How to Read the Gospels
An Introduction
Published on 5. June 2024
Book
Hardback
292 pages
978-1-5381-8607-7 (ISBN)
Description
This accessible introduction to the Gospels examines the distinctive messages offered by the texts, giving students a better understanding of methods and interpretations. It explores a close reading of each Gospel and encourages students to approach texts from their own perspectives, from postcolonialism to environmentalism. The discussion questions included will help students focus their reflections on the gospel narrative, its theology, and methods of reading it. How to Read the Gospels is an ideal textbook for undergraduate and seminary classrooms.
The book aims to reach seminary and graduate students who study the Gospels critically and comprehensively. It provides user-friendly summaries such as the basics of each Gospel-authorship, history, important parables, etc. -the Jesus of each Gospel, and notable interpretation and translation issues. Without reading the entire story, readers often focus on only specific passages. This book aims to foster close reading of each entire text, sensitizing students to historical and literary issues that commonly arise-and helping them better understand various ways to interpret these formative stories.
What makes this book unique is that it also engages various readings of the Gospels from traditional to deconstruction approaches, including womanist interpretation, disability interpretation, ecological interpretation, and many more. For example, how can readers understand the story of Jesus' surprising conversation with the Samaritan woman in John 4 through the lens of feminism? Or postcolonial criticism? By providing alternative ways to think about these stories and various methods of approaching texts that may be new to the student, the book opens up how such passages can be interpreted and appreciated.
The book aims to reach seminary and graduate students who study the Gospels critically and comprehensively. It provides user-friendly summaries such as the basics of each Gospel-authorship, history, important parables, etc. -the Jesus of each Gospel, and notable interpretation and translation issues. Without reading the entire story, readers often focus on only specific passages. This book aims to foster close reading of each entire text, sensitizing students to historical and literary issues that commonly arise-and helping them better understand various ways to interpret these formative stories.
What makes this book unique is that it also engages various readings of the Gospels from traditional to deconstruction approaches, including womanist interpretation, disability interpretation, ecological interpretation, and many more. For example, how can readers understand the story of Jesus' surprising conversation with the Samaritan woman in John 4 through the lens of feminism? Or postcolonial criticism? By providing alternative ways to think about these stories and various methods of approaching texts that may be new to the student, the book opens up how such passages can be interpreted and appreciated.
Reviews / Votes
Dr. Yung Suk Kim's brilliant and meticulous textbook How to Read the Gospels offers a refreshing approach to reading the gospels that exceeds most introductions. I appreciate that he encourages readers to read the gospels closely for themselves. Readers are also encouraged to read multiple interpretative approaches to the gospels in conjunction with learning how to read them contextually and critically, even though the various methods are situated in the second half of the book. Kim's book rises above the many textbooks on the gospels that either ignore or provide shallow and marginalizing introductions to queer, disability, postcolonial, feminist, womanist, ecological, ekklesia, and minoritized criticisms. This contribution to biblical studies is revolutionary. -- Mitzi J. Smith, J. Davison Philips Professor of New Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary Professor Yung Suk Kim's book is well organized and clearly presents his goals and objectives. I appreciate his innovative approach by which he examines the distinctive features of each Gospel from the standpoint of several interpretive methods, which especially gives voice to perspectives not customarily included in traditional works of similar genre. In addition, providing summaries and questions at the end of each chapter facilitates the book's use as a textbook. I would describe this book as an introduction both to traditional literary and contemporary inclusive, current cutting-edge, marginalized methodologies, and approaches to Gospel interpretation. I welcome a text like this that seeks to provide readers with a broad range of interpretive perspectives (that