•Good news
•memoirs
•expanded biographical sermons
•Textual Criticism: Establish the text
The Synoptic GospelsThe Synoptic Gospels
HistoricalJesus
OralTradition
EarlyCollections
CanonicalGospels
Transmission
Translation
MARK
Author:•Anonymous •Tradition: John Mark (associate of Peter)
Date: •Earliest,c. AD 65-70
Readers & Circumstances:
•Gentile Christians in Rome during Nero's persecution
Special Purpose: •To call Christians to follow Jesus, the crucified Messiah and Son of God, to death if necessary
The Gospel of Matthew
•To present Jesus as the church's teacher
•To respond to Jewish arguments against the church
•To provide a manual for church faith and discipline
•To offer a middle course between the extremes of legalism and license
Date:
Ca. AD 85.
Readers & Circumstances: A Greek-speaking, Jewish-Christian church, perhaps in Antioch of Syria, in conflict with Judaism.
The Gospel according to
Luke
Author: Anonymous
•Traditional: Luke
Date: AD 80 -- 90
Place: Uncertain -- traditions: Caesarea, Antioch, etc.
Readers:
"Theophilus"
Distinctives
•Jesus’ birth & boyhood
•Joy
•Prayer
•Poor, women & children
Outline of Luke-Acts
Jesus in Galilee (of the Gentiles) -- Luke 1-- 8
Jesus in Judea and Samaria -- Luke 9 -- 19
Jesus in Jerusalem -- Luke 20 -- 24
Church in Jerusalem -- Acts 1-- 7
Church in Judea and Samaria -- Acts 8 -- 12
Church to the Ends of the Earth -- 13-- 28
John
Author:•Anonymous•Traditonal:John, the beloved disciple
Date: •85-100 AD
Readers & Circumstances
• Sophisticated audience– Judaism– Hellenism– Philosophy
• Expulsion from the synagogue
• Exalted Christology
Purposes• To win converts and
confirm faith
• Assist Christians in struggle against “Jews”
• Present Jesus as fully God and man
• Encourage “secret believers”
• Combat Gnosticism
Signs: Water into Wine
•The Bread of Life•The Light of the World•The Door of the Sheep•The Good Shepherd•The Resurrection and the Life•The Way, Truth and Life•The True Vine
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