Getting to Know the New Testament

Many people today are discovering in the Bible the message which brings them closer to Christ, the giver of life in all its fullness. But do they really understand what they are reading? In writing this book Stephen Travis has tried to imagine people getting involved in Bible reading groups, perhaps for the first time and sets out what he would want to share with them if they were generous enough to give him nine or ten weekly sessions to explain how the New Testament may be approached. There are difficulties in understanding most books, especially an ancient book such as the New Testament; but rather than concentrate on the difficulties to be overcome before starting, the author offers straightforward encouragement to those who want to learn directly by reading the New Testament itself. He tackles such questions as understanding the Gospels and Epistles and the relevance of the New Testament to Christian belief, spirituality and behaviour. At the end of the book are suggestions about basic helps to Bible study. STEPHEN H. TRAVIS is Vice-Principal of St. John's College in Nottingham, Englad. His other books include Christ Will Come Again and The Bible in Time.