Search, Ponder, and Pray: A Guide to the Gospels (Contemporary Studies in Scripture)

• “Allows ample opportunity for readers to plunge into the teachings of the New Testament.” — Melissa DeMoux, Mormon Times
• “It is my sincere hope that every teacher involved with church education will take advantage of this incredible resource.” — David Bokovoy, author of Authoring the Old Testament
• “A readable, usable. and most welcome volume.” — Jeffrey Needle, Association of Mormon Letters
• “I highly recommend this volume for anyone who wishes to actually learn something from her encounter with the Gospels.” — Kevin Barney

Latter-day Saints already familiar with the New Testament will find a wealth of new insights into the cultural, historical, and literary background of the Gospels. Research previously shrouded in academic jargon is presented in a way that is not only understandable, but encourages readers to evaluate the evidence for themselves and to draw their own conclusions. Over 4,000 thought-provoking questions allow readers to ponder the scriptures in new and exciting ways. In many ways, this book immediately and directly facilitates a close, deliberate, and thoughtful reading of the scriptural text.

Julie M. Smith graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BA in English and from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA, with an MA in Biblical Studies. She is on the executive board of the Mormon Theology Seminar and the steering committee of the BYU New Testament Commentary series, for which she is writing the volume on the Gospel of Mark. She also writes for Times & Seasons, where she is the book review editor. She lives near Austin, Texas, where she homeschools her children.