Definition And Discussion Of The Gospels

1011 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Critical analysis of the four gospels

The Gospels are narratives about the life and time of Jesus. They describe not only Jesus' life but also what was taking place at that time. This helps to give us a better perception of why some things happened the way they did and what it was possibly like for Jesus. We are able to better understand some of the social and political aspects of life during Jesus' time period, which can help us to overall understand the meaning behind the Gospels better. (Bible Dictionary)
The story of Jesus' life is meant not only as a biography but also as an example to us as how to live our lives. Through Jesus' example of even everyday activities we can draw from that how to apply his message to our daily lives as well. (Bible Notes) Jesus is portrayed not only as a messenger and savior but also as a normal human beings complete with a full range of emotions. (Bible Dictionary) This means that in the Gospels we can see Jesus angry, sad, joyful, scared and expressing many other human emotions. But, he also shows us how to deal with those emotions and not let them get the better of us. Even the examples of Jesus getting angry show us that he was human too and that he was truly experiencing life the way we know it. It shows us also how that we can survive, that it can be done, that we can live a productive and happy life through faith in God. Jesus' scared moments show us that even he knew what it was like to feel despair and loneliness but also that when we do feel that way that we are not alone.
The Gospels also spend time talking about Jesus' teachings. Jesus used parables and stories so that the average person could better understand the message he came to bring us. Through parables all people, even those who were not educated were able to comprehend what he was getting at and what his message to us was. (New Testament Studies) Jesus told stories also, that could relate to all types of people depending on who he was speaking to so that it would be even easier for them to adapt what he was saying into a situation from their daily lives.
The parables are an important part of the Gospels because they are like quotes from Jesus and therefore an even more direct summary of what he came to preach to us about. Even though some of the parables differ from gospel to gospel still the direct message is the same with the s...

... middle of paper ...

... us. (Bible Notes)
Personally, I think that the Gospels are like a cliffs notes for the entire message that God has sent us through Jesus. They are like a special aid to help us more fully understand how God fulfilled his covenant with us. It is like the sequel to the Old Testament. I think that the Gospels are important because they help us to better understand Jesus and God. The criticisms of the Gospels help us to also understand more fully the different reasons certain things were important to certain gospel writers and not others. (Bible Dictionary) So, we can mentally put together a full picture of what each of them were attempting to portray to their perspective audiences or congregations. We get help in fully forming our own version of how to live and apply the Good News of Jesus Christ.

"Evangelist," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2000 <http://encarta.msn.com> © 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation.

Gigot, Francis E. "Gospel and Gospels." Catholic Encyclopedia 9.24
(1999) 8.20 (2000) http://newadvent.org/cathen/06655b.htm

Show More
Related

  • Three Synoptic Gospels

    1681 Words  | 4 Pages

    The contents of the Bible have dealt with controversy in regards to its inerrancy since publication, and will surely continue to. Historians progress to learn more about biblical stories in order to provide evidence for the reliability of information. Many believers today understand that not everything in the Bible has been factually proven. An outstanding topic many scholars pay attention to lies within the four gospels. The three synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, replay essentially the same story with minor inconsistencies, while John portrays Jesus in an entirely different way. The differences in each gospel are due to how each gospel entertains different portrayals of the life and understanding of Jesus himself, in order to persuade

    Read More

  • The Parables In The Book Of Matthew

    1445 Words  | 3 Pages

    The word parable draws its origin from the Greek word “parabole” which loosely translates to mean “to cast” (bole) some things, related or otherwise “alongside” (para) each other to infer the intended deeper meaning to the target audience. (Unlocking The Prophecy Code). Therefore, it makes sense for a parable to be a comparison of two or more related things that are put together on a parallel that enables proper distinction between them to enhance clarity in teachings such that their hidden meanings get revealed. The book of Matthew presents a variety of parables, with each parable addressing a particular thematic concern enshrined in the religious teachings. Consequently, it is right to postulate that Jesus used parables primarily as teaching aids by incorporating analogies and comparisons of things earthly and those belonging to the heavenly realm. The parable about the shepherd and the parable about the servant, both in chapter 18, show different natures of humankind. While the parable about the shepherd portrays unconditional forgiveness, the parable about the servant portrays justice based forgiveness.

    Read More

  • Analysis of the Gospel of John

    868 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...itten in, and can also be seen because there is no mention anywhere of the parables, Jesus' primary teaching method according to the synoptic gospels. Instead, John makes use of miracles and uses examples from Jesus' ministry to demonstrate his power and divinity. He uses his power over nature to raise people from the dead, heal a blind man and feed 5000 people with the physical amount of food for only a few.

    Read More

  • Comparison Of The Synoptic Gospels And The Gospel Of Thomas

    550 Words  | 2 Pages

    Contained in the Gospel of Thomas are a few parables and sayings that parallel those found in the Synoptic Gospels. This brings up the question if the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of Thomas were using the ...

    Read More

  • Christian Scriptures Essay

    492 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are the origin of nearly everything the Christian Church teaches about Jesus. The Gospels, in turn, serve as the scale or test of truth and authenticity of everything the church teaches about Jesus. It is said that the Gospels are the link between Jesus of Nazareth and the people of every age throughout history who have claimed to be his followers. Although the Gospels teach us about Jesus’ life they may not provide concrete evidence that what they speak of is true there are several other sources.

