Matthew, Mark, Luke --- synoptic gospels (same thing view)

Mark is believed to be the earlist gospel, due to similarities in the other gospels.

today we discussed the gospels of Mark and John. And the differences in the teachings in both of them. These are the topics that came up in class.

Mark
- Jesus teaches in parables. Purpose for doing this was to keep outsiders, enemies, and causal listeners in the dark. reference Mark 4:12
- Fullfills prophecies in Isaiah.
- To convey truth and spirituality to the ready and open.
- Keep his ministry from ending too soon.
- "Messianic Secret" jesus didn't want everyone to know who he was. He didnt openly claim he was "christ" or "son of god" in his ministry, he told people to keep quiet about who he was.
- liberals would say this is a sign that jesus didnt claim these things, they were beleif of the church.
- conservatives would say jesus keeps his secret for the same reason he teaches in parables -- to keep his ministry from ending too soon.
- croud control, Gerasine Demoniac, jesus casts a legion of demons out of man and tells him to tell everyone what he has done for him. He does this because he is leaving.
- More emphasis on jesus' deeds, healing, exorcisms.
- Low Christology
- Primary theme: The kingdom of god, the chruch on earth, his family of beleivers and followers. Prof. Borrowdale used the Parable of the Mustard Seed as an example of this
- The kingdom come after the last judgement of the world.
- Strong Escatology: Doctrine of last things. End of the world immanent.


John
- Jesus teaches openly about everything including his identity. (no messianic secret)
- centers around jesus' last days in jerusalem.
- more emphasis on teaching.
- High christology
- Long metaphysics discources on the nature of jesus and the relation to the father. John 5:19-24
- Primary Theme: eternal life through faith in jesus christ.
- Weak Escatology, end in indefinite future