Page 6 - Advanced New Testament Survey Student Textbook

3. They are meant to convey historically accurate information. The details included in the gospels, the
way the writers organize them, and the similarities in composition implies a conscious effort to include
the correct information. John and Luke explicitly state their intentions, and Luke leaves no doubt that he
intends to write history:

“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as
they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also
to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty
of the things you have been taught.” —Luke 1:1–4

Luke claimed to be writing accurate history. We could question whether he was a reliable historian, or
whether his sources were reliable, but the point is that his intentions were historical.

Whether or not these events actually happened confirms or denies the truth of Christianity. Christianity
rises or falls on the historical accuracy of key gospel events:

• Jesus’ words and deeds

• His death on the cross
• His resurrection

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your
faith.” To some degree, we have to consider these historical literature—but that’s not all they are.

The Gospels are also theological literature.

The entire Old Testament was the background for the Gospels. The unfolding plan of redemption as
revealed through the Old Testament sacrificial system finds final fulfillment in the narratives of the four
Gospels. Through the story of Christ’s ministry the author’s seek to convince their readers that God has
come to earth with a plan to go to Jerusalem and become the Savior of all men. The Gospel, the Good
News of their stories is that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for sin but raised three days later as he
conquered sin and death. Each Gospel writer gave his slant or perspective on the same story.

While the Gospels present us a historical and biographical story of the life of Christ, they are not true
biographies. As you read the Gospels, you may get frustrated because they left out so much detail of
Christ’s life. We know almost nothing about Christ’s younger years. It is as if a whole segment of stories
were just left out! John told us in John 20:30-31:

“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this
book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by
believing you may have life in his name.”

John 21:25

Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that
the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

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