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Revision as of 01:25, 5 December 2002 by Stephen C. Carlson (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Gospels are a genre of ancient literature concerning the life of Jesus. The word derives from the old English word for good news. The Greek word for gospel is evangelion (ευαγγελιον) which also means 'good news', since they retold the 'good news' of Jesus redeeming a fallen world. Each of the books reveals, by telling the story of Jesus Christ's life, the "Good News" about Christ's life and presence. The word gospel can also have a narrower meaning, especially when used by evangelical Christians, to mean the specific actions of Christ which are necessary for salvation.
Canonical Gospels
Of the many gospels that were written in antiquity, exactly four gospels came be accepted as canonical, possibly as early as Irenaeus, c. 185.
The first three gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, are so similar in structure, even to the point of having many common passages told in the same order with many of the same words, that they are collectively known as the Synoptic Gospels (from the Greek, meaning "same eye"). This phenomenon gives rise to the synoptic problem, which scholars explain by some kind of literary interdependence. Under the most widely accepted solution to the synoptic problem, Two-Source Hypothesis, both Matthew and Luke directly used Mark and a lost sayings collection called Q.
The gospel book, John, is quite different in tone, often full of more encompassing theological and philosophical messages.
Noncanonical Gospels
The four canonical gospels were not the only lives of Jesus to have written. There have been many other gospels that were not accepted into the canon.
The Diatessaron was a harmonization the four canonical gospels into single narrative made by Tatian, around AD 175. It was popular for at least two centuries in Syria, but eventually it fell into disuse and no copies of it have survived, except through some medieval Gospel harmonies that can be considered its descendants.
Marcion of Sinope, c. AD 150, produced his own edition the Gospel of Luke in accordance with his dualistic belief in two different gods, the compassionate God of Christ and the cruel God of the Old Testament. Specifically, he removed those parts of Luke that were too Jewish.
See also Secret Gospel of Mark.
Other books, which were not accepted, form part of the New Testament Apocrypha, and include:
Some of these works are similar in style and content to the canonical Gospels. Others are works in which Jesus features as little more than a mouthpiece for Gnostic doctrine.
Other works claiming to be gospels have surfaced in later periods. The Gospel of Barnabas originates in the medieval period. Works from the modern period (sometimes called modern apocrypha) include the Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Life of Issa. Parts of the Book of Mormon can also be considered to be a gospel, since they purport to tell of Jesus' appearances on the American continent.
Liturgical Usage
In many Christian churches, all Christians present stand when a passage from one of the Gospels is read publically, and sit when a passage from a different part of the Bible is read.
Usage in Eastern Orthodoxy liturgy
Typically, the Gospel is publicly read only by a priest or bishop, although other Bible passages may be read by a designated lay person. As in other churches, all stand while the Gospel is being read. Also, the Gospel book is normally kept in a prominent place on the altar. The only thing that is permitted to occupy its place on the altar is the Body and Blood of Christ during the Divine Liturgy, or on certain feast days a Cross. When the Gospel is read, it is brought from the altar to the nave in procession, and afterwards returned to its place.