic bias, particularly evident in Chapter 3 when he claims Galen's books are "the last truly great medical works from the ancient times" or how the "Roman period and beyond" were a "decline of scholarship and science." Koester's work is occasionally detailed to the point of tediousness. His chapters on the many religious cults and philosophies do not appear to be written for the casual reader. The level of detail demonstrates his knowledge but come across as somewhat confusing. He also dwells exclusively in the world of political and intellectual leaders, the common people are not described in any convincing detail. This is peculiar because the focus of the Bible, particularly the New Testament is upon the ordinary people who often get caught up in the intrigues and realities of the Roman world.A final weakness is in his presentation style. He provides no notes to any sources throughout the book. He lists bibliographies for each chapter, but does not differentiate between his work and that of others.Yet this is still a valuable book that can teach much of the world of the New Testament. Christianity and the New Testament did not evolve in a vacuum, and Koester does much to help the reader fully appreciate what the world in which they did emerge in was like.

Historical Critical Methods Champion

Well, much to Laura Nasarallah's schagrin I am off and running with H.Koester's book. Mr. Koester is one of the stalwart figures of the Historical Critical hermeuntic and he proves it here with a text of stunning scope and good accuracy. Although he fails on a few points, the overall introduction that he provides is invaluable to students of the field and a wonderful primer on the method. Overall I think that any one with an interest in antquity or biblical investigation beyond the confines of Sunday morning will greatly enjoy this text. But one thing, make sure you have plenty of caffiene ready.