Behind the Scenes of the New Testament Cultural, Social, and Historical Contexts

2026 Christian Book Award® Finalist (Bible Reference Works)

Southwestern Journal of Theology 2024 Book Award (Biblical Reference / Biblical Backgrounds)

This authoritative volume brings together a team of world-class scholars to cover the full range of New Testament backgrounds in a concise, up-to-date, and comprehensive manner.

Drawing on the expertise of specialists in the areas of archaeological, historical, and biblical studies, this book provides concise treatments of a wide breadth of topics related to the world of the early Christ followers. The book offers compact overviews of key historical issues, facilitating enriched understandings of the significance and force of the texts of the New Testament in their original contexts.

Meant to be used alongside traditional surveys, this one-stop introduction to New Testament backgrounds fills a gap in typical introduction to the Bible courses and is ideal for undergraduate or seminary classes. It is beautifully designed and includes photographs, line drawings, maps, charts, and tables, which will facilitate its use in the classroom.

Bruce W. Longenecker (PhD, University of Durham) is the W. W. Melton Chair of Religion at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

Elizabeth Shively (PhD, Emory University) is professor of Christian Scriptures at Truett Seminary, Baylor University, in Waco, Texas.

T. J. Lang (PhD, Duke University) is senior lecturer in New Testament studies and codirector of the Institute for Bible, Theology, and Hermeneutics at the University of St. Andrews in St. Andrews, Scotland.