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THE GOSPELS Jesus the Master Teacher. Rev. Kenneth H. Hill PhD. Pastor Shorter Chapel AME Church Franklin, TN. Sacred Scripture: Study of God’s Word The Gospels. The Good News 1. Gospel comes from an Old English word for “good news”
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THE GOSPELS Jesus the Master Teacher Rev. Kenneth H. Hill PhD. Pastor Shorter Chapel AME Church Franklin, TN
Sacred Scripture: Study of God’s Word The Gospels The Good News 1. Gospel comes from an Old English word for “good news” 2. Most references to “Good News” in the New Testament refer to Jesus’ preaching rather than his life 3. The word “gospel” did not originally mean “a narrative of Jesus’ life” 4. The four Gospels narrate Jesus’ life and teach about the events of the Paschal Mystery 5. The Gospels hold the central place of all the inspired and Sacred Scriptures in the liturgy
Sacred Scripture: of God’s WordThe Gospels The Synoptic Gospels 1. Because Matthew, Mark, and Luke contain a great deal of common material, they are called the Synoptic Gospels 2. The similarities suggest that one of the three was used as a primary source when the other two were written 3. For a variety of reasons, most scholars agree that Mark was a source used by both Matthew and Luke
Sacred Scripture: Study of God’s WordThe Gospels The Synoptic Gospels 1. Because Matthew, Mark, and Luke contain a great deal of common material, they are called the Synoptic Gospels 2. The similarities suggest that one of the three was used as a primary source when the other two were written 3. For a variety of reasons, most scholars agree that Mark was a source used by both Matthew and Luke
Sacred Scripture: Study of God’s WordThe Gospels Dating the Gospels 1. Scholars date Mark’s to the period of the destruction of the Temple (AD 68-72) due to clues given in Mk 13:4 2. Because Matthew is quoted by both canonical and noncanonical sources, scholars date it to AD 85–90 3. While Luke cannot have followed Mark by too late a date, he does not seem to know of Paul’s letters leading scholars to place it somewhere during the AD 80s 4. John is difficult to locate in time but scholars tend to place it as early as AD 90 but not later than AD 120-130
Sacred Scripture: Study of God’s Word The Gospels Formation of the Gospels 1. The Gospel was handed down in two ways: orally in preaching in writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit 2. Three stages in the formation of the Gospels: (a) the period of the public life and teaching of Jesus (b) a period of oral tradition and preaching by the early disciples in 3 key forms: (c) the written Gospels themselves The kerygma or preaching to unbelievers The Didache or Catechesis The liturgy or worship of Christians
Sacred Scripture: Study of God’s Word The Gospels Authorship 1. The Gospels never state the identities of their authors 2. Authorship by tradition: Matthew was identified as a tax collector called by Jesus; Mark was a companion of Paul; Luke was Paul’s beloved physician; John was the brother of James and son of Zebedee 3. Though a connection with the apostolic tradition cannot be disputed, the position that Apostles or companions of Jesus undertook the actual authorship is not certain
Sacred Scripture: Study of God’s Word The Gospels The Gospel of Matthew 1. Background: Audience:JewishChristians Matthew edited and compactedseveral of Mark’spassages Date:some time in the AD 80s
Sacred Scripture: Study of God’s Word The Gospels The Gospel of Matthew 2. Characteristics: The disciples understand his instructions more clearly Matthew intended his Gospel to help Jewish Christians understand the Jewish roots of their faith He is aware of Jewish sensibilities, practices, and beliefs He is concerned to help his largely Jewish-Christian readers understand that Jesus was the Messiah He makes numerous comparisons between Jesus and Moses He presents Jesus as the founder of the Church
The Gospel of Matthew Jesus: The Master Teacher
Jesus as Teacher-Nicodemus first says, “ Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God” Jesus in his teaching ministry encouraged persons to think. Jesus loved God with all his heart and mind. We too are called to love God with our minds and to actively engage in the rigorous discipline of study.
Master Teacher • In Mt., Jesus teaches that Christians must put their faith into action. • Matthew’s Jesus is the Master Teacher who gives specific teachings on living as a Christian. • Christology: Jesus, the Teacher.
Jesus’ Galilean Ministry Subdivided into periods: • To the choosing of the Twelve • To the withdrawal northward • To Jesus’ last journey to Jerusalem
The Beatitudes • Jesus goes up the mountain and delivers the New Law to the New Chosen People. • He is like Moses: -thought to have written the Torah -goes up the mountain of Sinai to deliver the Law to the Chosen People.
A. Sermon on the Mount • Matt. 5-7 • Most important • Example of didache -teaching • Matt 7:21 -Belief must translate into action.
Sermon on the Mount (Cont.) • Beatitudes: Be-Attitudes of the Christian
Sermon on the Mount (Cont.) • Matt 5: 17 “I have come not to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them.” -interior conversion, not just external observance (like some Pharisees) -internal attitude of love of God and neighbor -source of our actions, root of our sins
IV. 5 Discourses • 1. Sermon on the Mount, Matt. 5-7 • 2. Sharing the Faith With Others, Matt. 10 • 3. Parables about the Kingdom, Matt. 13 • 4. Jesus Founds and Instructs the Church, Matt. 18 • 5. The Final Judgment, Matt.24-25