THE GOSPEL IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, by C. H. Dodd

A Brief Book Summary from Books At a Glance

by Steve West

About the Author

C. H. Dodd was a highly influential theologian and New Testament scholar in the 20^th century. His interpretations have been widely discussed and set the agenda for numerous theological interactions and reflections.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Part 1: Jesus and His Gospel

Introduction

1. The Kingdom of God
2. Receiving the Kingdom
3. Our Father in Heaven
4. The Kingdom of God Here and Now
5. Eternal Life

Part 2: The Presentation of the Gospel: A. The Simple Gospel

Introduction

1. The First Preaching
2. The Revelation of John
3. The First Epistle of Peter
4. The Evangelists

Part 2 (Cont’d): The Presentation of the Gospel: B. The Philosophy of the Gospel

Introduction

1. The Faith of Paul
2. Paul’s Gospel of Redemption and Reconciliation
3. The Epistle to the Hebrews
4. The Gospel According to John

Summary

Part 1: Jesus and His Gospel

None of the Gospels provide a completely systematic account of Jesus’s teaching, and none of the Gospels are first-hand reporting. Mark is the earliest Gospel and it was produced around AD 65. Much of its material is tied to Peter’s preaching, but there are other sources. Mark’s Gospel focuses on the Christian way vs. the old ways, the significance of Jesus’s death, the need for his followers to share in his sufferings, and hope for the future. Matthew and Luke are later and they use Mark as a main source for Jesus’s life. For Jesus’s teaching, they used another source which is now lost. This source was a collection of sayings that probably came before Mark (it is frequently referred to as “Q”). A lot of their material comes from early oral or written traditions, but these have been modified over time. Matthew has a Jewish-Christian influence which colors it, and it emphasizes eschatological hope even more so than Mark. John’s Gospel was likely published near AD 100. Although it contains some original sayings of Christ, it has been shaped by decades of the Christian community’s theological and philosophical thinking.

Mark begins by proclaiming the good news of the nearness of God’s Kingdom. The Jewish religion centered on the living God who had a plan for history and who would reveal himself mightily in the end. Jews were waiting for the Kingdom of God. Jesus did not conform to the typical views of the Kingdom that prevailed in his time. He taught that the Kingdom was God’s reign in hearts that would change individuals and society. The vision that Jesus taught about the Kingdom goes beyond our ability to imagine. Seeking the Kingdom is the highest good and would be good for all. Jesus called people to seek the Kingdom, but also assured them that it was the Father’s pleasure to give it to them. . . .

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THE GOSPEL IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, by C. H. Dodd

Fontes Press, 2020 | 122 pages

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