How to Read the New Testament: An Introduction to Linguistic and Historical-Critical Methodology

How to Read the New Testament is not an introduction to linguistics and New Testament interpretation. As the subtitle indicates, it is more broadly conceived: an introduction to linguistic and historical critical methodologies. Its emphasis on linguistics, particularly in part 3 ("Reading Synchronically"), however, cannot be understated, and it will provide a fresh approach to the text for many New Testament interpreters. Traditional methods of historical criticism are discussed in parts 4 ("Reading Diachronically") and 5 ("Reading Historically"). But Egger is not as interested in the methods themselves as he is in how their application informs a reading of the New Testament texts. Part 6, "Reading Hermeneutically," explores how the New Testament can continue to be relevant in the life of the church. This important volume integrates the fruit of historical criticism with the rewards of linguistic analysis.

“Egger’s book does a magnificent job in introducing new approaches to the New Testament, as well as the classic approaches, and showing how they can and must be integrated for optimal understanding of the text. It should be the first choice of a textbook for introductory courses in New Testament.”
–Adela Yarbro Collins, Professor of New Testament in the Divinity School and Chair, Department of New Testament and Early Christian Literature, University of Chicago

Wilhelm Egger (1940-) presently serves as the bishop of Bozen-Brixen, Italy. Having degrees from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and ecole Biblique et Archeologique, Jerusalem, Bishop Egger is the president of the Catholic Bible Federation and is the author of numerous books and articles.

Hendrikus Boers is Professor of New Testament at Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. He is the author of Who Was Jesus? The Historical Jesus and the Synoptic Gospels and What is New Testament Theology?

Hendrikus Boers is Professor of New Testament at Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. He is the author of Who Was Jesus? The Historical Jesus and the Synoptic Gospels and What is New Testament Theology?