Getting The Gospels: Understanding The New Testament Accounts Of Jesus' Life - Softcover

Bridge, Steven L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 156563943X ISBN 13: 9781565639430

Publisher: Hendrickson Pub, 2004

Synopsis

On March 23, 1998, director James Cameron made an indelible mark on Academy Award history. It wasn’t because his film, Titanic, captured so many Oscars. Nor was it because of the movie’s unprecedented box-office success. Rather, Cameron will forever be remembered in Hollywood’s annals because, upon accepting his award for Best Director, he enthusiastically declared, "I am the king of the World!"

Taken literally, Cameron’s exclamation denotes a claim to absolute sovereignty. Understandably, public derision followed. What Cameron’s critics failed to consider, however, was the premise behind his expression. The line is borrowed from Titanic. In that context, it has an altogether different meaning. Rather than self-adulation, it speaks of joy in the face of such good fortune. Undoubtedly, that is what Cameron meant to convey, but his point escaped those unfamiliar with his premise.

This real-life analogy sets the stage for Getting the Gospels. As Cameron drew upon Titanic, early Christians drew similarly upon their religious and literary backgrounds to communicate their Good News of Jesus Christ. Yet without this background, modern readers may misinterpret certain Biblical texts.

Getting the Gospels examines what the evangelists knew and how their presuppositions inform, enrich, and transform their writings. The book follows Jesus’ life through twelve case studies selected from each of the four Gospels. Each chapter blends scholarly research and contemporary comparisons to underscore the imperative role that such premises play in the interpretation of the New Testament.

About this title

About the Author

For over a decade, Steven L. Bridge has taught biblical studies at parishes, high schools, colleges, and universities throughout the United States. He is Associate Professor of Theology at St. Joseph s College, Maine.

Reviews

Starred Review. With its short but packed chapters, accessible writing style and allusions to pop culture, this introduction to the four gospels contains enough meat for scholars, presented in a way that will be palatable for the general reader. Bridge argues that much of the gospels' original context has been lost, and helps readers understand that crucial context. For example, some of Jesus' sayings have been misunderstood, he writes, because modern readers don't realize things his first-century Jewish audience would have recognized instantly—such as when he was quoting from the Hebrew scriptures. Bridge carefully separates the unique strands of the gospels and shows readers the different ways they present Jesus' birth, ministry and passion. With contagious enthusiasm and a fine attention to detail that never loses sight of the big picture, this little book is a gem of accessible biblical scholarship.
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Edition details

• Publisher: Hendrickson Pub
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 156563943X
• ISBN 13: 9781565639430
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 140