Acknowledgments PART I: A Historical, Literary Introduction 1. Introduction What Is a Gospel? How to Read the Gospels As the Story of Jesus As the Story of the Evangelists Reflecting on the Significance of Jesus As the Story of Jesus and Evangelists for Contemporary Readers Transmission of the Story of Jesus The Synoptic Problem Two-Source Hypothesis What Is Q? Redaction Criticism 2. The Gospel of Mark Mark''s Gospel at a Glance Outline The Markan Jesus Distinctive Theological Themes Parables in Mark Notable Interpretation Issues A Close Reading of Mark 1:1-13, Prologue 1:14-8:26, Public Ministry 8:27-10:52, Jesus on the Way to Jerusalem 11:1-13:37, Ministry in Jerusalem 14:1-15:47, Passion Narrative: Last Supper, Trials, Crucifixion 16:1-8, The Resurrection of Jesus Questions for Reflection Further Reading 3. The Gospel of Matthew Matthew''s Gospel at a Glance Outline The Matthean Jesus Distinctive Theological Themes Parables in Matthew Notable Interpretation Issues A Close Reading of Matthew 1:1-2:23, Infancy Narrative 3:1-4:25, Ministry of Jesus 5:1-7:29, First Discourse: Sermon on the Mount 8:1-9:38, Jesus Heals Many People 10:1-10:42, Second Discourse: Missionary Instructions 11:1-12:50, Jesus''s Ministry Continues While Opposition Arises 13:1-53, Third Discourse: Collections of Parables 13:54-17:27, Jesus Continues with His Mission and Foretells His Death and Resurrection 18:1-35, Fourth Discourse: Community Instructions 19:1-20:34, Jesus Continues to Teach on the Way to Jerusalem 21:1-23:39, Jesus Enters Jerusalem and Confronts Leaders 24:1-25:46, Fifth Discourse: Sermon on Eschatology 26:1-27:66, Passion Narrative 28:1-20, The Resurrection of Jesus Questions for Reflection Further Reading 4. The Gospel of Luke Luke''s Gospel at a Glance Outline The Lukan Jesus Distinctive Theological Themes Parables in Luke Notable Interpretation Issues A Close Reading of Luke 1:1-4, Preface 1:5-2:52, Birth and Childhood of Jesus 3:1-4:13, Preparation for the Ministry of Jesus 4:14-9:50, Jesus''s Ministry in Galilee 9:51-19:27, On the Way to Jerusalem 19:28-21:38, Jesus''s Teaching in Jerusalem 22:1-23:56, The Suffering and Death of Jesus 24:1-53, The Resurrection of Jesus Questions for Reflection Further Reading 5. The Gospel of John John''s Gospel at a Glance Outline The Johannine Jesus Distinctive Theological Themes "I Am" Sayings of Jesus Notable Interpretation Issues A Close Reading of John 1:1-18, Prologue 1:19-5:47, Jesus''s Ministry 6:1-12:50, Jesus''s Ministry Grows and Faces Opposition 13:1-17:26, Farewell Discourses 18:1-20:31, Suffering and Glory 21:1-25, Addendum Questions for Reflection Further Reading PART II: Reading the Gospels from Various Perspectives 6. Overview of Interpretive Approaches to the Gospels Author-Centered, Historical Approach Historical-Critical Method Social Science Criticism Text-Centered, Literary Approach Textual Criticism Narrative Criticism Reader-Centered, Comprehensive Approach Reader-Response Criticism Feminist Criticism Womanist Interpretation Ekklesia-Centered, Theological Interpretation Jewish Interpretation Inter(con)textual Interpretation Queer Criticism Postcolonial Criticism Deconstruction Interpretation Minoritized Criticism Disability Studies Ecological Criticism 7. The Gospel of Mark from Various Perspectives Author-Centered, Historical Approach Historical-Critical Method Social Science Criticism Text-Centered, Literary Approach Textual Criticism Narrative Criticism Reader-Centered, Comprehensive Approach Reader-Response Criticism Feminist Criticism Womanist Interpretation Ekklesia-Centered, Theological Interpretation Jewish Interpretation Inter(con)textual Interpretation Queer Criticism Postcolonial Criticism Deconstruction Interpretation Minoritized Criticism Disability Studies Ecological Criticism 8.
The Gospel of Matthew from Various Perspectives Author-Centered, Historical Approach Historical-Critical Method Social Science Criticism Text-Centered, Literary Approach Textual Criticism Narrative Criticism Reader-Centered, Comprehensive Approach Reader-Response Criticism Feminist Criticism Womanist Interpretation Ekklesia-Centered, Theological Interpretation Jewish Interpretation Inter(con)textual Interpretation Queer Criticism Postcolonial Criticism Deconstruction Interpretation Minoritized Criticism Disability Studies Ecological Criticism 9. The Gospel of Luke from Various Perspectives Author-Centered, Historical Approach Historical-Critical Method Social Science Criticism Text-Centered, Literary Approach Textual Criticism Narrative Criticism Reader-Centered, Comprehensive Approach Reader-Response Criticism Feminist Criticism Womanist Interpretation Ekklesia-Centered, Theological Interpretation Jewish Interpretation Inter(con)textual Interpretation Queer Criticism Postcolonial Criticism Deconstruction Interpretation Minoritized Criticism Disability Studies Ecological Criticism 10. The Gospel of John from Various Perspectives Author-Centered, Historical Approach Historical-Critical Method Social Science Criticism Text-Centered, Literary Approach Textual Criticism Narrative Criticism Reader-Centered, Comprehensive Approach Reader-Response Criticism Feminist Criticism Womanist Interpretation Ekklesia-Centered, Theological Interpretation Jewish Interpretation Inter(con)textual Interpretation Queer Criticism Postcolonial Criticism Deconstruction Interpretation Minoritized Criticism Disability Studies Ecological Criticism 11. Conclusion The Importance of Various Readings of the Gospels Criteria for Solid Interpretation Reader''s Critical, Imaginative Role Bibliography Index About the Author.