Louis Berkhof’s Introduction to the New Testament has been reprinted by Lexham Press (2017) as a part of their Lexham Classics series. This is an excellent addition to the libraries of all Christians as it is “designed for students and general readers, and directs its readers toward a greater appreciation for New Testament writings” (from the back cover). Let me explain how Berkhof succeeds at that which this book was designed for.
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Introduction to the New Testament by Louis Berkhof
Coming in at under 300 pages, this book is certainly an introduction to the New Testament. It covers every book in the New Testament, but it does not seek to provide an exhaustive treatment of each of those 27 books. Now with that being said, Berkhof surely covers a ton of terrain in this book!
Each chapter contains the following sections: Contents, Characteristics, Authorship, Composition, and Canonical Significance. Some contain sections on “Integrity” or “The Church at X”, and for the few chapters that aren’t on one specific book (i.e. “The Epistles in General” or “The Gospels in General”). It’s a nice format for an introduction, and it’s very easy to follow.
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Berkhof mentions in his preface that this book was primarily intended for his students. The reader may pick up on that at times when he is using Greek or when he mentions early church figures. However, this book is written with such clarity and straightforwardness that all will benefit from this work. Berkhof doesn’t use complicated, difficult language at all. He deals with critical issues, but those issues aren’t majored on in this introduction. This is a book that will benefit anybody within the church who is looking to grow in their understanding of the New Testament!
Introduction to the New Testament could certainly be used as a textbook, but it also should find its place in the home of all Christians. This book could indeed be read from cover to cover, but it could also be used as a resource that is consulted often. When beginning your study of Romans as you read through the Bible in a year, pick up this book and read the chapter on Romans. This will assist you in understanding and rightly interpreting the book of Romans. This is the beauty of books like this; they aren’t to be read and put back on the shelf, but instead they are able to be useful over and over again.
I highly recommend this introduction by Berkhof! He is a trusted Reformed theologian who will guide you to a better understanding of the New Testament canon.
Disclaimer: My thanks to Lexham Press for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Matt became a joyful follower of Jesus at the age of 21. He is very grateful to be a husband to Lindsey, and a father to four boys. He is an ordained minister (teaching elder) in the PCA. He previously served as a pastor of biblical counseling and is currently a corporate chaplain in southern Delaware. Matt received his Master of Divinity degree in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and holds an advanced certification in biblical counseling from the Association of Biblical Counselors. In his free time, he loves playing with his boys, traveling with his wife, and reading (and buying!) books.
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