Gospel unity

Gospel unity [∞]

Gospel Unity and the Progressive Revelation of Doctrine

The Gospel of John should not be viewed as distinct from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Instead, it represents the fourth snapshot of theological understanding within the Hebrew church, which was later passed to the Gentile church. The unity of the Gospels reflects a progressive revelation of doctrine, rooted in the mystery of Christ and His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

1. The Origins and Purpose of Mark’s Gospel

Mark's Gospel captures the testimony of Peter and represents the earliest stage of the church’s doctrinal development. It arose after the resurrection of Christ, when the disciples, having received the Holy Spirit, began to perceive the unity of Scripture as a testimony to Jesus. Though Peter understood the fulfillment of prophecy in Christ, his attempts to teach in riddles (e.g., handling serpents or drinking poison) were misunderstood, leading to certain passages being omitted by some churches.

2. Matthew and Luke: Expanding the Understanding of the Mystery

Matthew, written a decade later, reflects a growing comprehension of the mystery. Matthew's Gospel begins with Abraham, emphasizing Israel as a parable for the nations and unveiling Christ’s fulfillment of Israel’s history.

Luke, written a further decade later, deepens this trajectory, beginning with Adam and emphasizing the universality of Christ’s mission. By this time, the apostles had identified figures before Abraham as types of Christ, and Luke sought to preserve the testimonies of eyewitnesses to Christ’s life, integrating this material with Mark and Matthew.

3. John: The Culmination of Theological Insight

John’s Gospel, the last to be written, represents the most advanced theological perspective of the Hebrew church. Written at Peter’s request, it aims to preserve the mystery for future generations. Unlike the Synoptics, John uses advanced Hebrew interpretative techniques, such as notarikon, to reveal Christ as the “life of God on earth,” beginning his account with a reflection on Genesis 1:1.

4. The Gentile Church and Paul’s Unique Contribution

The Gentile church, reliant on the Septuagint, struggled to unpack the Old Testament’s mysteries without Hebrew context. Mark served as an outline for teaching, supplemented by the insights of messengers familiar with Hebrew scripture.

Paul’s distinct contribution lay in his focus on the bride of Christ, revealed to him post-resurrection. While the apostles primarily searched the Old Testament for prophecies of Christ’s death and resurrection, Paul emphasized the bride’s life in Christ. This approach complements, rather than diverges from, the Gospels’ focus on Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.

5. Gospel Unity and the Emmaus Sermon

The four Gospels collectively embody the Hebrew church’s effort to reproduce the sermon on the road to Emmaus, where Christ revealed how all Scripture speaks of Him. Each Gospel reflects a stage in the church’s growing understanding of the mystery, from Peter’s foundational insights in Mark to John’s advanced theological synthesis.

6. Criteria for Canonical Inclusion

For any additional Gospel to align with the four canonical accounts, it must meet the following criteria:

• It must be authored by an eyewitness to Christ’s life.
• It must recapitulate the Old Testament mystery through Christ’s life.
• It must originate within the Hebrew church and be received as authoritative by the Gentile church.

Conclusion

The Gospels are not disparate accounts but unified snapshots of the Hebrew church’s theological development, reflecting Christ’s fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. John’s Gospel, far from being a separate entity, represents the culmination of this doctrinal journey, emphasizing the unity of the Gospel message across all four accounts. This progression underscores the divine inspiration and intentional design behind the New Testament canon.