A. T. Robertson-The Student's Chronological New Testament-

Author: A. T. Robertson

Title: The Student's Chronological New Testament: Text Of The American Standard Revision

Publisher / Editor: Fleming H. Revell Company

Format: PDF

Size Of File: 27.9 MB

Pages: 357.

Description:

There is no edition of the New Testament in a standard translation which is acceptable for general use and which also presents the books in probable chronological order.In this edition by special arrangement the best English version in existence is used, the American Revision.Each book had a definite aim, grew out of specific historical circumstances,and had a message for its time.If we can see that message clearly,we shall be able the better to grasp the message of God's Word for our time.There is little order in the generally accepted arrangement of the books,especially in Paul's Epistles,which form so large a part of the New Testament.The books are here printed in chronological groups so that the reader may get the benefit of the unfolding history as he reads,passing from book to book as nearly as possible in the actual order of the historical facts.There is given also before each book its probable date, a brief sketch of the historical setting, and a short outline as a guide to reading.No originality is claimed for the conception of New Testament history presented.The effort is made rather to give the results of the soberest modern criticism.
It is frankly recognized that there are doubtful questions of New Testament chronology and criticism.No effort is here made to settle them by critical discussion.The general reader of the New Testament does not need such technical criticism in his actual reading and use of the book.The New Testament is here accepted at its face value and all the books are so accepted,for these books have stood the test of experience and criticism as God's Word.
Some readers will wonder at the place assigned to some of the books,but not every view can be adopted,
and that view of date and order has been chosen in each case which on the whole seems to have the best
support in modern historical study.Some of the disputed points,for instance,are the relation as to date of the Four Gospels to each other,the date of James,the date of Galatians and Philippians among Paul's Epistles, the relation of Jude and Second Peter, the date of John's Revelation.Nothing like absolute certainty can be claimed for any view on these points,and yet there is in each case a balance of probability and that has been followed.
The exact chronology of all the books is not observed for obvious reasons.For instance,the Four Gospels all doubtless belong to a period after the Epistle of James and some of Paul's Epistles.The Gospels,it should be remembered, are an interpretation of the facts of Christ's life,in the light of much of the Apostolic history and with some of the Apostolic literature already produced.A solid historical basis is thus easily reached in studying the foundations of Christianity which reinforces the Gospels.But as the Gospels deal with flicts that antedate the Apostolic history,they must in historical study clearly be read before that history.Again,the Acts of the Apostles was undoubtedly written after many of the books of the New Testament had appeared.And
yet,since much of the story of Acts antedates those books,the Acts must appear before the Apostolic Epistles.Where it is possible in connection with the Epistles,mention will be made of the part of Acts with
which it corresponds.The effort has been not to follow a blind rule,but to arrange the books in such a way as to allow them to throw light on each other and in accordance with the known or probable historical facts,so that one can read in the Scripture text the story of the origin of Christianity and its actual development.
This edition is designed for all readers and students of the New Testament.There is unavoidable condensation in the introductory notes.The New Testament tells its own story.And now may the Lord Jesus Christ,the great Head of the Church,bless His Word thus arranged.

A. T. Robertson.