New Testament Overview

Literary Style: A unique style of writing that follows recognized literary conventions and language patterns.
Epic Narrative
Epic Narrative: A narrative that is intentionally placed in an ambiguous historical setting in order to make larger claims about the nature of reality and human purpose.
,  Narrative
Narrative: A story sequence in which characters are placed in a setting and involved in a developing plotline.
,  Prose Discourse
Prose Discourse: A speech that makes persuasive claims through a logical sequence of thought and clear patterns of rhetoric.
,  Biography
Biography: A narrative about one person or movement, consisting of many short scenes that give a general history of the person as well as the main themes of their life and teaching.
,  Parable
Parable: A short, fictional narrative with symbolic characters designed to challenge the listener in a memorable and/or shocking way.
,  Sermon
Sermon: A short persuasive essay that is meant primarily to address the listener’s behavior.
,  Vision
Vision: A literary representation of a prophet’s dreams or visions that reveals God’s perspective on current events in the light of history’s final outcome.

Contents

    New Testament Overview

    Watch our Read Scripture video on the overview of the New Testament. This video breaks down the literary design of the entire New Testament and how it continues the story of the Hebrew Scriptures.

    About New Testament Overview

    The New Testament is not as disconnected from the Old Testament as some might assume. The cohesion is made evident in the writings of the New Testament where authors often reference back to Old Testament scriptures. Our New Testament Overview video shows the connection between the testaments and how the Bible is a unified story that leads to Jesus.

    Milestones

    Life of Jesus
    The Gospels tell the story of Jesus’ life and how he came to set into motion his version of the Kingdom. Jesus set about the world healing, teaching, and rebuking. He was the epitome of the Father's heart to a broken people.
    Death of Jesus
    Jesus' death and resurrection are central events to the Christian faith. He took the sins of the world unto himself and became the sacrificial lamb in place of a fallen humanity, rose again from the dead, and ascended to the right hand of the Father until his return.
    Resurrection & Renewal
    After his resurrection and before his ascension, Jesus spends some time with his disciples. After ascending, he sends his Holy Spirit to a renewed group of his followers. The book of Acts retells the work of Jesus' spirit after his ascension and the story of the movement of people he inspired.
    Jesus Movement
    Like all churches, the first church had their fair share of problems. The letters written by some of the best minds in the Christian tradition helped rebuke, teach, and encourage the early Jesus movement that was taking the world by storm.
    Return
    John's visions reveal that Jesus has overcome evil by his death and resurrection, and will return one day as the true king of the world.

    Related Resources

    Resource
    New Testament Overview Poster
    Blog Post
    2 Corinthians: Paradox of the Cross
    2 Corinthians is a letter written by the apostle Paul in response to a complicated relationship betw...
    Blog Post
    The Sermon on the Mount and Jesus as the New Moses
    The first evangelist presents Jesus as the fulfillment of the long-awaited hopes and dreams of Israe...
    Blog Post
    The Sermon on the Mount and Jesus as the New David
    The Gospel of Matthew is a rich storehouse of goods that only makes sense in light of the Old Testam...

    Suggested Reading

    academic
    One God, One Lord: Early Christian Devotion and Ancient Jewish Monotheism by Larry Hurtado Echoes of Scripture in the Gospels by Richard B. Hays
    popular
    The New Testament and the People of God by N.T. Wright Paul, the Spirit, and the Presence of God by Gordon Fee
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