The Four Canonical Gospels Analysis Theology Religion Essay

Each Gospel author had a specific audience in head when he wrote his peculiar history of Jesus. ‘Gospel literally translated means “ glad newss ” from the Grecian word evangelion ‘ . ‘In Christianity, a Gospel is by and large one of four canonical books of New Testament that describes the marvelous birth, life, ministry, crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. These books are the Gospels harmonizing to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John written between 65 and 100 C.E ‘ .

The four canonical Gospels are lone fluctuations of the same subject, a quadruple representation of one and same Gospel, animated by the same spirit. Though, they are non full lifes but merely memoirs or a choice of characteristic characteristics of Christ ‘s life and work as they struck each Evangelist and best suited his intent and his category of readers. They are non photographs which give merely the fleeting image in a individual attitude, but populating images from repeated posings, and reproduce the varied looks and facets of Christ ‘s individual.

‘Since the times of the early church male parents, the apostle Matthew, which is besides called Levi ( Mk 2:14 ; Lk 5:27 ) , has ever been credited with the writing of the first Gospel ( canonical ) . Even the rubric “ Harmonizing to Matthew ” ( KATA MAQQAION ) is found in the earliest manuscripts, and was the most extremely regarded and quoted of the Gospels by the church male parents ‘ . ‘He was a revenue enhancement aggregator, and being a revenue enhancement aggregator might break measure up Matthew for his function as an official recording equipment of the life and actions of Christ ‘ .

Mark, as a assistant of the apostles and Paul ‘s comrade ( Acts 12:25 ) ; ‘derived the information for his Gospel non from personal familiarity with the earthly Jesus, but from association with Peter ‘ . ‘Luke makes it clear from the beginning that he was non an eyewitness to the events he has recorded but he asserts the dependability and verifiability of the facts to which he gives testimony in his Gospel ‘ . ‘And, the 4th gospel author ; ‘according to a really strong tradition believe to be John, the boy of Zebedee ‘ . In this essay, I shall be discoursing the chief subjects and focal points of each of the four canonical Gospels and how they relate to demo a complete image of Jesus ‘ life and work.

THE MAIN THEMES AND FOCUSES IN THE BOOK OF MATTHEW.

Writer:

It is rather obvious and widely accepted that Matthew was written to the Jews. For one, he focuses on the fulfillment of the Old Testament, even citing from it 62 times, which is more than any other gospel author. Matthew uses the phrase “ land of Eden ” ( the merely author in fact, to utilize this phrase ) which can be considered as a respectful Judaic look, a term appropriate to a Judaic audience.

The writer of this Gospel presents his portrayal of Jesus in a mode non unlike that used by the rabbis. He is profoundly concerned with fulfillment of prognostication ; so most of what Jesus did he see as taking topographic point “ that the Bible might be fulfilled. Thus the virginal construct was foretold is Is 7:14, the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem in Micah 5:2, the slaughter of the inexperienced person in Jer 31:15. Other events in the life of Jesus are given prophetic ancestors in the same manner.

Subject:

Furthermore, the chief subject in Matthew, harmonizing to Wil Pounds is that Matthew writes to the Jews and nowadayss Jesus as the Messiah, or the King of the Jews. He explained further that the book of Matthew logically furnishes the linking nexus between the old and the New Testament by utilizing over 60 mentions to the Old Testament. He frequently speaks of Jesus as the boy of David who is true Messiah, and He is the boy of Abraham ( 1:1 ; Gen 12:3 )

In add-on, the spiritual Jews of the first century wanted to cognize who this “ Jesus ” was. Matthew writes to supply them with incontestible replies based upon nonsubjective observation of Jesus, and accurate reading of the Hebrew Scriptures

THE MAIN THEMES AND FOCUSES IN THE BOOK OF MARK.

