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107 New Testament Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

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The New Testament is a rich and complex text that covers a wide range of themes, stories, and teachings. If you'''re tasked with writing an essay on the New Testament, it can be overwhelming to decide on a topic. To help you get started, here are 107 New Testament essay topic ideas and examples:

• The role of women in the New Testament
• Comparing and contrasting the teachings of Jesus and Paul
• The significance of miracles in the New Testament
• The theme of forgiveness in the New Testament
• The portrayal of poverty and wealth in the New Testament
• The concept of love in the New Testament
• The symbolism of water in the New Testament
• The role of angels in the New Testament
• The theme of suffering in the New Testament
• The portrayal of Jesus as a political figure in the New Testament
• The significance of parables in the New Testament
• The role of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament
• The theme of redemption in the New Testament
• The portrayal of Satan in the New Testament
• The idea of salvation in the New Testament
• The imagery of light and darkness in the New Testament
• The portrayal of the afterlife in the New Testament
• The concept of faith in the New Testament
• The idea of resurrection in the New Testament
• The portrayal of leadership in the New Testament
• The theme of obedience in the New Testament
• The symbolism of bread in the New Testament
• The idea of community in the New Testament
• The portrayal of sin and forgiveness in the New Testament
• The significance of the Last Supper in the New Testament
• The portrayal of Mary Magdalene in the New Testament
• The theme of judgment in the New Testament
• The concept of wisdom in the New Testament
• The symbolism of blood in the New Testament
• The idea of humility in the New Testament
• The portrayal of John the Baptist in the New Testament
• The theme of prophecy in the New Testament
• The concept of unity in the New Testament
• The symbolism of the cross in the New Testament
• The idea of sacrifice in the New Testament
• The portrayal of Peter in the New Testament
• The theme of peace in the New Testament
• The concept of freedom in the New Testament
• The symbolism of the vine in the New Testament
• The idea of prayer in the New Testament
• The portrayal of Judas Iscariot in the New Testament
• The theme of power in the New Testament
• The concept of justice in the New Testament
• The symbolism of the temple in the New Testament
• The idea of mercy in the New Testament
• The portrayal of the Pharisees in the New Testament
• The theme of temptation in the New Testament
• The concept of discipleship in the New Testament
• The symbolism of the kingdom of God in the New Testament
• The idea of righteousness in the New Testament
• The portrayal of the disciples in the New Testament
• The theme of worship in the New Testament
• The concept of mission in the New Testament
• The symbolism of the shepherd in the New Testament
• The idea of healing in the New Testament
• The portrayal of Paul in the New Testament
• The theme of hope in the New Testament
• The concept of prophecy in the New Testament
• The symbolism of the olive tree in the New Testament
• The idea of spiritual gifts in the New Testament
• The portrayal of the Samaritans in the New Testament
• The concept of the kingdom of heaven in the New Testament
• The symbolism of the dove in the New Testament
• The idea of temptation in the New Testament
• The portrayal of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the New Testament
• The theme of the end times in the New Testament
• The concept of grace in the New Testament
• The symbolism of the lamb in the New Testament
• The idea of the second coming in the New Testament
• The portrayal of the apostles in the New Testament
• The theme of persecution in the New Testament
• The concept of the church in the New Testament
• The symbolism of the fig tree in the New Testament
• The portrayal of the Roman Empire in the New Testament
• The theme of reconciliation in the New Testament
• The concept of the Trinity in the New Testament
• The symbolism of the fish in the New Testament
• The idea of doubt in the New Testament
• The portrayal of Pontius Pilate in the New Testament
• The theme of the Sabbath in the New Testament
• The concept of the Beatitudes in the New Testament
• The symbolism of the mustard seed in the New Testament
• The idea of mission in the New Testament
• The portrayal of the early church in the New Testament
• The theme of conversion in the New Testament
• The concept of the new covenant in the New Testament
• The symbolism of the crown of thorns in the New Testament
• The idea of hospitality in the New Testament
• The portrayal of the rich young ruler in the New Testament
• The concept of the Great Commission in the New Testament
• The symbolism of the Good Samaritan in the New Testament
• The idea of the Sermon on the Mount in the New Testament
• The portrayal of the Prodigal Son in the New Testament
• The theme of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament
• The concept of the Resurrection in the New Testament
• The symbolism of the Alpha and Omega in the New Testament
• The idea of the Word of God in the New Testament
• The portrayal of the Crucifixion in the New Testament
• The theme of the Kingdom of God in the New Testament
• The concept of eternal life in the New Testament
• The symbolism of the vine and branches in the New Testament
• The idea of the Great Commandment in the New Testament
• The portrayal of the Transfiguration in the New Testament
• The theme of the New Jerusalem in the New Testament

These are just a few ideas to get you started on your New Testament essay. Remember to choose a topic that interests you and that you feel passionate about exploring further. Good luck!

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155 unique bible research paper topics you must try.

Are you looking for the best Bible research paper topics possible? We know that your professor has very high expectations of you. Don’t worry about it, all our topics are highly interesting. In other words, this is the place where you can find the most interesting ideas. And best of all, you can use any of these topic ideas for free.

Get the Best Bible Essay Topics

Most students don’t understand the importance of a unique topic. Most of them think that if they write a decent essay, they will get a good grade. Don’t make the same mistake. You will get better grades if you demonstrate to your professor that you have dedicated time and effort to finding the absolute best Bible essay topics. Make your topics interesting and we can guarantee that your professor will appreciate them. This usually translates to some valuable bonus points.

Pick One of Our Original Bible Research Topics

Our list of Bible research topics is original. In fact, all of these topics were created by our ENL writers. Don’t worry, they are 100% free. You can use any of these ideas for your next essay without giving us any credit. Also, you are free to reword the topics as you see fit. And remember, we are adding new topic periodically because we want to help as many students as possible get 100% original topics for their biblical research papers. So, what are you waiting for? Pick a topic from our list:

Easy Biblical Research Topics

If you want to spend as little time as possible writing the essay, it means you need one of our easy biblical research topics. Here are some topics that you can write an essay about in just a couple of hours:

• Discuss Christianity in the Roman Empire
• Discuss the effects of the Bible on social practices
• Talk about murder in the Bible
• What is the Christocentric approach?
• Select a passage from the Old Testament and interpret it
• Christianity in Medieval Europe
• Talk about how Catholics interpret the Bible
• How are other religions treated in the Bible?
• Main ideologies in Christianity
• Talk about important miracles in the Bible
• Wealth in the Bible
• How is Satan treated in the Bible?

Old Testament Research Paper Topics

Are you looking for some Old Testament topics? Our experienced writers and editors managed to create a list of the most interesting (and original) Old Testament research paper topics on the Internet:

• What is the role of baptism in the Old Testament?
• Discuss obedience and disobedience as major themes
• Why was the Old Testament lost?
• Analyze the redemption theme
• A short history of the English Bible
• Who write the Old Testament?
• Talk about the Israelites in the Old Testament
• Discuss the role of marriage in the Old Testament
• An in-depth analysis of the divine judgment theme
• Talk about the salvation theme in the Old Testament
• Research the theme of faith in the Old Testament
• Talk about the creation context
• Talk about the worship practices of Israelites
• What are the 3 divisions of the Old Testament?

