From Good News to Gospels

by David Wenham

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2018

Overview

The good news about Jesus spread like wildfire through the Roman Empire in the decades between his death and the writing of the first gospels—but how? What exactly did the first Christians say about Jesus?

In From Good News to Gospels, David Wenham delves into the Gospels, Acts, and the writings of Paul to uncover evidence of a strong and substantial oral tradition in the early church. With implications for the historicity of the New Testament, the Synoptic problem, the composition of the gospels, and other topics of vital concern, From Good News to Gospels will inform, engage, and challenge readers, inspiring them to better understand and appreciate the earliest gospel message.

Key Features

• Examines the relevance of oral storytelling and history for the New Testament
• Surveys topic of orality for the entire New Testament
• Functions as an evidence-based study of how early written scriptures were used among Christians

Contents

• Good News to Gospels
• The Teaching of Jesus and the Story of Acts
• The Evidence of Mark, Matthew, and John
• The Evidence of Paul
• The Oral Tradition in the Gospels
• Two Examples of the Oral Tradition
• The Extent of the Oral Tradition
• The Message of the First Christians

Endorsements

Today, scholars tout their portrayal of “the real Jesus” or the “historical Jesus.” They throw grave doubt on the historical reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In such a climate, the argument of David Wenham’s excellent book becomes very important. The underlying oral tradition provides the solid bedrock on which the canonical gospels depend, and by its very nature substantiates their trustworthiness.

—Donald A. Hagner, George Eldon Ladd Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: From Good News to Gospels: What Did the First Christians Say about Jesus?
• Author: David Wenham
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 2018
• Logos Release Date: 2019
• Pages: 144
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Jesus Christ › History of doctrines--Early church, ca. 30-600
• ISBNs: 9780802873682, 0802873685
• Resource ID: LLS:GDNWSGSPLSSYJSS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:12:34Z

About David Wenham

Reverend Dr. David Wenham is a British theologian and author of several books on the New Testament. David Wenham was born in 1945 (son of theologian John Wenham) and studied theology at Cambridge University before undertaking doctoral research under F. F. Bruce. After becoming the Theological Students’ Secretary with the UCCF he taught at Union Biblical Seminary in India before returning to become the Director of Tyndale House (Cambridge)’s Gospels Research Project.