Customer Reviews
A very thorough, if conservative, introduction to the subject - By: Jeremy Bevan, 29 Nov 2008 
Extremely thorough, updated edition of the author's widely respected introduction to the New Testament. It includes sections on the wider historical & cultural setting; Jesus' life, death & resurrection; the Kingdom of God; the New Testament's literature, & the development of the churches that lie behind it. The book is rounded off with a discussion of approaches to reading the NT. Though fairly conservativein outlook, Drane's great virtue is to at least sketch other perspectives, even if he is sometimes rather too quick to dismiss the more liberal among them. The main themesin each chapter are supplemented by a more in-depth focus on particular aspects or problems, often giving an adept summary of wide-ranging scholarly debate that has run for decades or more. There's an extensive (if again rather conservative) bibliography to guide further reading. Drane's text is probably suitable if you're an A-level RE student, or beginning academic study of theology - as long as you remember that other, more liberal perspectives are also available.
Excellent, when the author keeps to his subject - By: Peregrine Bluecher, 12 Oct 2008 For practical purposes this is quite the best introduction to the New Testament I have come across. I read Theology at Oxford Universityin the 1980s & am a practising Catholic. The book gives a thorough survey of modern & not-so-modern scholarship, & presents the arguments for & against "orthodox" viewsin a fair, albeit somewhat Protestant way.
Why only four stars? First, because the author insists on bringingin his private views on modern political issues like colonialism, the position of women & so forth, which is unnecessary & irritating to readers like me who share his theological views but not his politics.
Secondly, because the book joins the growing tendency towards repetition. It is also crying out for an editor who has a strong grasp of English grammar & style. If it runs to another edition, I volunteer!
for Liberals only - By: David UK, 03 Jul 2007 
A liberal view of scripture that may offend many Evangelicals. I threw my copyin the bin.
Perfect! - By: "Smith" Reader, 13 May 2007 
This book by John Drane just the perfect Introduction to the New Testament going.
It is a good read & so is suitable for someone who wants a general introduction to the world that Jesus livedin & the early results of his life. Whilst the books simplicity makes it best for A-Level's it is also helpful for the undergraduate student.
Indispensable (and twice as thick as 'Introducing the OT'!) - By: Chris Of The OT, 14 Jul 2006 In contrast to the next reviewer down, I find `Introducing the New Testament' invaluable to my studies (I'm just finishing the first year of a degree course with the London School of Theology). John Drane's easy-going style even when dealing with sometimes complex theological issues, coupled with the wonderfully user-friendly book layout (see my review of Drane's `Introducing the Old Testament') make this an excellent title. There is more than enough scholarly information here to begin serious NT studying while still being easily accessible enough for more casual Bible study.
I have been fortunatein being able to compare this revised edition with the previous edition: there has been a small but significant "sharpening up" of the text & the above mentioned layout has changed (and improved) greatly, & there is also (at least one) completely new Special Article - `The gospels as Graeco-Roman biography' (P168). It's surprising how much difference - & how greatly positive that difference is - between first & revised editions of this book.
As I saidin my review of `Introducing the OT', this title should be considered mandatory to anyone even vaguely interestedin Christian or biblical things.
