Libraries have been filled with all that has been written about the New Testament. Johnson begins by telling us he is not writing an exhaustive analysis of the canon. He is focusing on his own theories concerning the origin and message of the text. If his take on the scripture differs from most scholars he gives the majority opinion before explaining his own ideas. I know the author and appreciate his honesty in this book and in lectures when he admits the text just leaves us with more questions we can not answer. Introducing the book of Hebrews he confesses he is just helping the reader know how to read the text in this short introduction. That analysis seems to sum up this entire work by Johnson. It helps us know how to read the New Testament.