An Introduction to The Gospels

by Mitchell G. Reddish

An Introduction to the Gospels is designed to be a textbook for courses on the Gospels, for use at the college and beginning seminary level. Reflecting the most recent scholarship and written in an accessible style, the volume covers all four of the Gospels, including a survey of "the world of the Gospels".
The book opens with a discussion of the origin, development, and interrelationships of the Four Gospels. After a chapter-length treatment of each canonical Gospel and the non-canonical Gospels, the work concludes with a discussion of the "historical Jesus" debate.
In An Introduction to the Gospels, Mitchell G. Reddish:
- provides a solid, convenient survey of the Gospels in an accessible textbook format
- presents up-to-date scholarship in a field that has been dominated by older texts
- gives a balanced presentation of the content of the Gospels

288 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1997

Reviews

[Ann Haefele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I read with a women’s discussion group at church. It took us about 9 months to get through this very detailed book about the background of the gospels, the narrative style of writing the gospels and the historical background during the writing of the gospels. It is probably a book I’d never have finished reading on my own. It actually made my brain hurt at times while reading it. But the discussions were worthwhile and helped iron out many of our questions. My knowledge of the gospels has increased tremendously and I highly recommend this if looking for a study book with a group. It was written for college and seminary students which is why it is so detailed and scholarly.

[Gab Nug · Rating 2 out of 5]

For scripture class on the Gospels. A bit more of an historical analysis of the Gospels and the context surrounding them. Not a bad text, just never interesting enough for me to read more than was required (if I even read that much).

[Lia Kritzinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a religion class and it worked well for what the teacher taught.

[Tim Rooney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am torn on this book because it contains lots of value and insight to people looking into the gospels in a deeper way for the first time. It is accessible and easy to read, which is refreshing. However I disagree with a fair amount of his conclusions and analyses--particularly in the Gospel according to Matthew. But there is a lot of valuable work here in terms of understanding the themes present and just understanding the purpose of these narratives as being slightly different in each. It grounds these works in historical context and explains that each has a different goal. So, it is worth reading but with an awareness that these scholarly pursuits are always being revised and that new research is being done that may make portions of this inaccurate.