Parallel Lives of Jesus

Parallel Lives of Jesus

How do we make sense of the four gospels that are at once both so similar and yet so distinctive? In this wonderfully accessible yet academically rigorous book, Edward Adams sets out to demonstrate how we can read the gospels as a single story through four distinctive lenses.
The title comes from Plutarch’s Parallel Lives of Greeks and Romans and Adams’ approach is inspired by Richard Burridge’s studies that have revealed the gospels as being written in a style consistent with ancient biographical writings. Divided into three sections, the first part of the book covers swiftly and comprehensively a comparison of the four gospels as traditionally understood. For succinctness this one third of the book alone is recommended reading for everyone interested in New Testament studies from preachers to undergraduates. The second section of the book studies each gospel in turn in the light of its narrative structure and style, whilst the final section of the book comprises a parallel study of six events in Jesus’ ministry.
Adams’ work is important for it demonstrates how the differences between the gospels can help us to understand the core truth that runs through them all. I hope he will be encouraged by the response to this study to extend his approach so we may access a rich parallel commentary on the fourfold gospel, verse by verse.

The Good Book Stall

Publisher