The New Testament is a collection of 27 books. These texts are foundational to Christian faith, theology and practice, as well as Western cultural history. The Institute for New Testament Studies examines them and their theological content in several ways: in light of their own historical moment and cultural-historical context, their various receptions and impacts, and their relevance for the present. The broad spectrum of approaches used at the Institute include philological, historical and hermeneutical approaches. The two departments of the Institute for New Testament Studies have specific focal points: (1) ancient religious and cultural history and (2) the literature and theology of the New Testament.