Gospels and Translating the Message of Jesus - Essay Example

Gospels and Translating the Message of Jesus Affiliation Gospels and Translating the Message of Jesus The Four Gospels of the Bible are perceived as the most reliable sources of information on the life and messages of Jesus Christ. The Four Gospels are a presentation of the accounts of the authors on the life and works of Jesus. The creation of the gospels is as influenced by the Holy Spirit, but in creation of real and actual events that happened during the reign of Jesus on earth. The gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the biblical books with information on the actual life and experiences of Jesus. Regardless of that the gospels were written on real events, the depiction of the each gospel varies from the others (Keck & Moser, 2010). This has created the argument that the gospels do not provide reliable and accurate accounts on the life of Jesus (Keck & Moser, 2010). Does the existence of the existence of four gospels hinder the effectiveness of understanding the life and word of Jesus Christ? The Accuracy and Similarities of the Gospels in Creating the Image of Jesus In an argument by Block (2005) the creation and development of the four gospels is done by in great consideration on the message of Christ. The author further asserts that the fact that the writing of the books was influenced by the power of the Holy Spirit creates the sense of belief and maximum acknowledgment of the gospels (Block, 2005). For instance, the portrayal of Jesus as the son of God is similar in all the gospels. For this reason, the gospels provide an accurate depiction of the life of Jesus. Pinsky & Parvin (2002) assert that the content of the gospels provide less confusing but more detailed depiction of Christ as a holy being. Consequently, the gospels provide messages that are similar and reliable. In addition, the creation of the gospels date back to a similar era making the books more aligning and increasingly displaying the same perspective of Jesus Christ (Pinsky & Parvin, 2002). Combining the facts that the Holy Spirit provided motivation in writing and similarities in the time of development, the gospels do not provide varying or inaccurate interpretations of the life and messages of Jesus. The similarities in the content of the gospels are evident all through the literatures. For instance, each gospel depicts the birth of Jesus as through a virgin and ascension to heaven in equal manner. The two events in the life Jesus mark the start and end of the reign of Jesus on earth. From this argument, it is accurate to develop the proposition that the gospels were created in regards to the same content but different choice of words and representation of Jesus. The argument is supported by Porter (2004) who points out that the gospels recognize significant events of the life of Jesus, birth, baptism and death, in a similar manner. For this reason, the gospels do not hinder the effectiveness of understand the life of Jesus, but supplement the words of each gospel by offering an understanding from different perspectives. In a close analysis of the content of the gospels, the story of Jesus is similar in each (Porter, 2004). The accuracy in the depiction of the real time occurrence of events is evident. For instance, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John depict the ascension of Jesus at dawn. From this provision, one may rely on the message of each gospel to provide a similar understanding on the life of Jesus. Other similarities in content can be depicted on the acknowledgement of specific characters. In an example, the depiction of Judas as the traitor is similar in all gospels. In addition, the relationship between Jesus and Judas in all the gospels is depicted as not trustworthy. In an argument by Burridge (2005) the content creation in each gospel does not misrepresent the actual message of Jesus. The author further asserts the differences in the presentation and depiction of the content do not hinder the general messages as preached by Jesus (Burridge, 2005). The same assumption is provided by Block (2005) who points out that the fact that the gospels were written by different persons hinder the utmost accuracy in interpretation of the life and messages of Jesus. The perception of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John on the messages on Jesus could not be alike but their intent and contents are aligned in regards to spreading the word of Jesus. The four gospels function as a message to Christians on how to seek the kingdom of Christ. The messages to Christians are continuous in all gospels with a common message that Christians should seek to emulate the righteousness as displayed by Christ (Bridge, 2004). To the reader, this message is evident and clear in each gospel. Consequently, each gospel depict the requirement from all Christian as desired by Christ not as desired by the authors of the gospels (Bridge, 2004). For this reason, the interpretations of the gospels are provided with a similar direction. This proves the argument that the existence of four gospels does not hinder the effectiveness hinder to understand Jesus as a person or his