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1. Four Gospels, One Jesus

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The Gospels

The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) form the first four books of the New Testament.

Purposes for the Gospels
  • Historical—the need for a faithful and authoritative record of the words and deeds of Jesus.
  • Catechetical—the need to instruct converts in the Christian faith.
  • Liturgical—the need for worship material in the church.
  • Exhortatory—to encourage and assure believers in their faith.
  • Theological—the need to settle internal disputes.
  • Apologetic—the need to respond to external attacks on the church.
  • Evangelistic—the need to call people to faith in Jesus.
    • Why Four Gospels?

    With different emphasizes, different portrayals, and different vantage points a historical record deepens and becomes richer and more dynamic.

    Why not synthesize into one Gospel?

    • Diatessaron (Tatian c. 170 AD)
      • What is Unique about Each Gospel?
      Matthew

      Portrait of Jesus: The King

      Audience: Primarily Jewish

      Mark

      Portrait of Jesus: The Servant

      Audience: Likely Gentile

      Luke

      Portrait of Jesus: The Savior

      Audience: Gentile, especially Greek-speaking

      John

      Portrait of Jesus: The Son of God

      Audience: Mixed, Jewish and Gentile

      The Synoptic Gospels and Gospel of John
      Synoptic Gospels
      • Gospel of Matthew, Gospel of Mark, Gospel of Luke

        • “Synoptics” means “to see together”

        • Contain overlapping content.
        • Share a significant literary connection.
        • Have generally the same narrative development.
        • Have an episodic narrative structure.

          • Synoptic Gospel Distinctives

          • Jesus’ ministry can fit into a single year time frame.
          • Focuses on Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish messianic prophecy.
          • Salvation is described as entrance into the “kingdom of God.”
            • Gospel of John
            • Lots of geographic movement
            • Jesus’ ministry seems to extend beyond 1 year
            • Jesus’ miracles (“signs”) are a thematic focus
            • Development of confrontations with Jewish religious leaders.
            • Jesus as the Son of God who reveals the Father.
            • Salvation is described as “life in the age to come.”
              • The Gospels as Literature

              ·       The ‘Gospel’ Genre

              • NT Gospels have some resemblance to ancient biographies Bioi (“Lives”)

                • ·       The Gospels Are Historical Literature

                ·       The Gospels Are Narrative Literature

                ·       The Gospels Are Theological Literature

                How to Read the Gospels
                Reading “Vertically”

                Advantages:

                1. The Author’s Intent
                2. Clarity of Message
                3. Theological Emphasis
                4. Literary Features

                  5. Disadvantages:

                  1. The “Full” Picture
                  2. Differences or Tensions
                  3. One Dimensional
                  4. Limited Study
                    5. Reading “Horizontally”

                    Advantages:

                    1. Complete Picture
                    2. Clarifying Details
                    3. Author Emphases
                    4. Diversity

                      5. Disadvantages:

                      1. Narrative Blending
                      2. Over Harmonization
                      3. Gospel Flattening
                      4. Complex and Time-Consuming
                        5. Reading the Gospels as Theological Narrative

                        “Theological narrative” tells a story and conveys an important point with it.

                        • Narrator
                        • Setting
                        • Characters
                        • Plot
                          • Sequence (Causation)
                          • Drama (Conflict/Struggle)
                          • Climax (Resolution)
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