Some discussions never go away entirely, even if they can go dormant for a season or two. When I was doing my PhD degree at the University of Nottingham a big debate occurred among NT scholars over the genre (kind of literature) of a Gospel. At the time, the NT Gospels were seen by the redaction critics as theological, pastoral communications to singularly-shaped local churches. They, of course, knew the Gospels grew out of sources they were using.
It has been a long time since I needed to think about these kinds of issues and I'm not up to that now (at age 92!). Meanwhile I read Matthew and Mark because they are in the Bible, but I really hunker down with delight when I get to Luke and John. Am I allowed those prejudices? I'm now just an aging layperson expressing my enthusiasm for Luke and John, regardless of how or when they became "Scripture." The Jesus I meet on those pages touches very deep chords in my soul. I really don't care about the dry debates about authorships. But scholars need something to write about, so I accept and actually read some of what they write. OUCH! I think I just said the wrong thing!
My edits aren't showing up, but thanks to the friend who pointed out that Watson's book is What IS A Gospel and not What are the Gospels, which is Burridge's title.
It has been a long time since I needed to think about these kinds of issues and I'm not up to that now (at age 92!). Meanwhile I read Matthew and Mark because they are in the Bible, but I really hunker down with delight when I get to Luke and John. Am I allowed those prejudices? I'm now just an aging layperson expressing my enthusiasm for Luke and John, regardless of how or when they became "Scripture." The Jesus I meet on those pages touches very deep chords in my soul. I really don't care about the dry debates about authorships. But scholars need something to write about, so I accept and actually read some of what they write. OUCH! I think I just said the wrong thing!
Said by a scholar, eh?
My edits aren't showing up, but thanks to the friend who pointed out that Watson's book is What IS A Gospel and not What are the Gospels, which is Burridge's title.