1 / 20

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

dakota
Télécharger la présentation

Chapter 6

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  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

More Related