Controversial Biblical Research Paper Topics

As with everything in this world, you are bound to find some controversial topics when it comes to the Bible. Check out these controversial biblical research paper topics and pick the one you like the most right now:

• Varying views on suicide
• Talk about passages in the Bible that advocate the death penalty
• Signs of colonialism in the Bible
• Discuss the controversial passages related to same sex marriage
• How is divorce viewed in the Bible?
• Analyze the views in the Bible pertaining to abortion
• Talk about the practice of remarriage
• Talk about passages in the Bible that advocate genocide
• Varying views on death and the afterlife
• Talk about passages in the Bible that advocate slavery
• Similarities between the Bible and the Koran

Difficult Biblical Topics for Research Papers

If you really want to impress your professor, it’s time to write a paper on a complex topic. Check out these awesome, but difficult biblical topics for research papers and select the best one for you:

• The practice of baptism for the dead
• Oath-taking in the Bible
• Pick a passage and talk about its meaning for people
• Was Jesus created? (be careful how you discuss this idea)
• Discuss the promises of Jesus in the Bible
• Death and the afterlife in 3 different religions
• Pick a passage from the Bible and figure out what it means
• Can the Bible change your life?
• Compare 5 of the most powerful verses in the Bible
• The 3 main methods of studying the Bible

Persuasive Biblical Topics

Yes, you can write a persuasive paper on a biblical topic. Why couldn’t you do it? In fact, here are some of the best persuasive biblical topics we can think of:

• Discuss the Gospel in the New Testament
• Talk about Torah in the Hebrew Bible
• Discuss the Acts of the Apostles
• An in-depth analysis of the Epistles in the New Testament
• Major versions of the Bible
• Research the authorship of the Bible
• Various languages in the Bible
• Talk about the Book of Revelation

Interesting Bible Thesis Topics

Are you looking for the most interesting Bible thesis topics? Our experienced writers have created a list of the best and most captivating topics. Check out these ideas and choose the best one for your needs:

• Analyze various works based on the Bible
• Discuss the Bible of Mormonism
• The Book of Tobit in the Deuterocanon
• An in-depth analysis of Biblical Aramaic
• Discuss the Masoretic Text
• The Book of Leviticus in the Hebrew Bible
• Research the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians
• An in-depth analysis of the dating of the Bible

Biblical Topics for College

If you are in college, you need topics that are a bit more complex. The good news is that we have a long list of biblical topics for college students right here. Pick any of them for free:

• Discuss the importance of biblical names
• Most important pieces of Biblical poetry
• Talk about 3 TV shows that are based on the Bible
• Research the Novum Testamentum Graece (biblical criticism)
• An in-depth look at the First Epistle to Timothy
• Discuss the Book of Habakkuk
• The role of men as heads of the family in the Old Testament
• Compare 3 interpretations of the Bible

New Testament Essay Topics

Are you interested in writing about something related to the New Testament? No problem, we’ve got your covered! You can find the best original New Testament essay topics in the list below:

• The Pauline Epistles in the New Testament
• Research Eusebius’s Ecclesiastical History
• Talk about the Pastoral Epistles in the New Testament
• Analyze the General Epistles in the New Testament
• Research the apparition of the Luther Bible
• Analyze the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament
• Research the Johannine works in the New Testament
• Early versions of the New Testament

Interesting Topics in the Bible

We know, it can be very difficult to find an interesting topic that hasn’t already been chosen by one of your classmates. This is why you should visit our website more often. Here are our latest and most interesting topics in the Bible:

• Discuss the Book of Proverbs from a woman’s perspective
• Compare the story of Cain and Abel with Beowulf and Grendel
• Analyze the short epistle to Philemon
• Is The Passion of the Christ an accurate depiction?
• Discuss the differences between Moses and David as leaders of Israel
• Compare Abraham and Jacob as patriarchs of the Jews
• The importance of Israel’s religious leaders
• Talk about children in the Bible
• Discuss biblical motifs in cinema movies
• Talk about the love theme in the Bible
• Analyze occurrences of adultery in the Bible
• Talk about the Genesis and its importance
• An in-depth analysis of laws in the New Testament
• Discuss laws in the Old Testaments
• Talk about the lesser prophets in the New Testament

Bible Study Topic Ideas

Studying the Bible requires a lot of patience and a deep understanding of Christianity. Even then, you may run into some problems. Here are some Bible study topic ideas that are not difficult to write about:

• The best tools for Bible study in 2023
• The path to discovering the will of God
• How can one thrive in marriage?
• Talk about the need of forgiveness in today’s world
• The best Bible study courses in the United States
• Major mistakes in Christian Bible study
• Analyzing 10 of the most important parables in the Bible
• Talk about money and God
• The best way to follow the word of Christ
• Talk about the most important leaders in the Bible
• Feminist depictions in the Bible

Bible Studies Topics for 2023

Our expert writers know exactly what professors are looking for. This is why we can assure you that the following ideas will work great in the near future. Here are the best Bible studies topics for 2023:

• Talk about 3 major Bible translations
• The conflict between religion and science
• The latest interpretations of the Bible
• Talk about the holy trinity
• Evidence of the flood in the Old Testament
• Communist views on the Bible
• How was slavery seen in the Bible?
• Talk about the prophets of the apocalypse in the Old Testament
• Discuss the role of marriage in the New Testament
• Analyze the effects of the Bible on the Palestinian people
• Discuss the influences of the Roman Empire
• What is the Book of Romans and why is it important?
• How was war depicted in the Old Testament?
• Compare and contrast the Koran and the Bible

Easy Old Testament Essay Topics

The Old Testament is anything but easy. However, we have managed to put together a list of easy Old Testament essay topics for students who want to get the essay done in record time:

• Discuss God in the Old and New Testament
• How much did we recover from the Old Testament?
• The role of the Old Testament in the Orthodox Church
• The history of Christianity
• The main purpose of the Old Testament
• Differences between Christianity and the Islam
• Talk about the most important beliefs in Christianity
• The role of the Old Testament in the Catholic Church
• Talk about the resurrection of Jesus
• Hinduism vs. Christianity
• Differences between the Old and the New Testament
• Discuss female prophets in the Old Testament

Interesting Biblical Topics for High School

Of course, our list wouldn’t be complete without a list of interesting biblical topics for high school students. Check out these ideas and choose the best one for you:

• Talk about modern Christianity and the reformation
• How was family viewed in the Old Testament?
• Discuss the concept of wealth in Christianity
• Is Moses a real prophet?
• Talk about the African American Church in the US
• Dante’s Divine Comedy: depictions of God
• The role of Mormonism in 2023
• Talk about life after death
• Discuss the Atheist movement
• Latest scandals in the Catholic Church
• What are lesser prophets?

Argumentative Biblical Topics

Did your professor ask you to write an argumentative paper about the Bible? Don’t worry about it, we can help you find the best argumentative biblical topics. Here are some of our most interesting ideas to date:

• Why was God absent in Israel?
• Discuss the religiously clean theme in the Old Testament
• The effects of the exile on Judaism
• Discuss Samson versus David (saviors of Israel)
• Talk about 3 ways God reveals himself in the New Testament
• Spiritual well-being in the Old Testament
• Effects of Christianity on the way people live
• Discuss the rise of evil and its effects on peoples’ beliefs
• Pick a passage from the Old Testament and analyze it
• Talk about the most convincing form of God
• Discuss the reversal of fortunes theme
• Discuss the words with no value theme
• Discuss the relationship between men and women in the Old Testament

Get Help From Our Expert Writers

We know that writing an academic paper on a subject related to the Bible can be difficult. This is why you should get in touch with our expert writers and discuss your project with them. We can help you with a new list of Bible study topics or show you how to write the essay quickly. Of course, our professional writers can do much more.

Our team can write an interesting essay for high school, college or university students fast. We work online, so ordering an essay from us is easy. All our writers hold PhD degrees in various fields, including religion. We’ll write you a top quality paper for a very cheap price in no time. What is the grade you’re aiming for? Order an essay from us and we will make sure you get it!