messages. Balaguer (2010) points out that the creation of four gospels was purposely done to incorporate all the teachings by Christ. Each gospel contains specific teaching of Christ. In addition each teaching was preceded by an event. For instance, the gospels highlight different parables used by Jesus when preaching to people. The events as witnessed by each of the disciples could not be incorporated in one gospel (Balaguer, 2010). The separation of the gospels allowed for the incorporation of all teachings by Jesus as witnessed at different locations and time. Consequently, the existence of the four gospels increases the understanding of the life of Jesus and his teachings. Differences in the Gospels The argument supporting the assumption that the existence of four gospels hinders the understanding of Jesus and his Message is supported by the fact that there are numerous differences in their content when relating to similar events. Specifically, the gospel of John varies significantly from the other gospels. For instance, John describes Jesus more as God (Lane, 2011). The gospel analyses the more of Jesus as deity on the impact he has on the human life. In the other gospels, the message and life of Jesus is interpreted in a human form of Jesus. In Mark, the role of Jesus is depicted more as a servant of the people. The account also focuses on the deeds of Jesus and his will to die for the people (Lane, 2011). The same interpretation is different in Matthew in which Jesus is portrayed as a king. The account depicts the role of Jesus in fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament as the king sent by God to liberate the people (Lane, 2011). In Luke the same interpretation is different. The account describes Jesus in the humane side. For instance, the ability of Jesus to associate himself with the less fortunate such as beggars and the poor is highlighted in the account. From these different accounts, the understanding of Jesus may be less direct and definite for the reader. There are also significant geographical differences in the setting of the life of Jesus. In the first three gospels, the presence of Jesus in Jerusalem is at only one time during the triumphant entry. In Mark, the events in Jesus’ life take place in Galilee and on the way to Jerusalem (Stetzer, 2012). The gospel only cites Jesus in Jerusalem on the triumphant entry. This is different in the gospel of John. In the account, Jesus visited Jerusalem before his final triumphant entry. For instance, Jesus was in Jerusalem during the early temple cleansing (Stetzer, 2012). The event is absent in the other gospels. This also creates a difference in understanding the life of Jesus. There are also differences in the narration of events in the gospel (Hanson, 2006). Regardless of the fact that the events shared the same conclusion, the messages were different. For instance, Matthew and Mark provide different accounts on the healing of the centurion. In Luke the conversation takes place between the Jewish leader and Jesus who speak on behalf of the centurion. In Matthew the conversation takes place directly between the centurion and Jesus. In addition, Matthew completely excludes the presence of the Jewish elders (Stetzer, 2012). These differences in explaining the events in the bible hinder the effectiveness of the readers to clearly understand the life and events of Jesus’ life. If the accounts in the gospel were aligned in depicting the life and messages of Jesus, an understanding by the reader would be much easier. Conclusively, the gospels depict of Jesus and highlight his teachings. However, considering that the authors of the accounts were different, it is expected that there are differences in the literature. The differences in the creation of the gospels are significant in understanding the true life of Jesus and his messages. However, the content of the gospel are created in the same intent and objective. For this reason, the existence of four gospels is important in understanding the life of Christ. Addition, the creation of each gospel complements the message in other gospels. References Balaguer, V. 2010. Understanding the Gospels. New York: Scepter Publishers. Block, D. 2005. Jesus in Context: Background Reading for the Study. Michigan: Baker Academics. Bridge, S. 2004. Getting the Gospels: Understanding the New Testament Accounts of Jesus Life. Michigan: Baker Books. Burridge, R. 2005. Four Gospels, One Jesus? A Symbolic Reading. Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing Co. Hanson, A. 2006. The Prophetic Gospel: Study of John and the Old Testament. London: A&C Black. Keck, L. & Moser, N. 2010. Jesus in the Gospels: Study Manual. London: Abington Press. Lane, T. 2011. Reading and Understanding the Gospels: Who Jesus Is, What He Teaches, and the Beginning of Christianity. New York: Author. Pinsky, M. & Parvin, S. 2002. The Gospel According to the Simpsons: Leaders Guide for Group Study. Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press. Porter, S. 2004. Reading the Gospels Today. Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing Co. Stetzer, E. 2012. Differences in the Gospel, a Closer Look. 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