This book offers a comprehensive exploration of the socio-political, cultural, and religious world into which Jesus and the early church emerged. From the Babylonian exile to the rise of the Roman Empire, from Jewish sectarianism to the missionary journeys of Paul, this book equips readers with the essential historical insights that illuminate the New Testament writings. With scholarly clarity and pastoral relevance, it unpacks critical themes such as Hellenism, Jewish Messianism, early Christian theology, and the development of the church. An invaluable resource for students, pastors, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the New Testament in its original context. This book is one of the prescribed books for the Bachelor of Divinity (BD) program under the Senate of Serampore College (University), as per the new curriculum.

Contents

Preface of the Author

Chapter 1: Jewish Diaspora in Babylon

Chapter 2: Origin of the Synagogue

Chapter 3: The Conquest of Alexander the Great

Chapter 4: The Origin and Development of Hellenism

Chapter 5: Origin of Septuagint

Chapter 6: Jewish Reaction against the Hellenism

Chapter 7: The Maccabean Revolt

Chapter 8: The Emergence of Sectarian Judaism

Chapter 9: The Rise of the Roman Empire

Chapter 10: Pax Romana and the Internal Administration of the Roman Empire

Chapter 11: Jewish Messianism

Chapter 12: The Jew-Gentile Controversy

Chapter 13: Paul’s Missionary Journeys and His Mission Strategies

Chapter 14: Paul’s Kerygma

Chapter 15: Imminent Eschatology at Thessalonica

Chapter 16: Status of Women in Paul

Chapter 17: Collection for the Saints

Chapter 18: Righteousness and Salvation: Justification not by Works but by Faith in Christ

Chapter 19: The Role of Christ in his Church: The Church as the Body of Christ

Chapter 20: Place of Christ in History and the Universe

Chapter 21: The Development of the Church Order

Chapter 22: Divorce Controversy: Men-women Relationship

Chapter 23: Sabbath Controversy and Jesus

Chapter 24: Political Theology in the Book of Revelation

Chapter 25: Resistance in the Revelation to John

Chapter 26: Allegiance to Rulers and the Question of Payment of Taxes

Chapter 27: Resistance to Evil Rulers (Rom 13.1-7)

Chapter 28: The History of the Formation of the New Testament Canon

Chapter 29: Inspiration of the Bible

Bibliography

H. Joseph Lalfakmawia is an ordained minister of the Mizoram Presbyterian Church, Mizoram. He completed MTh and DTh (New Testament) from North India Institute of Post Graduate Theological Studies (NIIPGTS), Kolkata (Senate of Serampore). His academic interests include Tribal Biblical Hermeneutics, especially from oral tradition, and Textual Critical Approach of the Greek New Testament. He has published 13 books and numerous scholarly articles. He currently serves as Principal of Master’s College of Theology.