• Old Testament Paper Topics Topics: 74
• Judaism Topics Topics: 130
• Hinduism Research Topics Topics: 105
• Theology Topics Topics: 188
• Christianity Research Topics Topics: 470
• Buddhism Research Topics Topics: 132
• Baptism Topics Topics: 51
• Jesus Christ Essay Topics Topics: 105
• God Essay Topics Topics: 227
• Church Essay Topics Topics: 156
• Catholic Church Research Topics Topics: 55
• Protestant Paper Topics Topics: 61
• Islam Essay Topics Topics: 272
• Temple Topics Topics: 122
• Belief Paper Topics Topics: 162

132 Bible Essay Topics & Ideas for Research Papers + Samples

If you’re looking for Bible essay topics, you’re at the right place! Here, you’ll find a list of biblical research topics and ideas for analytical papers, argumentative writing, and many more. You can even use them as Bible thesis topics and as a starting point for your dissertation research. Interesting Bible essay samples are also waiting for you below!

✝️ TOP 7 Biblical Research Topics

🏆 best bible essay topics, 🎓 most interesting bible topics to discuss, 👍 good bible essay topics to write about, 💡 simple biblical research topics, 🔎 biblical topics for research papers, 📝 bible essay topics for youth.

• Joseph and Yusuf in the Qur’an and the Bible
• Safeguarding and the Bible Perspective
• Why Is It Important to Study Bible?
• The First Three Kings of Israel in the Bible
• Ministry of the Prophets, Bible Prophets and Their Prophecies
• Leadership Development Plan Based on the Bible Principles
• The Book of Job From the Bible
• Canonization of the Bible This essay mainly focuses on how the New Testament canon came into existence and how this information affects our way of reading the text.
• Laziness and Diligence in the Holy Bible Context The Bible discusses the issue of diligence and sloth. The paper looks into this topic and considers how it relates to the subject of wisdom and folly.
• The Bible Book of Revelation The paper discusses the Bible Book of Revelation. John continues to observe the events on earth from multiple angles in Heaven.
• Using Prayer and Scripture in Counseling In the given case study, Chichima, a 20-year-old Christian woman, suffers from depressive symptoms caused by the abortion she did seven months ago.
• Modern Interpretations of the Bible All his life, Jesus Christ’s preached God’s Word to the people but his sermons written in the Bible are interpreted in different ways nowadays.
• Gilgamesh, Eridu Genesis and the Bible: Comparative Analysis Although “The Epic of Gilgamesh”, the “Eridu Genesis”, and the Bible are culturally ions from each other, they share numerous thematic elements.
• The Equality of Men and Women in the Bible This essay will examine the perspectives on the understanding of men and women’s position in the Bible by Raymond K. Ortlund Jr. and Graham Ware.
• Worker-Employer Relationship According to Bible Job is an influential part of a person’s life, and employees and employers must build good relationships. The Bible refers to them as interactions between a slave and a master.
• The Flood Stories in the “Epic of Gilgamesh” and the Bible In the story of Gilgamesh, the gods are presented as supreme beings who cannot forgive rebellion, while in the Bible, God gives a chance to atone for sins.
• The Bible as a Cultural Work for the Time Capsule The paper discusses the Bible as a cultural work for the time capsule. It shows the differences in fresh translations of the Bible.
• How the Bible Portrays a Unified Story Through an inclusive approach, Bible creates a universal story that relates to everyone but maintains its divine power by revealing the true nature of God.
• What the Bible Means to Me: Holy Bible New International Version The Bible which is the core religious text for Christianity is more than a historic narrative, collection of stories, and even a guide on how to be a Christian.
• The Tony Evans Bible Commentary The Tony Evans Bible Commentary includes an introduction to each book of the Bible, as well as introductory resources and a passage-by-passage exegesis of the entire Bible.
• Lystra: The City From the Bible Lystra was a city mentioned in the Bible, a location where a number of important events have taken place. This city was of particular significance to Paul.
• Genesis 28:22 Passage from the Bible The passage of the Bible titled Genesis 28:22-10 narrates about Jacob who was traveling to Haran. When the sun sets, he takes the stone, puts his head on it, and falls asleep.
• The Bible as a Source of Wisdom and Knowledge The Bible is justly considered a source of eternal wisdom and knowledge about every meaningful aspect of daily life.
• Approach to Bible Study in a Survey of the Old Testament Studying the Old Testament is a fundamental task. Bible is an integral part of the ancient Near Eastern civilization, into which Western students need to dive deeply.
• The Bible as a Cultural Object In fact, the Bible serves as a persuasive material instance of rhetoric directing believers to live a faithful life anchored in prayers and continuity of spirituality.
• Discussion: Is Science in the Bible? The current research paper examines relevant literature on the topic, arguing that the former understanding of science exists and plays a significant role in the Bible.
• The Flood and Creation in the Bible and Myths from Mesopotamia There are similarities and differences between the biblical flood and creation stories and Mesopotamian myths.
• The Christian Interpretation of the Bible The paper states that Christians can find comfort in sickness when referring to any of the four narratives in the scripture, which encourages their belief.
• Faith Integration: Bible With Apocrypha Religion is an instrumental component of any society that shapes almost every aspect of human life, including business activities.
• Bible Principles Regarding Debt The Bible says that a person should pay off his debt because for a Christian, one should live without obligation and not be an owner.
• Bible Verses About Responsible Stewardship Religious books teach people to put their hope in God but it does not indicate that people should not plan for the future, save, and invest money.
• The Bible: Literary, Historical, and Covenantal Perspective The Bible, comprising 66 books written by 40 authors over approximately 1700 years, is divided into the Old Scripture with 39 books and the New Scripture with 27 books.
• Reflection on Everyday Bible The “Everyday Bible Study” has offered a plethora of food for thought, particularly in relation to the concepts and notions that are deeply entrenched in the Biblical texts.
• Insomnia in Science and in the Bible Lack of sleep, difficulty falling asleep, and nightmares were the source of interest for both scientists and theologists.
• Christian Evidences of Jesus in the Bible There are references to him in historical documents from the time period in which he lived, including Roman census records and letters written by first-century historians.
• Creation, Man’s Fall, and the Great Flood in “Metamorphoses” of Ovid and the Holy Bible
• Science and the Bible on the Beginning of the Planet
• Bible Interpretation: Steps Involved in Interpretation of New Testament Letters
• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde vs the Holy Bible: Mysticism and Prevalence of Evil in Humans
• Bible Study: Lessons Learnt From Job Suffering
• Emerson and the Bible: A Major Transcendentalists View of God
• The Bible Among the Myths: Unique Revelation or Just Ancient Literature?
• Christian and Secular Counseling With a Bible Word Study Basis
• Bible vs. Native American Creation Stories From the Southwestern United States
• The Bible and Politics: How Does the Bible Influence Political Thought
• Christian Reputation Through Timothy in the Holy Bible
• Biblical and Christian Love Is Found Throughout the Bible
• Christian Slave Owner’s Justification of Slavery in Harriet Jacob’s “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl” Contrasted With the Bible’s Views on Slave
• Biblical and Historical Allusion in Barbara Kingsolver’s “The Poisonwood Bible”
• Various Tools Used by the Writers of the Bible
• Comparing and Contrasting the Accounts of the Great Flood in Gilgamesh and the Bible
• Biblical Authority and Christianity: Is the Bible Infallible?
• How the Bible Portrays the Creativity of God
• Making a Big Bang: The Bible and the Creation of the Universe
• Biblical Authority, Inspiration, and Inerrancy of the Bible and the Pote
• The Bible and the Church Have Been the Greatest Stumbling Blocks in the Way of Woman’s Emancipation
• Comparing Charles Darwin’s Version of Creation to the Holy Bible’s Version
• Bibliology: Inspiration and Inerrancy of the Bible
• The Bible and the Quran: Key Aspects In the question of the origin of the universe, the Bible and the Quran are similar. They are also similar in describing humanity because they recognize their highest value.
• The Bible Passage: The Finding of Moses The paper states that the bible passage The Finding of Moses tells about a Levite woman giving birth to a child and then hiding him.
