Jesus and the Gospels

By: Luke Timothy Johnson, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Luke Timothy Johnson

For most of the last 2,000 years, questions about the figure of Jesus have begun with the Gospels, but the Gospels themselves raise puzzling questions about both Jesus and the religious movement within which these narratives were produced. Is it possible to shape a single picture from the various accounts of his life given us by these Gospels?

This far-ranging course examines not only the canonical Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John familiar to us from the New Testament, but also the many other, apocryphal narratives and literary works that have contributed to our perceptions of Jesus, Mary, and Christianity - all of which are encompassed by the word "Gospel." In these 36 engaging lectures, you'll discover the human Jesus that underlies many portraits we have.

After introducing you to the era's volatile mixture of Mediterranean culture, Greek ideals and realities, Roman governance, and the religion of Israel, Professor Johnson turns to the Gospels and provides close analyses of key lines of text, explanations of the significance of language and terminology, and overviews of important issues with which scholars have long grappled. You'll learn about the different issues of faith each Gospel emphasizes, as well as the real-world logistics of spreading that faith during the early Christian era.

But it is the figure addressed by the Gospels who dominates these lectures, sometimes in ways less familiar than the portrayals of Jesus we most often encounter. Beyond the portrayal in the synoptic gospels, you'll study what the apocryphal narratives have to say about the childhood of Jesus. Among other things, you'll also learn about the source of Roman Catholicism's doctrine of Mary and examine the 2nd century faith of Gnosticism.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2004 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2004 The Great Courses

The Gosples in Early Christianity

Over all a great and informative course. I have a lot of Theology classes undr my belt but this leturer had new perspectives that I found interesting and engaging. He is a bit pendantic especilay in the early lectures but becomes more converstational as the couser proceades I am not sure why. His final lectures especialy the last one were the most engaging the first few his least If you dislike him in the early lectures hang in and see if things get better they did for me.

Thorough, well researched and, to me, very enlightening

I very much enjoyed these lectures and found them to be well worth the effort they will demand of you. Dr. Johnson thoroughly discussed the back history of ancient predecessors to the gospels, the canonical gospels we all know, and then the apocryphal and gnostic gospels we may not know as well. His well-balanced and thorough presentation may frustrate some, but was very enlightening for me with my traditional (and more narrow than I realized) Catholic school education. Stick with it past the first 3 introductory lectures which can be a bit dry. It picks up after that. The last 2 lectures are worth the journey!

Excellent Catholic Review

Dr Johnson obviously enjoys his research and has an easy, comfortable delivery. Although I have read the Bible, this course gave me a much better understanding about motivation of the authors and their objectives in writing the various books. I also learned about apocryphal books and understand why they are not part of the cannonical Bible.

Searching for truth

The author covered a wide range of thoughts, leaving no stone unturned. Excellent work!! I highly recommend it.

Excellent!!!

Worth the time. I come from a Protestant background and found Dr Johnson’s careful thoughtfulness very refreshing. Makes me wonder what else he has to say....I am going to find out and purchase more!

Analysis of the gospels from a literary perspective rather than from a historical Jesus perspective with its post enlightenment arrogance makes these sacred texts come alive and makes me want to learn more about them rather than dump them.

I am a physician and thus relatively versed in the scientific method. But applying science...the study of the repeatable to the gospels...the literature of history and thus the non-repeatable...really did a disservice to the gospels. Thanks you Dr Johnson for allowing us to look at this literature with respect and understanding that these works are still important to many of us. It was a wonderful journey. Ready for Paul now!