Synopses & Reviews
An introduction covering historical, theological and ethical aspects of the gospels through the ages.
Review
"This wide-ranging and refreshing approach to gospel studies will only foster a greater appreciation of these sacred texts, rewarding the layperson student, and scholar alike." --Matthew R. Hauge, Azusas Pacific University: Religious Studies Review
Synopsis
This introduction focuses not only on historical questions - authorship, date, historical setting and literary genre - but also considers the gospels as texts of Christian scripture which have inspired the faith and worship of the church down the ages. The contributors include theologians and ethicists as well as New Testament scholars.
Synopsis
This book on the gospels is an introduction with a difference. Whereas the standard approach focuses only on historical questions - authorship, date, historical setting and literary genre - this book also considers the gospels as texts of Christian scripture which have inspired the faith and worship of the church down the ages right up to the present. The contributors include theologians and ethicists as well as New Testament scholars. They look not only at what the texts say, but also at how they speak from the past to the present.
About the Author
Stephen C. Barton is Reader in New Testament, Department of Theology, Durham University.
Table of Contents
Introduction Stephen C. Barton; Part I. Approaching the Gospels - Context and Method: 1. What is a gospel? Loveday Alexander; 2. The fourfold gospel Francis Watson; 3. The canonical matrix of the gospels Richard B. Hays; 4. The gospels and 'the historical Jesus' Stephen E. Fowl; 5. The gospels and the reader Sandra M. Schneiders; Part II. The Gospels as Witnesses to Christ - Content and Interpretation: 6. The Gospel according to Matthew Stephen C. Barton; 7. The Gospel according to Mark Joel B. Green; 8. The Gospel according to Luke John T. Squires; 9. The Gospel according to John Marianne Meye Thompson; Part III. The Afterlife of the Gospels - Impact on Church and Society: 10. The gospels and the development of doctrine Frances Young; 11. The gospels embodied: the lives of saints and martyrs David Matzko McCarthy; 12. Praying the gospels: spirituality and worship Gordon Mursell; 13. Living the gospels: morality and politics Scott Bader-Saye.