includes, ecological, post-colonial, minoritized, literary-historical, and other approaches). It is this very feature of Kim's book that is commendable and attractive and the basis upon which to highly recommend it to others. -- Demetrius K. Williams, Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Dr. Yung Suk Kim's How to Read the Gospels offers informative, in-depth, and inclusive guidance on each Gospel. Dr. Kim invites the reader to engage with and interpret the Gospels through close, careful, and critical reading. This well-organized and well-balanced book will enrich any discussion on the Gospels, whether in seminary or parish. -- Jeehei Park, Assistant Professor of New Testament, Seminary of the Southwest Yung Suk Kim has gifted us with a much-needed resource for studying the Gospels. Thanks to his exceptionally lucid writing style, this book presents the complex textual and historical issues around the Gospels, as well as their diverse interpretations, in an easy-to-follow way. Students and teachers of the New Testament will find this book useful and insightful. -- Ekaputra Tupamahu, Assistant Professor of New Testament, Portland Seminary With How to Read the Gospels, Yung Suk Kim has once again written a comprehensive and accessible primer for the study of the New Testament. The introduction to each gospel, diverse array of interpretive methodologies presented, and insightful bibliographical references will make this an essential resource for any class engaging the gospels. -- Nicholas Elder, Associate Professor of New Testament, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary In the age where academic biblical studies was catapulted into a vortex of diverse methods, readers, contexts and concerns, Yung Suk Kim's How to Read the Gospels: An Introduction, is a rare-jewel, for it is research-intensive, reader-friendly and thorough-going in its faithfulness to the ancient context and content of the gospels, while exposing the student reader to various ways of interpreting the Gospels. Not only does it show case diverse ways of reading the Gospels, but it also makes the work of biblical teachers much easier without sacrificing quality. I highly recommend this book for all beginning readers of the Gospels and their teachers. -- Musa W. Dube, William Ragsdale Cannon Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Emory UniversityMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
US School Grade: From College Freshman to College Graduate Student, Interest Age: From 18 to 22 years
Illustrations
4 Tables, 28 Textboxes
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
628 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5381-8607-7 (9781538186077)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
05/2024
1st Edition
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
€20.49
Available for download
E-Book
05/2024
1st Edition
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
€20.49
Available for download
Person
Yung Suk Kim (PhD, Vanderbilt University) is Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University. He has written seventeen books in the area of biblical interpretation, Pauline studies, and the Gospels, including Monotheism, Biblical Traditions, and Race Relations (2022), How to Read Paul (2021), and Resurrecting Jesus (2015). He co-authored Toward Decentering the New Testament (2018) with Mitzi Smith. He also edited Paul's Gospel, Empire, Race, and Ethnicity (2023), among other volumes. He serves as a member of the Bible Translation and Utilization Committee (BTU) to assist in the Bible publishing activities of the National Council of Churches.
Content
Acknowledgments
PART I: A Historical, Literary Introduction
1. Introduction
What Is a Gospel?
How to Read the Gospels
As the Story of Jesus
As the Story of the Evangelists Reflecting on the Significance of Jesus
As the Story of Jesus and Evangelists for Contemporary Readers
Transmission of the Story of Jesus
The Synoptic Problem
Two-Source Hypothesis
What Is Q?
Redaction Criticism
2. The Gospel of Mark
Mark's Gospel at a Glance
Outline
The Markan Jesus
Distinctive Theological Themes
Parables in Mark
Notable Interpretation Issues
A Close Reading of Mark
1:1-13, Prologue
1:14-8:26, Public Ministry
8:27-10:52, Jesus on the Way to Jerusalem
11:1-13:37, Ministry in Jerusalem
14:1-15:47, Passion Narrative: Last Supper, Trials, Crucifixion
16:1-8, The Resurrection of Jesus
Questions for Reflection
Further Reading
3. The Gospel of Matthew
Matthew's Gospel at a Glance
Outline
The Matthean Jesus
Distinctive Theological Themes
Parables in Matthew
Notable Interpretation Issues
A Close Reading of Matthew
1:1-2:23, Infancy Narrative
3:1-4:25, Ministry of Jesus
5:1-7:29, First Discourse: Sermon on the Mount
8:1-9:38, Jesus Heals Many People
10:1-10:42, Second Discourse: Missionary Instructions
