The collection of 27 narratives and letters known as the Christian New Testament were produced in specific historical contexts and with specific religious, social, and political purposes in mind. Achtemeier (Union Theological Seminary), Joel B. Green (Asbury Theological Seminary) and Marianne Meye Thompson (Fuller Theological Seminary) discuss the literary and historical contexts of the New Testament and attempt to explain the spiritual and other intentions of the original authors. Beginning with a discussion of the environmental and institutional contexts of the world of the New Testament, the text looks at the gospel tradition and the purposes of epistles. Each of the Gospels is afforded a separate chapter, as are the Pauline letters and discussions of the Acts of the Apostles and the Book of Revelations, but the other epistles are grouped thematically. A final chapter examines the internal and external forces that led to these particular documents being formed as the official canon. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)