The New Testament is not chronologically written, thus the occasional reader can read any of the books whenever they want. Dr Lane has found that is a compelling reason for consistent Bible reading for the general reader. The author writes for the everyday reader who wants to acquire a practical understanding of the New Testament and be able to apply it to the everyday world. The book is not written for scholars. But the author uses scholarship in an easy to understand manner. He clearly explains the meaning of every chapter within each book.
The book moves through scripture explaining its original meaning for whom they were written, and then he gives example how the original meaning can be carried over to our times making the Bible alive for the time in which we live. The writer integrates the historical with the literary to explain the theological or the Christian meaning for both then and now. The reader will experience a complete sense of the content and meaning of what Christians call their God-inspired scriptures.
When appropriate, the author highlights the politics of God's Kingdom contrasting it with human's politics and the kingdoms of this world. People tend to say politics and religion don't mix, but the reader will find it interesting to see how God deals with what we humans believe and say. We will learn that the New Testament does not advocate a political and economic system, but it does state the characteristics of what what every system should have.
The author writes in everyday language with clarity focusing on faith, justice, peace, and offering a way forward for answering the prayer of Jesus that we all be one so the world may believe. If Jesus prayed it, there has to be a way that centers on unity in diversity.
Once again the writer has taken a difficult subject and made it easy to understand as he promotes provocative and challenging insight. The book is written for both Christians and those who are just curious as to what Christians believe. The teachings of Jesus, Peter, the Apostle Paul, John, and James are plainly presented, as well as why they and the early martyrs were murdered.
Because each chapter includes provocative study guide questions, this book will be ideal for college courses in the New Testament, and for Adult Study Groups that study one book at a time spreading their study over months and years. This would include the occasional reader who just wants to read the different books within the Book at their leisure. The book is ideal for pastors not only because of the discussion questions, but because it is pastoral, instructional, and application focused on issues such as faith, discipleship, justice and peace issues. The book is easy reading geared to the average reader integrating the discussion of contemporary issues of modern life alongside of biblical interpretation. It encourages readers to think critically rather than accept inherited assumptions.
This is the fourth book published by the author. Because the other three have been rated at the highest level, this book will without question will achieve the same.
THOMAS LANE taught Scripture, Theology, and Religious Studies for over thirty years. He has taught at Penn State University-Altoona, Mt. Aloysius College (PA), St. Francis University (PA), Northeastern Christian College (PA), and currently at the State College of Florida. His ecumenical spirit over a forty year period has led him to work with the Roman Catholic Church, the United Church of Christ, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He has the PhD and the DMin with specialties in Biblical Studies and Comparative Christian Theology.
