Gospels: Part 1Gospels: Part 1

What about the Truth of What about the Truth of the Gospels?the Gospels?

Background of the 4 GospelsBackground of the 4 Gospels1.1. Mark Mark

2.2. MathewMathew

3.3. JohnJohn

4.4. LukeLuke

Q1 Why are there differences?Q1 Why are there differences?

Q2 Why are there ‘contradictions’?Q2 Why are there ‘contradictions’?

-> Haiti and me.-> Haiti and me.

OverviewOverview

The four gospels were written between The four gospels were written between 35-100. 35-100.

They were written by four very different They were written by four very different people. They came from different people. They came from different backgrounds, but all wrote in Greek.backgrounds, but all wrote in Greek.

We have copies that can be traced to We have copies that can be traced to sometime in the 300s or slightly before.sometime in the 300s or slightly before.

Thus the 4 Gospels are Thus the 4 Gospels are divided into: divided into:

The synoptic gospels: Mathew, Mark The synoptic gospels: Mathew, Mark LukeLuke

John. John.

Many biblical scholars believe that the Many biblical scholars believe that the synoptic gospels are based on a synoptic gospels are based on a unknown document called the “Q” unknown document called the “Q” document.document.

If 4 people were to write If 4 people were to write your story:your story:

One was a school friend. (someone you One was a school friend. (someone you only saw at school).only saw at school).

One was a neighbor or friend you only One was a neighbor or friend you only saw outside of school.saw outside of school.

One was a teacherOne was a teacher And One was a parent.And One was a parent. Write on the sheet, a few words that each Write on the sheet, a few words that each

might say about you. might say about you.

So the four points of view So the four points of view are not the same, but all are not the same, but all true.true.

Likewise four very different people wrote Likewise four very different people wrote about Jesus. They saw him from different about Jesus. They saw him from different personal histories and different points of personal histories and different points of view.view.

To help you read the four Gospels, we To help you read the four Gospels, we are going to explore the four writers.are going to explore the four writers.

One author provides the One author provides the following descriptions.following descriptions.

One Gospel portrays a ‘rebel’- Short and One Gospel portrays a ‘rebel’- Short and sweet. Rome compared to Jesus.sweet. Rome compared to Jesus.

One Gospel presents a ‘rabbi’- Longer. Jewish One Gospel presents a ‘rabbi’- Longer. Jewish compared to Jesus.compared to Jesus.

One Gospel is more a chronicler- Most One Gospel is more a chronicler- Most detailed, Greek compared to Jesusdetailed, Greek compared to Jesus

One Gospel is mystic or shows the poetic side. One Gospel is mystic or shows the poetic side. (The out of this world side of Jesus). Man (The out of this world side of Jesus). Man compared to God part of Jesus.compared to God part of Jesus.

If you are feeling If you are feeling rebellious:rebellious:

Read Mark.Read Mark.

Mark, likely a Gallian, is the shortest and Mark, likely a Gallian, is the shortest and written by an Aramaic writer.written by an Aramaic writer.

If you are feeling If you are feeling studious: studious:

Get the story from the rabbi or teacher.Get the story from the rabbi or teacher. Matthew presents sermons by Jesus.Matthew presents sermons by Jesus.

If you want a more If you want a more biographical view:biographical view:

Read Luke. Read Luke.

His was a sponsored study and he His was a sponsored study and he worked to get the facts straight.worked to get the facts straight.

(Note Acts is part 2 of Luke). They are (Note Acts is part 2 of Luke). They are closely related and are likely to been one closely related and are likely to been one book at some point. book at some point.

Lastly if you really want Lastly if you really want the supernatural Jesus:the supernatural Jesus:

Read John.Read John.

His goal is to provide the most spiritual His goal is to provide the most spiritual view of Jesus.view of Jesus.

Using the handout decide Using the handout decide which passages belong to which passages belong to each group:each group:

Mark- Rebel- Rome compared to JesusMark- Rebel- Rome compared to Jesus Matthew Rabbi- Jewish compared to Matthew Rabbi- Jewish compared to

JesusJesus Luke Chronicler- Greek compared to Luke Chronicler- Greek compared to

JesusJesus John Mystic- Man compared to GodJohn Mystic- Man compared to God

In summary:In summary:

Do you see how the difference in the Do you see how the difference in the background and objective of each person background and objective of each person puts a different spin on the Gospel story?puts a different spin on the Gospel story?

Thus, we should not expect every event Thus, we should not expect every event to be recorded exactly the same.to be recorded exactly the same.

Q1 Why are there Q1 Why are there differences between the 4 differences between the 4 Gospels?Gospels?

Because they were written by four different Because they were written by four different people to four different audiences. people to four different audiences.

The four Gospels all tell the story about Jesus. The four Gospels all tell the story about Jesus. But they don’t all have the same point of view But they don’t all have the same point of view or the same secondary objectives. Thus, they or the same secondary objectives. Thus, they ‘flesh out’ or expand our idea of Jesus.‘flesh out’ or expand our idea of Jesus.

Jesus was not a one-dimensional person. He Jesus was not a one-dimensional person. He was a real person with a complex personality. was a real person with a complex personality. To try to simplify everything to ‘make it easy’ is To try to simplify everything to ‘make it easy’ is wrong.wrong.

