Friday, April 24, 2009

The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown

This August B&H Academic will publish The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown: An Introduction to the New Testament, by Andreas J. Köstenberger, L. Scott Kellum, and Charles L. Quarles. I mention it now in case any professors want to consider picking it up for their classes this Fall.

You can download for free chapter 8, on the Book of Acts. Also, B&H is offering a very nice feature for professors. If you adopt the book for your classroom, you can get nicely designed Power Point slides to accompany the book (one set is designed for a one-semester course, and another set is designed for a two-semester course). You can download for free the slides for chapter 4, on the Gospel According to Matthew.

Here are some of the blurbs:
"Among the finest such studies of recent decades in classic matters of New Testament introduction. What sets it apart includes: (1) attention to theology and the history of interpretation; (2) extended presentation of the history of New Testament times and the rise of the canon; (3) appropriate rigor; (4) frequently creative layout features; and (5) conceptual clarity. Beyond an impressive digest of scholarship, it is an appeal to faithful appropriation of the New Testament's message."

--Robert W. Yarbrough

"Clear, thorough, up to date, and engaging all the contemporary alternatives people are putting forward . . . discerning and judicious. Well done and highly recommended."

--Darrell L. Bock

“Among available New Testament introductions for theological students this one stands out for meticulously thorough coverage, bibliographical fullness, attention to canonical issues, juicy pastoral reflections, and lashings of masterful common sense. I recommend it highly, as a leader in its field.”

--J. I. Packer

"The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown is an outstanding introduction to the New Testament, which should be warmly welcomed not only by teachers and students but by anyone desiring an up-to-date, comprehensive, judicious survey of the historical, literary, and theological context of the New Testament. Among the user-friendly features of this volume are clear objectives for different levels of study, helpful review questions, recommended reading lists, numerous sidebars, and an extensive glossary. I expect to turn to this volume and recommend it to others for years to come."

--Justin Taylor
Between this volume and Carson and Moo's standard, An Introduction to the New Testament, evangelical students are very well served indeed!