• The Life of Jacobs Son Joseph in the Bible Joseph is the son of Jacob and Rachel, who gave birth to him after seven years of infertility, the father of Menashe and Ephraim, the ancestors of the two tribes of Israel.
• Interpretations of the Bible in American History This paper discusses the importance of faith and redemption in American history, focusing on the views of Finney, a revivalist preacher, and Paine, an American thinker.
• Blessings, Beatitudes, Curses, and Woes in the Bible God’s word promises that if we accept His instruction to put Him first, the benefits in our lives will grow so great that they will overcome us.
• The Bible: Coherent and Unified Nature This essay will demonstrate the understanding of the coherent and unified nature of the Bible and the theological doctrines.
• Seduction of Joseph in the Hebrew Bible and the Koran Seduction plays an important thematic role in the story of Joseph. As a form of temptation, it presents a problem for the spiritual growth and righteousness of faith.
• The Bible of the Poor and the Moses Window The Moses windows were created in the 12th century and had many copies worldwide. This analysis will draw parallels between the images and the stories they refer to in the window.
• The Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament There is a misunderstanding about the Hebrew Bible. Some people claim that The Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament are two different names used for describing the same book.
• The Federal Reserve and the Bible Relationship The bank is well-equipped to submit any misrepresentation, violating biblical and moral standards. This paper discusses the relationship between the Federal Reserve and the Bible.
• The Bible: Analysis of 2 Kings Chapters 17-20 This paper attempts to examine several Kings’ chapters, namely those between 17 and 20, from historical, cultural and theological points of view.
• The Northern Renaissance and the Reformation Bible The concept of the Northern Renaissance includes a period of cultural and social transition from the Middle Ages to modernity.
• Thirst for Freedom: The Art of Bible Translation Exodus is a Greek word that means the exit of a large group and is the second book in the Old Testament. The book bases its story on the movement of Israelites out of Egypt.
• Scripture as Doctrine of God, Christology, and the Holy Spirit The statement that the Bible is sufficient means that it is all we need to prepare ourselves for a life of faith and ministry.
• The Idea of Government According to the Bible According to the Bible, the government should punish all evildoers, provide earthly justice, protection, and act a God’s agent.
• The Bible and Economy: Sin Stock Aversion and Virtue Stock Affinity Many Christians consider the Bible to be a book that tells about the non-material world and almost nothing about the material one.
• What the Bible Actually Teaches on Women by Giles Giles’ book What the Bible Actually Teaches on Women is a critique of the “complementarian” assertion that women are meant to be subordinates of men in the household and in church.
• The Bible: Images and Portrayals of God The Bible presents various images of God, in which he is portrayed from the perspective of the multiple roles he performs and the numerous character descriptions he is attributed.
• Moral Questions of the Bible This article contains biblical parables and religious texts, as well as their moral context. Special attention is given to the divinely just
• The Role of Ruth’s Character in the Scripture Through Ruth, in the Scripture, the redemption of Israel is shown from the perspective of an opportunity to draw closer to God by following the laws of loyalty and obedience.
• Pride Definitions in The Bible and Everyday Life The purpose of this article is to analyze the concept of pride, as well as to consider the most common definitions.
• Grand Narrative of Scripture: Cross-Cultural Competencies One of the ways to gain cross-cultural competencies is being acquainted with the Grand Narrative of Scripture.
• Finance, Currency Alternatives, and Money in the Bible The currency used in all countries nowadays is an example of fiat money, meaning that it lacks intrinsic value.
• Bible Classes, Blessings for Public Schools This paper presents that is important to note that religious education is not an outdated practice, and it still provides a wide range of benefits for both people of faith and atheists.
• “How to Read the Bible for What It’s Worth” by D. Stewart and G. Fee “How to read the Bible for what it’s worth” written by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stewart is a modern-day revolutionary text that goes into depth describing various aspects of the Holy Bible.
• Bible: The Healing of Bartimaeus The evidence of the importance of the healing has proved the main message of the Gospel: faith is the most important thing, it can cure all injuries.
• Bible History and the Interpretation Historical awareness is one of the most important aspects that make positive contributions to the interpretation of the Bible and the teachings of the church.
• The Literary Relevance of the Bible The world’s most selling book, the Bible has been a pertinent resource for the ethical and moral learning of humanity over the years.
• Job’s God from the Bible and Greek Gods from Iliad n the Bible’s story about Job, God’s intervention is limited to allowing Satan destroy Job’s family and possessions, as well as Job’s physical well-being, while the Greek’s Iliad has several interventions from the Gods.
• Denomination of Children in Literature: King James Bible, Fathering, and Barn Burning This essay discusses the problem of denomination of children the stories of Joseph in the King James Bible, Eng from the story Fathering by Mukherjee, and finally Sarty in The Burning by Faulkner.
• Dreams in the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible This paper focuses on the similarities and differences between the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible in terms of content, underlying message, and literary context.
• “The Bible Among Myths” a Book by John Oswalt The paper looks at the Bible as either a myth or the historical account of people that were trying to record the events happening at the time. It attempts to find an explanation of the word myth.
• The Prophetic Books of the Bible In this paper, we will explore how the Prophetic Books of the Bible address the problems of social injustice, religious ritualism, and idolatry.
• Contradiction Between the Theory of Evolution and the Bible
• Mothers and Prophets: Feminine Power in the Bible
• Discussing the Bible From Myth to History
• Teaching the Bible’s Stories to Young Children
• How Class and Gender Played a Big Part of the Bible
• Everyman and the Bible: Exploring Good Deeds, Faith, and Salvation
• Creation, Flood, and the Hero in Epic of Gilgamesh and Book of Genesis of the Christian Bible
• Hierarchy and the Disorder of Separation in the Bible
• Repentance Between Bible and Buddhism
• Born-Again Christian Prophecies Based on the Bible
• The Covenant Between God and the Jewish People in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible
• How Does the Bible Influence Political Thought and Action in Our Culture?
• Exploring the Main Teachings of the Book of Ephesians in the Bible
• Historical Awareness and the Interpretation of the Bible
• It’s Time for More Bible and Less Welfare
• Learning About Forgiveness From the Teachings of the Bible
• Satan’s Actions and Foreshadows as Explained in the Bible
• Can Society Understand the Bible Today?
• Teaching About Abortion and the Sanctity of Life in the Bible
• Caring for the Poor: What the Bible Says
• The Bible and Medieval Concepts of Love, Sex, and Marriage
• The theological themes and historical context of the Pauline epistles.
• Moral teachings in the Gospel of Matthew.
• Apocalyptic imagery and symbolism in the Book of Revelation.
• The theme of wisdom in Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes.
• The role of the Psalms in worship.
• The concept of the Logos in the Gospel of John.
• The Davidic Covenant and its role in the New and Old Testaments.
• The authorship and literary criticism of the Pentateuch.
• The Book of Isaiah and its relevance in Christianity and Judaism.
• Biblical archaeology: ancient artifacts illuminating the Bible’s historical context.
• The power of faith: evidence from the Bible.
• Biblical principles for friendship and dating.
• How does the Bible portray social justice?
• The Book of Daniel: lessons for handling peer pressure.
• Examples of the importance of prayer in the Bible.
• Biblical lessons for coping with stress and anxiety.
• The greatest commandment and its practical applications.
• Honoring parents: the Bible’s teachings about family relationships.
• The power of forgiveness: lessons from the Bible.
• Biblical perspectives on unity and acceptance as a way to embrace diversity.

