What if the writers of the New Testament sat down to talk? What might Paul and James have to say each other about the role of works in the Christian life? What would Peter think of John's extensive pictures of judgment in Revelation? Would Mark or Mathew take issue with John for not adequately emphasizing the kingdom of God in his gospel? Derek Tidball imagines just such a conversation. Luke, Paul, Peter and all the others sit around a table and discuss both their distinctive emphases and their common ideas. The New Testament is not a systematic textbook in theology and doesn't seem concerned to present itself as such. While the New Testament writers are clearly all focused on the story and significance of Jesus, the New Testament itself is a collection of twenty-seven books written by at least nine different authors and addressed to individuals or groups in several different locations over a number of decades. This offers a challenge for discovering coherence in their writings without imposing a false synthesis. Yet this variety adds richness to our understanding of the Christian faith and its fundamental beliefs. The result of eavesdropping on their discussion is a fascinating introduction to the diversity and unity of the New Testament."
