A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

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A B i b l i ca l Vi s i on, Par t I I : Mas ter i ng the New Tes tament Wi tnes s to Chr i s t

(1) Note the teaching on the Lord’s Supper in 1 Cor. 11.24.

(2) Some believe that the Passion Narrative circulated as a unified account (cf. 1 Cor. 2.2; Gal. 3.1).

d. Modern study of the oral stage: Higher criticism, Form criticism. “The attempt to isolate and classify the various self-contained units which have been brought together in the written Gospels and to envisage the living situation in which they originated and were preserved in the oral stage of transmission” ( New Bible Dictionary , p. 485).

2. Written Gospels

a. Few clues within the documents themselves, see however John 21.24: This is the disciple who is bear ing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

b. Dates of the written Gospels (outside parameters)

(1) Matthew (65-90)

(2) Mark (55-80)

(3) Luke (68-95)

(4) John (60-100)

c. Why were the Gospels written?

(1) To provide clear and compelling historical information to undergird the validity of saving faith in Jesus of Nazareth, e.g., John 20.30-31 – Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;