Download: Four Gospels, One Jesus
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:
- The Author’s Intent
- Clarity of Message
- Theological Emphasis
- Literary Features
Disadvantages:
- The “Full” Picture
- Differences or Tensions
- One Dimensional
- Limited Study
Reading “Horizontally”
Advantages:
- Complete Picture
- Clarifying Details
- Author Emphases
- Diversity
Disadvantages:
- Narrative Blending
- Over Harmonization
- Gospel Flattening
- Complex and Time-Consuming
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)
