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Formation of the Gospel. “Evangelion” Greek for “Good News” Old English translation “Godspel”. 3 Stages of Gospel Formation. The Life of Jesus about 6BC-30AD Oral Preaching about 30-70AD Written Versions about 65-150AD. 1 st Stage – Jesus lived, spoke, acted
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Formation of the Gospel “Evangelion” Greek for “Good News” Old English translation “Godspel”
3 Stages of Gospel Formation The Life of Jesus about 6BC-30AD Oral Preaching about 30-70AD Written Versions about 65-150AD
1st Stage – Jesus lived, spoke, acted and disciples listened
2nd Stage – After the Spirit came upon them, the listeners became the proclaimers. Their core message is called the kerygma. One example is Luke 24:46-47. The goal of the preaching was conversion. Teaching (catechesis) expanded the instruction on Jesus’ message. Between around 51-63 AD, Paul wrote letters to various communities. Most believers were convinced that the world would end soon and that Jesus’ second coming would precede their death.
3rd Stage – People continued to meet every week to share Eucharist, the sacred meal of Christ’s presence, and to remember stories of his life and teaching. These gatherings determined the form of many memories of Jesus. Gradually collections of Jesus’ words and actions appeared. Over a period of time, 4 evangelistsemerged from 4 different communities, the authors of Mark, Luke, Matthew and John. They each compiled the sayings and memories available to them in their own fashion. During this time, John, Peter, James, Jude, etc., wrote letter to some of the communities of believers as well.
So, Jesus lived and acted and spoke, died and rose. • Then lots of life happened: • Peter was imprisoned 35-36AD; • Saul, a persecutor of Followers of the Way of Jesus, • was converted and became Paul in 37; • Herod began persecuting followers of the Way in 44; • Herod died in 46 or 47; • Paul, Barnabas, and Mark made their 1st Missionary • Journey in 48, • and then in 70 AD, Jerusalem was • destroyed. • After all of this, the stories and memories and bits and • pieces of writing about Jesus were gathered and • formed into faith testimonies by the evangelists.
Historical-Critical Reading • When we study the Scriptures we benefit by taking the historical-critical approach. To be faithful to the meaning intended by the authors, we need to understand the historical circumstances and literary usages of the day in which they wrote. Even though inspired by God, the evangelists did not take dictation from God, rather they expressed God’s message in their own words and literary styles.