This introduction to all four Gospels is meant to bridge the gap between scholars well-schooled in the historical, socio-cultural, rhetorical, and literary techniques of studying narrative and interested lay readers. It is an excellent resource for the lay reader and anyone undertaking scripture studies. The Gospels resonate deeply in the minds and hearts of the many people who have dedicated some form of study of these narratives. But a problem remains. Some of us have been equipped to read these texts in their original language, aware of the socio-cultural, historical and religious setting that produced them. We are well schooled in the rhetorical and literary techniques that determine the spirit and the shape of the narratives as a whole, and the formative parts of each narrative. But most Christians have not been equipped with these tools. What follows is an attempt to bridge that gap for the interested lay reader of the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke and John. –From the preface by the authorHow do we reach into the Gospels today, and how do the Gospels reach back out to us? In the light of all that has been written over the ages, is there a fresh approach that speaks to the twenty-first century Christian?Fr Francis J. Moloney offers his experience and scholarship to lead the layperson through such a guide. The reader is brought up to date about how a Gospel is read as “theological narrative” today, a markedly different understanding from the past. Each Gospel is reviewed as a whole, followed by a focused study of a particular section in which Moloney demonstrates how each Gospel author works the text to his own theological purposes. The final chapter outlines the general intellectual and academic history which forms the background to this position before Moloney makes his own case about the nature of Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Man, and the role of our discipleship today.This book is a thought-provoking yet readily accessible invitation to study the Gospels at an intermediate level. It is highly suitable for personal or group work.