11:1-12:50, Jesus's Ministry Continues While Opposition Arises
13:1-53, Third Discourse: Collections of Parables
13:54-17:27, Jesus Continues with His Mission and Foretells His Death and Resurrection
18:1-35, Fourth Discourse: Community Instructions
19:1-20:34, Jesus Continues to Teach on the Way to Jerusalem
21:1-23:39, Jesus Enters Jerusalem and Confronts Leaders
24:1-25:46, Fifth Discourse: Sermon on Eschatology
26:1-27:66, Passion Narrative
28:1-20, The Resurrection of Jesus
Questions for Reflection
Further Reading
4. The Gospel of Luke
Luke's Gospel at a Glance
Outline
The Lukan Jesus
Distinctive Theological Themes
Parables in Luke
Notable Interpretation Issues
A Close Reading of Luke
1:1-4, Preface
1:5-2:52, Birth and Childhood of Jesus
3:1-4:13, Preparation for the Ministry of Jesus
4:14-9:50, Jesus's Ministry in Galilee
9:51-19:27, On the Way to Jerusalem
19:28-21:38, Jesus's Teaching in Jerusalem
22:1-23:56, The Suffering and Death of Jesus
24:1-53, The Resurrection of Jesus
Questions for Reflection
Further Reading
5. The Gospel of John
John's Gospel at a Glance
Outline
The Johannine Jesus
Distinctive Theological Themes
"I Am" Sayings of Jesus
Notable Interpretation Issues
A Close Reading of John
1:1-18, Prologue
1:19-5:47, Jesus's Ministry
6:1-12:50, Jesus's Ministry Grows and Faces Opposition
13:1-17:26, Farewell Discourses
18:1-20:31, Suffering and Glory
21:1-25, Addendum
Questions for Reflection
Further Reading
PART II: Reading the Gospels from Various Perspectives
6. Overview of Interpretive Approaches to the Gospels
Author-Centered, Historical Approach
Historical-Critical Method
Social Science Criticism
Text-Centered, Literary Approach
Textual Criticism
Narrative Criticism
Reader-Centered, Comprehensive Approach
Reader-Response Criticism
Feminist Criticism
Womanist Interpretation
Ekklesia-Centered, Theological Interpretation
Jewish Interpretation
Inter(con)textual Interpretation
Queer Criticism
Postcolonial Criticism
Deconstruction Interpretation
Minoritized Criticism
Disability Studies
Ecological Criticism
7. The Gospel of Mark from Various Perspectives
Author-Centered, Historical Approach
Historical-Critical Method
Social Science Criticism
Text-Centered, Literary Approach
Textual Criticism
Narrative Criticism
Reader-Centered, Comprehensive Approach
Reader-Response Criticism
Feminist Criticism
Womanist Interpretation
Ekklesia-Centered, Theological Interpretation
Jewish Interpretation
Inter(con)textual Interpretation
Queer Criticism
Postcolonial Criticism
Deconstruction Interpretation
Minoritized Criticism
Disability Studies
Ecological Criticism
8. The Gospel of Matthew from Various Perspectives
Author-Centered, Historical Approach
Historical-Critical Method
Social Science Criticism
Text-Centered, Literary Approach
Textual Criticism
Narrative Criticism
Reader-Centered, Comprehensive Approach
Reader-Response Criticism
Feminist Criticism
Womanist Interpretation
Ekklesia-Centered, Theological Interpretation
Jewish Interpretation
Inter(con)textual Interpretation
Queer Criticism
Postcolonial Criticism
Deconstruction Interpretation
Minoritized Criticism
Disability Studies
Ecological Criticism
9. The Gospel of Luke from Various Perspectives
Author-Centered, Historical Approach
Historical-Critical Method
Social Science Criticism
Text-Centered, Literary Approach
Textual Criticism
Narrative Criticism
Reader-Centered, Comprehensive Approach
Reader-Response Criticism
Feminist Criticism
Womanist Interpretation
Ekklesia-Centered, Theological Interpretation
Jewish Interpretation
Inter(con)textual Interpretation
Queer Criticism
Postcolonial Criticism
Deconstruction Interpretation
Minoritized Criticism
Disability Studies
Ecological Criticism
10. The Gospel of John from Various Perspectives
Author-Centered, Historical Approach
Historical-Critical Method
Social Science Criticism
Text-Centered, Literary Approach
Textual Criticism
Narrative Criticism
Reader-Centered, Comprehensive Approach
Reader-Response Criticism
Feminist Criticism
Womanist Interpretation
Ekklesia-Centered, Theological Interpretation
Jewish Interpretation
Inter(con)textual Interpretation
Queer Criticism
Postcolonial Criticism
Deconstruction Interpretation
Minoritized Criticism
Disability Studies
Ecological Criticism
11. Conclusion
The Importance of Various Readings of the Gospels
Criteria for Solid Interpretation
Reader's Critical, Imaginative Role
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
PART I: A Historical, Literary Introduction
1. Introduction
What Is a Gospel?
How to Read the Gospels
As the Story of Jesus
As the Story of the Evangelists Reflecting on the Significance of Jesus
As the Story of Jesus and Evangelists for Contemporary Readers
Transmission of the Story of Jesus
The Synoptic Problem
Two-Source Hypothesis
What Is Q?