    Read More

  • The Gospel of Matthew

    1550 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Gospel of Matthew is an eyewitness story written for an audience of believers, under great stress, and persecution. Matthew develops a theological plot incorporating genealogy, speeches, parables, inter and intra textual references, common vocabulary, and fulfillment quotations, with a tension that builds as we are invited into the story. The crucifixion and resurrection bring us to a Christological climax that symbolically points beyond its conclusion to God’s Kingdom, bringing atonement, salvation and the ushering in the Eschaton. The extraordinary events surrounding the crucifixion act as commentary, adding important details concerning the death of Jesus.1

    Read More

  • Disparity Between The Passion Of The Christ by Mel Gibson and The Bible

    1468 Words  | 3 Pages

    "The Passion of the Christ" by Mel Gibson, recounts the last twelve hours of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, portraying his arrest, trial, crucifixion and death. One of the most popular religious movies in modern times, it therefore becomes susceptible to criticism. Although the film is based upon the stories within the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, there are many exaggerations and non-biblical elements present in the movie. This is not unexpected, since it is a movie, but the vivid detail of the brutality in the movie as well as the Anti-Semitic theme are the most publicly criticized elements of the movie. The Passion emphasizes the brutality Jesus endured to give himself for his people, but at the same time in the movie the Jews are the ones that cry for his death. During several scenes of The Passion of the Christ, there are elements such as characters, themes, and motifs that are not found within the gospels, but are in the movie to add more dramatic elements.

    Read More

  • Gospel Of John Research Paper

    1017 Words  | 3 Pages

    The New Testament teaches about who Jesus is and what he did on the earth. John wrote the last of the four gospels which recount Jesus’ life and what is to come. The gospel of John is somewhat different from the other three gospels, in that it is more symbolic and less concrete. For example, John expresses Jesus as the Passover Lamb when Matthew, Mark, and Luke do not. This gospel is showing that Christianity is moving away from the long-practiced Jewish traditions. John’s gospel can be laid out into four parts: the prologue or the incarnate word, signs of the Messiah with teachings about life in him, the farewell teaching and the passion narrative, and the epilogue or the roles of Peter and of the disciple whom Jesus loved. The Gospel of John is arguably the most

    Read More

  • Gospel And The Gospel Essay

    1193 Words  | 3 Pages

    he Bible teaches us regarding the incredible mystery of Jesus Christ that arrived on earth to convey immense ‘beloved knowledge’ concerning God and among this conceivably exists our Godly sexual presence within humanity. The following occurs as an “attempt” to describe the greatest happening the world has ever experienced; appropriately, I profess this endeavor has instigated a humbling, for there are no words on earth that could ever come close to the power that Jesus Christ engulfed humanity with. Truthfully, it grieves me to think of how the majority of people, lack the intelligence and clarity (including myself) to accomplish such a feat; for no amount of terminology, vocabulary, or skills expressing His true existence could ever come

    Read More

  • The Four Gospels

    1960 Words  | 4 Pages

    The word 'gospel' means good news. There are four gospel accounts in the New Testament:

    Read More

  • Jesus As a Christian Leader

    1289 Words  | 3 Pages

    The gospels explain Jesus’ life and death including His identity but also his activities, works, leadership and his suffering. Jesus is seen as a manifestation of God’s relationship with humans. An important fact about Jesus is the humility and modesty associated with his birth, upbringing and death. The fact that such a person ...

    Read More

  • Jesus Parables

    1567 Words  | 4 Pages

    The words of Christ and his main ideas are totally visible in his parables. The main themes that one can grasp for Jesus usage of parables was for one, he used parables to help one whole hearty search with diligence to discover the hidden truth behind the message he preached. Indeed parables were a reoccurring means that Jesus used when speaking to the people or his disciples. He always recognized that he could not teach his listeners unless he made them educate themselves. It was those individuals who were willing to think beyond his words by carefully analyzing them and unveiling its true meaning.

    Read More

  • The Portrayal of Jesus in the Gospels of Mark and John

    1057 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the gospels of Mark and John, both showed a vivid portrait of Jesus in their writing. Mark’s gospel describes much more of Jesus' life, miracles, and parables as suffering servant. However, John’s gospel was written to convince people to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Nonetheless, both John and Mark present many of the crucial events of Jesus' life, including his trial, crucifixion, and resurrection.

    Read More

  • THE LOST SHEEP, LOST COIN AND LOST SON

    2253 Words  | 5 Pages

    Reading of the parable is not as easy as it looks at first. Jesus spoke to the people in such a way that they would not understand. He explained what He was saying to only a few, who themselves had difficulty grasping it and sometimes denied it outright. There are a lot of ways to understand or, it is better to say interpret, the parables of Jesus one way an...

    Read More

  • Four Gospels Research Paper

    654 Words  | 2 Pages

    The four gospels are detailed accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Each portrays a unique story and angle of Jesus, who is the savior of the Jews and the world. Apostle Matthew’s writings are to prove to the Jews that Jesus is their Messiah. Mark stressed the humanity of Jesus and also his deity. Luke wanted to show that the gentile Christian in God’s kingdom is based on the teachings of Jesus. John speaks of Jesus as one sent from God to reveal His love and grace to man. The four gospels work together to elaborate on the several key themes; salvation, spreading His word, and the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise.

    Read More

More about Definition And Discussion Of The Gospels

Open Document