Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction (Approaches to Biblical Studies)

Plot

This study of Jesus and the Gospels considers not simply the historical figure of Jesus, but also the particular 'image' or 'images' of Jesus that are conveyed by these texts. The four Gospels are the primary source of our knowledge of Jesus, but it is clear that many other factors influence our understanding of this intriguing figure. Indeed, though the evangelists record some biographical details, their task was not simply to record 'history', but to preach the Gospel. Our images of Jesus are formed by this interplay of faith and history, which is what the Gospels are all about.This book looks at the portrayal of Jesus in the Gospels (including the apocryphal Gospels), using the tools of historical and literary criticism. It also shows how this material has been used by modern scholars such as Sanders, Wright, Crossan and Borg in their writings about Jesus. >