 Five categories  The Gospels – life, teachings, passion, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ  Acts of the Apostles – Luke- history of the early Christian communities  Pauline letters –offer advice and teachings to the communities  Non Pauline letters –same function as above  Book of Revelation –John, Jewish Christian, gives comfort to those suffering persecution in late 1 st century

 Catechism states:  Gospels are not to be read as strict historical biographies of life of Jesus  Gospel writers are presenting the life, work and Passion of Jesus, through the eyes of Faith  Faith in the revelation of Jesus, requires a response – a change in attitude and habit

 The Life and teachings of Jesus  Oral Tradition  Oral proclamation – kerygma – spread the message of salvation

 Synoptic gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke  Synoptic –from a Greek word meaning “seeing the whole together”  Similarities: Sources  Differences: different images of Jesus  Gospel of John Written much later than others- more developed theology and use of symbolic language

 Gospel of Mark: The Suffering Servant of God  Gospel of Matthew: Teacher and Prophet  Gospel of Luke: Compassionate healer, inclusive of all the marginalized  Gospel of John: Incarnate Word of God

 Shortest of all the gospels  Author uncertain  Gentile Christian –possibly disciple of Peter  Audience –non-Jewish Christians in Rome  Christology – aura of secrecy – Messianic secret  Mark emphasises the humanity of Jesus  Suffering Servant image would have been shocking to the Jewish listeners

 First Gospel in New Testament  Audience- Jewish Christians and Gentiles  Conflicts within the mixed community  Matthew focuses on Jesus as the fulfillment of Hebrew prophecies and hopes  Gospel has the structure of five major discourses – reflects five books of the Jewish Torah  Matthew points to Jesus as Savior and Teacher- Rabbi

 Author is a Gentile convert to Christianity  Author also wrote Acts  Audience of Gospel and Acts (identified as Theophilus ) Gentile Christians in Antioch and Achaia in Greece  Major theme is the compassionate savior who welcomes all especially the “anawim” the poor and marginalized – Canticle of Mary-Magnificat  Presence of women is highlighted  Those who are sick ; who are seen to being punished by God.  Sinners – Jesus comes as the universal Savior who redeems all creation

 Author unknown  Audience- Gentiles and Jews  Emphasizes the divinity of Jesus  Makes use of signs and allegorical statements to reveal the true identity of Jesus  Jesus is the pre-existent “Logos” – who is God  Themes of light and darkness appear frequently  John uses signs (seven specifically in gospel) to point to a deeper reality and meaning  Emphasizes relationship between Jesus and Father and between Jesus and ourselves - “I am” statements

 The rest of the Torah (Law) extends the Ten Commandments and provides a “social security” system for all God’s people  God is presented as a benevolent dictator, close to his children when they are good but swift to anger when they are bad.  God is a “jealous” God “ In every place where I cause my name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you”

 The Greek idea of God is associated with the world of Form – a non-material world  The Biblical God is closely involved with the world of humans  God intervenes directly in events  God is prepared to intervene in the “laws of nature” in order to help His people  The Jewish army’s victory is attributed to God, not to any military skill (Joshua 10:1-15)