This volume addresses the most important issues related to the study of New Testament writings. Two respected senior scholars have brought together a team of distinguished specialists to introduce the Jewish, Hellenistic, and Roman backgrounds necessary for understanding the New Testament and the early church. The book includes 75 photographs, 15 maps, numerous tables and charts, illustrations, and bibliographies. Students of the New Testament will value this comprehensive textbook and reference volume on the New Testament world.

This volume provides an introduction to the Christian biblical canon and answers key questions about both testaments. It represents a fresh attempt to understand some of the many perplexing problems related to the origins and canonicity of the Bible.

What does it mean to speak of a “canon” of scripture? How, when, and where, did the canon of the Hebrew Bible come into existence? Why does it have three divisions? What canon was in use among the Jews of the Hellenistic diaspora? At Qumran? In Roman Palestine? Among the rabbis? What Bible did Jesus and his disciples know and use? How was the New Testament canon formed and closed? What role was played by Marcion? By gnostics? By the church fathers? What did the early church make of the apocrypha and pseudepigrapha? By what criteria have questions of canonicity been decided? Are these past decisions still meaningful faith communities today? Are they open to revision?

Lee Martin McDonald provides a magisterial overview of the development of the biblical canon—the emergence of the list of individual texts that constitutes the Christian bible. In these two volumes—in sum more than double the length of his previous works on this subject—McDonald presents his most in-depth overview to date. McDonald shows students and researchers how the list of texts that constitute ‘the bible’ was once far more fluid than it is today and guides readers through the minefield of different texts, different versions, and the different lists of texts considered ‘canonical’ that abounded in antiquity. Questions of the origin and transmission of texts are introduced as well as consideration of innovations in the presentation of texts, collections of documents, archaeological finds and Church councils.

This collection of volumes from T&T Clark presents current research from world-renowned scholars on apocryphal and pseudepigraphal texts and their relevance for the study of Second-Temple Judaism, the New Testament, and early Christianity. Several volumes present the original-language texts and translations of these writings for primary source research and others offer in-depth analyses of their contents and relation to first-century Judaism and Christianity. Dig into the study of important texts like the Gospel of Thomas, the Parables of Enoch, the Testament of Job, and many more with these volumes.

The Story of Jesus in History and Faith is a comprehensive introduction to the study of the historical Jesus—one that takes both scholarship and Christian faith seriously. Leading New Testament scholar Lee Martin McDonald brings together two critically important dimensions of the story of Jesus: what we can know about him in his historical context, and what we can responsibly claim about his significance for faith today. McDonald examines the most important aspects of the story of Jesus, from his birth to his resurrection, and introduces key issues and approaches in the study of the historical Jesus. He also considers faith issues, taking account of theological perspectives that secular historiography cannot address. The book incorporates excerpts from primary sources and includes a map and tables.

Get into the biblical world with stunning archeological resources on Ancient Near Eastern locations and key biblical places. Dig into ancient cultures and explore the lives of biblical authors and ancient Israelites, explore beautiful art, and study cultural concepts, like prayer, agriculture, and sexuality.

Combining a lifelong commitment to the Scriptures, both as a pastor and as a scholar, McDonald approaches his task with sensitivity to the importance of these sacred texts as well as with the thoughtful practice of a person steeped in the process by which these texts were brought together to form the Bible as the church knows it now. From the collection (and translations) of the Hebrew Scriptures through the collection of the New Testament Scriptures, and finally the process of settling on the final forms for these collections, McDonald leads his reader right up to the present moment.

How did authority function before the bible as we know it emerged? Lee Martin McDonald examines the authorities that existed from the Church’s beginning: the appeal to the texts containing the words of Jesus, and that would become the New Testament, the not yet finalized Hebrew Scriptures (referred to mostly in Greek) and the apostolic leadership of the churches. McDonald traces several sacred core traditions that broadly identified the essence of Christianity before there was a bible summarized in early creeds, hymns and spiritual songs, baptismal and Eucharistic affirmations, and in lectionaries and catalogues from the fourth century and following. McDonald shoes how those traditions were included in the early Christian writings later recognized as the New Testament.

Over the past four decades, many scholars have focused on the expanding collection of alleged “extra-canonical” documents that were deemed inspired by God in numerous early Jewish and Christian groups. Eventually, these texts ceased to have an authoritative role in Judaism and Christianity and were branded “extra-canonical.” Now, these documents, once considered sacred, are recognized as fundamental in understanding antiquity, and the development of the canon. Many scholars are now according an authority to some of these texts This volume draws attention to these ancient religious texts, especially the so-called “non-canonical” texts, by focusing on how they were used or functioned in early societies. The contributors also warn us about the assumed barriers between “canon” and “extra-canon,” “texts” and “traditions,” and they suggest that we should be careful with labels such as “Jewish” and “Christian.”

With books on diverse topics from a variety of perspectives, gain a deeper understanding to the Old and New Testaments. Explore backgrounds surrounding biblical people, cultures, and events, laying the groundwork for in-depth analysis of the Scriptures.

