Gospels Theology and Ethics - An Introduction to Bible

RUNNING HEAD: GOSPELS THEOLOGY AND ETHICS 1
18SU105: INTRODUCTION TO BIBLE
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According to Foster (2018), many people have got various perceptions of the gospel. Some argue
that the gospels have focused mainly on the reporting of the historical events that occurred
during the time of Jesus Christ. Others have a different perception of the gospels. They say that
the gospel should be comprehended as theoretical and ethical report of what Jesus did to the
society which we as Christians should learn and apply in our daily lives. Traditional cultures had
different foundational aspects than the cultures of modern times, especially the Western culture.
The writers of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), wrote mainly with a theological
viewpoint with Christlike ethics (Hardy2017). Though, Luke is more of historian and uses
chronological order with a logical account of Jesus in his writings. If the reader was to view each
of the Gospels as a chronological historical account of Jesus Christ, they will find themselves
questioning the authenticity of the books. Matera (2017), states that the reader must become
familiar with the style of writing the author is focusing on and the cultural perspectives of that
time period, so they can rightly understand the writings. Starting with the understanding that the
writers focus more on the theological aspects rather than concerning themselves with the
chronological ordering, the reader will read the content in a different light.
According to Simkins et al, (2017), each writer of the Gospels focuses on a different style
of sharing about the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. Mark guides the reader to find the
answer for the question of who is Jesus and why. After Mark presents the answers to the reader
he guides them onto Christ’s mission and how that mission was accomplished. Matthew focused
on portraying Jesus as Emmanuel, God’s wisdom. Which he shares Jesus’ narratives and
teachings on wisdom. Matthew clearly presented Jesus as the Word incarnate that fulfilled and
surpassed the Old Testament wisdom teachings. John showcased Jesus as the “I am”, the Perfect
One. Unlike the other Gospel writers, John left out parables, exorcisms, and miracles that were