August 2025 | LISLE, IL—InterVarsity Press (IVP) has contracted with four New Testament scholars for the second edition of one of IVP Academic’s foundational reference books, the Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments. Volume editors for the new edition include Shane J. Wood, Madison N. Pierce, Dennis R. Edwards, and Michael F. Bird.
Edwards said, “A new generation of Bible readers needs to become familiar with the growing body of scholarship—particularly from women and other minoritized researchers—that addresses writings and topics distinct from yet in continuity with the Gospels and Pauline literature. An updated edition of the Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments will assist pastors, students, scholars, and all interested readers in their quest to better understand the New Testament.” Dennis Edwards is associate professor of New Testament as well as vice president for church relations and dean of North Park Seminary, Chicago.
Originally published in 1997, the Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments, was added to what were known affectionately as the “Black Dictionaries” for their cover design. The first edition was edited by Ralph P. Martin and Peter H. Davids and included expert contributors like Darrell Bock, George R. Beasley-Murray, I. Howard Marshall, Ben Witherington III, and James D. G. Dunn. Wide-ranging articles spanned from the books of James and Jude to household codes, from the Roman emperor cult to Gnosticism and Docetism, questions of canon to second-century church leaders like Ignatius and Polycarp.
Rachel Hastings, the project editor for the dictionary, said, “IVP Academic has a rich legacy of publishing reference works that are rigorous in their scholarly approach while being accessible to pastors and students alike. These dictionaries are a key piece of that legacy. We have a stellar team of volume editors who will support this new edition, and I’m thrilled to be working alongside them on the second edition of the Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments.”
For decades the Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments, along with IVP Academic’s Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels and Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, have presented mature evangelical scholarship—committed to the authority of Scripture, utilizing the best of critical methods, and maintaining a dialogue with contemporary scholarship and the challenges facing the church.
Michael Bird, academic dean and lecturer in New Testament at Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia, said, “The Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments was a landmark publication that contained a fantastic compilation of articles on the General Epistles, Revelation, and early Christianity. The ‘Black Dictionaries’ are SHEER GOLD for pastors, professors, and seminary students. I am elated to be part of the team creating a second edition of this dictionary and I know that it will be a vital resource for decades to come.”
Similar to the second edition of the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, which released in 2023, this updated dictionary will essentially be a new volume, including revised articles and new articles. The second edition of the Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments is tentatively scheduled to release in Spring 2032.
Madison Pierce, associate lecturer at the University of St Andrews, said, “This valuable resource is the first that many pastors and students pick up when working on Acts, Hebrews through Revelation, or the second century. These are difficult texts, and having a reliable introduction is of the utmost importance. Our hope with the second edition is to build on this foundation by updating some entries and adding new ones that reflect recent developments in scholarship and incorporate a new generation of scholars representing diverse perspectives. We also hope that this resource equips pastors and students for decades to come.”
Designed to bring students, teachers, pastors, and general readers up to date and up to speed, this one-of-a-kind reference volume will once again present more information than any other single work—dealing exclusively with the theology, literature, background, and scholarship of the later New Testament and the apostolic church.
“A new edition of any work assumes a strong foundation, updating and expanding, enriching and unfolding an already formidable legacy,” said Shane Wood, professor of New Testament and Its Origins at Ozark Christian College. “For thirty years, IVP’s Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments has blessed the church and the academy, shaping sermons, scholarly papers, and the minds of anyone desiring to dive deep into the Word of God and its world. Over that same time, scholarly conversations and insights have deepened in exciting and fresh ways. Our hope with this new edition is to breathe fresh life into this valuable resource to serve pastors and professors for the next generation.”
Contact: Krista Clayton | kclayton@ivpress.com
