What did Jesus really do and say and believe? How much of the Bible can we believe (particularly when it contains contradictions)? Since the Gospels were written 40-90 years after the crucifixion, how do we get from them back to the historical reality?
This study guide presents the best answers I have found,. Throughout, I encourage you to consider my arguments and then reach your own conclusion.
Why read this book? Because you are looking for more substance than Sunday School lessons. But not scholarly tomes, something between these extremes.
This Study Guide presents the greatest Biblical scholars in an accessible format, looks at every section of the Gospel, and lists every source of or borrowing from Matthew. It explores differences between the Gospels. It looks at history and culture and language
Did you know?
- The image of Jesus changed over time as the New Testament was being written.
- Matthew quotes or adapts over 90% of the Gospel of Mark
- Mark constructed the unknown details of Jesus' march to the cross as a parody on a gaudy Roman imperial procession
- Matthew, a Jewish scholar, corrects many mistakes made by Mark, who was apparently not raised as a Jew and did not know Palestine.
- Matthew borrows heavily from the Letters of Paul.
- Matthew was written as a series of readings to be read week-by-week through the church year.
- The Sermon on the Mount is an expansion of the Beatitudes
- Luke borrows alternately from Mark and from Matthew
Read this book to learn more.
