I. The Importance of the Question
A. Answering the question helps us interpret the documents.This point is largely about genre, which is the large category of literature, defined by certain regular, recurring characteristics, to which a particular written piece belongs. Knowing the genre is an essential part of interpreting it as it immediately tells the reader how certain things will be done and thus how the reader in turn should understand it..
B. Answering the question helps us understand the history of the early church.
Like any biblical book, the Gospels are a window into the faith and life situation of the early church. They show both what the church was thinking about Jesus and what the church was thinking about its place in the world. Knowing this gives the modern reader a fresh take on our own view of the present-day church and its place in the world.
Like any biblical book, the Gospels are a window into the faith and life situation of the early church. They show both what the church was thinking about Jesus and what the church was thinking about its place in the world. Knowing this gives the modern reader a fresh take on our own view of the present-day church and its place in the world.
C. Answering the question helps us convey biblical truth today.
The Gospels are a wonderful model of how to communicate truth about Jesus Christ. They show that truth can be communicated in multiple ways, and theological understanding can be achieved by more than propositional truth or creedal statements.
The Gospels are a wonderful model of how to communicate truth about Jesus Christ. They show that truth can be communicated in multiple ways, and theological understanding can be achieved by more than propositional truth or creedal statements.
II. Each Gospel is a Written History.
A. The Gospels focus upon Jesus, a person who lived in space and time and about whom information can be accurately and truly known.
In this sense, the Gospels look backwards in time as all histories do to a significant subject worthy of understanding.B. Jesus teaching and activity birthed a community upon which he placed the mandate of self-perpetuation.
In this sense, the Gospels look backwards in time as all histories do to a significant subject worthy of understanding.B. Jesus teaching and activity birthed a community upon which he placed the mandate of self-perpetuation.
Throughout Jesus ministry, specifically in Matthew in chap. 10 and in 28:18-20, he mandated mission for those who follow him.
B. The Gospels point to the impact of Jesus’ life.
History is often less about the raw facts and more about the impact of those facts upon the world. The Gospels function similarly in that they seek not to just give info but to show how that info fits into the world we know.
History is often less about the raw facts and more about the impact of those facts upon the world. The Gospels function similarly in that they seek not to just give info but to show how that info fits into the world we know.
C. The Gospels describe details of his life which show his place in history.
1. The Gospels describe significant people.
2. The Gospels describe significant events.
3. The Gospels present a chronological backbone of Jesus’ life.
1. The Gospels describe significant people.
2. The Gospels describe significant events.
3. The Gospels present a chronological backbone of Jesus’ life.
III. Each Gospel is a Theological Treatise.
The Gospels seek to convey truth about God and his activity in the world. This is done on three separate levels, each of which should be understood as clearly as possible.
A. The Gospels present Jesus’ beliefs and teachings.
B. The Gospels present the author’s beliefs and teachings.
C. The Gospels present the beliefs and teachings of the early church.
A. The Gospels present Jesus’ beliefs and teachings.
B. The Gospels present the author’s beliefs and teachings.
C. The Gospels present the beliefs and teachings of the early church.
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IV. Each Gospel is a Narrative Story.
The Gospels are high art, literature with depth that has a tremendous impact upon the reader. Their subject matter speaks of grand issues with an importance beyond what might appear at first glance. The Gospels have characteristics shared with other great literature that should be understood for proper interpretation.
A. The Gospels have intricate plots, telling the central story of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection with emphasis on particular aspects as the author desires.
B. The Gospels have important characters which serve to move the plot forward.
C. The Gospels have settings—geographical, religious, political—which help tell the story. D. The Gospels use thematic elements to guide the reader to certain theological conclusions.
E. The Gospels use narrators to guide the reader in proper interpretation and understanding of the story.
A. The Gospels have intricate plots, telling the central story of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection with emphasis on particular aspects as the author desires.
B. The Gospels have important characters which serve to move the plot forward.
C. The Gospels have settings—geographical, religious, political—which help tell the story. D. The Gospels use thematic elements to guide the reader to certain theological conclusions.
E. The Gospels use narrators to guide the reader in proper interpretation and understanding of the story.
V. A Working Definition
The Gospels are multi-faceted, written documents which give historical information about Jesus within a narrative framework to convey theological truth about him and his role in God’s plan.
The Gospels are multi-faceted, written documents which give historical information about Jesus within a narrative framework to convey theological truth about him and his role in God’s plan.
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