Q2 Why are there Q2 Why are there ‘contradictions’?‘contradictions’?

I disagree. I don’t think there are any I disagree. I don’t think there are any contradictions. The four Gospels present contradictions. The four Gospels present four different points of view of one four different points of view of one person.person.

The Gospels are also were written to The Gospels are also were written to provide an account of a story. They were provide an account of a story. They were not written to record history, but to not written to record history, but to provide hope and salvation to us.provide hope and salvation to us.

Mark 2Mark 2 The Paralytic HealedThe Paralytic Healed       1When He had come back to Capernaum several days 1When He had come back to Capernaum several days

afterward, it was heard that He was at home. afterward, it was heard that He was at home.       2And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer 2And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer

room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. them.

      3 And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four 3 And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. men.

      4 Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they 4 Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying.

      

From Luke 5From Luke 5

      17One day He was teaching; and there were some 17One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing. for Him to perform healing.

      18 And some men were carrying on a bed a man 18 And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him. in and to set him down in front of Him.

      19But not finding any way to bring him in because of 19But not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. the crowd, in front of Jesus.

      

So the difference in So the difference in descriptions of the roofs descriptions of the roofs have been commented on.have been commented on.

1) The roof could have had dirt and tiles.1) The roof could have had dirt and tiles. 2) What type of roof the building has is 2) What type of roof the building has is

irrelevant to the story. irrelevant to the story. 3) Where was Mark from? What type of 3) Where was Mark from? What type of

roofs do they have there?roofs do they have there? Where was Luke from? What type of Where was Luke from? What type of

roofs to they have there?roofs to they have there?

Mark 2Mark 2

  5And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are 5And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." forgiven."

6But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 6But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts,       7"Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can 7"Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can

forgive sins but God alone?" forgive sins but God alone?"       8Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that 8Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that

way within themselves, said to them, "Why are you reasoning about these way within themselves, said to them, "Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? things in your hearts?

      9"Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven'; or to 9"Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven'; or to say, 'Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk'? say, 'Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk'?

      10"But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth 10"But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--He said to the paralytic, to forgive sins"--He said to the paralytic,

      11"I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home." 11"I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home."       12And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in 12And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in

the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “ We have never seen anything like this." God, saying, “ We have never seen anything like this."

The differences are not in The differences are not in the spiritual realm, but the spiritual realm, but extraneous details. extraneous details.

To some, any differences are fatal. To some, any differences are fatal. But the differences mean the stories But the differences mean the stories

came from two separate sources.came from two separate sources. What did they both confirm? Jesus What did they both confirm? Jesus

forgave the person’s sins. Then to prove forgave the person’s sins. Then to prove that point, he healed him.that point, he healed him.

Thus, we need to Thus, we need to understand what the understand what the Gospels are and are not:Gospels are and are not:

1) They are not designed or written to be a 1) They are not designed or written to be a history book.history book.

2) They are not a newspaper or CNN.2) They are not a newspaper or CNN.- Need to be careful about taking the Bible too Need to be careful about taking the Bible too

literally.literally.- 1) But they do confirm Jesus did miracles. 1) But they do confirm Jesus did miracles. - 2) They offer incredibly deep theological 2) They offer incredibly deep theological

concepts and principles. concepts and principles.

In summary:In summary:

To many people have a child’s view of the To many people have a child’s view of the Gospels: Either it’s all literally true or false. Gospels: Either it’s all literally true or false. Both people on the right and left get messed Both people on the right and left get messed up on this. up on this.

A more mature and sophisticated view is:A more mature and sophisticated view is: The Gospels present a unique story of God The Gospels present a unique story of God

visiting humans. Miracles happen. Sins are visiting humans. Miracles happen. Sins are forgiven and the dead are raised.forgiven and the dead are raised.

To me personally,To me personally,

The Gospels provide a way of life.The Gospels provide a way of life. They answer the question: What is the They answer the question: What is the

most important thing you are going to do most important thing you are going to do in your life?in your life?

But they also introduce a relationship- a But they also introduce a relationship- a personal relationship that I need to rely personal relationship that I need to rely on: a relationship with Jesus.on: a relationship with Jesus.

HaitiHaiti

What should I do?What should I do?

1) FFP has a 1 week trip to Haiti. You go 1) FFP has a 1 week trip to Haiti. You go and help in the hospital. and help in the hospital.

2) Give money equal to the trip.2) Give money equal to the trip. What advice to you give me? Which What advice to you give me? Which

should I do?should I do? Kristin: We do have lot’s of people Kristin: We do have lot’s of people

coming down and we do need the coming down and we do need the money, but more people are good too.money, but more people are good too.

Hospital Recovery AreaHospital Recovery Area

What about the Truth of What about the Truth of the Gospels?the Gospels?

Background of the 4 GospelsBackground of the 4 Gospels1.1. Mark Mark 2.2. MathewMathew3.3. JohnJohn4.4. LukeLuke

Q1 Why are there differences?Q1 Why are there differences? Q2 Why are there ‘contradictions’?Q2 Why are there ‘contradictions’? Q3 How accurate are they compared to Q3 How accurate are they compared to

other sources? other sources?