William Barclay has also written A New Testament Wordbook, More New Testament Words, Letters To The Seven Churches, The Master’s Men, and Flesh and Spirit, The Mind Of Jesus, Crucified and Crowned, and Jesus As They Saw Him.
This material prepared for Religion-Online by Paul Mobley.
SUMMARY
(ENTIRE BOOK) This book is primarily about the writers of the New testament, and emphasizes their differences in personality and actions, yet their single attention to Christ.
Chapters
- Chapter 1: Many Ways To God
In approaching many ways to God Barclay sets out four conceptions of religion, plus personal experience and temperament.
- Chapter 2: The Synoptic Gospels
The Gospel sets forth the God of old as King and judge, then into the Christian era as loving, yet still as the king and judge. Thus God has not changed. Only His plan for man has changed.
- Chapter 3: John
John and the Gospel of John are explored noting that John did not do any writing until about AD 100. John, in his book, tells about the personal Jesus, writing to both Gentile and Jew.
- Chapter 4: Paul
Barclay casts Paul’s writings as issuing from faith. He then proceeds to show why.
- Chapter 5: The Letter To The Hebrews
The author shows us the “draw near to God” approach taken in the Hebrew letter. The idea is a new and free approach to God through Jesus Christ.
- Chapter 6: James
Even though the Book of James has been contested in the past, it is yet a book that could have been written yesterday. The author here contends that it may have been a sermon by James which someone put in writing for James. Regardless, James is a book relevant to today.
- Chapter 7: First Peter
First Peter is shown as the book of obligations for the Christian. The Christian has received gifts, so must take responsibility for them and act accordingly.
- Chapter 8: The Letter Of John
In 1 John, the author is shown as one writing to those he knew well, as a pastor who cares for his flock.
- Chapter 9: II Peter and Jude
There is some doubt as to whether these two books should be in the New Testament. Yet, as the subtitle shows, these are about the good life, and have been read in the early church, as well as now.
- Chapter 10: The Revelation
Revelation has been doubted, and stated as difficult to understand. Despite these objections it is a book of victory, the victory of Christ, and finally for Christians.
- Chapter 11: The Kerugma
The author has looked at the diversity of the writers of the New Testament, and their writings. Now he shows that the diversity has a common faith and goal. The proclamation of the Gospel remains intact as one teaching.
- Chapter 12: Preaching The New Testament Today
The author reviews the situation today for preaching — noting such things as ignorance, and the need for balance.