This book provides a learning-by-doing approach to the study of biblical texts that allows students to uncover literary patterns, theological issues, and interpretive problems through close readings of primary sources.
Michael Cosby guides students through each of the canonical gospels, offering questions along the way that help them understand the shape of each gospel's narrative, the themes important to each gospel writer, and the problems that occasion debates among New Testament scholars.
Cosby's inductive approach lets students discover the complexity of the gospels for themselves. The study questions offer the kind of guidance appropriate for adult Bible classes as well as for undergraduate New Testament courses. Also included are appendices describing the chronology of historical Jesus scholarship and research on Jewish society during the time of Jesus' ministry.