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Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "132 Bible Essay Topics & Ideas for Research Papers + Samples." June 5, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/bible-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . 2022. "132 Bible Essay Topics & Ideas for Research Papers + Samples." June 5, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/bible-essay-topics/.

These essay examples and topics on Bible were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on June 20, 2024 .

Volume 39 - Issue 1

The Text of the New Testament in Contemporary Research: Essays on the Status Quaestionis

2nd ed. New Testament Tools, Studies and Documents 42. Leiden: Brill, 2013. xii + 884 pp. £190.00/$314.00 (hardcover); £49.00/$76.00 (paperback).

The Text of the New Testament in Contemporary Research includes a collection of 28 essays on a number of subjects relating to the early text and transmission of the NT. The first edition of the volume was published in 1995 as a Festschrift in honor of the late American textual scholar Bruce Metzger and has proven to be a helpful resource for those interested in textual criticism of the NT. While the original edition is still less than 20 years old, there have been several notable developments in the field of NT textual criticism in recent years, impressing upon the editors of the second edition the need for an updated volume. Over the last few decades, our knowledge of ancient literary practices and the processes in which writings were produced and distributed in the ancient world has increased while a number of ancient papyri have been discovered, providing scholars with additional evidence with which to discern the state of the NT text in early Christianity. In addition, the perceived task of textual criticism has been debated, as several notable scholars have challenged the discipline’s traditional objective to establish the original text of the NT. In response to these recent developments, the editors have included in the second edition several new essays. Most of these essays are related to the perceived task of textual criticism or methodological issues, though new essays have been added on some of the often overlooked witnesses to the early text of the NT. In addition to these new essays, the volume also includes a number of revised essays which appeared in the first edition. In some cases these essays have been revised by the original authors, while in other cases new contributors provided a fresh study. The result is a valuable up-to-date and significantly expanded volume that provides a helpful assessment of the current state of NT textual criticism.

Biblical scholars as well as students with an interest in NT textual criticism will find this volume to be an excellent resource. However, those with only a limited knowledge of textual criticism may benefit from first reading an introduction to the discipline such as Paul Wegner’s A Student’s Guide to Textual Criticism of the Bible (IVP, 2006), Kurt and Barbara Aland’s The Text of the New Testament (Eerdmans, 1995), Bruce Metzger’s The Text of the New Testament (OUP, 2005), David Black’s New Testament Textual Criticism (Baker, 1994), or David Parker’s An Introduction to the New Testament Manuscripts and their Texts (CUP, 2008). The purpose of The Text of the New Testament in Contemporary Research is not to provide the reader with the type of overview of the discipline one might find in an introductory work, but to address the current state of the discipline while providing readers with helpful resources for further study. While the hardback edition retails for a rather prohibitive $314, the publisher has recently released a paperback version that retails for a more affordable $76. The release of the paperback version will undoubtedly increase the readership and influence of the volume.

Broadly speaking, the first 18 essays are related to the extant witnesses to the early text of the NT or the process of transmission. Topics include the Greek witnesses to the NT (chs. 1–4), the early versions of the NT (chs. 5–12), the relevance of the writings of patristic authors for the task of textual criticism (chs. 13–15), Greek witnesses to the NT outside of the extant manuscripts and testimony of the Greek fathers (ch. 16), and the role of scribes in the transmission of the NT (chs. 17–18). Each essay overviews the state of research of its given topic and concludes with an up-to-date bibliography of relevant sources for further study. Those wishing to become more familiar with the wide range of witnesses to the early state of the NT will find these chapters to be especially helpful.

The remaining essays of the volume (chapters 19–28) are concerned in one way or another with methodological issues or the objectives of the discipline of NT textual criticism. These essays also include helpful bibliographies and enable the reader to become conversant with the recent trends in the discipline. Perhaps two of the more provocative essays in the volume are those of the editors Michael Holmes and Bart Ehrman, both of whom offer a significant challenge to the once widely accepted persuasion that the task of textual criticism is to reconstruct the original text of the NT writings. Holmes writes that while he once understood the purpose of textual criticism to be the reconstruction of the original text of a document, he no longer holds to this persuasion. He explains that there are at least two major reasons for this. First, “the study of the history of the transmission of the text is no longer viewed only or primarily as a means to the recovery of the original, but rather as a legitimate goal in its own right” (p. 367). Rather than treating many of the textual variants of the NT as “detritus littering the path to the original text” (p. 637), Holmes suggests that scholars should recognize the value of textual variants for what they reveal about the world of the early church. The existence of textual variants, Holmes notes, provide “possible sources of insight into the history and cultural context of the individuals and communities that transmitted (and, occasionally, created) them” (p. 367–68). But why dismiss the task of reconstructing the original text? Might it be possible to work towards a reconstruction of the text of the original writings of the NT while also recognizing that textual variants may occasionally reveal further insight into the various theological controversies which took place in early Christianity?

Second, Holmes suggests that the task of reconstructing the text of the original autographs of the NT writings is fraught with difficulties. As he argues, the original autographs would have contained “not merely the text as a sequence of words, but also the precise layout, spelling, and form of the words” that “generally are not recoverable from the surviving manuscripts copies of the New Testament writings” (pp. 668–69). However, even if these relatively minor characteristics of the autographs are not the primary focus, Holmes insists that discerning an “original” text remains problematic because of the ambiguity of the term. Because the NT writings were often composed with the assistance of a secretary (see the example of Tertius in Rom 16:22), the term “original text” is often used in reference to different stages in the compositional process. For most scholars, however, the term “original text” is used to describe the text that was dispatched to a writer’s original audience. Rather than seeking to reconstruct the “original” text—in whatever form one envisions—Holmes argues that textual critics should seek to uncover, so much as the extant witnesses allow, what he has described as the initial text, that is, “the form(s) of text in which an early Christian writing first began to circulate and be copied” (p. 638). In other words, rather than seeking to reconstruct the text of the original autographs in the state in which they were originally dispatched, Holmes argues that textual critics must instead seek to establish “the textual form(s) (archetypes) from which the extant evidence derives” (p. 680).

Ehrman’s essay also discusses some of his objections to a primary focus on the reestablishment of the original text. He argues that while textual critics have “enjoyed reasonable success at establishing, to the best of their abilities, the original text of the New Testament” (p. 825), this narrow focus overlooks the significant insights that the various textual witnesses reveal about the social world in which the NT was written and transmitted. “An exclusive concentration on the autographs is myopic,” Ehrman concludes, because “it overlooks the value of variant forms of the text for historians interested in matters other than exegesis” (p. 803). Other notable textual critics have argued similarly in recent years, perhaps most notably Eldon Epp and David Parker.

Many textual critics, however, remain committed to the traditional understanding of textual criticism, namely, the reestablishment of the original text or what is sometimes referred to as the authorial text. Daniel Wallace, for example, has emphasized that the task of determining the original reading of the NT autographs is not simply a modern preoccupation, but one that has been a commitment of Christians throughout the centuries (“Challenges in New Testament Textual Criticism for the Twenty-first Century,” JETS 52 [2009]: 79–100). While scholars have at times failed to clarify what is meant by the term “original text,” it is for good reason that the task of reconstructing the text of the NT has remained an important objective of the church for two millennia. Because the Scriptures have long been recognized as useful for “teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16 ESV), it is both natural and justifiable to recognize the work of discerning the original text of the NT as a profitable and necessary pursuit. The discovery of several biblical manuscripts and other early witnesses to the text of the NT over the last century has given scholars reason to be optimistic about our ability to reconstruct the original text. While the original reading of several passages remains uncertain, the NT is by far the best-attested writing of antiquity. Because of the impressive number of ancient witnesses to the NT that have survived, there is reason to be fairly confident in our ability to discern the most probable original text of the majority of the NT. Even when the available evidence is insufficient to determine the original reading of a particular passage, it should be recalled that no central doctrine of the Christian faith is dependent upon a single passage of Scripture in which there is dispute regarding its original reading. In other words, the merits of Christianity are not reliant upon our ability to accurately discern the original reading of the entirety of the NT.

