The stories in the Gospels and Acts are beloved by Christians everywhere. We learn how Jesus responded to people, what he stood for, how he lived and died, and how his church began.

But these New Testament books also raise many questions. Do the Gospels tell us what really happened? Why do they sometimes seem to disagree? Are they meant to be "good news," history or theology? What can we learn from the early church in Acts?

Joel Green approaches these issues with clarity and insight. Paying special attention to parables, sermons and figures of speech, Green opens up these important books, explaining their unique place within Scripture and offering practical guidelines for application today.

Joel B. Green, acting dean and assistant professor of New Testament at New College-Berkeley, is also the author of How to Read Prophecy.