This work is primarily written as a class manual for those who wish to deepen their understanding of and love for the New Testament. It is of course no substitute for reading the Biblical text itself, which is the first and foremost task of the student. This book is simply a companion to guide the reader of the New Testament on his or her pilgrimage. It furnishes a few key signposts in terms of the basic ideas of how the biblical text came about, its objective value and special character and inspiration, the Synoptic Problem and the Canon of the New Testament. Some tools for interpretation are offered, and then some basic themes are treated, in particular the Church, the Holy Eucharist, Mary, the Mother of God, the rôle of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and the interplay between faith and reason in the New Testament.

Paul Haffner, a priest of the diocese of Portsmouth (England), obtained his first degree in physics at Oxford University. He went on to philosophical and theological studies in Rome, and received his doctorate from the Pontifical Gregorian University. At present, he is professor of systematic and dogmatic theology in Rome at Regina Apostolorum University, invited lecturer at the Pontifical Gregorian University and at Duquesne University Italian campus. His publications number more than 20 books and 100 articles and include A Methodology for Term Papers and Theses, Mystery of Creation, The Sacramental Mystery, The Mystery of Reason, The Mystery of Mary and Mystery of the Church, all from Gracewing.