Many of the writings deemed ‘apocryphal’ and ‘pseudepigraphical’ were in circulation in the early centuries of Judaism and Christianity. Their influences and impacts on the development of early communities, and the development of Jewish and Christian thoughts, have not yet been sufficiently examined. While this judgment is especially true for the so-called Christian Apocrypha, it also applies for other writings that were not included in the Jewish and Christian Bibles and nor in other sacred collections of Scripture,like Rabbinics and Patristics.

The T&T Clark Bibliology Collection brings together introductions and analyses of arguably the most foundational issue in biblical studies: the nature and origin of Scripture and canon. Several volumes come from the Guides for the Perplexed series which offers clear, concise, and accessible introductions to particularly challenging subjects, like oral tradition and the New Testament, and the origin of the Bible. These volumes concentrate on what makes the subject difficult to grasp and explain key themes and ideas, guiding the reader toward a thorough understanding of the demanding material. Other volumes integrate adjacent academic disciplines to the study of Scripture and canon by marshaling archaeological, socio-cultural, and theological considerations that shed light on this controversial and often-difficult subject.

The Baker Academic New Testament Backgrounds collection brings you 27 volumes from today’s finest New Testament, Greek, and Judaic scholars, including Craig S. Keener, Michael F. Bird, Graham H. Twelftree, Ben Witherington III, Bruce Metzger, and others. It provides insight into the cultural, social, and religious contexts surrounding the Greco-Roman World, analyzes the credibility of the biblical canon, miracles, and exorcisms, and explores the history and impact of Judaism. Each volume is clear, comprehensive, and readable; each tackles skeptics’ tough questions; and each includes helpful resources like indexes, bibliographies, and photos.

The Origin of the Bible: A Guide for the Perplexed introduces the reader to the often perplexing issue of the Bible’s origin and how the different texts were received. This important topic is dealt with especially in light of the discoveries of significant ancient texts that were not included in the Bible. These previously unknown extra-biblical texts raise questions about the nature and formation of the Bible. Why were some books included and others excluded? Why were some included initially and subsequently rejected? Was there a church cover-up? This volume addresses these and related questions in an accessible and thorough manner.

The Baker Academic New Testament Backgrounds collection brings you 57 volumes from today’s finest New Testament, Greek, and Judaic scholars, including Craig S. Keener, Michael F. Bird, Graham H. Twelftree, Ben Witherington III, Bruce Metzger, and others. It provides insight into essential New Testament topics. This collection offers a look at the cultural, social, and religious contexts surrounding the Greco-Roman World, analyzes the credibility of the biblical canon, miracles, and exorcisms, and explores the lives and ministries of Christ’s apostles—Simon Peter, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The Baker Academic Studies on Biblical Canon focuses on how Scripture fits together as a canonical whole. These volumes examine the interpretive significance of the canon’s structure and sequence while demonstrating how interpreting the Bible canonically bears exegetical fruit. Addressing common questions and debates about canonization, this collection represents a fresh attempt to understand some of the many perplexing problems related to the origins and canonicity of the Bible.

Build your library with the Baker Academic Biblical Studies Bundle (190 vols.). Bringing together a wide variety of scholarship by some of the leading biblical scholars today, this collection provides an academically rigorous addition to your Bible software library. Covering everything from the cultural and historical context of the Old and New Testaments through difficult interpretive questions raised by the original languages, and even dealing with serious questions in biblical theology, the Baker Academic Biblical Studies Bundle makes available essential resources for anyone serious about studying scripture.

With books on diverse topics from a variety of perspectives, gain a deeper understanding to the Old and New Testaments. Explore backgrounds surrounding biblical people, cultures, and events, laying the groundwork for in-depth analysis of the Scriptures.

The Charasmatic Platinum Library makes your study of the Bible easier by connecting your entire library of books to a robust set of study tools. The Charasmatic Platinum Library is a great entry point for academic study or more advanced exegesis and sermon prep. With over 1100 resources, the Charasmatic Platinum Library includes fantastic resources such as Spectrum Multiview Book Series (27 vols.), Carta Biblical Background Collection (9 vols.), Opening Up Commentary Series (47 vols.), and many more.

Our largest package, the 2025 Ultimate Library, provides an incredible library for biblical research and theological reflection. Whether focused on Church history or biblical exegesis, the vast collection of resources and titles at your fingertips cover the gamut—from most devotionals to practical discussions of pastoral ministry to the most rigorous scholarly and academic research. This package has everything you need to engage in the serious study of Scripture and its world, with respected resources like the Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies | LHBOTS (382 vols.) and top-tier exegetical commentaries like the New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament | NIC (51 vols.).

The Messianic Jewish Portfolio library makes your study of the Bible easier by connecting your entire library of books to a robust set of study tools. The Messianic Jewish Portfolio Library takes everything in the Messianic Jewish Diamond Library and adds even more to your library. The Messianic Jewish Portfolio LIbrary contains key sets including Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture Complete Set | ACCS (29 vols.), Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies | LHBOTS (382 vols.), Anchor Yale Bible Commentary | AYBC (94 vols.), IVP Pocket Reference Series (15 vols.), and many more. The Messianic Jewish Portfolio Library is excellent for academic research or advanced exegesis.

