Advance Theology Course Module 5: The Gospels

Introduction

Helpful introductory videos from the Bible Project.

• Watch thisNew Testament Overview by The Bible Project
• Watch thisGospel by The Bible Project
• Watch thisHow to Read the Bible: The Gospel by The Bible Project

Session 1: Context of the Gospels and the Gospel

Read Matthew 1-2; Mark 1, 8, 15; Luke 15, 24; John 1, 3, 14, 15 & 20:30-31 and the notes below in preparation for this session. Note: we'll do Question 2 (corresponding with the slide, 'Context, Caesar and Christmas') in the group session.

• Read thisNotes for 5.1 Context of the Gospels and the Gospel

Session 2: God in the Gospels

Read John 1, Matthew 3, Mark 4-6, Luke 24, John 14 and the notes below in preparation for this session. Andrew Wilson raises some interesting and difficult questions in connection with Matthew 3 when he suggests that baptism with fire refers to judgment. Here, you'll find some notes I've written to probe that a bit further (although my position differs slightly from AW's at one point). In the section on Mark 4-6 AW uses a number of illustrations to help explain the fear of the Lord. You'll find links to those movie clips here, along with a short article that AW has written on the topic.

• Read thisNotes for 5.2 God in the Gospels
• Read thisBaptism of the Holy Spirit and Fire, Notes by Andrew Sampson
• Read thisHow do you fear your Father? by Andrew Wilson
• Watch this"Fear of the Lord": Clip from Jurassic Park
• Watch thisFear of the Lord: Clip from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Aslan's roar at 2:38)
• Watch thisFear of the Lord: Dumbledore & Voldemort duel from The Order of the Phoenix

Session 3: The Gospel in the Gospels

Read Matthew 11-12; Mark15; Luke 1-2; John 18 and the notes below in preparation for this session. As we consider 'the gospel in the Gospels', you may find it helpful to read Tom Wright's (a leading NT scholar) summary of the gospel message. There's also a link to AW' review of the book he mentions by Fleming Rutledge.

• Read thisNotes for 5.3 The Gospel in the Gospels
• Read thisExtract from What Saint Paul Really Said by Tom Wright (pp. 60-61)
• Book recommendation in the videoAW's review of 'The Crucifixion' by Fleming Rutledge

Session 4: People in the Gospels

Read Matthew 5-7; Mark 11-12; Luke 18 and the notes below in preparation for this session. Note that we'll be watching a portion of a teaching video by John Mark Comer in place of the first section of the AW video, before returning to the AW video for the sections on Mark and Luke.

• Read thisNotes for 5.4 People in the Gospels
• Watch this video. START: 5.46. FINISH: 32.54Who is Actually Blessed? Matthew 5:1-10 by John Mark Comer

Session 5: Mission in the Gospels

Read Matthew 13; Mark 13; Luke 9-11; John 21 and the notes below in preparation for this session.

• Read thisNotes for 5.5 Mission in the Gospels
• Listen to this'There is a Day' song about Jesus' return referred to at the end of the Q&A