This book gives a clearly written, authoritative introduction to social-scientific criticism of the New Testament, including:
- the rise of this method
- its practitioners and the focal points of their work
- how the method is applied to the interpretation of the biblical text
- the presuppositions and procedures of the method.
Also included are four appendices, a glossary of terms, and full bibliographies. Intended as a basic introduction for students and general readers, the book will be of interest also to exegetical veterans.