Those wishing to expand their knowledge of the various ancient witnesses to the NT or to become more conversant with recent trends and developments in textual criticism will find this volume to be a helpful resource. While many readers will undoubtedly disagree with some of the conclusions made by the various contributors, the editors are to be commended for assembling such a fine collection of essays which students and scholars alike will find to be of great value.

Benjamin Laird

Benjamin Laird Liberty University Lynchburg, Virginia, USA

Other Articles in this Issue

The care of souls: the heart of the reformation.

Too often people think of the Reformation in terms of an abstract theological debate...

Should Evangelicals Embrace Historical Criticism? The Hays-Ansberry Proposal

Abstract: Evangelical Faith and the Challenge of Historical Criticism, edited by Christopher Hays and Christopher Ansberry, argues that evangelical scholars have failed to embrace historical criticism to the extent that they could and should...

Revival Defined and Defended: How the New Lights Tried and Failed

Thomas Prince, editor of The Christian History—the first religious periodical in American history—could hardly have invented the Great Awakening, as Frank Lambert argues...

A Systematician Reviews Tom Schreiner’s Biblical Theology

Theology is first and foremost about who God is and then about what he has done...

A Biblical Theologian Reviews Gerald Bray’s Systematic Theology

I would like to consider several elements in reviewing Bray’s work...

Other Reviews in this Issue

The Christian Century and the Rise of the Protestant Mainline

Joshua Typology in the New Testament

The Language of the New Testament: Context, History, and Development

A Theology of Matthew: Jesus Revealed as Deliverer, King, and Incarnate Creator

Paul and the Law: Keeping the Commandments of God

New Testament Research Paper Topics

Tammy domeier.

The New Testament is primarily about the life and death of Jesus Christ. The New Testament contains The Four Gospels, The Book of Acts, The Epistles and the Book of Revelation. People looking for ways to form a personal connection with Jesus Christ consult the New Testament for guidance. When choosing a New Testament research topic,it is helpful to make a list of New Testament passages or stories that are meaningful to you and then expand on that idea; for example, a favorite passage about forgiveness could turn into a research project detailing forgiveness and its relation to confession.

Explore this article

• The Four Gospels
• The Book of Acts
• The Epistles
• Book of Revelation

1 The Four Gospels

The Four Gospels record events such as Christ’s birth, crucifixion, death and burial and resurrection, with the writer of each book emphasizing different details or presenting the account in a different manner. Research topics could include the lives of the 12 disciples, the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, the disciples’ account of Christ’s ascension, or the role of Pontius Pilate in the crucifixion.

2 The Book of Acts

Luke wrote the Book of Acts while Paul was imprisoned in Rome. Key events include worldwide plans for evangelism that begin in Jerusalem, the dramatic appearance of the Holy Spirit 10 days after Jesus' ascension, Peter’s evangelistic message after he healed a lame man and Paul’s continued proclamation of faith while imprisoned in Rome. Topics could include an account of Peter’s sermons to the Jewish crowds, God’s plan for the Jews to receive the Gospel, the meaning of repentance and modern-day strategies for evangelizing based on Peter’s trials.

3 The Epistles

The Epistles are letters written primarily by apostles to the new leaders of the Christian church of the first century. Topics could include Paul’s teaching on the universality of sin, Paul’s advisement of the Corinthian church, Jude’s use of non-biblical sources in his epistle and Peter’s account of the persecution of Christians by the Roman authorities and the debate surrounding the authenticity of the letters of Paul.

4 Book of Revelation

The meaning of the Book of Revelation is one of the most debated areas of the New Testament. Before the second coming of Christ, it predicts that the world will endure seven years of tribulation in which Christians will be persecuted for their faith in Christ. Topics could include events precipitating the opening of the seven seals (the seven plagues), the role of Israel during the end times, the relationship between Revelation and other ancient literature and how to interpret the timelines in Revelation.

About the Author

Based in Minneapolis, MN, Tammy Domeier began her writing career in 1998, writing user manuals for the commercial printing and graphics industry. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Minnesota State University at Mankato and a paralegal certificate from Minnesota Paralegal Institute.

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What Every Book of the New Testament Is About

Despite variations in the arrangement of early lists of the New Testament books, Matthew always comes first. Perhaps this is why one famous scholar called Matthew "the most important book ever written." All of the Gospels share certain traits, and all of them have unique features as well. A distinctive feature of Matthew is its arrangement into alternating sections of narrative and discourse. There are five discourse units, inviting comparison with the Pentateuch that starts the Old Testament. Each discourse answers a specific question: How are citizens of Christ's kingdom to live? How are traveling disciples to conduct themselves? What are the parables that Jesus taught? How should Christians conduct themselves in the church? How will it all end? The intervening narrative sections tell the story of Christ's life, death, and resurrection.

The shortest Gospel, and perhaps the basis for Matthew and Luke. Mark is the "action Gospel," with the word immediately appearing some 35 times. The genre is known as the "brief life"—a compilation of the minimum of what a reader wishes to know about a person. As a biography, Luke also fits the category of a documentary life, consisting of brief fragments that record a person's life and from which a biographer might collect data for a fuller account.

The humanitarian Gospel, with much attention to marginalized members of society. The longest Gospel, covering more of Jesus's life than the others. A very literary Gospel, with nearly thirty parables and four nativity hymns, it has exerted the most influence on painters and hymn writers. Despite the variety of material, this Gospel flows beautifully and is easy to read from beginning to end. A famous scholar called it "the most beautiful book ever written."

The poetic Gospel, embodying much of its meaning in great symbols such as light, bread, and water. Another literary aspect is its reliance on longer narrative and discourse units than characterizes the other Gospels. This book is built around seven great signs or miracles that Jesus performed, and these in turn are paired with surrounding discourses that tie into the preceding or following "sign." The unifying plot conflict is between belief and unbelief.

The storyline is accurately captured by the official title— The Acts of the Apostles (chiefly Peter and Paul). Another accurate label is ecclesiastical history (the history of the Christian church in various geographic regions), but with the focus on people and events rather than names and dates. The general framework is narrative, but a surprising three-fourths of the book consists of speeches and orations (including the settings in which they were given).

An important literary consideration for all the epistles is that they are modifications of the standard letter writing conventions of the ancient world. Variations are always possible, but the general paradigm consists of five ingredients: salutation, thanksgiving, body, paraenesis (list of moral exhortations), and close. Additionally, there are more specific epistolary genres that govern most of the epistles. Romans belongs to the genre of the letter essay. Set within the framework of letter-writing conventions, the main content is theological exposition on the subject of sin and salvation. Two styles mingle in Romans: the grand or elevated style and features of a form of vigorous street preaching called the diatribe.

1 Corinthians

The most important (and usually ignored) feature of the New Testament epistles is that they are occasional letters, not systematic essays. "Occasional" literature is literature written for a specific occasion. Another label by which to name this is the Latin phrase ad hoc ("for the occasion"). The writers of the epistles did not sit down to write an essay; they wrote in response to questions they had been asked or circumstances that needed to be addressed. In 1 Corinthians Paul speaks to problems that existed in a disorderly church.

2 Corinthians

There are so many references to Paul's own life that this epistle falls into the category of personal letter. Paul defends his reputation against false accusations, thereby placing the letter into a genre known in Latin as an apologia pro vita sua ("defense of his life"). In keeping with a recent approach to literature called "self fashioning," Paul carefully constructs a picture of his missionary life.

