The Spirituality of the Gospels.

by Stephen C. Barton

Book by Barton, Stephen C.

Paperback

First published December 12, 1992

Reviews

[Adam Carnehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This serves as not only an introduction to aspects of Christian spirituality in the four Gospels (plus some attention to Acts), but also as an engaging introduction to the four Gospel narratives themselves. Barton's thesis is that the Gospels are the foundation texts for Christianity; they present portraits of Jesus to move readers and hearers to faith, commitment, and love. Every generation must encounter Jesus through these writings, and by their nuanced differences in emphasis and perspective, each Gospel has something slightly different to offer to everyone.

Barton moves through the Gospels in canonical order. In each chapter he first identifies the major spiritual loci of each book before he explores each one in more detail. For example, in his chapter on Luke/Acts, he identifies "joy" as one of the key spiritual themes Luke presents to his readers. Barton gives ample citations to prove his point, and then moves into the various lessons that readers can draw from Luke's focus on joy. After identifying the major spiritual topics in the book, he notes implications for present day believers, and then in his conclusion he notes his own personal challenges with the Gospel. For example, in John he sees an exclusivity, where John almost presents an "us vs. them" mentality; Barton thoughtfully, yet critically, wrestles with this.

I'll briefly sum up Barton's major findings:

-Matthew presents a rigorous "didache" for early Christians. To follow Jesus is to obey His teachings. To believe in Jesus is to believe his word. He is with his disciples always through his word. Matthew's spirituality is focused on doing, acting, and being a certain type of Christian in the world.
-Mark presents a cross-centered spirituality in his book; as Christ moves to the cross, so must every believer move to his or her own cross and bear it for the sake of Christ. Mark is a Gospel for the suffering, the persecuted, the disenfranchised.
-Luke presents a joyful spirituality which centers on prayer. No other Gospel includes the joyous Benedictus and Magnificat, and no other Gospel includes Luke's two parables on prayer. Luke is also focused on the triumph of the Resurrection and the success of the Gospel through the world. This is a Gospel that will encourage and gladden.
-John presents a deeply personal, existential summons to individuals. There is a personalistic emphasis in the Gospel. Each person must respond to this God who has revealed Himself and lived among men. The response then leads to loving, Christ-centered community.

I found this book to be an excellent introduction to the Gospels because Barton is ever identifying their unique differences and nuances. Yet, together the Gospels serve to present the single Gospel, in all its dazzling beauty and unity. I used it in a high school class I am teaching on Christian spirituality.

[Beth Peninger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This title landed on my bookshelf in my continued reading of my friend's class reading lists. It's a short but heady book outlining the four gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke (and Acts), and John and the contributions they each make to the spirituality of Jesus and by extension to us. Barton unpacks the specific focuses of each gospel and how they differ from each other - and yet how they support one another. Out of the four gospels Matthew has always been the one I lean into the most. I've always attributed that to an in-depth teaching I sat through years ago in which the person who taught the book brought it to life and made it sing out to me. And while I think that is definitely true, I also would contend - perhaps because of reading this book by Barton - that I also lean into Matthew's gospel the most because of the way I see and think about things. This was an interesting read, I never would have come across it were it not for my friend's class. It's rather academic so not for everyone but an interesting read for me.