Well done! In recent study of Ezekiel, and in recalling lectures from Dr. Randall Bush, I am reminded of the deep currents of Jewish tradition which run through Johannine literature. Is there the possibility of the gospels being a genre unto themselves?
I really appreciate this comment Sam, and I know Dr Bush would be pleased :). That is an opinion some have advanced, and it sure seems a lot closer to the truth than the bios theory! Of course, the biggest danger I can see is the apparent lack of continuity between the OT and the NT if we say that the gospels are entirely a brand-new sort of thing. I want to maintain that the gospel writers are modeling their stories on the OT. Of course, we can differ on how this is accomplished, but the form does seem to make a difference. How would you connect the OT and NT in form? Or do you think there is no connection?
I don't know enough about genre studies, although it seems from a layperson's eye that the gospels create a new kind of genre. That being said, the ancient eye had more of an inclination to view the world as literal and symbolic overtop one another, so perhaps the OT allusions in the gospels serve this same function.
Well done! In recent study of Ezekiel, and in recalling lectures from Dr. Randall Bush, I am reminded of the deep currents of Jewish tradition which run through Johannine literature. Is there the possibility of the gospels being a genre unto themselves?
I really appreciate this comment Sam, and I know Dr Bush would be pleased :). That is an opinion some have advanced, and it sure seems a lot closer to the truth than the bios theory! Of course, the biggest danger I can see is the apparent lack of continuity between the OT and the NT if we say that the gospels are entirely a brand-new sort of thing. I want to maintain that the gospel writers are modeling their stories on the OT. Of course, we can differ on how this is accomplished, but the form does seem to make a difference. How would you connect the OT and NT in form? Or do you think there is no connection?
I don't know enough about genre studies, although it seems from a layperson's eye that the gospels create a new kind of genre. That being said, the ancient eye had more of an inclination to view the world as literal and symbolic overtop one another, so perhaps the OT allusions in the gospels serve this same function.