A thoroughly polemical (argumentative) letter written in response to a doctrinal crisis that had engulfed Christians living in a specific region (modern-day Turkey). The heresy was a form of Jewish ritualism, but the issue is perennial: whether Christ's atonement is completely sufficient for salvation or whether human works are also necessary ("works righteousness"). Two common designations for this epistle are helpful—"the angry letter" (denoting the polemical tone) and "the freedom letter" (denoting the theological argument of being free from the need to earn salvation by religious rituals).

A circular letter intended for the church universal. A case study in epistolary form: salutation (1:1-1), thanksgiving (1:3-22), body (2:1—4:16), paraenesis or list of exhortations (4:7—6:20), and close (6:21-24). Also characteristic of many New Testament epistles is the division into a doctrinal or theological half and a practical or moral half. Written in a polished and exalted style.

Philippians

A prison epistle written in Rome. Balancing numerous personal references dealing with Paul's relations to the recipients are famous passages with a universal "feel," such as the Christ hymn that celebrates Christ's taking the form of a servant (2:5-11) and the "whatever is true" list (4:8-9). Philippians is also a missionary update letter.

It is a rare New Testament epistle that does not make reference to doctrinal heresy, but in some epistles, including Colossians, the polemical task of countering heresy is a major part of the letter. Paul only briefly denounces the heresy (which claimed that something more than Christ is needed [2:8-23]), preferring to conduct his debate by declaring that Christ is all that is needed. This epistle is strongly Christocentric, climaxing in the famous Christ hymn that exalts the supremacy of Christ (1:15-20).

1 Thessalonians

An "open letter" intended for a group, but it is so suffused with statements of affection that it reads like a personal letter to an individual. There is a large autobiographical element, and like the letters that we ourselves write and receive, it ranges over a wide variety of topics, including Christ's second coming. A good way to assimilate the letter is to regard it as giving "program notes" on living the Christian life.

2 Thessalonians

Partly a sequel to 1 Thessalonians, arising out of misunderstandings about when Christ would return and the need not to live idly in anticipation of that return. A melodic line in the letter is the need to exert oneself in the Christian faith and "not grow weary in doing good" (3:13). As with other New Testament epistles, we should accept the informal, meandering structure and not attempt to force it into an essay format.

The first of a group known as the pastoral epistles written to individual pastors. 1 Timothy emerges as a manual for church life, with special emphasis on the role and conduct of the pastor.

Paul's last will and testament, written while he was on death row in Rome. While following the usual format of New Testament epistles, it is also dominated by the genre known as the farewell discourse. Merging with that are elements of spiritual autobiography and a defense of the author's life.

A pastoral epistle written to a pastor on the island of Crete, this letter filled with commands is understood to be a general guidebook for living the Christian life in a world where evil seeks to destroy the good. The style is very compressed, reading almost like an outline. There are also directives for church organization.

A single-chapter book known best for the story that lies behind it, namely, a runaway slave who had become a Christian and whom Paul is sending back to his owner (also a Christian) with the letter. The most literary aspect of the book is the delicate persuasion or rhetoric that Paul uses to induce Philemon to receive his slave with kindness.

A letter essay written in an exalted style. This Christocentric book asserts the supremacy of Christ to Old Testament foreshadowings. Christ is successively shown to be superior to prophets and angels (1-2), Moses (3), and the Old Testament priesthood (4-7); then the new covenant in Christ is shown to be superior to the old covenant (chapter 8 and following). A subtext is the need to hold fast to the Christian faith and not revert to Judaism in a time of persecution. Another theme by which we remember the book is faith, climaxed in the famous roll call of faith in chapter 11 (which adheres to the genre known as the encomium).

Literary Introductions to the Books of the Bible

Leland Ryken

In this collection of literary introductions to every book of the Bible, renowned literary scholar Leland Ryken helps readers navigate the genres and literary features found throughout Scripture.

Belongs to the genre of wisdom literature; accordingly, the basic unit is the proverb. The structure is stream of consciousness, not that of a systematic essay. The goal is to impart skill for living, and a good tagline for the book is "faith that works." The Greek form known as diatribe exerts a strong influence.

Another very loosely organized epistle. The general progression is (1) the riches that believers possess in Christ, (2) duties for living the Christian life, and (3) how to endure suffering for the sake of Christ.

An informally arranged reminder of selected foundational truths of the Christian faith. The emphasis on remembering stems from the fact that this letter has affinities with the genre of the farewell discourse. The last chapter is one of the great eschatological discourses of the Bible.

A letter built around the subject of tests by which people can know if they are Christians. An informal letter that yields a long list of separate topics instead of a tidy outline (but that is true of most New Testament letters, contrary to common viewpoint). 1 John resembles our familiar "position paper" or encyclical on a subject that needs clarification.

An abbreviated letter, perhaps because John expected to visit the church soon (v. 14). This epistle is a shorthand version of the customary epistolary conventions. The book falls readily into three parts: a reminder (4-6), a warning (7-9), and an instruction (10-11).

Like the books that precede and follow it, one of five one-chapter books in the Bible. A personal letter addressed to a specific person named Gaius, following the format of salutation, body, and personal greetings. It also fits the genre of the letter of instruction, with one of the topics being hospitality to traveling Christian teachers.

A "fireworks" letter, filled with vivid imagery and anger. The letter displays horror toward apostasy and the false teachers who induce it. The book is primarily a satire (an attack on evil). There is such an abundance of poetic imagery and figurative language that it becomes what literary scholars call poetic prose.

The most literary book in the Bible. The dominant idiom is poetry and symbolism. With that serving as the language in which the book is composed, several overlapping genres converge, including fantasy (unlifelike details used to portray people and events that really exist), visionary writing (the portrayal of realities that are envisioned rather than existing around us right now), prophecy, and apocalypse (literally "unveiling"). The book is structured as an unfolding series of pageants, each comprised of seven units (e.g., seven letters, seven seals, etc.).

Leland Ryken (PhD, University of Oregon) served as professor of English at Wheaton College for nearly fifty years. He served as literary stylist for the English Standard Version Bible and has authored or edited over sixty books, including The Word of God in English and A Complete Handbook of Literary Forms in the Bible.

Related Articles

What Every Book of the Old Testament Is About

Brief summaries of each book of the Old Testament.

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The New Testament as One of the Major Books for Christians Essay

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Introduction

Jesus’ death, the corinthians, the philippians, works cited.

The New Testament is one of the major books for Christians. Every passage of the book has been seen as certain guidance with historical accounts. Several centuries ago people could not even question the truthfulness of the stories written in the New Testament. At present, scholars note that there are lots of divergences in the Gospels and lots of stories provided have no historical background.

Thus, Ehrman approaches the book “from a historical perspective” trying to look into the teachings, the authors and issues considered ( A Brief Introduction 1). Admittedly, there are numerous unclear aspects when considering the book from the historical perspective. However, when considering a religious text it is much more important to focus on its message, purpose and significance, rather than on specific facts provided.

For instance, Jesus’ death is one of the central points of the New Testament. From historical perspective, there are far too many questions. Thus, Ehrman claims that there were lots of accounts of Jesus’ death and only some of them became a part of the New Testament with no explicit reason ( Lost Christianities 3).

More so, lots of texts which are now parts of the New Testaments were written after the death of the book’s acclaimed authors. It is also necessary to note that the death of such a remarkable personality was described in religious texts only and no historical documents can be found to prove the fact.

However, the major peculiarity of all religious beliefs and texts is that they are more concerned with faith not facts. Thus, people’s attitude towards the event is principal. The concept of martyrdom made people believe that they could be saved and the religion was worth believing (Ehrman A Brief Introduction 174).

