What a great book this is. The late F.F. Bruce published this book first in 1971, a year well before most of you were born. This edition came later and arrived at my door later still via 'World of Books,' as a second hand bargain.
The book says what it means on the cover, New Testament history, and that is what you get. While Bruce is an academic this book is very readable for the average person. It has notes and references on every page enhancing, not detracting from the subject.
Bruce refers to the years previous to our time, the gap between Malachi and Matthew, covering the Persians who ended the Old Testament, the Greeks after Alexander, and the Romans who dominate our period. We pass through the Herodians, the Roman governors, the various 'philisophical schools,' at the time. The religious outlook was varied and we explore the High Priests, Pharisees & Sadducees, and the Essenes are also covered. Bruce seeks to gve us an understanding from a wide range of contemporary available documents.
When Jesus arrives the land was filled with a Messianic hope, and a variety of messiah's were around throughout that century. We then touch on John the Baptist and his unfortunate demise, then much time is spent understanding Jesus, what did he mean and what does he represent. The cross, what was it for?
Bruce then covers the church immediately after the crucifixion, and the worldwide spread as believers moved willingly or unwillingly from Jerusalem. Time is given to cover Paul and Peter and the problems inside and outside of the young church, continuing into the following century.
I found this book helpful for understanding the world of the time as it is important to see Jesus in context or we fail to understand how he was seen by the people. If you wish to know God you must see him in action as he walked the earth. However, you must understand the world in which he moved before his death.
The book offers knowledge, it also indicates that following Jesus could end in crucifiction for you and I, he meant it when he said 'Take up your cross daily.'
I recommend this old, but worthy book.
