Description
Available December 2026. Pre-order today!
Deepen your understanding of the New Testament. Strengthen your ability to defend its witness of Jesus Christ.
The New Testament stands at the heart of Christian faith. Its accounts of the Savior’s ministry and the early Church shape our understanding of God, covenant, and discipleship. Yet these sacred writings also invite searching questions.
How should we read them in their ancient setting? How can we respond to challenges to their credibility? And what can the restored gospel contribute to our understanding?
Earnestly Contend for the Faith: Latter-day Saint Perspectives on the New Testament brings together essays from FAIR’s 2026 virtual conference. Through history, scripture, theology, and apologetics, contributors offer thoughtful ways to engage these questions.
Explore the world of Jesus and His Apostles
Understanding the New Testament begins with close attention to its setting. Accordingly, contributors examine the historical evidence for Jesus and the Jewish traditions that shaped the Gospels. They explore Passover themes in Matthew and consider how Restoration revelation illuminates the Olivet Discourse and John’s Prologue.
The collection also examines how ancient communities interpreted scripture. These studies invite readers to consider the relationship between a passage’s original setting and its continuing relevance.
Reconsider familiar passages and difficult questions
Turning to the Epistles, contributors explore Paul’s teachings about God, covenant relationships, and the gathering of Israel. Alongside these studies, essays examine women’s worship, ministry, and spiritual authority in the apostolic Church.
Other contributions address biblical accounts of evil spirits and enduring questions about suffering, agency, and divine goodness. Together, these essays encourage readers to approach difficult passages with care and consider how Restoration teachings can inform their understanding.
Investigate the early Church and apostasy
The volume also follows debates over doctrine and leadership into the centuries after the Apostles. Contributors examine competing claims to authority, disagreements over Christian teaching, and efforts to preserve apostolic faith.
Against this historical background, they consider the foundations of Latter-day Saint understandings of apostasy. The collection also explores the role of apologetics in Christian discipleship and the responsibility to explain and defend religious belief.
Bring deeper understanding to your faith
This book welcomes readers who want to study carefully and take the claims of faith seriously. Whether preparing a lesson or working through a challenging passage, readers will find perspectives to enrich their study. Those responding to criticism will also find resources for more informed conversations.
Above all, Earnestly Contend for the Faith invites readers to return to scripture with renewed attention. Jude’s charge calls for conviction. This collection encourages readers to bring understanding, curiosity, and charity to that conviction as they deepen their commitment to Jesus Christ.
