Reading the Gospels Today (McMaster New Testament Studies

by Stanley E. Porter

As Ancient Documents, the New Testament Gospels can seem distant from contemporary life or irrelevant to modern society. Further complicating the task of reading the Gospels is the way they seem to introduce differing, if not competing, pictures of Jesus. Reading the Gospels Today is meant to help Bible readers understand -- and move beyond -- the difficulties involved in interpreting Scripture in our current context. In these insightful studies several biblical scholars explore the content of the Gospels while also discussing how to read these writings in relation to each other and in terms of today's world. Some chapters consider issues that vex Gospel criticism; others look at particular texts or Synoptic themes; still others demonstrate how one's immediate interpretive context helps to raise the issues and shape the answers that are found when we read the Gospels. Well organized, thoughtfully written, and widely accessible, this volume will serve to draw readers into the exciting field of contemporary Gospels study.

232 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2004

About the author

Stanley E. Porter (PhD, University of Sheffield) is president, dean, and professor of New Testament, and Roy A. Hope Chair in Christian Wolrdview at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Ontario. He has authored or edited dozens of books, including How We Got the New Testament and Fundamentals of New Testament Greek.

Reviews

[Sanjuro · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid series of essays on the Gospels. They cover a range of topics such as the synoptic problem, the reception of the Gospels in the early church, reading the Gospels in faith, and more. The essays were, at times, maybe not as indicative of modern issues in research as I had hoped, but there were still by and large helpful and interesting.

[Dmcconkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume is part of the McMaster New Testament Series and is challenging. Different contributors look at the different gospels and current studies in these areas. This book has more sermon/study seeds than there are in ten other good books.