Here is another NT theology book written from a moderate evangelical perspective. Caird follows in the tradition of Brevard Childs, James D. G. Dunn, and N. T. Wright. Though the author does try to draw out NT theological themes by going straight to the Bible, many strict conservative evangelicals will find many of Caird's arguments problematic. Caird develops his book by using a "conference method" where all the NT writers are at a table putting forth their respective views. This has the advantage of allowing the NT writers to speak with their own voices without modern dogmatic presuppositions. Caird also draws out the theology of the NT by using the theme of salvation as the "door hinge" to discuss other NT theological themes, dealing with the need of salvation, the experience of salvation, and the consummation of final salvation. Many will find this approach helpful, even though it may be limiting. Caird's discussion of the theology of Jesus (chapter 9) is very insightful. He discusses what he believes Jesus taught about the Kingdom, the Law, Israel and the nations, and himself. The only problem with this book is that Caird has fallen into the trap of allowing a socio-religious outlook to guide his exegesis (like Childs, Dunn, and Wright). This has the negative effect of blunting the evangelical message that Jesus Christ came down through a virgin birth, lived a perfect life, and died to remove the sins of the elect. Caird's approach is typical of those who try to "socialize" the Gospel (thus, many conservatives will not like some of Caird's conclusions). Overall though, it is a good book that contains lots of information on what the NT writers taught and preached.

I am currently a student at Fuller Theological Seminary, where Lincoln Hurst is my NT professor. This book was written at the request of Dr. Cairds wife, shortly after his death. Dr. Hurst was a friend and student of G.B. Caird and has painstakenly edited this wonderful work in a digestable and wonderful way. Easily understood and intelligently written, this book is an asset to anyone serious about New Testament understanding and study. Dr. Caird was a wonderful theologian and scholar and Dr. Hurst has added his personal flavor and insight to bring this work to the five stars it deserves. Enjoy. For further reading, I would suggest F.F. Bruce or N.T. Wright's "New Testament and the people of God"

While Caird's approach, style and format reflect an earlier time, his work is full of innovative ideas. He views N.T. Theology as a descriptive historical discipline, and his book includes a chapter on Jesus (as the focal point for the theology of the N.T. writers), and a chapter on Jesus' own theology.

From the outset it is clear that Caird sees the Christian faith as historical, and wishes to view it within it's historical 1st-century Jewish context: he sees God acting in and through the life and ministry of Jesus to bring man to the completed state for which he was created, to have dominion over the world.

Basically, the first four-fifths of his book deal with the divine plan of salvation. He shows that God created man for relation with Him, to image the divine nature, and to rule over creation. But through sin, man was no longer able to maintain a relation. God chose Israel to be the focal point for His action to redeem all mankind. The Torah served only a temporary and transient purpose of showing the kind of life modeled on a relation to God, to disciple man, but could not itself impower and enable man to reach full maturity.

God predestined man to be brought to completion through Christ. Jesus is given a relation to God and becomes the true man intended by God, and was given dominion over the world, as the second adam. Caird constantly stresses that we must view Jesus' relation to God in its stark human reality, and refrain from interpreting Jesus via the lens of later orthodoxy, however valid such claims may be.

Throughout his work, Caird deals with various themes and shows how the different N.T. writers deal with the subject. Also, Caird is constantly interpreting the key passages (e.g., Romans 7) and difficult themes (e.g., unforgiveable sin), and revealing the characteristic thought structure of the authors; all of which gives a cogency and unity to his treatment.

Caird offers ideas, material, and an approach that are presently being taken up by the Third Quest. In fact, N.T. Wright's major works can be seen as an extention of Caird's own. This book provides a general and broader frame of reference, and plenty of ideas and exegesis to make its own contribution to the current quest. It will stimulate and challenge....and give direction as well.

This is another waste of money book written in one of those monotone styles of an old fart!

His study is so minute to be a disection of something till there is nothing.

This person is a writer in the style of a false profit.

Read the The true book for free and dont bother with this, what a waste of money!