1) We study the New Testament to understand its message... which isn’t always easy.

When we approach the New Testament on its own terms, we acknowledge it for what it is: a collection of 27 ancient Greek texts that consist of different types of literature. Somehow God communicates with us through this collection of ancient documents written by multiple people, and edited by more. In the books and letters these authors produced, we encounter life advice and bite-sized belief statements. However, we also encounter stories, philosophy, and fiction (i.e., the parables) plus much more.

2) We study the New Testament because it draws us into God’s story.

All of this literature fits within a larger narrative framework. This narrative is unique, though, It isn’t just an entertaining story. It makes a claim on our lives. It invites and challenges us to find a role to play in this story.

And if we want to play our roles well, we need to know the story well. Acquiring this knowledge requires us to engage our minds. That is to say, we need to love God with all our heart, soul, AND mind.

In his introduction to the New Testament, N.T. Wright points out that the early church understood the need for studying and teaching. He argues that early Christians were a unique community in the ancient Greco-Roman world because even its non-elite members studied and learned.

As evidence for early Christianity’s emphasis on education, Wright points to the development of the codex. Most books in the ancient world before the time of the early church, were on scrolls. The codex resembles what our books look like today. Christians developed a type of codex that was easier to use than previous versions.

Another unique facet of early Christianity is its cross-cultural movement. From early on, it did not remain a Jewish sect. Instead, it quickly moved outside of the geographical and ethnic boundaries of Judaism into the wider Greco-Roman world.

In this process, two things happened. First, the message needed to be inclusive of a non-Jewish population. That is why a number of the books explain Jewish customs as they go along. Second, the message was written in the most common language of the day: Greek

By writing in ways that were accessible to non-Jewish believers, the New Testament allowed people from all backgrounds to enter into God's story.

3) We study the New Testament as an act of worship and to engage in God’s mission.

So, what does studying the New Testament accomplish. It calls us to worship God. When we read of what God has done for us and all of creation through Christ, we should be moved to worship. It should also move us to mission. The New Testament declares that God has done something new in the world and challenges anyone who would follow Jesus to take up the mission to spread that news to the whole world.

Why does the New Testament’s call to worship and mission require us to study it well? Because, if we do not learn to study the New Testament well, we will very likely distort its message into something it was never meant to be (e.g., a political manifesto; a social platform, etc.). While it will undoubtedly impact and transform the way we approach politics, social issues, and much more, the New Testament invites us into God's kingdom.

Final Thoughts

The New Testament is fascinating. The stories and teachings it contains transformed the world. Most exciting, it still transforms the world by telling the Gospel story to anyone who will take it up and study it.

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