Formation of the Gospels

Thinking Patterns of Early Christians

Clarification of Church Teachings Effect on the development of the New Testament

The four parts of the New Testament The four gospels The Acts of the Apostles The Epistles The Book of Revelation

Too often there was confusion in the Church when individuals such as Marcion or Montanus claimed to have a more accurate understanding of the faith than other Christian leaders. In response the Church’s leaders decided to more clearly define the essential teachings of the Faith. The essential teachings would be clearly rooted in the apostolic tradition which was defined as including: The declaration of the apostolic canon of the scriptures. The writing of the apostolic creed. The affirmation of the apostolic episcopate.

Definition of the word Gospel

The Process of Forming the Gospels Life and Teachings of Jesus Oral Tradition: Kerygma Didache Liturgia Recording the Gospels: the writing of the word.

Synoptic Gospels Why do three of the Gospels closely resemble on another? In what ways do the three Synoptic Gospels differ from one another? In what ways are the three Synoptic Gospels related to Q ? Source Audience Theme Organization

Who are the Authors Attribution Why is it difficult to determine who the actual author of a gospel is? According to tradition, who are the authors of the Gospels? Why would the Gospel bear the name of an apostle if it is unlikely that an apostle wrote the Gospel?