Four Portraits, One Jesus: A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels, 2nd ed.

by Mark L. Strauss

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2020

Overview

To Christians worldwide, the man Jesus of Nazareth is the centerpiece of history, the object of faith, hope, and worship. Even those who do not follow him admit the vast influence of his life. For anyone interested in knowing more about Jesus, study of the four biblical Gospels is essential.

The second edition of Four Portraits, One Jesus has been updated throughout to meet the needs to today’s students. It is a thorough yet accessible introduction to the four biblical Gospels and their subject, the life and person of Jesus. Like different artists rendering the same subject using different styles and points of view, the Gospels paint four highly distinctive portraits of the same remarkable Jesus.

With clarity and insight, Mark Strauss illuminates these four books addressing the following important areas:

• First he addresses the nature, origin, methods for study, and historical, religious, and cultural backgrounds of the Gospels.
• He then moves on to closer study of each narrative and its contribution to our understanding of Jesus, investigating things such as plot, characters, and theme.
• Finally, he pulls it all together with a detailed examination of what the Gospels teach about Jesus' ministry, message, death, and resurrection, with excursions into the quest for the historical Jesus and the historical reliability of the Gospels.

This textbook together with its workbook, video lectures, and laminated sheet gives students everything they need for a thorough and enriching study of Jesus and the Gospels.

Key Features

• Explains the nature, origin, methods for study, and historical, religious, and cultural backgrounds of the Gospels
• Provides a closer study of each narrative and its contribution to our understanding of Jesus
• Examines what the Gospels teach about Jesus’ ministry, message, death, and resurrection

Contents

Top Highlights

“The genre of the Gospels may be described under three headings: history, narrative, and theology.” (Page 33)

“The Gospels are historical in at least three ways. First, they have a history of composition.” (Page 33)

“Exhortatory: To encourage and assure believers in their faith.” (Page 37)

“Apologetic: The need to respond to external attacks on the church.” (Page 37)

“Liturgical: The need for worship material in the church.” (Page 37)

Product Details

• Title: Four Portraits, One Jesus, 2nd Edition
• Author: Mark L. Strauss
• Edition: 2nd Edition
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication Date: 2020
• Pages: 656
• Resource Type: Introduction
• Topic: Jesus Studies

About Mark L. Strauss

Mark L. Strauss (PhD, Aberdeen) is university professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary, where he has served since 1993. His books include Four Portraits, One Jesus; How to Read the Bible in Changing Times; The Essential Bible Companion; and commentaries on Mark and Luke. He also serves as vice chair of the Committee on Bible Translation for the New International Version translation.

Sample Pages from Four Portraits, One Jesus: A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels, 2nd ed.