Christian interpretation of the Bible is not a simple task. While finding both its beginning and end in the theological claim that Scripture reveals to us "what God has done in Christ," Christian interpretation demands much more. The interaction between believer and text is also conversation between reader and interpretive community, both ancient and modern. Theological interpretation entails close readings of texts but also a close analysis of contexts—the social and political shape of the Mediterranean world as well as our own. Interpretation requires the interweaving of theology, history, and literature.

In Introduction to the New Testament Carl R. Holladay does just that. He roots each of the New Testament’s twenty-seven writings in their historical, literary, and theological contexts. A true "Reference Edition," Holladay provides thorough, detailed, and exacting overviews, background material, and textual analysis. Holladay leads readers to consider questions of canon, authority, and genre that shape the formation of the text and the text’s formation of the identity, theology, and mission of the church today. This  Introduction does not leave its readers stranded in the first century; it also intentionally connects the message of the New Testament to the issues facing its faithful readers today. No stone goes unturned and no issue unexamined—Holladay’s  Introduction to the New Testament is an essential text for any serious student of biblical interpretation.

List of Maps, Figures, Tables, and Plates
Preface to the Reference Edition
Preface to the First Edition
Abbreviations
Introduction
Part 1. Theology and Scripture
1. The New Testament as Theological Writings
2. The Shape of the Canon
Part 2. The Gospels: Narrative Traditions About Jesus
3. Relating the Gospels to Each Other
4. From Jesus to the Gospels
5. From the Gospels to Jesus
6. The Gospel of Mark
7. The Gospel of Matthew
8. The Gospel of Luke
9. The Gospel of John
Part 3. The Story of Jesus Continued: The Church’s Origin and Expansion
10. The Acts of the Apostles
Part 4. The Pauline Letters and Hebrews
11. Reading the Pauline Letters
12. The Thessalonian Letters
13. The Corinthian Letters
14. Galatians
15. Romans
16. Philippians
17. Philemon
18. Colossians
19. Ephesians
20. The Pastoral Letters
21. Hebrews
Part 5. The Catholic Letters
22. James
23. First Peter
24. Jude
25. Second Peter
26. The Johannine Letters
Part 6. Jesus in the Apocalyptic Imagination
27. Revelation
Part 7. The New Testament as the Church’s Book: The Formation of the New Testament Canon
28. The Christian Scriptures
Appendix 1. Ancient Canonical Lists
Appendix 2. Early Christian Views of the Gospels