The New Testament Era

This book does what no other introductory work does; it displays clearly and simply the interplay of forces, people, and events that were key to the birth and gradual expansion of early Christianity.

The correct and full interpretation of Scripture often depends on having an understanding of the culture in which the writers of the Bible lived. Tenney explores the political, social, and cultural forces of the first-century world in full color with photographs, maps, and drawings.

"New Testament Times" provides a short reconstruction of the cultural background in which Christianity arose and developed from the time of the Maccabean Revolt to A.D. 138. The book begins with an explanation of the relevance of the historical, political, social, and economic background during the first century which helps furnish a proper understanding of the New Testament. Dr. Tenney takes into account all the possible historical sources" canonical and non-canonical, literary and archaeological. A survey of the world situation after the death of Alexander the Great includes a summary of the Maccabean revolt, crucial to the understanding of the messianic hopes of the Jewish people. Dr. Tenney saw three cultural tensions playing upon the embryonic church: Judaism, Roman imperialism, and Hellenism. The survey continues by tracing the growth of Christianity under the Roman emperors: - The birth of Christ and the age of Augustus- Christ's ministry during the reign of Tiberius- The rise of the church- Persecutions under Nero and Domitian- The new era of Christianity under Trajan and Hadrian. "New Testament Times" provides the reader with the historical framework in which the Christian gospel is set, and makes the biblical message speak clearly and meaningfully by placing it in the perspective of history. Included are 130 illustrations, 3 original maps, 6 helpful charts, 4 exhaustive indices and a detailed bibliography.

What was life like for first-century Christians? Imagine a modest-sized Roman home of a well-to-do Christian household wedged into a thickly settled quarter of Corinth. In the lingering light of a summer evening, men, women and children, merchants, working poor and slaves, a mix of races and backgrounds have assembled in the dimly lit main room are are spilling into the central courtyard. This odd assortment of gathered believers—some thirty in number—are attentive as the newly arrived and travel-weary emissary from Paul reads from the papyrus scroll he has brought from their apostolic mentor. But if you were to be transported to this scene you would perhaps be overwhelmed by a flood of unexpected difference. The voice of the reader recedes as through open windows the din and clamor of the city assault your ears. Hooves clunk and cart wheels grind and echo from the street while drivers shout, vendors call and neighbors gather and converse. And later, as you accompany a family through darkened and dangerous streets to their third-story tenement apartment, you might try to mask your shock at the cramped and unsafe conditions. In The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era James Jeffers provides an informative and scenic tour of daily life during the time of Jesus and the apostles. He affords "you-are-there" glimpses of everything from legal codes to dinner foods, from social hierarchy to apartment living, from education to family dynamics. His eye-opening book will advance your understanding of the New Testament and early Christianity and enrich your reading and application of the Bible.

Recent years have seen a renewed interest in the study of background materials relating to Scripture. More and more Christians are seeking out resources that will help them understand the culture of the times when the Bible was written. Indeed, to fully understand the Old Testament, one must first understand the social, historical, and political forces that affected its writers. Old Testament Times explores and explains the characters and events of the Old Testament in historical perspective. Being released for the first time in a full-color edition, this guide includes - thirty-two maps - seventy photos - eight charts - five illustrations Pastors, small groups, and anyone wishing for a better understanding of biblical times will find an excellent tool in this comprehensive handbook written by one of America's foremost biblical scholars.

James S. Jeffers provides an informative tour of the various facets of the Roman world--class and status, family and community, work and leisure, religion and organization, city and country, law and government, death and taxes, and the events of Roman history.