New Testament introductions fall into two categories: those that emphasize the history behind the text through discussions of authorship, dating, and audience, and those that explore the content of the text itself. Few introductions weave the Old Testament into their discussions, and fewer still rely on the grand narrative of the Old Testament.
But the New Testament was not written within a vacuum. Rather, it stands in continuity with the Old Testament. Israel's story is the church's story.
In The Story Retold, G. K. Beale and Benjamin L. Gladd explore each New Testament book in light of the broad history of redemption, emphasizing the biblical-theological themes of each New Testament book. Their distinctive approach encourages readers to read the New Testament in light of the Old, not as a new story but as a story retold.
560 pages
"With its special focus on biblical theology, this innovative and attractively presented new work by Benjamin Gladd and G. K. Beale should work well in the classroom. While not a conventional New Testament introduction, The Story Retold promises to be a helpful resource by introducing each New Testament book in light of the Old Testament against a redemptive-historical backdrop. Well done!"
Andreas J. Köstenberger, founder of Biblical Foundations, research professor of New Testament and biblical theology, director of the Center for Biblical Studies, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
"Introductions to the New Testament tend to suffer from two consequences. First, they have a tendency to focus on what is behind the text rather than what is in the text. Second, very few of them incorporate the Old Testament explicitly in their analysis and thereby surrender the storyline that started in Genesis. The Story Retold stems these oversights. New Testament authors wrote their works as a continuation of the story of Israel—to understand them we need to keep the big picture in mind and see how they appropriate the Old Testament. This book is an accessible introduction examining the distinctives of each book, but it does not neglect how New Testament authors develop and advance the history of redemption. Pastors, church members, and students will all benefit from this introduction."
Patrick Schreiner, assistant professor of New Testament language and literature, Western Seminary
"Beale and Gladd concisely survey each book of the New Testament through a biblical-theological lens. I plan to require this book for my seminary course that focuses on the theological message of each New Testament book."
Andy Naselli, associate professor of New Testament and theology, Bethlehem College & Seminary, Minneapolis, elder of Bethlehem Baptist Church
Preface
1. The Story Line of the Bible
2. The Use of the Old Testament in the New
3. Introduction to the Gospels
4. The Gospel of Matthew
5. The Gospel of Mark
6. The Gospel of Luke
7. The Gospel of John
8. Acts
9. Romans
10. 1 Corinthians
11. 2 Corinthians
12. Galatians
13. Ephesians
14. Philippians
15. Colossians and Philemon
16. 1 and 2 Thessalonians
17. The Pastoral Epistles
18. Hebrews
19. James
20. 1 Peter
21. 2 Peter and Jude
22. Johannine Epistles
23. Revelation
Bibliography
Image Credits
Subject Index
Scripture Index
Ancient Writings Index
The Story Retold: A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament is in the following collections: