Includes bibliographical references and indexes

Part 1: Historical Background for Studying the Gospels -- Chapter 1: Political Background-An Overview of the Intertestamental Period 7 -- Chapter 2: Religious Background-Hellenistic and Jewish Religion -- Chapter 3: Socioeconomic Background-Everyday Life in New Testament Times -- Part 2: Critical Methods for Studying the Gospels -- Chapter 4: Historical Criticism of the Gospels -- Chapter 5: Literary Criticism of the Gospels -- Part 3: Introduction to the Four Gospels -- Chapter 6: The Gospel of Mark -- Chapter 7:The Gospel of Matthew -- Chapter 8: The Gospel of Luke -- Chapter 9: The Gospel of John -- Part 4: A Survey of the Life of Christ -- Chapter 10: The Historical Jesus-The Quests and the Chronology -- Chapter 11: The Birth and Childhood of Jesus -- Chapter 12: The Beginnings of Jesus' Ministry -- Chapter 13: Jesus' Galilean Ministry-Earlier Stages -- Chapter 14: Jesus' Galilean Ministry-Later Stages -- Chapter 15: Additional Teachings of Jesus in Matthew, Luke, and John -- Chapter 16: Jesus' Judean Ministry -- Chapter 17: Passion, Crucifixion, and Resurrection -- Part 5: Historical and Theological Syntheses -- Chapter 18: The Historical Trustworthiness of the Gospels -- Chapter 19: The Theology of Jesus.