Jesus and the Gospels

by Luke Timothy Johnson

Jesus and the Gospels is a far-ranging course. It examines the canonical Gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John familiar to us from the New Testament, as well as the many other, apocryphal narratives and literary works that have contributed to our perceptions of Jesus, Mary, and Christianity. All of these works are encompassed by the word "Gospel."

Genres: Religion, Christianity, Audiobook, Nonfiction, History, Theology, Christian

18 pages, Audio Cassette

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Luke Timothy Johnson is an American New Testament scholar and historian of early Christianity. He is the Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Candler School of Theology and a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University.

Johnson's research interests encompass the Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts of early Christianity (particularly moral discourse), Luke-Acts, the Pastoral Epistles, and the Epistle of James.

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been listening to a number of Johnson's lectures from the Teaching Company, as part of my daily commute. I had to switch over to Audible due the poor quality of the library CDs and finally finished it this weekend.

It is hard to describe 18 hours of lectures but I really appreciated the literary approach johnson takes and the thoroughness with which he tackles the subject. He offers an approachable yet scholarly perspective that appreciates all that historical criticism, archeology and other subjects have brought to our understanding of the Gospels but argues that we have to wrestle with the Jesus in the text not the "historical Jesus."

He sets the Gospels into their historical, cultural, and intellectual context before exploring each of the synoptic Gospels in depth. And he wraps up the lectures with an exploration Gnosticism and of the non-canonical gospels.

Anyone wanting a deeper understanding of the Gospels within their historical and literary context would enjoy this lecture series. It will bring a depth of knowledge and appreciation to your study of scripture

[Chris Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another excellent (audio)book by Luke Timothy Johnson. He is captivating and erudite, and brings an almost giddy excitement to his lectures despite the often arcane subject matter.

I would have appreciated more time spent on the canonical gospels, though the course already felt long. Despite that, I learned a good deal from listening. It gave fresh perspective on documents I have been reading since I was a child, by evaluating them as literary productions. Even the facts I was aware of, such as the timeline for writing the gospels and the answer to the "synoptic problem," were helpful, as Johnson provides richer detail and additional context beyond what I had previously seen. I doubt I'll ever read the canonical gospels again without being influenced by what I learned in this book.

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luke Timothy Johnson taught at the seminary where I studied and was later employed. I'm in awe of his knowledge and communication skills. He states his interpretations clearly while respected scholars who differ from him. Also, he has respect for how diversity has expanded our perception of the Bible. About a third of this work deals with the synoptic gospels and John. A long introduction defines literary examination of the Bible as in contrast to the studies of historians. He also explores the Apostle Paul and the historic conditions before the gospels were written. This is followed by an examination of the synoptic problem. John is examined in its similarity and distinctness of the synoptics. Then he explores how the canonical gospels came to be recognized by the church as sacred. Surprisingly he then goes into the gnostic gospels and examines the flow from reinterpreting the canonical gospels, to the gospels which represented a distinctive philosophy later attributed to Jesus. Johnson's enthusiasm is infectious for listeners. There is more in these lectures than can be absorbed in one hearing.

[Dennis Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus and the Gospels by Luke Timothy Johnson is a great course. About 2/3rds of Johnson's work covers the canonical gospels, their context, and what they mean when read together and separately. He adopts a literary approach, so he's not out to construct a historical Jesus (which he thinks is a bit of a fool's errand), nor is he preaching. He is simply taking the works as literature and engaging with them. It was pretty nice and refreshing, reminding me a bit of Bart Ehrman, and the comparison is a highly favorable one. The last third of the course runs the gamut of non-canonical gospels, providing insight into their historical context, and discussing the different takes on Jesus and what you're supposed to learn from their works. He defaults at the end to the canonical four, but he also discusses the ways in which we reimagine and think about Jesus' life as a form of apocrypha in its own right. Its pretty good, if you're into studying religion or Christianity.

[JonJon Hock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a literary critique of the four canonical gospels and various gnostic gospels creating a complete mythology of Jesus.
As an added bonus, the author was sympathetic towards orthodoxy and slightly apologetic towards the canonical gospels. I could see how this bias could bother self-identified gnostics. However, I have read some introductory books on Gnosticism and I believe he portrayed what they believe accurately. Johnson definitely was not bashing the gnostic sects.

[Nick Heim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a long and winding road but worth the journey. If you're familiar with Bart Ehrman's work or some of the gnostic texts or coptic gospels it's going to be a review. However, Johnson's interaction with the material leads to a much different conclusion than Ehrman. In short, it leaves you with the impression that the contemporary arguments among Christians, the search for historical Jesus, and the rejection of the gospel is a continuation of the ancient traditions.

