Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Schreiner's "New Testament Theology"

As I've mentioned before, I eagerly await Baker Academic's publication of Tom Schreiner's New Testament Theology (due out April 2008).

Here's a brief description:
Based on solid exegesis of all the key texts, Schreiner's approach leads him to a more unified view of core New Testament teaching. He focuses particularly on two overarching themes. The first concerns the unity of redemptive history and the kingdom of God. The New Testament takes up Old Testament imagery and affirms that the kingdom has come (although it remains unfulfilled) in Jesus Christ. The second related theme concerns the goal of the kingdom--the glory of God through the work of Christ and the empowering presence of the Spirit. In the second half of the work, Schreiner takes up the question of what these themes mean for the life of the believer and the ministry of the community of faith.
Schreiner has mentioned before that he strives to fulfill Calvin's twofold criteria for theological writing: brevity and clarity. Having had the privilege of reading some of the pre-pub chapters, I can attest that he has once again succeeded admirably with respect to these goals.

Here are some endorsements for the book:

"Thomas Schreiner is known for being a skillful and careful New Testament scholar. In his New Testament Theology his abilities and his clear, concise style are on full display as he gives us a synthetic account of this complex subject, an account that reflects his high view of Scripture. This is probably the best New Testament theology written in the last several decades from a decidedly Reformed and evangelical point of view. While I disagree with the analysis at various points, it is still a fine piece of work, and I am happy to commend it."--Ben Witherington III, professor of New Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary

"Schreiner's New Testament Theology has long been awaited by colleagues, friends, and students. The appendix, which provides a helpful survey of the discipline of New Testament theology, and the discussion of justification, which contains a summary of the modern debate and a defense of a forensic interpretation of the Pauline teaching, are alone worth the price of the book."--Robert H. Stein, senior professor of New Testament interpretation, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"Tom Schreiner's New Testament Theology is a valuable addition to the field, providing to students the kind of overview that only a seasoned scholar can produce. The volume is particularly significant for taking a more thematic approach than have most other New Testament theologies. Schreiner therefore comes closer than most others to giving us a genuine New Testament 'theology' (rather than New Testament 'theologies')." --Douglas J. Moo, Blanchard Professor of New Testament, Wheaton College

"Lucid, incisive, and above all devoted to listening to the text of the New Testament, Tom Schreiner's volume is like a cool drink in a postmodern desert. Schreiner unfolds the richness of New Testament theology through the lens of salvation history, showing how fruitful the promise-fulfillment, already-not yet paradigm is for understanding the New Testament. If you want a New Testament theology that is informed, exegetically grounded, canonically based, Trinitarian, and written from the standpoint of a sturdy faith, then this is the book for you!"--Donald A. Hagner, George Eldon Ladd Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary

"Scholars frequently focus so tightly on the details of the New Testament documents that they miss the big picture. On the other hand, all too often attempts to summarize the message of the New Testament ignore the particular expressions and diverse emphases of its twenty-seven books. Without losing the trees for the wood, Schreiner's New Testament Theology offers a superb exposition of the New Testament's central message, the glory of God in Christ. Pastors and students will find it an invaluable resource for answering the question most readers are asking: what is the New Testament about?"--Brian S. Rosner, senior lecturer in New Testament and ethics, Moore Theological College

"A magnificent achievement! Schreiner has combined the breadth and depth of his knowledge of the New Testament with extensive discussion of the scholarly literature. Best of all, it follows the New Testament in testifying to the majesty and glory of God."--Simon Gathercole, University of Cambridge