In this engaging introduction to the New Testament, Professor Dale B. Martin presents a historical study of the origins of Christianity by analyzing the literature of the earliest Christian movements. Focusing mainly on the New Testament, he also considers nonbiblical Christian writings of the era. Martin begins by making a powerful case for the study of the New Testament. He next sets the Greco-Roman world in historical context and explains the place of Judaism within it. In the discussion of each New Testament book that follows, the author addresses theological themes, then emphasizes the significance of the writings as ancient literature and as sources for historical study. Throughout the volume, Martin introduces various early Christian groups and highlights the surprising variations among their versions of Christianity.

Luke continues to challenge our lives. Focusing on Jesus and his earthly ministry among the early church, Michael, F. Patella, OSB, opens the Gospel of Luke to the 21st-century reader. Patella presents literary, textual, and historical criticism in a readable manner to give readers a solid background for the Lukan Gospel. A brief introduction informs reader of Luke's literary technique, Luke as an evangelist, and other historical data. Chapters are "The Prologue (1:1-4)," "The Infancy Narrative (1:5-2:52)," "Preparation for the Public Ministry (3:1-4:13)," "The Ministry in Galilee (4:!4-9:50)," "The Journey to Jerusalem (9:51019:27)," "The Teaching Ministry in Jerusalem (19:28-21:38)," "The Passion (22:1-23:56)," "The Resurrection (24:1-53)." Also includes questions for discussion.

This book will review Luke's two volume historical narrative concerning Jesus' life and ministry as well the beginning and spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire as he experienced it.

Personal study guide for this comprehensive 12-session study of the Gospel of Luke by David Morlan.

10 lectures, Basel, September 15-26, 1909 (CW 114) Rudolf Steiner was born with clairvoyant capacities, but it was not until he was forty that he could connect his inner experiences with Jesus Christ. After that "solemn festival of knowledge," as he described it in his Autobiography, Steiner received ceaseless revelations about the significance of the Christ's incarnation. For the next twenty years, he spoke of the hidden background to all four gospels, the Book of Revelations, and even what he called the Fifth Gospel, read directly from the spirit worlds. These lectures present the most accessible and illuminating of Steiner's revelations about the significance of the Christ for the spiritual development of humanity. He discusses the link between the Buddha and the Christ, which unites Buddhism and Christianity--not in theory but in the spiritual activities of those two beings. Steiner also describes the relationship between the Greek Mystery traditions and the Mystery of Golgotha: "A sign was to be placed before them as well, a sign that would now be enacted before the eyes of all humankind. The 'mystical death, ' which had been a ceremonial act in the Mystery temples for hundreds and thousands of years, would now be presented on the great stage of world history. Everything that had taken place in the secrecy of initiation temples was brought into the open as a single event on Golgotha." Utilizing a historical overview, revealing the relationship between the great religious traditions, and how they have conspired together for the good of humanity, Steiner never loses sight of the Gospel's great inner meaning, as echoed in the Gospel of St. Luke: "The revelation of the spiritual worlds from the Heights and its answering reflection from human hearts brings peace to all whose purpose upon the evolving Earth is to develop good will." Contents: Introduction by Robert A. McDermott The Four Gospels in the Light of Anthroposophy The Luke Gospel As an Expression of Love and Compassion Buddha's Contribution to Humanity Formation of the Nathan-Jesus Child Contributions of the Nathan Jesus from Buddha and Zarathustra Elijah, John the Baptist, and Zarathustra Christ, the Great Mystery of Earth Evolution Illness and Healing in Luke and in the Evolution of Consciousness Christ and Maitreya buddha Robert A. McDermott's descriptive outline of Steiner's Lectures on Luke

Presents the original teachings of Jesus written by his contemporaries and early followers