The New Testament Like You’ve Never Seen It with Frank Viola (Ep 353)

What if you could read the New Testament as a single, unfolding story—seeing the books in their real-life context and discovering the heartbeat of the early church? Brian Del Turco talks with Frank Viola, bestselling author of The Untold Story of the New Testament Church. You’ll see how the New Testament connects to your own storyline in Christ, as His Kingdom continues to advance today. This fresh perspective will help you unlock Scripture and your place in God’s epic narrative. Part 1 of 2.

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See the full episode transcript below.

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EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Brian: Welcome to the podcast! Today, I’m thrilled to have Frank Viola with us to discuss his new project—a book every follower of Jesus will want to explore. Frank, how are you today?

Frank Viola: I’m doing well, Brian. I always enjoy being on your show, and I’m excited to talk about the book.

The Untold Story of the New Testament Church

Brian: I have my copy right here, and I’ve been using it… literally curling it for reps! Listeners, this is a hefty book—over 600 pages—but it’s surprisingly accessible.

Frank Viola: That’s right. Despite its size, many readers find it easy to read. The goal was never just a history lesson—it’s to unlock the New Testament, especially the epistles, in a fresh way.

Brian: So, what inspired you to take on this massive project?

Frank Viola: It goes back to when I became a believer at 16. I stumbled upon a small book that linked the Book of Acts with Paul’s letters. That exposure shaped everything. Over time, I studied New Testament chronology, influenced heavily by F.F. Bruce, and by 1998, I began constructing a full chronological account of the New Testament, filling in historical and cultural details.

Solving a Common Problem for Christians

Frank Viola: The problem many Christians face is not fully understanding the New Testament. The books aren’t arranged chronologically, and Luke’s account in Acts is highly condensed.

Add the 16th-century chapter and verse divisions, and it’s easy to misinterpret. My book reconstructs the story from Pentecost to Patmos, blending Acts with the epistles to provide context that has been missing for centuries.

Brian: That’s incredible. It’s vital for Christians to see the full storyline of the kingdom, from the early church to today.

Frank Viola: Exactly. And this approach has been endorsed by 20 preeminent New Testament scholars. It’s the first book to combine the entire narrative chronologically with full citations, based on up-to-date scholarship.

Challenges and Approach

Brian: Scholars will disagree on some chronological details. Can you give an example?

Frank Viola: Sure. The dating of James’ epistle is debated. Some scholars place it before Galatians, others after. Either way, it doesn’t affect the overall narrative, which is what matters.

Brian: So, it’s about scoping and sequencing—seeing the narrative as a whole.

Frank Viola: Yes. The book organizes the 27...