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Chapter 6

Chapter 6. The Gospels: Form and Purpose. Key Topics/Themes. The similarity of the Synoptic Gospels The uniqueness of the Gospel of John The diverse views about Jesus presented in the New Testament Gospels. Introduction. Similarities between the Synoptic Gospels

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Chapter 6

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  1. Chapter 6 The Gospels: Form and Purpose

  2. Key Topics/Themes • The similarity of the Synoptic Gospels • The uniqueness of the Gospel of John • The diverse views about Jesus presented in the New Testament Gospels

  3. Introduction • Similarities between the Synoptic Gospels • The uniqueness of the Gospel of John

  4. The Gospels and Modern Scholarship • Discrepancies between Gospel accounts • The Gospel authors’ selective use of preexisting traditions about Jesus • Gospel of John written to provide theological interpretation of Jesus’ life • Difficulty in distinguishing between historical record and theological interpretation in the Gospels

  5. Assumptions and Approaches • False dilemma about the Bible presented by fundamentalism: either • Bible is completely inerrant and totally accurate factually, or • Bible is worthless as source of religious inspiration

  6. Assumptions and Approaches (continued) • The value of the historical-critical approach to the Gospels • Inability of historical-critical approach to verify Gospels’ theological claims about Jesus

  7. The Synoptic Problem • Evidence of the triple tradition • Matthew, Mark, Luke • Evidence of the double tradition • Matthew and Luke

  8. Q MT LK The Two-Document Theory MK

  9. From Oral Preaching to Written Gospel • Oral period • Development of the kerygma (proclamation) • Growth and adaption of the kerygma in various Christian centers in Mediterranean world • Form criticism • Pericopes • Sitz im leben (life-setting)

  10. The Q (Source) Document • Collection of Jesus’ sayings • Collected ca. 50-70 C.E. • Found in Matthew and Luke • Portrays Jesus as itinerant prophet and wisdom teacher

  11. Composition of the Canonical Gospels • Mark the inventor of the Gospel genre • Gospel authors • Names of Gospels not original with authors • Added years later by early Church

  12. Matthew’s Gospel • Sources • Mark • Q • M • Wrote to present Jesus as new Moses • Presents Jesus as teacher of the Mosaic Torah

  13. Luke’s Gospel • Sources • Mark • Q • L • Jesus as turning point in Israel’s history • Jesus brings salvation to Jews and Gentiles • Holy Spirit empowers Church to continue Jesus’ work

  14. LK MK The Griesbach Theory MT

  15. Griesbach Theory (continued) • Mark a conflation and abridgement of Matthew and Luke • William Farmer an important proponent • Not accepted by most scholars

  16. The Gospel of John • Last gospel to attain canonical status • Presents Jesus teaching in long, philosophical monologues • Venerates Jesus himself rather than his teachings • Of doubtful historical value according to many scholars

  17. Literary Analysis of the Gospels • Gospels studied as literature, with setting, characters, dialogue, plot, etc. • Redaction criticism • Authors adapt their source materials for theological purposes • Matthew and Luke alter their Markan source

  18. Narrative Criticism • Emphasis on ways Gospels are constructed • Important factors: • Point of view from which story is told • Author’s implied attitude toward characters or reader • Use of geographical details to convey author’s intent

  19. A Composite Portrait of Jesus • Significance of four Gospels rather than one • Early Church unwilling to promote single, “official” version of Gospel story • Indicative of great diversity in early Christianity

  20. Summary • Best to interpret each Gospel as independent work • Need to see each Gospel’s unique contribution to New Testament portrayal of Jesus • Unwise to attempt to harmonize accounts • Rich diversity of early Christianity

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