Years ago I realized I had questions: What did Jesus really do and say and believe? How much of the Bible can we believe (particularly when it contains contradictions)? Since the Gospels were written 40-90 years after the crucifixion, how do we get from them back to the historical reality? This study guide presents not final answers, but the best answers I have found, along with my reasoning. Throughout, I encourage you to consider my arguments and then reach your own conclusion.
Why read this book? Because you are looking for something with more substance than Sunday School discussions. But you don't want to get into dense scholarly tomes. You want something "in the middle," between these two extremes. You want this Study Guide, presenting the thinking of the greatest Biblical scholars in an accessible format.
This Study Guide looks at every sectiion of the Gospel of Matthew, and lists every reference that either influenced or borrowed from Matthew. It explores why there are important differences between biblical accounts of the same incident. It looks at history and culture and language to help understand the Gospels.
Did you know?
Matthew quotes or adapts over 90% of the Gospel of Mark
Mark constructed the unknown details of Jesus' march to the cross as a parody on a gaudy Roman imperial procession
Matthew, a Jewish scholar, corrects many mistakes made by Mark, who was apparently not raised as a Jew and did not know Palestine.
Matthew borrows heavily from the Letters of Paul.
Matthew was written as a series of readings to be read week-by-week through the church year.
The Sermon on the Mount is an expansion of the Beatitudes
Luke borrows alternately from Mark and from Matthew
The image of Jesus changed over time as the New Testament was being written.
Read this book to learn more.
