One of the most commonly used expressions among religious teachers,
theologians, commentators, professors, and members of the Lord's body is the
phrase "the gospels." It is used with reference to the books of Matthew, Mark,
Luke, and John.
The plural term "gospels" is never found in the New Testament, and for a very
good reason: there is only one gospel. There is only one body of good news that
is recognized as being from God, and that is the gospel. For instance, in Matthew
we read about "the gospel of the kingdom." (Matthew 4:23) In Mark we read about
"the gospel of Jesus Christ." (Mark 1:1) In Luke we read about "the gospel of the
kingdom of God." (Luke 16:16)
The oldest manuscripts containing the writings of Matthew Mark, Luke, and
John simply title each "book" in the following way: KATA MATHTHAION
(According to Matthew) ; KATA MARKON (According to Mark);
KATA LOUKAN (According to Luke); KATA IOANNEN (According to
John). They are biographies of the life, teaching, miracles, and times of Jesus the
Messiah.
The same writers who speak of "gospels" also incorrectly refer to Paul's
letters to Timothy and Titus as "Pastoral Epistles." This concept is based on the
false assumption that Timothy and Titus were "pastors." Pastors were shepherds;
men who were qualified and appointed to oversee local congregations of the
Messiah. (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-2) A preacher is not a pastor on the basis
of being a preacher, any more than a pastor is a preacher on the basis of being
a pastor.
The prevailing notion that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are "gospels" is
a denominational concept. If there is only one gospel, there are no "gospels."
To think in terms of "gospels" is not consistent with biblical teaching. No
apostle nor any other writer who was guided by the Holy Spirit ever spoke or
wrote about "gospels." To do so is not only inconsistent; it is wrong!
(Galatians 1:6-9)
Just because certain terminology is used in the "scholarly" community does
not necessarily give it God's stamp of approval. We should think through the
text, and think about the language we use in a religious context. The first
impression we leave might be the lasting one, and it might be the wrong one.
Human traditions are hard to break, even when they convey unbiblical concepts.
R. Daly
Copyright, 2014
theologians, commentators, professors, and members of the Lord's body is the
phrase "the gospels." It is used with reference to the books of Matthew, Mark,
Luke, and John.
The plural term "gospels" is never found in the New Testament, and for a very
good reason: there is only one gospel. There is only one body of good news that
is recognized as being from God, and that is the gospel. For instance, in Matthew
we read about "the gospel of the kingdom." (Matthew 4:23) In Mark we read about
"the gospel of Jesus Christ." (Mark 1:1) In Luke we read about "the gospel of the
kingdom of God." (Luke 16:16)
The oldest manuscripts containing the writings of Matthew Mark, Luke, and
John simply title each "book" in the following way: KATA MATHTHAION
(According to Matthew) ; KATA MARKON (According to Mark);
KATA LOUKAN (According to Luke); KATA IOANNEN (According to
John). They are biographies of the life, teaching, miracles, and times of Jesus the
Messiah.
The same writers who speak of "gospels" also incorrectly refer to Paul's
letters to Timothy and Titus as "Pastoral Epistles." This concept is based on the
false assumption that Timothy and Titus were "pastors." Pastors were shepherds;
men who were qualified and appointed to oversee local congregations of the
Messiah. (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-2) A preacher is not a pastor on the basis
of being a preacher, any more than a pastor is a preacher on the basis of being
a pastor.
The prevailing notion that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are "gospels" is
a denominational concept. If there is only one gospel, there are no "gospels."
To think in terms of "gospels" is not consistent with biblical teaching. No
apostle nor any other writer who was guided by the Holy Spirit ever spoke or
wrote about "gospels." To do so is not only inconsistent; it is wrong!
(Galatians 1:6-9)
Just because certain terminology is used in the "scholarly" community does
not necessarily give it God's stamp of approval. We should think through the
text, and think about the language we use in a religious context. The first
impression we leave might be the lasting one, and it might be the wrong one.
Human traditions are hard to break, even when they convey unbiblical concepts.
R. Daly
Copyright, 2014
