The Four Gosples of the New Testament

The thoughts and actions of Jesus of Nazareth are the most important teachings in the Christian tradition, and the most intimate accounts of Jesus' life are given in the four canonical Gospels of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. But on many simple points these Gospels seemingly disagree. Many stories appear in only one or two of the gospels. Some of the events happen in different orders, or are described differently. But unlikelier still is the exactly identical wording sometimes used in multiple gospels to describe the same events. Outside of scripture it is radically uncommon for two eyewitnesses to describe the same occurrence in exactly the same words.

Sometimes the differences in content but similarity in wording is explained by historians of early Christianity by the theory that one or two original documents served as source material for the gospels as we have them today. I'm inclined to believe that in their close association and intimate discussion of these events, certain word patterns became customarily used by the apostles (presumably authors of the gospels) in describing certain events and teachings of Jesus and his life. Having heard an emotionally striking description of some event, they then associate that exact wording with that event. Such lingo is typical among any group that frequently discusses a topic together or who have all heard the same stirring speech. As influential as he was on world history, I assume Jesus of Nazareth was an emotionally powerful speaker.

The Gospel of John especially is the testimony of a believer rather than the argument of a historian. It seemingly references the stories of Jesus without telling them, expecting that the reader already knows them. It tries to explain the meaning of many events taken together rather than describing the physical events themselves. That the Gospel of John is not strictly chronological or literal makes it difficult to compare to the more straightforward gospels, but it's style (like all good poetry and art) suggests a deeper, more substantial meaning is contained within.

It would be extremely interesting to see a set intersection gospel, so to speak; a story of Jesus' life that contains only events depicted in all four canon gospels. I wonder whether it would depict the core of Christian beliefs succinctly and simply, or merely surprise us with it's brevity.

Personally, I find the diversity of the gospels symbolically important. When God provided the most important doctrinal information ever assembled, he offered it not as a monolithic, indisputable authority but as a diversity of views. Thus, perfection is not in plainly stated fact, but in the motive and activity necessary to seek pure truth from a diversity. It is not knowing but learning which is divine. That could be a major motivating factor in the elevation of plurality and mutual tolerance to their modern lofty status among social virtues in western culture.

God is good.