Writer:

Mark, being an translator of Peter, wrote accurately as many things as he remembered, yet non in order, the things which were either said or done by the Lord. Mark was obviously intended chiefly, non for Judaic, but for Gentile readers. Mark does non offer anything like a affiliated history of Jesus ‘ life, but narrates merely few scattered incidents. In Particular, he has omitted all reference of the early Judean ministry, which is to be placed before Mk 1:14, and of consecutive visits to Jerusalem with which the work in Galilee was interspersed

Focus: ‘Mark was non composing the life of Jesus, and so he does non get down his narrative by stating how Jesus was born or how he lived as a immature adult male. He was merely to state his reader about that work of Jesus which resulted in His being killed and how He died for the world ‘ . In add-on, Mark non adverting virgin birth of Jesus was non due to ignorance, the birth of Jesus was non considered by Mark to be a precedence.

Subject: ‘In this Gospel, the shadow of the cross falls across the full span of Jesus ministry. Mark ‘s Jesus is a enduring Messiah who moves unrelentingly and quickly to the cross ‘ .

Although Mark is apparently interested in the instruction of Jesus, he is most concerned with Jesus ‘ actions. The deficiency of family tree and the deficiency of much learning stuff, coupled with the frequent usage of “ instantly ” have been seen as sufficient indexs that Mark ‘s Gospel nowadayss Jesus preeminently as the retainer. The bosom of this Gospel harmonizing to Wallace can be seen in 8:27-33 where Peter wants to confirm that Jesus is the Jesus without the necessity of the cross. In his austere reproof of Peter, the servant-attitude of Jesus is therefore seen to be per se related to his ain agony. The poetry which supports this is 10:45 ( For even the Son of adult male did non come to be served, but to function, and to give his life as a ransom for many ) . Jesus is portrayed so as the agony retainer.

‘Also, one of the most prevailing subjects in Mark ‘s Gospel is the Messianic secret ‘ . In Mark, more than in the other synoptic, Jesus hides his Messianic individuality. Jesus does non uncover, or admit to, his messiah ship in the first half of Mark ‘s Gospel. In the 2nd half of the Gospel, nevertheless, he acknowledges it to the adherents after Peter ‘s confession, but commands them non to state anybody ( 8:27-30 ) . The devils realized who he was, but even they were commanded to remain soundless ( 1:34, 3:12 et Al ) . The messianic secret reaches its pinnacle at the confession of the centurion who said that Jesus genuinely was the Son of God.

THE MAIN THEMES AND FOCUSES IN THE BOOK OF LUKE.

Writer:

The Gospel of Luke is one of the four Gospels in the Holy Bible and is the 3rd book in the New Testament. The writer of this Gospel, Luke, was an associate of the Apostle Paul and besides the writer of the book of Acts. ‘Luke shows himself to be a echt historiographer. A biographer is non satisfied with narrating the public life of his hero, but forewords to his work some history of the household, and of the birth and childhood. He grew up among the simple, devout common people who are described in the first two chapters of Luke. It is from Luke that we learn of Jesus childhood and young person.

Purpose:

Luke clearly states that his intent in composing this Gospel is to show “ an orderly history of all that Jesus began to make and learn ” ‘so that Theophilus, which in Greek merely means Friend of God ‘ may hold historical grounds of the instructions he had received ( Lk 1:4 )

Focus:

He focuses on the complete narrative and history of Jesus Christ from His birth and ministry to His crucifixion and Resurrection. ‘As a Physician Luke was interested in the alleviation of enduring ; as a altruist he had a particular understanding for poorness and all sorts of hurt. The fables of the Good Samaritan and of the extravagant boy are reported merely by Luke ‘ .

Subject:

The subject of Luke ‘s Gospel is hard to trap point says Jason Dulle. He says there are many underlying sub-themes such as an involvement in those who were non noteworthy. This would include Luke ‘s reference and portraiture of adult females ( 7: 11-12 ; 37-50 ; 8: 2-3 ) Children ( 7: 31-35 ) , the disreputable ( 2: 8-20, 5:30 ) and the hapless ( 4:18, 6:30, 14:11-13 ) . Luke was besides interested in humbling the sick ( 1:53 ; 6:20, 24 ) , The Holy Spirit ( 1:15, 35, 41 ) and supplication. The overall subject of the book, harmonizing to Dulle, nevertheless, is how God ‘s program of redemption has been manifest in Jesus Christ, the Jesus of all world regardless of their socio-economic background, and the spread of this message from among the Judaic people to include the Gentiles.

