The Gospel beyond the Gospels

by Trevor Dennis

Publisher:

SPCK

, 2017

Overview

Within a few decades of the death of Jesus of Nazareth, there emerged within the infant church five literary and theological geniuses: Paul and the writers of the Gospels.

No works of literature have been subjected to such close, persistent scrutiny by so many over the centuries. Yet the Gospels continue not only to fascinate, challenge and inspire, but to reveal new treasures and throw up fresh problems.

Much depends on the questions we ask of them and the level of curiosity and honesty we bring to this task. For while the Gospels represent four magnificent attempts to come to terms with Jesus and the God he revealed, we cannot be surprised when they fail. We should, however, be astonished that they take us so far into Truth – then point even further on.

In this glorious book, Trevor Dennis urges us to follow some of those pointers, to investigate where they lead in the search for the bright gospel beyond the Gospels. We will find ourselves in territory that is sometimes disturbing and sometimes heartening . . . But never less than truly exhilarating.

Key Features

• Focuses characters in the Gospels whose lives are profoundly changed by Jesus
• Examines unresolved tensions in the Gospels
• Explores the part women played in Jesus’ circle

Contents

• ‘Do you see this woman?’
• ‘The Vikings were all men!’
• Rejection rejected . . . and reinstated
• ‘Here is God: no monarch he, throned in easy state to reign’

Praise for the Print Edition

With characteristic sensitivity and freshness, Trevor Dennis asks the Gospel authors why they describe things in the way that they do. His rigorous interrogation is attentive to details that are often missed, to characters that are overlooked, and to expressions that are sometimes misconstrued. His own rich analysis of what is going on shows that sometimes the Gospel narratives do not always seem to be fair to their subjects . . . in a most remarkable way Trevor Dennis gives those very narratives a second chance.

—George J. Brooke, Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis Emeritus, University of Manchester

Product Details

• Title: The Gospel beyond the Gospels
• Author: Trevor Dennis
• Publisher: SPCK
• Print Publication Date: 2017
• Pages: 176
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Resource ID: LLS:GSPLBYNDGSPLS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2020-05-01T23:42:06Z

About Trevor Dennis

Trevor Dennis taught Old Testament Studies at Salisbury and Wells Theological College for twelve years, before taking up the post of Canon Chancellor at Chester Cathedral, where he later became Vice Dean. Over the years he has published twelve books for SPCK, as well as a children’s Bible, The Book of Books for Lion Hudson. He retired in 2010, and continues to be in demand as a speaker amongst Christian groups of many denominations all over the country. He is married to Caroline and they have four children and six grandchildren.