[Hannah Scanlon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fascinating exploration of the synoptic and the apocryphal traditions. Johnson maintains the traditional position that the synoptic gospels ought to remain in the cannon and that legitimate reasons dictate that the apocryphal gospels are to remain outside the cannon. Even so, there are important lessons we can learn from the apocryphal texts, if only to see that the categories of what history dictates as "in" and "out" are more fluid than we might first imagine.

[Michael Kenan Baldwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The lecturer's approach and statements are not without problems, but I got out of this basically exactly what I was expecting (and hoping). Non-sequiturs and arguments from silence do abound unfortunately, but there are more than a few "aha" moments of real insight. Luke Timothy Johnson's literary perspective has a lot to add to the academy and to contemporary preaching from the gospels.

[Joshua Duran]

Audible Audiobook

[Aighmi* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting!

[Bill Dauster · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good treatment of the canonical Gospels is marred by overly extensive delving into the largely nonsensical Gnostic Gospels.

[Martish · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Great Courses I’ve done and learned a lot. Breaking each lecture into 30 minute segments makes it easier to consume.

[Brianna Widdifield · Rating 3 out of 5]

This deserves from me a second listen when I can actually take notes. I will adjust my rating accordingly.

[Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of bizarre, but fascinating series.

[Gil Michelini · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! What an interesting exploration of the literary Jesus.

Dr. Johnson takes us on a journey through the Gospels to better understand what they are telling us about Jesus using the actual words as a guide. If you have ever wanted to know why Jesus in Mark seems like a different person than He is described in Matthew, this course will help you better understand.

In the second half of the course, Johnson explores the gnostic gospels. If you know little about these, you get a good overview of them in this course to understand why they were written, who they were written for, and why they are of such interest today.

During the second half, it might seem that he is promoting a study of the gnostic gospels with equal effort to those in the Bible. That is not the case. He is a historian, and this course is focused on discovering how Jesus is portrayed in each text. He clears up his opinions on the issue in the last lecture.

The accompanying 150 page PDF is a good summary of each lecture. I purchased a couple more of these courses by Johnson and look for to what else I can learn from him.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eh. The lecturer tends to ramble--I suspect the first twelve CDs could have been greatly condensed. To be fair, I might have found this far more exciting if I hadn't been pounded with the canonical gospels throughout the first decade and a half of my life. In support of that thesis, books I wasn't familiar with, like the gnostics and other apocrypha (apparently boy Jesus killed a dude), I found more interesting.

Nonetheless, I would have preferred more historical information, and--if that's lacking--more scriptural citation, or even a better plot description of each of the canonical gospels. Much of the discussion was rather abstract, and somewhat mushy because of it.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completed volume 1 (12 lectures)of three. Dr Johnson's handling of the Gospels as great literature and as God's word is well done. He spent most of this volume on the historical and literary background for the Gospels, and covers Mark's Gospel as well. finished the rst of the series 36 lectures in all. Interesting material and have already begun to read some of the supplemental material and listen to the series of lectures once again

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an 18 hour course comprised of 36 lectures and produced by the Teaching Company. It covers just about everything a survey course would cover by a person who is holding back knowledge because of time constraints.

The course covers each Gospel, 'Q', the Edgerton Papyri and all the Gospels outside of the NT written up to the 5th century CE.

My wife lived it as much as I did and we watch it over from time to time.

[Scott Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic. Sometimes the great courses can run a little dry but I got a lot out of this one. His insights on Mark are fascinating. I am studying the New Testament this year and this is a great companion for the Gospels. Highly recommend.

Second time reading and even more insights. His analysis is fascinating.

[Sheldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half was excellent, up through his treatment of the Gospel of John. The treatment of the apocryphal gospels was interesting but not as good as his treatment of the canonical gospels.

[Skylar Burris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lecture series covers wide ground. Luke Timothy Johnson explores both the canonical and noncanoncial gospels about Jesus, taking a generally moderate approach. Interesting and informative.

[sch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oct 2023. Preparing for Sunday school lessons on the Sermon on the Mount, only lectures 1-24.

Jun 2020. Again. Excellent, excellent.

Sep 2015. Man, this guy.

[Mario Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good companion to "Historical Jesus" also by The Teaching Company.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of revelations and insights into the gospels and relevant apocryphal works.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second time through this course. I learned a great deal again, particularly in comparing the gospels from a literature standpoint.

Luke Timothy does a great job detailing who the gospels were written for and what the auhor was trying to convey, and in so doing, does a great job at explaining inconsistencies among the gospels.

Luke Timothy does have a tendency to ramble a bit, as many college prifessors do, so be aware he is not the most concise speaker ever to have presented. But the amount of knowledge gained by far makes up for any detractors.

I am sue i will listen to the program again in the future.