Portraits of Jesus: An Inductive Approach to the Gospels

by Michael R. Cosby

Overview

This book provides a learning-by-doing approach to the study of the Gospels. It allows students to uncover literary patterns, theological issues, and interpretive problems through close readings of primary sources. Questions are asked along the way that help readers understand the shape of the narrative, and the themes important to each Gospel writer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780664258276
Publisher:	Westminster John Knox Press
Publication date:	11/01/1999
Edition description:	1 ED
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Michael R. Cosby is Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1	The Rewards of Inductive Study of the Gospels	1
Chapter 2	Mark the Evangelist	9
Section 1	Mark and Oral Proclamation	9
Section 2	Mark 1:1-2:12: The Beginning of the Gospel	13
Section 3	Mark 2:13-3:6: Rising Tide of Opposition	20
Section 4	Mark 3:7-4:34: Speaking in Parables	25
Section 5	Mark 4:35-6:29: Miracles and Faith	28
Section 6	Mark 6:30-8:21: The Scope of the Kingdom Widens	32
Section 7	Mark 8:22-10:52: Glory and Suffering	36
Section 8	Mark 11-13: Entry into Jerusalem	41
Section 9	Mark 14-16: The Passion Narrative	48
	Summary Questions on the Gospel of Mark	53
	Further Reading on the Gospel of Mark	53
Chapter 3	Luke's Jesus: Reversing Social Expectations	55
Section 1	Luke 1:1-4: Preface: Luke's Qualifications and Purpose	58
Section 2	Luke 1:5-2:52: The Birth Narrative	62
Section 3	Luke 3-4: The Ministry Begins	71
Section 4	Luke 5-6: Great Reversals	77
Section 5	Luke 7:1-9:50: Messiahship and Discipleship	80
Section 6	Luke 9:51-12:34: The Journey toward Jerusalem Begins	85
Section 7	Luke 12:35-15:32: The Kingdom of God in the World	90
Section 8	Interpreting the Parables of Jesus	95
Section 9	Luke 16:1-19:27: The Kingdom of God and the Poor	100
Section 10	Luke 19:28-24:53: Jesus' Heroic Death	104
	Review of Lukan Themes	112
	Further Reading on the Gospel of Luke	112
Chapter 4	Matthew's Jesus: Authoritative Interpreter of the Law	115
Section 1	Matthew 1-4: Birth of the King	116
Section 2	Matthew 5-7: The Sermon on the Mount	121
Section 3	Matthew 8-10: Messianic Ministry in Galilee	126
Section 4	Matthew 11:1-13:52: Different Responses to Jesus' Teaching on the Kingdom	129
Section 5	Matthew 13:53-18:35: Life in the Kingdom of Heaven	134
Section 6	Matthew 19-22: Opposition to the Kingdom of Heaven	140
Section 7	Matthew 23-25: Opposition and the Time of the End	145
Section 8	Matthew 26-28: The Passion Narrative	149
	Review of Matthean Themes and Chronology	153
	Further Reading on the Gospel of Matthew	153
Chapter 5	John's Jesus: The Descent and Ascent of the Eternal Logos	155
Section 1	John 1-3: The Eternal Logos Comes in the Flesh	159
Section 2	John 4-7: Believe in the Son of God!	165
Section 3	John 8-12: Results of Belief and Unbelief in Jesus Christ	171
Section 4	John 13-17: The Farewell Discourse	177
Section 5	John 18-21: The Ascent of the Eternal Logos	182
	Review of Johannine Themes	188
	Further Reading on the Gospel of John	189
Chapter 6	What Portrait Will You Hang on Your Wall?	191
Appendix A	Jewish Religious Groups in the Time of Jesus	199
Appendix B	How to Write an Exegesis Paper on a Gospel Passage	217
Appendix C	Quests for the Historical Jesus	225
Appendix D	The Rewards of Teaching Inductively	229
	Index	245