From Jesus to the Gospels

This booklet begins by looking at the process of moving from the life of Jesus proclaiming the gospel—the good news (kerygma)—to the kerygma-statements in Peter’s sermons. They were formulated, essentially, in short “kerygmatic formulaic statements,” which were considered handed down by the Apostles to the churches themselves.

It then turns to the intent of the Gospels, making a case that the Gospels were written to the churches with the intent of solidifying the churches as kerygmatic communities and finally establishing that Jesus’ plain teaching is in the letters of the Apostles that were written to the churches. Thus the Gospels need to be read having all of the plain teaching of the Epistles already in mind.

Sample (PDF)