a canonical and synthetic approach

THEOLOGY of the

NEW TESTAMENT

FRANK THIELMAN

ZONDERVAN

Theology of the New Testament

Copyright © 2005 by Frank Thielman

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Thielman, Frank.

Theology of the New Testament: a canonical and synthetic approach / Frank Thielman.

p. cm.

Summary: “A basic resource for serious teachers, pastors, scholars, or lay people interested in learning about the theology of the New Testament”—Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-0310-21132-7

1. Bible. N.T.—Theology. 2. Bible. N.T.—Canonical criticism. I. Title.

BS2397.T445 2005

230′.0415—dc22 2004030070

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers printed in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Interior design: Sherri Hoffman

In loving memory of Calvin Thielman

δίκαιος τετελειωμένος

Contents

Preface

Abbreviations

Introduction

1. The Theology of the New Testament: The Basic Questions

One

The Gospels and Acts

2. The Persistence and Importance of a Fourfold Gospel

3. Mark: The Death of God’s Son as Good News

4. Matthew: New Wine in Old Skins

5. Luke-Acts: The Place of Christians in the Progress of Salvation History

6. John: Faith in Jesus as the Means to Eternal Life

7. Four Diverse Witnesses to the One Gospel of Jesus Christ

Two

The Pauline Letters

8. The Coherence and Center of Paul’s Theology

9. First Thessalonians: Maintaining Faith, Love, and Hope in the _ Midst of Suffering

10. Second Thessalonians: Perseverance Despite Persecution and False Teaching

11. Galatians: The Grace of God and the Truth of the Gospel

12. First Corinthians: A Plea for Peace, Holiness, and Fidelity

13. Philippians: The Importance of the Gospel’s Progress

14. Second Corinthians: Power Perfected in Weakness

15. Romans: The Gospel of God’s Righteousness

16. Colossians: Christ Preeminent in Cosmos and History

17. Philemon: Reconciliation in Practice

18. Ephesians: The Unity of Church and Cosmos in Christ

19. First Timothy: The Church as Pillar and Foundation of Truth

20. Titus: Knowing God, Doing Good, and Making Salvation Attractive

21. Second Timothy: Faithfulness to the Gospel

22. The Common Emphases ...

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About Theology of the New Testament: A Canonical and Synthetic Approach

Studying the theology of the New Testament can be a daunting task, even to the knowledgeable Bible student or pastor. Each of the twenty-seven books, written by various authors, has its own theological emphasis and nuances. How do we elicit a coherent message from such theological diversity, especially given that some of the theological statements in the New Testament seem to be at odds with one another? Is such an endeavor achievable or even valid?

Theology of the New Testament takes a balanced approach in response to these challenges. Frank Thielman presents a theology of the New Testament that is careful to take into account the cultural and historical circumstances surrounding each book and the New Testament as a whole. He not only examines each book’s theological content individually, but also in relation to the rest of the New Testament, particularly within each of the three theological units that comprise the New Testament: the gospels and Acts, the Pauline epistles, and the general epistles and Revelation.

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Table of Contents