In this thread we are going to focus on two overlapping concepts: the covenant relationships in the Bible and how to understand the message of various books in the Bible as literary works. First, the latter needs to be flushed out in my opinion before a proper understanding of the former can be reached.
The Bible is literature. It consists of different genres of writing and each book of the Bible has a different literary function. This is not to say that the Bible is not historically true. However, the Biblical authors were not 21st century Westerners. The Bible consists of different genres such as poetry, wisdom literature, apocalyptic literature, narratives, parables, epistles and so forth. Anyone reading the Psalms and trying to understand them as one would understand an investigative report will walk away scratching their head. This is even true of the Gospels which are predominately narrative. Here is a synopsis of each Gospel to give an idea of what I am getting at.
Matthew: Matthew's Gospel was written in a way so that the Jewish community would understand and believe Jesus to be the promised Messiah. Matthew's genealogy is very different from Luke's because his focus is to not give scientific account of Jesus' birth record but to show how Jesus is tied to David (which makes him in the proper lineage to be qualified as a king of Israel). Matthew employs the term "kingdom of heaven" over 50x in his Gospel. His focus is on the kingdom and why Jesus is the rightful king. For the Jews in the first century, a crucified peasant was the last thing they would expect as their Messiah. Yet Matthew seeks to show why the cross is the grandest display of Christ's claim as the king. Matthew could tell thousands of stories of what Jesus said and did, but he focuses on those things which pertain to him as the Messiah, the Son of God. Matthew spends a great deal of time focusing on Jesus' confrontations with the religious leaders to show how the life of Jesus properly displays the heart of God in contrast to those who are consumed with superficiality.
Mark: Mark's Gospel has a different aim. In my opinion, this Gospel is geared toward persecuted followers. How does one rightly follow Jesus? Mark begins with a clear declaration that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. However, what proceeds in his Gospel is absolute confusion and chaos. The religious leaders think Jesus is possessed by a demon, the disciples are continually confounded by Jesus and ask, "Who is this man?" The family of Jesus think he is crazy. Yet those who are not supposed to understand him see clearly. The demons proclaim him to be the Son of God. The unclean approach him with reverence and awe. The Roman soldier proclaims at the cross, "Surely this man was the Son of God!' The climax of the book occurs at the very end. If we go with the more likely ending of the book based on textual evidence, it should conclude with the women fleeing the tomb with the statement, "And they said nothing to anyone because they were afraid." Mark's gospel makes the reader frustrated by these people who should know by the power and working of Christ that he is the Son of God who should be followed. The reader cannot help but examine their own life of obedience as they reflect on the dullness of those who should have understood and responded better.
Luke: Luke's Gospel is directed at Gentiles. Luke could have employed a ton of different stories, but he focuses on those that are inclusive of all people. Luke's genealogy display Jesus to be the "Son of God." Thus the aim is far grander than mere Israel and includes all people. Luke's gospel includes parables such as the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin and Lost Son and regularly highlights Gentiles, widows, tax collectors and outcasts as those who, by their faith in Jesus have a place at Abraham's table. Luke focuses on not merely Jesus comments to the "poor in Spirit" but to the weak and poor in society. Luke focuses on what true greatness looks like...not power and lordship, but service and humility. Even on the cross, Luke includes a dying thief as one who is welcomed and received by Jesus. Luke is just the first part of a two part series of how the Gospel of Jesus embraces all people everywhere (Part 2 is Acts).
John: John's gospel has a later date and is focused on core doctrinal truths of who Jesus is. By this time, heresies have begun to creep into the church about the person and work of Jesus. John's letter highlights core truths about who Jesus is that must be believed in order to "have life" in his name. John highlights 7 miracles of Jesus. Each miracle displays a core truth about Jesus' identity. For instance, when Jesus raises Lazarus, he proclaims himself to be "the resurrection and the life." When he heals the blind man he proclaims himself as the "light of the world." When he feeds the 5,000 he proclaims that he is the "bread of life." He also focuses on the reality of the bodily death and resurrection by including scenes of the disciples touching Jesus and watching him eat fish.
Each book in the Bible has a purpose. When you understand that purpose, you can understand the author's intent and what it communicates about Jesus and the Gospel. Don't get me wrong. I am not by any means saying that the stories of Jesus are made up! Certainly not! What I am saying is that these disciples had 3.5 years of material to choose from regarding the life and ministry of Jesus (not to mention the birth narratives) and they selected specific stories, encounters, miracles and details for a purpose. These are not mere historical records, but are works of literature that seek to communicate very specific messages (which are very true by the way!).