This volume examines what are traditionally seen as “non-canonical” texts and the role they played in early Judaism and Christianity. The contributors discuss several important Jewish and Christian apocryphal and pseudepigraphal texts and describe their ancient functions and socio-cultural and religious context. The texts treated include the Oxyrhynchus papyri, the Enochic library of the author of the Epistle of Barnabas, the Coptic, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions of the Testament of Abraham, and the Testaments of Isaac and Jacob. It is argued that these texts show the fluidity of the notion of Scripture in the early centuries of the Church and in the Judaism of late antiquity. These studies demonstrate the value of examining the ancient religious texts that weren’t included in the Jewish or Christian biblical canons. Because ancient texts were not created in a vacuum, these non-canonical writings aid in our interpretation not only of many canonical writings, but also shed...

This series focuses on early Jewish and Christian texts and their formative contexts; it also includes sourcebooks that help clarify the ancient world. Five aspects distinguish this series. First, the series reflects the need to situate, and to seek to understand, these ancient texts within their originating social and historical contexts. Second, the series assumes that it is now often difficult to distinguish between Jewish and Christian documents, since all early Christians were Jews. Jesus and his earliest followers were devout Jews who shared many ideas with the well-known Jewish groups, especially the Pharisees, the Essenes, and the various apocalyptic groups. Third, the series recognizes that there were (and still are) many ways of understanding authoritative literature or scripture.

The Charasmatic Portfolio library makes your study of the Bible easier by connecting your entire library of books to a robust set of study tools. The Charasmatic Portfolio Library takes everything in the Charasmatic Diamond Library and adds even more to your library. The Charasmatic Portfolio LIbrary contains key sets including SIL Exegetical Summary Series | SILES (34 vols.), Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament | TDOT (17 vols.), The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine (5 vols.), Hermeneia: A Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible | HERM (55 vols.), and many more. The Charasmatic Portfolio Library is excellent for academic research or advanced exegesis.

The Messianic Jewish Platinum Library makes your study of the Bible easier by connecting your entire library of books to a robust set of study tools. The Messianic Jewish Platinum Library is a great entry point for academic study or more advanced exegesis and sermon prep. With over 880 resources, the Messianic Jewish Platinum Library includes fantastic resources such as Dictionary of Classical Hebrew | DCH (9 vols.), The Preacher's Commentary Series | TPC (35 vols.), The Preacher's Commentary Series | TPC (35 vols.), and many more.

The Orthodox Portfolio library makes your study of the Bible easier by connecting your entire library of books to a robust set of study tools. The Orthodox Portfolio Library takes everything in the Orthodox Diamond Library and adds even more to your library. The Orthodox Portfolio LIbrary contains key sets including Fathers of the Church: A New Translation (148 vols.), Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament | TDOT (17 vols.), T&T Clark Jewish and Christian Texts Series (13 vols.), Berit Olam: Studies in Hebrew Narrative & Poetry (15 vols.), and many more. The Orthodox Portfolio Library is excellent for academic research or advanced exegesis.

Verbum 10 facilita su estudio católico al conectar toda su biblioteca de libros a un sólido conjunto de herramientas digitales. Y Verbum 10 Diamante Bilingüe ofrece una completa biblioteca de estudios católicos con más de 2300 recursos. Platino Bilingüe no solo incluye todas las herramientas de estudio que hemos creado en inglés y español, sino que también viene con cientos de comentarios. Tendrá todos los recursos que necesita para un estudio serio de las Escrituras junto con obras teológicas como The Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century (44 vols.), Thomistic Ressourcement Series (18 vols) y otros recursos ideales para la preparación de homilías o estudios más avanzados de las Escrituras. Verbum 10 makes your Catholic study easier by connecting your entire library of books to a robust set of digital tools. And Verbum 10 Platino Bilingüe provides a comprehensive Catholic study library with over 2300 resources. Not only does Platino Bilingüe include every...

The Lutheran Portfolio library makes your study of the Bible easier by connecting your entire library of books to a robust set of study tools. The Lutheran Portfolio Library takes everything in the Lutheran Diamond Library and adds even more to your library. The Lutheran Portfolio LIbrary contains key sets including Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary | AYBD (6 vols.), Stuttgart Scholarly Editions: Core Bundle, Anchor Yale Bible Commentary | AYBC (94 vols.), UBS Handbooks Series: Old Testament, New Testament, and Deuterocanonical Books (66 vols.), and many more. The Lutheran Portfolio Library is excellent for academic research or advanced exegesis.

The Charasmatic Diamond Library makes your study of the Bible easier by connecting your entire library of books to a robust set of study tools. The Charasmatic Diamond Library takes everything in the Charasmatic Platinum Library and adds even more to your library, with scholarly series like Two Horizons Commentary (23 vols.), LifeGuide Bible Studies Collection (139 vols.), The Bible Speaks Today Themes (23 vols.), and Socio-Rhetorical Commentary Series Collection | SRC (10 vols.). With over 2000 volumes of advanced biblical reference works, this is an ideal package for anyone doing academic research or advanced exegesis.