Understanding the New Testament

obedience-and-authority

• The New Testament as a single book came into being in the late 300s—listed by a single man, Athanasius. But the individual books came into being at different places and times.

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• The relationship between the Jews and their God is built on a series of covenants—agreements in which God makes certain promises and binds his people to himself.

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faith-and-doubt

• We needn't look at the diversity of the New Testament as a problem. Instead, let each author have his own voice and reconstruct the beliefs each book reflects.

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• When Jesus says that he himself is the Son of Man, the formerly blind man—expelled from the synagogue—declares his belief.

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belonging

• The Thessalonians are more than just an assembly of people; they are a family, brothers and sisters. Paul is like their nurse, tenderly caring for her children.

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• The good son resents the feasting for his sinful brother. He's never been given even a modest party. The father tells him his brother who was lost is found.

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