Blog Post #3

From the group presentations, I learned that all of the Gospel writers wanted to depict Jesus' life accurately for people to engage in and reflect on.  I learned that John and Mark were direct followers of Jesus, however, Matthew and Luke were not.  Also, something all of the writers have in common is that they all wrote their Gospels in Greek.  Since the different Gospel writers had different relationships with Jesus and were not written in the same time period, the Gospels did not present themselves exactly the same way.  They were written at different times and for different reasons.  The writers' purposes all varied and their opinions were present in their writings.  Even though they all told the same story, I learned of the writers' personal connections and how they incorporated them with the core story of Jesus.

   Based on the class discussion, the Gospel writers had some similarities in their writings.  First of all, they were all written in Greek.  This was a common known language spoken at the time, and this ensured that many would be able to read the Gospels and understand them.  In addition, Matthew, Mark, and Luke mostly wrote their Gospels based off of historical aspects.  John's however, focused more on the spiritual and faith-based side of Jesus' life.  Finally, their purposes were mostly similar because they wanted to spread the good news of Jesus with the entire world.  They wanted their writings to affect people in the way Jesus had affected so many lives.

Based on the class discussion, the Gospel writers also had several differences in their writings.  For example, they all had a different relationship with Jesus.  Some were direct eye-witnesses and followers of Jesus, while others were introduced to His teachings after He had died.  The Gospels were also written in different time periods after the death of Christ, quite possibly making some of the information less reliable than other parts.  Another difference has to do with the audiences the writers were writing to.  Luke, for example, was writing to a certain Theophilus, Gentiles, and Christians, while Mark wrote to the common man.  A final difference between the Gospels relates to their historical background.  Since they were written during different time periods, there were different events in history occurring that most likely affected the writers and their products.

I would prefer to read the Gospel of John.  John was a direct follower and friend of Jesus and was a primary source when it came to information on Him.  Although his Gospel was written almost 100 years after Jesus' death and resurrection, John's information is probably the most accurate considering he was there for the miracles Jesus performed and how He carried out His ministry.  I also believe that John's symbol is the most significant because the eagle represents Jesus rising up into heaven, and His children and disciples following not too long after.  The final reason I prefer John's Gospel is because He wrote more of a reflective view on Jesus' life and ministry.  Matthew, Mark, and Luke wrote more about the historical significance of the Lord, however, I personally enjoy more of an emotional and faithful view on the life of Christ.




 I chose the picture at the top because it shows an excerpt from one of the Gospels in Greek, which was the original language they were all written in.  I chose the picture at the bottom because it shows Jesus resurrecting and shows us how all the Gospels depicted Jesus' life correctly.  John, however, had a more personal and reflective view on the story.

Woznicki, Chris.  "Why Should I Learn Greek and Hebrew?" CWoznicki Think Out Loud, 16 February 2013, www.cwoznicki.com/2013/02/16/why-should-i-learn-greek-and-hebrew/.  Accessed 29 September 2017.
      
      Ong, Wilson J.  The Resurrected Christ.  1958.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints         www.lds.org/media-library/images/resurrected-christ-wilson-ong-212048?lang=eng.  Accessed           29 September 2017.

            Chamberlain, Ghuman, Hernandez, Lopez, Ragusa, Robles. "John." 29 September 2017,                     Lecture.
                         
                   Gellner, Macha, Olson Steward, Walsh, Wolfe"Gospel of Mark."  29 September 2017,                          Lecture. 
  
                         
                             

                

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