Jesus’ death made people think it was something very important and meaningful. The believers tried to become better personalities to be worth the sacrifice. They learnt that sacrifice was (or had to be) an indispensible part of their lives. The entire Christianity is based on the concept of martyrdom and sacrifice. The death of the Messiah is the best way to support the basic principle of the religion.

Apart from, the basic story of Jesus’ life and death, the New Testament contains a variety of teachings. Thus, the authors of gospels addressed different people to guide them and make them even more devout believers.

As far as the historical precision is concerned, there are certain controversies. For instance, this part includes different views on the role of women. In one of the chapters, it is said that women should be silent in churches, whereas in other chapters, it is mentioned that women should pray aloud (Ehrman Lost Christianities 38).

Of course, such inconsistency is crucial for historians or theologian (or feminists), but it is insignificant for devout believers. More so, at the time of early Christians this was not a matter of discussion. The authors had a much more important task, i.e. to make people understand everything right.

For instance, lots of Corinthians believed that Jesus’ sacrifice had made them free from the sin. Many people thought they were “already leading lives in the Spirit; they were already experiencing the full benefits of salvation” (Ehrman Peter, Paul & Mary Magdalene 135). Therefore, the author had to explain to the Corinthians that they had to win their right to be saved one day. Thus, the main purpose of the letters was to make people understand major concepts and practices of Christianity.

Paul does not address Corinthians only. He also tries to help the Philippians find their way within the new and rightful religious pattern. This part is also full of inconsistency from historical perspective. For instance, Paul mentions some letters written to the Philippians where someone tries to drive them from the new religion (Ehrman Lost Christianities 214). However, there is no historical evidence that those letters ever existed.

Nonetheless, from spiritual perspective, there is no need in evidence. People got inspired by the author and they strived for salvation. They started believing the apostles who were the only people to bring the word of Jesus to them. People were ready to be guided in everything. They tended to change their habits and their mindsets as Paul as well as other authors of the New Testament were inspiring and convincing.

On balance, it is necessary to note that it is possible to consider the New Testament from different perspectives. Historians can try to learn more about the origins of the books. They can also try to find facts that prove that everything was for real. However, Christians still tend to believe in God and the holy texts without any evidence.

Christianity is based on the concept of faith. Therefore, devout believers do not need proofs. Sometimes people just want to believe without any explanations or proofs. Most likely, they will be even disappointed if (or when) such evidence is found as this will make their faith a bit less complete.

Ehrman, Bart D. Lost Christianities: The Battle for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew . New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2005. Print.

—. Peter, Paul & Mary Magdalene: The Followers of Jesus in History and Legend . New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2008. Print.

—. A Brief Introduction to the New Testament . New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2010. Print.

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Bible (New Testament)

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The Gospels

Pauline Epistles, Part 1 (Romans-Galatians)

Pauline Epistles, Part 2 (Ephesians-2 Thessalonians)

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Compare the gospel message preached by Jesus to the gospel articulated in Paul’s epistles. In what ways are they the same or different? Do you find Paul’s gospel to be a faithful version of the message of Jesus? Why or why not?

Describe one way in which the New Testament represents a continuation of the Old Testament, and one way in which it represents a disjunction from the Old Testament.

Consider the historical validity of the gospels, and specifically regarding having multiple sources (four gospels in all). In what ways does having multiple accounts add historical credibility to the story of Jesus, and in what ways might the multiple accounts diminish that credibility?

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A List Of Controversial Essay Topics On The New Testament

Like every other scriptural compilation out there, the New Testament has its own fair share of controversies. These controversies are not new as they have lingered around for centuries. In the sections below, we will take a look at some of the most controversial essay topics on the New Testament:

Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Although this is one of the most central points of Christianity, it has generated immense controversy over the years. This is for several reasons, one of which is the conflicting accounts of the very act of resurrection itself. The controversy is so intense that it has led to some scientists dismissing the entire story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ as nothing but a fabulous myth.

The persecution of Christians

Although the New Testament is full of stories that depict a widespread and sustained persecution of Christians, there are some disputes about the matter that still exist till date. The most prominent of these is that the precise purpose of the persecution is debated. While some records hint that the Christians were persecuted solely for their religious beliefs, some other narrations point to a more political reason for the crackdown.

Accuracy of the Acts of the Apostles

There is so much argument over the historical narrations concerning the depiction of the apostles that it is not clear if a solution will ever be found. There is a particularly thorny issue relating to the historical records of Apostle Paul. There are various parts of Acts that have been subjected to intense academic debates and intellectual discourses over time. The conflicting narrations have been the sources of vehement disagreements. Like other parts, some scholars have also been forced to conclude that the whole narration is a compilation of myths and fables.

The Immaculate Conception

The conception by the Holy Virgin Mary of Jesus Christ is also another area of fierce contention among various scholars. The controversial nature of the concept is expressed in the sharp doctrinal differences between the various sects of Christianity, with the Catholics taking the concept to the very heights of dogmatism. For some other sects of Christianity, this concept is not really that too important but for some other Christians; this concept is so important that the worship of the Virgin Mary herself is of extreme importance. For some Christians, this borders on the very line of heresy. The controversy over the concept stems from the complex narrations of events of the event in the New Testament.

These are some of the most pronounced controversies found in the New Testament. A further search will reveal even more astounding and disturbing revelations.

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Essays on New Testament themes

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Essays on New Testament

We found 8 free papers on new testament, essay examples, the canon of the new testament.

New Testament

What we know today as the New Testament was compiled over a period of many decades. It was first referenced as the “New Testament” by Clement of Alexandria. It is believed that the books that comprise what we know as the New Testament canon were in existence no later than the end of the first…

Mystery in the New Testament

            The word “mystery” was derived from Greek, musterion, which means “that which was before hidden” (Dake, 1963). This word was never used in the Old Testament, whereas frequently employed by New Testament writers, and thus, can be found therein as many as 27 times. That the word is not used once in the Old…

The Atonement in the New Testament

The pendulum may be overweighed by ones sin; however, the atonement is still there. Dishonesty, immodesty, profanity and immorality are only a few common sins amongst my peers. Paralleling in the New Testament, I have been taught right from wrong. Our savior’s promise of forgiveness through an infinite atonement is the same today as it…

Biography of Apostle Barnabas

Christianity

Barnabas was a native of the island of Cyprus. His birthplace makes him a Jew of the Diaspora, the dispersion of Jews outside Palestine or modern Israel. He was originally named Joseph but the apostles called him Barnabas, he probably acquired this name because of his ability as a preacher. The name Barnabas was understood…

How can we be sure that what we are taught about J

Abrahamic religions

Comparative religion

Gospel of Mark

Religious texts

esus is true and not just made up?There are several ways in which we can be assured that what we are taught about Jesus is true and not just made up. These are called our faith sources. These sources, like the Bible and other sources of information about Jesus have accounts of Jesus life. The…

Overview of the Synoptic Problem

The New Testament includes four Gospels, referred to as the “Synoptic Gospels,” that exhibit comparable literary patterns and themes extensively analyzed by scholars. Nevertheless, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John possess both similarities and differences. The inquiry into which Gospel was composed first and the extent to which the authors relied on oral tradition, written sources,…

Magus of Strovolos

The neophyte stood in front of the altar with a large divine imagine facing her. On the alter was a folded white robe with a sword upon it. A initiated member of the inner circle lit white candles and incense while another switched on a powerful twin light to illuminate the divinely image. The highest…

St. Paul of Tarsus

Monotheistic religions

Systematic theology

St Paul of Tarsus is an important figure in Christianity because of his significant contributions of writings and letters which comprise a substantial portion of the New Testament. Regarded as the progenitor of Christianity following Jesus, Paul greatly influenced the dissemination of the faith through his missionary journeys, enriching religious customs and facilitating the expansion…

Frequently Asked Questions about New Testament

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