9/30/10

New Testament Literature

Sheets' Lecture Notes

The idea that most of the gospels are not true is a common belief among moderate
scholars. It's not just a liberal, far left idea. They say Jesus was a legend and a myth
that his early followers made up.

They have made up a way of determining what was actually Jesus and what was
made up by his followers.

Matthew, Mark and Luke have much similar information, seemingly indicating that
they have the same source, or that Mark was the source. But they also have different
information that is unique to each book. John is very different from the others.

Each gospel writer saw Jesus in their own way and their report reflects their
perception of Jesus.

Griesbach Theory, Four Source Theory are all ways scholars have of describing the
similarities and differences between the gospels. The fact that the writers seemed to
use each other gives clues to what their purpose in writing was.

Synoptic problem - the gospels are incredibly similar, and yet they have significant
differences.