Understanding the Gospels: A Guide for Preaching and Teaching

Understanding the Gospels first introduces the Gospels generally and then prepares readers to communicate their message to a modern audience. Each of the fourteen contributors is a seminary professor and expert on the topic covered. This book focuses on preaching and application, and answers pointed questions to help students and pastors understand the major theological themes of each gospel and avoid common interpretive mistakes. Anyone serving in a teaching or preaching capacity will find this book helpful for accurate proclamation and powerful application of the Gospels.

About the Author :
Herbert W. Bateman IV (PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary) has taught Greek language and exegesis for more than twenty years. He is the author or editor of many works on the General Epistles, including Charts on the Book of Hebrews, Four Views on the Warning Passages in Hebrews, and Interpreting the General Letters. Benjamin I. Simpson is assistant professor of New Testament studies and associate dean at Dallas Theological Seminary. His other books include Jesus the God-Man.

Review :
"Understanding the Gospels is a fitting tribute for Darrell Bock, an outstanding scholar and effective public advocate for biblical Christianity. Whether pastors and teachers read the book from cover to cover or consult chapters on specific topics, they will find a wide range of instructive perspectives and useful tools for appreciating and communicating the truths of the Gospels more faithfully and powerfully."--Gregory S. MaGee, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, Taylor University (8/21/2017 12:00:00 AM) "Understanding the Gospels is a wonderful and appropriate tribute to Dr. Darrell Bock. The book highlights Darrell Bock's passions: that people would know Jesus the Messiah, that they would study the Gospels deeply, and that they would proclaim the message of God's Word. What I loved about the approach of the book is that it does not offer a shortcut for deep study, but rather provides the tools so the serious exegete can accurately and clearly discern the meaning of the Gospels. In a world of shortcuts and "quick and easy" solutions, the contributors provide a depth of knowledge that is not normally easily accessible elsewhere to preachers and teachers. This information is invaluable as we prepare to pass God's truth in the Gospels on to our sheep. It is with great gratitude to the editors and contributors and with the highest regard for my professor, Dr. Darrell Bock, that I highly recommend this work."--Matthew McAlack, Professor of Divinity, Director of Youth & Family Ministry Programs, Cairn Univ. (8/21/2017 12:00:00 AM) "Understanding the Gospels: A Guide for Teaching and Preaching, edited by Herbert W. Bateman IV and Benjamin I. Simpson, is a Festschrift produced to honor Professor Darrell Bock. Most, but not all, of the essays included are written by former students and past or present colleagues of Darrell Bock. As the title suggests, this collection is intended to enhance the work of those who teach and preach the Gospels, and not to replace more technical works or New Testament Introductions.

The essays are grouped into four parts: (i) Interpreting and Communicating the Gospels; (ii) Understanding the Gospels, which includes essays treating each Gospel in turn; (iii) Applying the Gospels, noting how this was done in the early church and then in the twenty-first century; (iv) Discovery Studies in the Gospels, which address some controversial issues related to interpreting the Gospels. The essays reflect the scholarly expertise of the authors, and also their awareness of the importance of the work of those who expound the Gospels for the edification of Christian people today."--Dr. Colin G. Kruse, Senior Lecturer in New Testament, Melbourne School of Theology (8/21/2017 12:00:00 AM)