Catholic

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Catholic Studies Course
Who wrote the Gospels and what were they for?
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Why four gospels?

• Christ is the revelation of God, not a single
  book. One book would place too much emphasis on
  its author as the revealer of God.
• Different accounts emphasis different aspects of
  Jesus one account would be inadequate

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Why only four gospels?

• Only these were accepted by early Church
• Gnostic gospels very different picture of
  Jesus God. Rejected by Church!
• Irenaeus of Lyons defender of orthodoxy,
  insisted on divine authority of the four gospels
  clearly circulating known as a set of four by
  end of 2nd C.

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1 AD 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Birth of Jesus 4 BC?
Death of Jesus 29 AD?
Conversion of St Paul 33/34 AD?
Pauls missionary journeys and letters (from c.
48)
Martyrdom of St Paul 64/67 AD
Revelation 68/9 ?
Destruction of Temple 70 AD
Mark (? pre/post-70 AD)
Matthew Luke
John (final version)
Revelation 90s ? (majority view)
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Matthew

• Written after Mark, in Greek, contrary to trad.
  view (Palestinian Jew, one of 12)
• Jewish setting clear
• Importance of Jesus as fulfiller of prophecy and
  new law giver
• Knowledge of Jewish customs assumed
• But relationship with Jewish community under
  great strain (post-70 rabbinic Judaism)

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Mark

• John Mark (Acts, Jewish Church)?
• Link with Peter?
• Probably written in 60s

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Luke

• Beloved physician companion of Paul?
• After Mark (70s or later)
• Same author as Acts
• Concern for outcast, prophetic role of Jesus,
  journey to Jerusalem all prominent.

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John

• Distinctive emphasis on theology literally
  discourse about God.
• Jesus is the eternal Word of God, sent reveal his
  Father. The cross is the hour to which the
  gospel looks forward, when the Father is
  glorified.
• Pattern of signs (different from synoptic
  miracles, less emphasis on healing) directly
  linked to teaching discourses.
• Signs/Discourses structured around sequence of
  Jewish festivals. At least 2, possibly 3
  passovers, so much longer ministry than suggested
  by synoptics.
• Early version may have been produced within a
  community which had direct contact with the
  Beloved Disciple (this is the only gospel to
  claim eye-witness basis)
• Community seems to have experienced
  alienation/persecution from synagogue and
  subsequent contact with other Christians. Gospel
  may have been revised as a result (possibly to
  correct other Christians!)

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Synoptic Problem

• Matthew Mark Luke

Mark
Q
Matthew
Luke
Mark Matthew Luke