In Discovering Jesus in the New Testament, Keith Warrington outlines the theological portrait of Jesus as it is presented in the books that make-up the New Testament canon. The result is a concise and lucid theological portrait of Jesus framed within the particular perspective of each NT book, its intended audience, purpose, and historical setting without losing the global and universal applications of each NT book's presentation of Christ.
Each chapter, initially, focuses on Jesus' identity (ex. In John's Gospel Jesus is 'Supreme', or in Acts 'Anointed with the Spirit'), and then on Jesus role and/or work (ex. In Ephesians 'The Transformer and Reconciler' and in Revelation he is 'The Firstborn from the Dead'). Sub-categories are then used to further detail a full theological portrait of Christ.
Ultimately, Warrington shows our portrait of Jesus is all too often derived from favorite singular passages, rather than through an biblically grounded and global understanding of how the New Testament paints him. The NT gives a wide and diverse picture, and yet, nevertheless a unified picture of Christ both in his identity and in his actions.
As such, this book will make an excellent introduction to Christ himself, and how the biblical authors interpret him for any introductory NT course, Gospels course, or for use in church education, whether in small groups, Sunday school, or catechetical courses.