THE MAIN THEME AND PURPOSE OF THE FOURTH GOSPEL

AUTHOR AND AUDIENCE:

The 4th Gospel does non advert the name of its writer, but harmonizing to a really strong tradition it was written by one of the 12 apostles, John the boy of Zebedee. The 4th Gospel was written for those who already knew the synoptic history of Jesus ‘ life.

Purpose:

John specifically states his intent in 20:31 “ But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God ; and that believing ye might hold life through his name ” . Therefore the intent of John ‘s Gospel is to corroborate and procure Christians in the religion. Chapter 1-12, seven marks that one “ may believe ” , Chapter 13-21, near family that one may hold life in His name.

Subject:

The prologue to the Gospel begins by stating, “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ” ( 1:1 ) . With the usage of Logos, John would hold been able to uncover Christ ‘s divinity to both Jews and Greeks likewise. The bulk of the happenings of Logos in John take topographic point in a syntactical sequence with Jesus or God. John uses Logos in direct mention to the individual of Christ ( 1:1, 14 ) , his message ( 4:50 ; 5:24, 15:3 ) and within his message ( 4:47, 5:38, 17:17 ) .

Out of the four Gospels, John is the lone 1 that presents a true Christology, depicting him as the Logos ( Word ) who existed from the beginning, learning at length about his individuality as the lone Saviour and ( harmonizing to the Trinitarian tradition ) declaring him to be God.

WAYS IN WHICH THE FOUR GOSPELS RELATE TO SHOW A COMPLETE PICTURE OF JESUS LIFE AND WORK.

It is good, in the involvement of a complete image that one of the four Gospels was written non by a Jew but by a Grecian. Each Gospel was likely written for a different audience.

The first and 4th Gospels were composed by Apostles and oculus informants, Matthew and John, the 2nd and 3rd, under the influence of Peter and Paul, and by their adherents Mark and Luke, so as to be indirectly likewise of apostolic beginning and canonical authorization. Matthew wrote for Jews, Mark for Romans, Luke for Greeks, John for advanced Christians ; but all are suited for Christians in every age and state.

The first Gospel exhibits Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah and Lawgiver of the land of Eden who challenges our obeisance ; the 2nd Gospel as the mighty vanquisher and worker of miracles who excites our amazement, the 3rd Gospel as the sympathising Friend and Saviour of work forces who commands our assurance, the 4th Gospel as the Eternal Son of God who became flesh for our redemption and claims our worship and worship, that by believing in Him we may hold ageless life. The presiding head which planned this fourfold Gospel and employed the agents without a formal understanding and in conformance to their endowments, gustatory sensations, and domains of utility, is the Spirit of that Lord who is both the Son of Man and the Son of God, the Saviour of us all.

Decision:

It would therefore seem that, each Gospel author was written for a different audience. The four canonical Evangels are lone fluctuations of the same subject, a quadruple representation of one and the same Gospel, animated by the same Spirit. The four canonical Gospels were written by four different authors viz. : Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Matthew, a revenue enhancement aggregator, presents his portrayal of Jesus in a mode non unlike that used by the rabbis. Matthew writes to the Jews and nowadayss Jesus as the Messiah and he concentrate on the fulfillment of the Old Testament, even citing from it sixty two times. While Mark to the Romans, focuses on the particular relationship between Jesus and God. In Mark, the shadow of the cross falls across the full span of Jesus ministry.

Luke clearly states that his intent in composing the Gospel of Jesus is to show “ an orderly history of all that Jesus began to make and learn ” so that Theophilus may hold historical grounds of the instructions he had received. John is the lone 1 that presents a true Christology, depicting him as the Logos ( Word ) who existed from the beginning, learning at length about his individuality as the lone Saviour and ( harmonizing to the Trinitarian tradition ) declaring him to be God.

In Conclusion, Matthew exhibiting Jesus of Nazareth as the christ and Lawgiver of the land of Eden, Mark as the mighty vanquisher and worker of miracles, Luke as a sympathising Friend and Saviour and John as the Eternal Son of God who became flesh gives us a complete image of Jesus life and work.