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COMPARING THE FOUR GOSPELS AND THE QUEST FOR THE HISTORICAL JESUS

Explore the unique narratives of Mark, Matthew, Luke & John while delving into the search for the historical Jesus. Discover the foundational events, authors, audience, and major actions in the Gospels with insights into the quest for the real Jesus. Unveil the distinctions and commonalities that shape Christianity today.

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COMPARING THE FOUR GOSPELS AND THE QUEST FOR THE HISTORICAL JESUS

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  1. COMPARING THE FOUR GOSPELS AND THE QUEST FOR THE HISTORICAL JESUS

  2. Events covered by all four gospels: • John’s baptizing work • Feeding the multitudes • Jesus’ assault on the moneychangers in temple • Jesus’ hearing before Jewish authorities • Jesus’ hearing before Pilate • Jesus’ crucifixion • The empty tomb

  3. WHO WROTE IT? MARK – “John Mark of Jerusalem” MATTHEW – “Matthew” LUKE – Luke, physician & companion JOHN – John, son of Zebedee

  4. TO WHOM WAS IT WRITTEN? MARK – mostly Gentiles, new to their faith, facing persecutions (Rome)‏ MATTHEW – Educated Jews LUKE – Wealthier Gentiles in urban setting JOHN – Mixed: some Jews, some Gentiles

  5. WHEN WAS IT WRITTEN? MARK – 66-70 CE MATTHEW – 80-85 CE LUKE – 80-85 CE JOHN – around 100 CE

  6. WHY WAS IT WRITTEN? MARK – to encourage those undergoing trials & persecutions MATTHEW – to teach a community with internal divisions LUKE – to challenge believers to put their faith into practice JOHN – to strengthen a group ostracized by other Jews for their faith

  7. JESUS’ MAJOR ACTIONS? MARK – Miracles & contending w/religious authorities MATTHEW – Teaching disciples & speaking out against religious hypocrisy LUKE – Tending to & speaking out for oppressed people, forgiving sinners JOHN – Speaking God’s words, doing God’s works, revealing God to all

  8. THE GOSPELS – CHURCH OF THE FOUR BUILDINGS: MARK – DARKENED SANCTUARY • Nobody “gets it,” nobody understands MATTHEW – EDUCATION BUILDING • All about studying Jesus’ teachings LUKE – FELLOWSHIP HALL • Eating & drinking with Jesus • Gathering around the table together JOHN – HOUSE CHURCH • Intimacy & love in the gathering

  9. THE QUEST FOR THE HISTORICAL JESUS

  10. Gospel writers, while providing some biographical info on Jesus, are “Good News” & not intended to be historical writings. Very little info elsewhere about Jesus the person. JOSEPHUS • Jewish historian • Contemporary of Gospel writers • Refers to Jesus twice in his Antiquities of the Jews

  11. 18TH Century – Age Of Enlightenment. Scholars begin to distinguish between Jesus of history & church doctrine about him. ALBERT SCHWEITZER • Wrote Quest of the Historical Jesus in 1906 • Pictures Jesus as devoted Jew who wanted to change things but was defeated by the very system he opposed. • Forced scholars to look at Jesus anew.

  12. 18TH Century – Age Of Enlightenment. Scholars begin to distinguish between Jesus of history & church doctrine about him. RUDOLF BULTMANN • German scholar mid-20th century • Gospels tell us (& are intended to tell us) much more about history of early church than history of Jesus the person • Message of Jesus is timeless

  13. GENERAL AGREEMENTS ABOUT JESUS: • Born during reign of Herod, 6-4 BCE • Raised in Nazareth • Son of Joseph & Mary, & had siblings • From low social status • Baptized by John the Baptist around 30 yrs. old • Engaged in “ministry” for roughly 3 years, proclaiming the imminent arrival of God’s kingdom on earth

  14. GENERAL AGREEMENTS ABOUT JESUS: • Wandered from village to village in life of poverty; hung out with powerless & outcasts • In so doing, made many enemies with those in power • Was arrested, tried and condemned by Romans • Was crucified

  15. WHAT DID JESUS LOOK LIKE?

  16. WHAT DID JESUS LOOK LIKE? https://youtu.be/ARCkTn_S3kk

  17. WHAT DID JESUS LOOK LIKE?

  18. ACTS – AN INTRODUCTION

  19. Luke/Acts is a two-part series covering both Jesus’ life (Luke) & the early church (Acts) Chronicles growth from Jewish movement centered around Jesus to large Gentile Christian faith Author sees this as fulfilling God’s will & part of God’s plan Focuses on a few figures: Peter & Saul/Paul. Rarely mentions Jesus’ disciples

  20. Presents Christianity as legitimate religion that doesn’t threaten Roman government Focuses only on movement of Christian faith to Asia Minor & Greece/Rome. Ignores southern Mediterranean churches

  21. Book of ACTS covers mostly Palestine & Asia Minor (from east to west)

  22. Overarching theme: GOD’S SPIRIT OPERATING IN HUMAN HISTORY Growth of the church & westward expansion is guided by the Spirit & is the will of God. Restoration of Israel via Jewish disciples of Jesus

  23. OUTLINE OF ACTS 1:1-11 Prologue & Jesus’ ascension 1:12-2:47 Founding of Jerusalem church & Pentecost 3:1-5:42 Ministry of Peter & the apostles 6:1-8:40 Persecutions of Jewish Christians & first missions 9:1-12:25 Conversion of Paul & prep for Gentile mission

  24. OUTLINE OF ACTS 13:1-15:35 Paul’s first missionary journey & Jerusalem Council 16:1-18:21 Paul’s second missionary journey 18:22-20:38 Paul’s third missionary journey 21:1-26:32 Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem & imprisonment 27:1-28:31 Paul’s journey to Rome

  25. 1:1-11: PROLOGUE & JESUS’ ASCENSION • Vs. 1 – writer is writing to “Theophilus” – means “dear to God” • Jesus ascends into heaven – never “dies.” Fostered the idea of Jesus’ return. • Vs. 21ff – Election of Matthias to replace Judas – importance of 12 disciples pertains to 12 tribes of Israel in Old Testament

  26. CHPT. 2 - PENTECOST • Formative event of young church’s existence • Vs. 2 – Spirit appears as “violent wind” to gathering of disciples • Vs. 3 – “tongues of fire” on disciples’ heads. Meaning? • What did this look like? Some artistic renderings….

  27. CHPT. 2 – PENTECOST • Vs. 4 – disciples given the ability to speak in other languages • “glossolalia” – a divine language. Traditionally not meant to be interpreted. Still practiced today in some charismatic churches. • Is this right?? These are actual languages (vs. 6) • Purpose of disciples given ability to speak in different languages??

  28. CHPT. 2 – PENTECOST • God had given disciples ability to preach Gospel in every known language • Highlights universality of Christian mission. Not intended to remain strictly a Jewish thing. • 2:14-47 – Peter’s sermon following Pentecost event. Many people converted.

  29. OTHER EVENTS • 3:1-5:42 – Confrontations between apostles & Jewish authorities • 4:32-5:11 – highlights early church’s practice of holding all things in common • 6:8-8:1a – Preaching & martyrdom of Stephen (first Christian martyr) • 8:1b-40 – Marks first time Christianity encountered non-Jewish areas

  30. CHPT. 9 - CONVERSION OF SAUL • Saul – educated & passionate Jew who persecuted early Christians • Would go to synagogues; ask for “mailing list” & names of “defectors” • On road to Damascus, encounters vision of Jesus. Blinded for three days. • Converted to Christianity with aid of Ananias & other followers – name is changed to Paul.

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