Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part I Backdrop to the Greatest Story Ever Told 11
Chapter 1 The Overlooked Era: Life between the Old and New Testaments 13
Chapter 2 New Testament Basics: Building Blocks of the Revelation 37
Chapter 3 Miraculous: The Literary Wonder of the New Testament 59
Chapter 4 The Gospels: Four Perspectives, One Message 85
Part II A Visit from God 115
Chapter 5 From Jesus' Birth to His Initial Teachings 117
Chapter 6 From "Catching Men" to the Golden Rule 145
Chapter 7 From Healing a Centurion's Servant to Confrontations with Pharisees 169
Chapter 8 From the Transfiguration to an Argument over Abraham 201
Chapter 9 From Healing a Blind Man to Mary's Ointment 235
Chapter 10 From the Plot to Kill Lazarus to Peter's Ill-Fated Vow 263
Chapter 11 From Jesus' Reassurance to Pilate's Judgment 295
Chapter 12 From the Flogging of Jesus to His Ascension 323
Conclusion 347
Acknowledgments 355
Notes 359
Study Guide 433
Index 447