The Power and the Wisdom [antikvár]

PREFACE The kind reception given by the public to a book on the Old Testament called The Two-Edged Sword has encouraged both the author and the publishers to attempt a similar book on the New Testament. This is the book. The preface of The Two-Edged Sword contained some explanation of the nature and purpose of that book, and even some apologies for its composition. So much literature on the Bible has appeared since 1956 that such explanations and apologies seem unnecessary here; apologies are in order, but they are of a diflEerent type. The first apology no doubt must be an answer to the question why another book on the New Testament should be written. The excuse that no such popular work exists is not valid here; popular works are now abundant, both those written in English and those translated from other languages. The only answer an author has to this is that he thinks he has something to say which has not been said, or has not been said in this way. If this seems arrogant, the imputation must be borne gracefully. This claim to originality should not be exaggerated. I can say here with conviction what I said in The Two-Edged Sword, that scholars will recognize my indebtedness to my colleagues in every line of the book. As in The Two-Edged Sword, I have not documented this indebtedness; a policy which was there adopted with deep doubts about its risks has now been vindicated. I believe that the splendid results of recent scholarship can be communicated to a wider public. The place of the New Testament in the Church is not entirely hke the place of the Old Testament. Most Cathohcs think they are somewhat famihar with the New Testament; and while they find Paul obscirre at times, they do not have the same uncertainty about the New Testament which they feel about the Old Testa-