“The World as It Was When Jesus Came: A Companion to the New Testament” by Dr. Mark Hopkins is now available for purchase
“Reading the text of the Bible is not enough. The reader must understand what he has read and be able to activate God’s word in his daily life.”
– an excerpt from the book
AR Press is honored to publish “The World as It Was When Jesus Came: A Companion to the New Testament” by Dr. Mark Hopkins. Get a copy of the book that is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the ARPress website.
This book is designed as a resource and support text for the study of the New Testament. It provides an overview of the history of biblical times. It is not intended to be a theological text. Instead, its purpose is to provide a context through which the reader can better understand the message of the scriptures, who wrote them, and why.
The early portions focus on the historical context, geography, and language translations that affect our understanding of the Bible. The latter portion provides an overview and synopsis of the books of the New Testament. The appendix provides several essays on a wide range of subjects that can best be described as linking history with scripture.
Dr. Mark L. Hopkins was president of four institutions of higher education over a forty-year career, including Anderson (Baptist) University in Anderson, SC. He holds three degrees from Missouri universities and taught history and psychology before moving into university administration.
Dr. Hopkins has served as a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, deacon, minister of music, and pastor, as well as teaching a number of Bible-related courses over the years. Dr. Hopkins has taught the New Testament, Old Testament, Miracles and Mysteries of the Bible, In the Footsteps of Paul the Apostle, Comparative Religion, and The World as It Was When Jesus Came. It was this last course that served as the prime motivator for writing this book.
Endowed with an unusual ability to identify current issues of importance to the public, Dr. Hopkins has the gift of analyzing reasonably and fairly every issue and then communicating his views in everyday language. He writes as he talks and, as an experienced Sunday school teacher and pastor, knows how to engage his audience. He tackles every issue with a strong ethical undertone but is always tolerant of other views. He utilizes history and factual data, is a stickler for accuracy, and stays clear of offending his readers. He brings to his books the background of an experienced college president, an international traveler, and deep family roots that ground him in Christian values.
He is a creative thinker who can challenge conventional wisdom on just about any biblical subject while maintaining a balance between extremes. In an age when extremism gains national and international attention, it is refreshing to hear a sane voice that can be heard by young and old alike. Every serious-minded reader will be enriched by this book, especially Sunday school teachers and church leaders.
“The World as It Was When Jesus Came: A Companion to the New Testament” by Dr. Mark Hopkins is now available for purchase via ARPress Bookstore: https://authorreputationpress.com/bookstore/the-world-as-it-was-when-jesus-came-a-companion-to-the-new-testament/.