The Cambridge Companion to the Gospels

Authoritative chapters chart new developments of gospels interpretation in four main areas: background, content, interpretation and impact.

Stephen C. Barton (Edited by), Todd Brewer (Edited by)

9781108471954, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 19 August 2021

375 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.8 cm, 0.746 kg

'Scholarly introductions to the Gospels abound: what makes the present study unique is its balance of historical-critical and religious interests and ability to comprehensively and exhaustively summarize current research while remaining accessible to nonspecialists. Recommended.' J. P. Blosser, Choice Connect

Throughout the history of Christianity, the four canonical gospels have proven to be vital resources for Christian thought and practice, and an inspiration for humanistic culture generally. Indeed, the gospels and their interpretation have had a profound impact on theology, philosophy, the sciences, ethics, worship, architecture, and the creative arts. Building on the strengths of the first edition, The Cambridge Companion to the Gospels, 2nd edition, takes account of new directions in gospels research, notably: the milieu in which the gospels were read, copied, and circulated alongside non-canonical gospels; renewed debates about the sources of the gospels and their interrelations; how central gospel themes are illuminated by a variety of critical approaches and theological readings; the reception of the gospels over time and in various media; and how the gospels give insight into the human condition.

Part I. Approaching the Gospels: Context and Method: 1. What is a gospel? Loveday Alexander
2. The fourfold gospel Francis Watson
3. Gospel sources and inter-relations Todd Brewer
4. The scriptural matrix of the Gospels Richard B. Hays and Christopher Blumhofer
5. The gospels and 'the historical Jesus' Stephen E. Fowl
6. The gospels and the reader Sandra M. Schneiders
Part II. The Gospels as Witnesses to Christ: Content and Interpretation: 7. The Gospel according to Matthew Roland Deines
8. The Gospel according to Mark Elizabeth E. Shively
9. The Gospel according to Luke John T. Squires
10. The Gospel according to John Christopher W. Skinner
11. Gospels canonical and non-canonical as witnesses to Christ Simon Gathercole
12. God and the knowledge of God in the gospels Stephen C. Barton
Part III. The Afterlife of the Gospels: Impact on Church and Society: 13. The gospels and doctrine Frances Young
14. Reception history of the gospels Christine Joynes
15. Praying the gospels: spirituality and worship Gordon Mursell
16. The gospels embodied: the lives of saints and martyrs David Matzko Mccarthy
17. The gospels in morality and politics Scott Bader-Saye
18. The gospels for the life of the world Ben Quash.

Subject Areas: Christianity [HRC], History of religion [HRAX]