Bloomsbury - The Four Gospels and the One Gospel of Jesus Christ

Explore the complex history of the New Testament canon with Professor Hengel in this scholarly investigation. This work addresses a fundamental question in biblical studies: why did the early church select four distinct and sometimes differing accounts of the life of Jesus instead of a single, unified harmony like those proposed by Tatian or Marcion? Through a rigorous analysis of external historical evidence, the book examines the roles of early church figures such as Papias and Ireneus in the creation of the Gospels. Professor Hengel investigates the origins of the standard title "Gospel according to" and tracks the methods used to spread the gospel message during the early centuries. This study provides a deep look at the nature of the gospel itself, concluding that for both the evangelists and Paul, the gospel functions as both a narrative and a proclamation. It is an essential resource for students of religion, history, and biblical reference looking to understand the formation of the canonical scriptures.