Three Tents: Biblical Survey: The Gospels

Worship
Prayer by Amah
Review of homework


Now finally we are going to start to go through the Bible section by section… Today we will start with the Gospels…

Who are the gospel writers? What are the characteristics of each gospel?

The four beasts (Ezekiel 1:5-14, 10:9-14, Revelation 4:6-11). Matt the man, Mark the Lion, Luke the Calf, John the Eagle. Other fours.

Matthew - tax collector see … better Moses. Five teachings like five books (5-7, 10, 13, 18-20, 23-25). Immanuel parallel as bookends. Written in Hebrew/Aramaic first*?

*They have the Gospel according to Matthew in its entirety in Hebrew. For it is clear that they still preserve this, in the Hebrew alphabet, as it was originally written.
— Epiphanius of Salamis, Panarion 29.9.4 (4th century)

Mark - recorded Peters testimony*. Divided into three exclamations of Jesus is the son of God. The baptism. The transfiguration. The Roman at the cross. In each case the disciples are also confused and shocked. Shorter ending on purpose?

• 15. “This also the presbyter said: Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately, though not in order, whatsoever he remembered of the things said or done by Christ. For he neither heard the Lord nor followed him, but afterward, as I said, he followed Peter, who adapted his teaching to the needs of his hearers, but with no intention of giving a connected account of the Lord’s discourses, so that Mark committed no error while he thus wrote some things as he remembered them. For he was careful of one thing, not to omit any of the things which he had heard, and not to state any of them falsely.” These things are related by Papias concerning Mark. -- Eusebius, History of the Church (late 3rd-early 4th century?)

Luke - doctor and historian. Luke and Acts are one story. Not just a history but a fulfillment (see intro 1:1-4). Very interested in the people that are impacted by the gospel, the exalting of the lowly. There are also many stories around meals... Introduction >> Galilee (4-9) Upside-down kingdom, suffering servant >> Journey (10-19) what it is to be a disciple, warnings >> Jerusalem (19-24) plan and exaltation of Jesus, uncovering the mystery

John. The beloved disciple, not in time order, purpose statement in 20:31... introduction 1, Signs and Controversy (4 institutions, 4 festivals, raising lazarus)... need to make a choice 2-12, Final words 13-17 / crucifixion, resurrection, epilogue 18-21... 7 statements of I AM

Are these accounts reliable?

Synoptic Gospels

Personal opinion: "no need for a Q."

Can the accounts be harmonized?

  1. Jairus daughter? Mt 9:18 Mk 5:22-23 Lk 8:40-42

  2. Bring a staff? Mk 6:8-9, Lk 9:3, Mt 10:9-10

  3. Report of women? Mt 28:8, Mk 16:8

  4. How many blind men on the Jericho road? Mk 10:46, Lk 18:35, Mt 20:30

  5. Who met them at the tomb? Mt 28:5, Mk 16:5-6, Lk 24:4, John 20:11-13

What do the gospels tell us about Christ? High or low Christology?

1. Messiah - fulfillment of Jewish prophecy and hope
2. Deity - equality with father
3. Revelation - revealing of God to man in his teachings (Matt 5-7, Matt 24, Luke 6, John )
4. Deeds - Went around doing good (Luke 7. John 14-believe works)
5. Savior - the plan of salvation

Narritive as a Genre

Consider Luke 10:25-37

  • Like any story, what is the setting?

  • What are the main "scenes" or "beats" in the story? How is it structured?

  • Who are the characters? Are they examples or counter examples? What are their motivations?

  • "Who am I?" "Who is Jesus?"

  • Why is this story in the Bible?

Summary, references

  1. The number four is often connected to the Gospels in the prophetic writings

  2. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John each wrote their gospel with a different perspective and to different audiences.

  3. The four different accounts should be considered reliable

  4. Every one of the “contradictions” can be harmonized if you are willing to think about it.

  5. The Gospels speak clearly of a high Christology

  6. Narratives in the Bible invite us to consider the story and see ourselves and God in them

Homework

  1. Make a small group lesson for a story in the Gospels

  2. Practice memorizing the 66 books of the Bible

Let's let you ask questions now.

Prayer and worship to finish.