A Three-Dimensional Jesus: An Introduction to the Synoptic Gospels

by C. Clifton Black

Publisher:

Westminster John Knox

, 2023

Overview

In A Three-Dimensional Jesus, Clifton Black offers a fresh, critically sympathetic reading of the New Testament’s first three Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Intelligent and accessible, conversational and whimsical, this volume helps readers consider the questions that are basic to the Synoptic Gospels’ interpretation. Black addresses their literary genre and origins; portrayals of the figure of Jesus and other central characters; the relationships among these three books; and the social, political, and religious worlds from which they emerged and to which they were addressed. Individual chapters on each Gospel highlight their likely audiences, literary structures, and primary theological themes. Throughout, Black’s presentation is clear and engaging, making use of topical sidebars, charts, and illustrations as well as wit and good humor to draw readers into these Gospels’ interpretations. The volume also includes such original features as conversations with other well-established scholars, which help the reader appreciate a range of perspectives on topics like the historical Jesus and the Gospels’ depiction of women, and interviews of experts on these Gospels’ afterlife in the history of Christian thought, sacred music, fine art, and preaching.

A Three-Dimensional Jesus is a concise, approachable study of the New Testament’s first three Gospels viewed from multiple angles—historical, sociological, literary, theological—with attention paid to their history of interpretation. In as much, Black invites readers to better understand and appreciate the Synoptics, while guiding them to learn even more.

Key Features

• Explores historical, sociological, literary, theological dimensions
• Helps readers consider the questions that are basic to the Synoptic Gospels’ interpretation
• Offers a fresh, critically sympathetic reading of the New Testament’s first three Gospels

Praise for A Three-Dimensional Jesus

As one of the many students who has had the privilege to learn the Gospels in the classroom of Black, I can attest that this volume has all the humor, verve, and faithfulness of his matchless persona. A perfect volume for students, A Three-Dimensional Jesus distills what really matters in Synoptic studies and presents it with clarity that arises from years of faithful and honest friendship with these writings. Rich historical data provides a sense of the ancient ethos, geographical rootedness allows the imagination to locate the stories in real places, visual aids in both charts and artwork stimulate the mind for maximal apprehension, and conversations with a wide range of Gospels scholars stretches the reader to see different fruitful ways of studying these texts. Black frees to reader to admit with him that there are many things we do not know about these accounts of Jesus, but that lack, instead of inhibiting, actually empowers faithful response to the good news proclaimed therein.

—Amy Peeler, Professor of New Testament, Wheaton College

Black is a winsome and learned guide; he will take you on a delightful and stimulating tour through the Synoptic Gospels while inviting you to eavesdrop on conversations with a host of friends (who also happen to be experts) along the way. If you are interested in discovering or rediscovering the worlds of Matthew, Mark, and Luke in all their complexity—from political settings to preaching challenges—this book is for you.

—Rebekah Eklund, Associate Professor of Theology, Loyola University Maryland

Black first sparked my scholarly interest in the Gospels decades ago when I was a master’s student in one of his classes. To this day I know of no better guide to these texts. Here he offers an introduction to the first three Gospels that is informed by high-level scholarship but is also accessible to non-specialists. In witty prose he walks the reader through the major themes of these texts, highlighting the distinctive ways each proclaims the Good News of Jesus Christ. If you’ve been looking for a measured, informed, and practical guide to the Synoptic Gospels, look no further. This is your book.

—David F. Watson, Academic Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Professor of New Testament, United Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: A Three-Dimensional Jesus: An Introduction to the Synoptic Gospels
• Author: C. Clifton Black
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox
• Print Publication Date: 2023
• Pages: 228
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Resource ID: LLS:THRDMNSNLJGSPLS
• Resource Type: text.monograph.introduction.new-testament
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-01-31T20:19:16Z

About C. Clifton Black

C. Clifton Black, Princeton Theological Seminary’s Otto A. Piper Professor of Biblical Theology, earned his M.Div. from Emory University and his Ph.D. from Duke University. He is interested in New Testament exegesis, theology, and the history of scriptural interpretation, with a focus on the four Gospels. He regularly teaches such varied courses as biblical theology and the practice of ministry, prayer in the New Testament, the Gospel of Mark, major themes in New Testament theology, the biblical and Shakespearean visions, and the parables of Jesus. An ordained United Methodist minister, he serves with John T. Carroll and M. Eugene Boring as editor of The New Testament Library, published by Westminster John Knox Press. Black is also an associate editor of The Catholic Biblical Quarterly and Horizons in Biblical Theology, and a member of The Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton and The American Theological Society.