As we understand the New Testament and its teachings, it will help us gain an understanding of how these authors understood Jesus' relationship to the Old Testament and how these two work together in God's grand plan for humanity. I look forward to the ensuing discussions.
The Bible is literature. It consists of different genres of writing and each book of the Bible has a different literary function. This is not to say that the Bible is not historically true. However, the Biblical authors were not 21st century Westerners. The Bible consists of different genres such as poetry, wisdom literature, apocalyptic literature, narratives, parables, epistles and so forth. Anyone reading the Psalms and trying to understand them as one would understand an investigative report will walk away scratching their head. This is even true of the Gospels which are predominately narrative. Here is a synopsis of each Gospel to give an idea of what I am getting at.
Matthew: Matthew's Gospel was written in a way so that the Jewish community would understand and believe Jesus to be the promised Messiah. Matthew's genealogy is very different from Luke's because his focus is to not give scientific account of Jesus' birth record but to show how Jesus is tied to David (which makes him in the proper lineage to be qualified as a king of Israel). Matthew employs the term "kingdom of heaven" over 50x in his Gospel. His focus is on the kingdom and why Jesus is the rightful king. For the Jews in the first century, a crucified peasant was the last thing they would expect as their Messiah. Yet Matthew seeks to show why the cross is the grandest display of Christ's claim as the king. Matthew could tell thousands of stories of what Jesus said and did, but he focuses on those things which pertain to him as the Messiah, the Son of God. Matthew spends a great deal of time focusing on Jesus' confrontations with the religious leaders to show how the life of Jesus properly displays the heart of God in contrast to those who are consumed with superficiality.
Mark: Mark's Gospel has a different aim. In my opinion, this Gospel is geared toward persecuted followers. How does one rightly follow Jesus? Mark begins with a clear declaration that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. However, what proceeds in his Gospel is absolute confusion and chaos. The religious leaders think Jesus is possessed by a demon, the disciples are continually confounded by Jesus and ask, "Who is this man?" The family of Jesus think he is crazy. Yet those who are not supposed to understand him see clearly. The demons proclaim him to be the Son of God. The unclean approach him with reverence and awe. The Roman soldier proclaims at the cross, "Surely this man was the Son of God!' The climax of the book occurs at the very end. If we go with the more likely ending of the book based on textual evidence, it should conclude with the women fleeing the tomb with the statement, "And they said nothing to anyone because they were afraid." Mark's gospel makes the reader frustrated by these people who should know by the power and working of Christ that he is the Son of God who should be followed. The reader cannot help but examine their own life of obedience as they reflect on the dullness of those who should have understood and responded better.
Luke: Luke's Gospel is directed at Gentiles. Luke could have employed a ton of different stories, but he focuses on those that are inclusive of all people. Luke's genealogy display Jesus to be the "Son of God." Thus the aim is far grander than mere Israel and includes all people. Luke's gospel includes parables such as the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin and Lost Son and regularly highlights Gentiles, widows, tax collectors and outcasts as those who, by their faith in Jesus have a place at Abraham's table. Luke focuses on not merely Jesus comments to the "poor in Spirit" but to the weak and poor in society. Luke focuses on what true greatness looks like...not power and lordship, but service and humility. Even on the cross, Luke includes a dying thief as one who is welcomed and received by Jesus. Luke is just the first part of a two part series of how the Gospel of Jesus embraces all people everywhere (Part 2 is Acts).
John: John's gospel has a later date and is focused on core doctrinal truths of who Jesus is. By this time, heresies have begun to creep into the church about the person and work of Jesus. John's letter highlights core truths about who Jesus is that must be believed in order to "have life" in his name. John highlights 7 miracles of Jesus. Each miracle displays a core truth about Jesus' identity. For instance, when Jesus raises Lazarus, he proclaims himself to be "the resurrection and the life." When he heals the blind man he proclaims himself as the "light of the world." When he feeds the 5,000 he proclaims that he is the "bread of life." He also focuses on the reality of the bodily death and resurrection by including scenes of the disciples touching Jesus and watching him eat fish.
Each book in the Bible has a purpose. When you understand that purpose, you can understand the author's intent and what it communicates about Jesus and the Gospel. Don't get me wrong. I am not by any means saying that the stories of Jesus are made up! Certainly not! What I am saying is that these disciples had 3.5 years of material to choose from regarding the life and ministry of Jesus (not to mention the birth narratives) and they selected specific stories, encounters, miracles and details for a purpose. These are not mere historical records, but are works of literature that seek to communicate very specific messages (which are very true by the way!).
As we understand the New Testament and its teachings, it will help us gain an understanding of how these authors understood Jesus' relationship to the Old Testament and how these two work together in God's grand plan for humanity. I look forward to the ensuing discussions.