Chapter 6 The Gospels Form and Purpose Mc

Chapter 6 The Gospels: Form and Purpose ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

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 ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

Introduction • Similarities between the Synoptic Gospels • The uniqueness of the Gospel of John ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

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 ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

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 ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

Assumptions and Approaches (cont’d. ) • The value of the historical-critical approach to the Gospels • Inability of historical-critical approach to verify Gospels’ theological claims about Jesus ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

The Synoptic Problem • Evidence of the triple tradition – Matthew, Mark, Luke • Evidence of the double tradition – Matthew and Luke ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

The Two-Document Theory MK Q MT LK ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

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) ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

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 ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

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 ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

Matthew’s Gospel • Sources – Mark –Q –M – Wrote to present Jesus as new Moses – Presents Jesus as teacher of the Mosaic Torah ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

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 ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

The Griesbach Theory MT LK MK ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

Griesbach Theory (cont’d. ) • Mark a conflation and abridgement of Matthew and Luke • William Farmer an important proponent • Not accepted by most scholars ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

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 ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

Literary Analysis of the Gospels • Gospels studied as literature, with setting, characters, dialog, plot, etc. • Redaction criticisim – Authors adapt their source materials for theological purposes – Matthew and Luke alter their Markan source ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

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 ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

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 ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education

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 ©Mc. Graw-Hill Higher Education