Missiology
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 49, No. 2 – Spring 2007
Managing Editor: Malcolm B. Yarnell III
+ CD-ROM. 2nd ed. By Walter A. Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough. Encountering Biblical Studies. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005. 446 pages. Hardcover, $44.99.
This highly colorful, visually-pleasing New Testament survey is part of the excellent Encountering Biblical Studies series, of which Walter A. Elwell is the general editor as well as the New Testament editor. Elwell is Emeritus Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Wheaton College. Coauthor Robert W. Yarbrough is Associate Professor of New Testament at Trinity International University. Their excellent book comes with a bonus that should become the standard for survey texts: a helpful CD-ROM, which contains the electronic text of the entire book, additional pictures, thirteen video clips, interactive quizzes, hot-key definitions, and high-definition 3-D maps.
The book is well organized. Written for college students as well as laity, it is certainly attention-getting. Every other page contains at least one colorful picture, map, chart, or highlighted text box. This layout is, no doubt, beneficial for the expectations of today’s visually-oriented college student; however, this layout does limit how much can be said in the text.
Clearly coming from a conservative evangelical perspective, the writers present an excellent survey of the New Testament. The material is accu- rate and well researched. Two purposeful choices stand out. First, they give an overview of the Gospels (37–151) prior to presenting an introduction to modern critical approaches to the text (153–90). This unusual order correctly highlights the importance and authority of the text over the interpreter (13). Second, they unfortunately avoid going into what they call the “technical discussion” of many critical issues (298), such as the debates over authorship of the writings (78–79, 89, 109–110, 258, 371). Although this reviewer agrees with the writers that the evidence against the traditional New Testament authors is not compelling, students ought to be able to see the evidence as well as arguments for and against it.
Refreshing for a New Testament survey, there is a good emphasis on the role of the Holy Spirit in the process of the inspiration of the Bible (26–27). For instance, in delineating why the Gospels were written, the writers note that certainly God was involved in the process (76).
This book will work well as a text for a college New Testament survey class. Icons clearly delineate the focus of each section of text: from primary source quotations to focus boxes highlighting key issues. Chapters begin with a clear outline and stated objections, and they conclude with sum- mary statements, review questions, study questions, and suggestions for further reading—all helpful to encourage further study for the reader.
Yet, as good as this book is, it could be better. First, endnotes impede learning. Footnotes are more helpful. Second, there is inadequate description of such important areas as New Testament inspiration and canonization (25–27). Third, the review questions are often too general—with more than one answer possible (e.g., 150) but only one answer supplied (407). Fourth, references to Patristics and other ancient writers ought to include specific citations (88, 98, 109, 118, 376). Fifth, many pictures of objects, such as statues and coins, do not give their provenance—neither where they were found nor where they reside today (78–79, 101, 113, 197–98, 200, 213, 218, 224, 227–28, 300, 312), and some pictures are captionless (38–39). Sixth, some text boxes need Scripture references to help in verification of the material and for further study (93, 103, 124, 202). Seventh, the maps are 2-D rather than 3-D. Topographical markings would help the maps to look less commercial or cartoonish and more scholarly. These maps—although colorful—seem imprecise, like computer maps that come with cheap Bible study software. Interestingly, the maps on the CD-ROM are much better than the ones in the book.
Even with some room for improvement, Encountering the New Testament makes a fine college textbook as well as an excellent text for lay people to learn more about the New Testament.
