Why four Gospels? - 29 July 2011 |
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Some thoughts prompted by chapter 3 of Peter Leithart’s The Four.
- Leithart is characteristically pithy and forthright in his verdict on liberal NT scholarship, and provides a good brief outline of the arguments in favour of a pre-AD70 date for the NT documents.
- Matthew: Jesus’ relationship to the law, Jesus a new Moses
- Mark: Jesus’ relationship to David, the Royal Son, kingship
- Luke: Jesus’ relationship to the outcasts, dated according to Roman calendar and events, and (if we include Acts) moving towards Rome.
- John: Combining all three.
- Fascinating suggestion about four apostolic eras corresponding to the four gospels. Matthew – Jerusalem, where James was the significant early leader; Mark – Associated with Peter, the next key figure; Luke – Associated with Paul (letters); John (letters and Revelation).
- Note also the development of a single story through the four Gospels. Matthew ends with the command to “go;” picked up by Mark’s talk about the “way” of the cross. Mark ends with uncertainty and fear at 16:8, and Luke (-Acts) takes over showing how the church need not fear, but will grow and conquer and win the Gentile world. Luke ends with Jesus teaching about himself in all Scripture, and John shows how he fulfills all Scripture.
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Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Minister's Blog