Chapter 7: Introduction to the Gospels

NEW TESTAMENT
INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPELS

GOSPELS & SOURCES
▪ _______________ Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
▪ _______________– “unwritten” sayings of Jesus recorded outside the Canonical
Gospels
▪ Example – Paul quotes “He Himself said, it is more blessed to give than receive”
(Acts 20:35)
▪ _______________Gospels – non-canonical Gospels from the 2d to 3d century that mix
gnostic heretical beliefs with pious imagination
▪ Examples – Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Peter, Gospel of Truth

GOSPEL - DEFINITION
▪ Gospel Term - evanggelion = announcement of _______________
▪ _______________concept - prophecy - announcing of the coming of Yahweh
▪ _______________concept - political propaganda - announcing the accession of
a new emperor
▪ _______________concept - preaching - announcing the coming of Jesus
▪ His life, death, resurrection, appearances, ascension, enthronement, 2nd
coming, and consummation of the kingdom

GOSPELS & GENRE
▪ Past Suggestions about Gospel Genre
▪ Folk Literature, Memoirs, Drama, Mythography, Novels, Biographies
▪ Nature of the Gospels
▪ _______________literature - They are set in a specific historical context and are
meant to convey accurate history
▪ _______________literature - They contain features typical of stories
▪ _______________literature - They were written to instruct and encourage
believers and to convince unbelievers of the truth of their message

GOSPELS & GENRE
▪ Best Suggestion - Gospels as Ancient Greco-Roman _______________
▪ Normally _______________rather than novelistic
▪ Focused on a _______________notable individual
▪ Often taught _______________lessons and focused on the individual as a
_______________to follow
▪ Not concerned with strict _______________and often arranged things
systematically or topically
▪ Could be _______________or polemical

GOSPELS - REASONS

, ▪ Historical - Need for a faithful and authoritative _______________of the words and
deeds of Jesus
▪ Catechetical - Need to _______________new converts in the Christian faith
▪ Liturgical - Need for _______________material in the church
▪ Exhortatory - Need to _______________and assure believers in their faith
▪ Theological - Need to settle _______________disputes
▪ Apologetic - Need to respond to _______________attacks on the church
▪ Evangelistic - Need to call people to _______________in Jesus

THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS
▪ What are the Synoptic Gospels?
▪ The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke
▪ Why are they called the Synoptic Gospels?
▪ The word 'synopsis' means to be ‘_______________’ These gospels follow the
same basic _______________and contain much of the same _______________

SYNOPTICS VS. GOSPEL OF JOHN
▪ Material in the Synoptics but not in John
▪ _______________of Jesus
▪ Casting out of _______________
▪ Transfiguration
▪ Institution of the "_______________"
▪ "Kingdom of God" vs. "Eternal Life" (John)
▪ _______________vs. Discourses (John)
▪ Focus on _______________vs. Jerusalem Ministry (John)

SYNOPTICS VS. GOSPEL OF JOHN
▪ Material in John but not in Synoptics
▪ Jesus as ‘_______________’
▪ Wedding at Cana; Nicodemus; Samaritan Woman (chs 2-4)
▪ Lengthy _______________ministry
▪ "_______________" sayings
▪ _______________Discourse of Jesus (chs 14-17)

SYNOPTICS VS. GOSPEL OF JOHN
▪ Chronological Differences
▪ The _______________of the Temple
▪ The _______________of Jesus' ministry
▪ The _______________narrative
▪ Thematic Differences
▪ John emphasizes Jesus as the Son who _______________the Father
▪ John emphasizes eternal life in the _______________
▪ John emphasizes the _______________role as one who will act in Jesus'
place