Redaction Criticism
2. The Gospel of Mark
Mark's Gospel at a Glance
Outline
The Markan Jesus
Distinctive Theological Themes
Parables in Mark
Notable Interpretation Issues
A Close Reading of Mark
1:1-13, Prologue
1:14-8:26, Public Ministry
8:27-10:52, Jesus on the Way to Jerusalem
11:1-13:37, Ministry in Jerusalem
14:1-15:47, Passion Narrative: Last Supper, Trials, Crucifixion
16:1-8, The Resurrection of Jesus
Questions for Reflection
Further Reading
3. The Gospel of Matthew
Matthew's Gospel at a Glance
Outline
The Matthean Jesus
Distinctive Theological Themes
Parables in Matthew
Notable Interpretation Issues
A Close Reading of Matthew
1:1-2:23, Infancy Narrative
3:1-4:25, Ministry of Jesus
5:1-7:29, First Discourse: Sermon on the Mount
8:1-9:38, Jesus Heals Many People
10:1-10:42, Second Discourse: Missionary Instructions
11:1-12:50, Jesus's Ministry Continues While Opposition Arises
13:1-53, Third Discourse: Collections of Parables
13:54-17:27, Jesus Continues with His Mission and Foretells His Death and Resurrection
18:1-35, Fourth Discourse: Community Instructions
19:1-20:34, Jesus Continues to Teach on the Way to Jerusalem
21:1-23:39, Jesus Enters Jerusalem and Confronts Leaders
24:1-25:46, Fifth Discourse: Sermon on Eschatology
26:1-27:66, Passion Narrative
28:1-20, The Resurrection of Jesus
Questions for Reflection
Further Reading
4. The Gospel of Luke
Luke's Gospel at a Glance
Outline
The Lukan Jesus
Distinctive Theological Themes
Parables in Luke
Notable Interpretation Issues
A Close Reading of Luke
1:1-4, Preface
1:5-2:52, Birth and Childhood of Jesus
3:1-4:13, Preparation for the Ministry of Jesus
4:14-9:50, Jesus's Ministry in Galilee
9:51-19:27, On the Way to Jerusalem
19:28-21:38, Jesus's Teaching in Jerusalem
22:1-23:56, The Suffering and Death of Jesus
24:1-53, The Resurrection of Jesus
Questions for Reflection
Further Reading
5. The Gospel of John
John's Gospel at a Glance
Outline
The Johannine Jesus
Distinctive Theological Themes
"I Am" Sayings of Jesus
Notable Interpretation Issues
A Close Reading of John
1:1-18, Prologue
1:19-5:47, Jesus's Ministry
6:1-12:50, Jesus's Ministry Grows and Faces Opposition
13:1-17:26, Farewell Discourses
18:1-20:31, Suffering and Glory
21:1-25, Addendum
Questions for Reflection
Further Reading
PART II: Reading the Gospels from Various Perspectives
6. Overview of Interpretive Approaches to the Gospels
Author-Centered, Historical Approach
Historical-Critical Method
Social Science Criticism
Text-Centered, Literary Approach
Textual Criticism
Narrative Criticism
Reader-Centered, Comprehensive Approach
Reader-Response Criticism
Feminist Criticism
Womanist Interpretation
Ekklesia-Centered, Theological Interpretation
Jewish Interpretation
Inter(con)textual Interpretation
Queer Criticism
Postcolonial Criticism
Deconstruction Interpretation
Minoritized Criticism
Disability Studies
Ecological Criticism
7. The Gospel of Mark from Various Perspectives
Author-Centered, Historical Approach
Historical-Critical Method
Social Science Criticism
Text-Centered, Literary Approach
Textual Criticism
Narrative Criticism
Reader-Centered, Comprehensive Approach
Reader-Response Criticism
Feminist Criticism
Womanist Interpretation
Ekklesia-Centered, Theological Interpretation
Jewish Interpretation
Inter(con)textual Interpretation
Queer Criticism
Postcolonial Criticism
Deconstruction Interpretation
Minoritized Criticism
Disability Studies
Ecological Criticism
8. The Gospel of Matthew from Various Perspectives
Author-Centered, Historical Approach
Historical-Critical Method
Social Science Criticism
Text-Centered, Literary Approach
Textual Criticism
Narrative Criticism
Reader-Centered, Comprehensive Approach
Reader-Response Criticism
Feminist Criticism
Womanist Interpretation
Ekklesia-Centered, Theological Interpretation
Jewish Interpretation
Inter(con)textual Interpretation
Queer Criticism
Postcolonial Criticism
Deconstruction Interpretation
Minoritized Criticism
Disability Studies
Ecological Criticism
9. The Gospel of Luke from Various Perspectives
Author-Centered, Historical Approach
Historical-Critical Method
Social Science Criticism
Text-Centered, Literary Approach
Textual Criticism
Narrative Criticism
Reader-Centered, Comprehensive Approach
Reader-Response Criticism
Feminist Criticism
Womanist Interpretation
Ekklesia-Centered, Theological Interpretation
Jewish Interpretation
Inter(con)textual Interpretation
Queer Criticism
Postcolonial Criticism
Deconstruction Interpretation
Minoritized Criticism
Disability Studies
Ecological Criticism
10. The Gospel of John from Various Perspectives
Author-Centered, Historical Approach
Historical-Critical Method
Social Science Criticism
Text-Centered, Literary Approach
Textual Criticism
Narrative Criticism
Reader-Centered, Comprehensive Approach
Reader-Response Criticism
Feminist Criticism
Womanist Interpretation
Ekklesia-Centered, Theological Interpretation
Jewish Interpretation
Inter(con)textual Interpretation
Queer Criticism
Postcolonial Criticism
Deconstruction Interpretation
Minoritized Criticism
Disability Studies
Ecological Criticism
11. Conclusion
The Importance of Various Readings of the Gospels
Criteria for Solid Interpretation
Reader's Critical, Imaginative Role
Bibliography
Index
About the Author