Retired Anglican vicar Dick Butler provided a series of Fact Sheets containing basic information about Christian belief for his last parish, in south-east London, and they are the origin for his handbook of dispassionate, detailed and scholarly analysis.

The Four Gospels and other texts - A Critical Handbook of the New Testament illustrates the delicate balance that must be observed in dealing with long-held beliefs in the light of newer research, which can be unwelcome and hotly disputed.

The author is also well aware of the negative connotation that can be attached to the word 'criticism' in the context of sacred texts - whether the Torah, Koran or Bible - by those whose belief is in the literal, God-given truth of the words they contain. All these minefields notwithstanding, however, this is a book of great clarity of exposition, accompanied by tables of synoptic parallels, dates, biblical and scholastic references and a general index.

Title:The Four Gospels and Other Texts: A Critical Handbook of the New Testament
Author: Dick Butler
ISBN: 9780955486104
Publisher: Barbican Press
Date: 2007