This book is a sequel to the author's "The Making of the New Testament Documents (Brill, 1999), placing it within the context of two centuries of research and then expanding its brief treatment of a number of important issues. It critiques the hypothesis of 'innocent' apostolic pseudepigrapha and investigates historical and literary evidence for dating the New Testament books, for Paul's mission to Spain, and for his subsequent composition of the Pastoral epistles. It also gives extended attention to the identity and the roles of Paul's co-workers.
With respect to preformed traditions, a major topic of the earlier volume, it devotes special attention to biblical expositions in the teaching of Jesus and in the New Testament generally. In conclusion it draws out the implications of preformed traditions for the origins of Paul's christology.