Richard Bauckham Speaks at Westminster Seminary in California about the Gospels
Notes:
(1) Narrative Gospels - like the four canonical gospels. Biographical gospels. (None of Gnostic gospels are of this kind.
(2) Infancy Gospels - never really competitors with the canonical gospels.
(3) Sayings Gospel - Thomas the only example.
(4) Post-resurrection dialogue or revelation. Most of the Gnostic gospels.
(5) Period before or at the crucifixion. Only two - gospel of Judas and the apocolypse of Peter.
(6) Theological treatises - Gospel of Truth & Gospel of Philip. Not stories about Jesus at all.
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The Fourfold Gospel
Canon vs. collection: different options available: (1) the church could have opted for just one gospel (Marcion's edited Luke); (2) they could have chosen a harmonized, composite gospel from the four gospels (or more) (Tatian's Diatesseron); (3) more than four could have been accepted (as Gnostics did). The outcome was by no means clear. Irenaeus argued strongly for the four gospels and no more.
Liturgical importance: which gospels were to be read in worship? A "grass roots" approach as different Christian churches talked to others to find what was acceptable to read in worship.
Question: Was four gospel collection well established early in 2nd century prior to Marcion & the widespread circulation of Gnostic gospels? Or did Marcion & the Gnostics force the church to respond with the four-gospel collection?
Principle criterion for early church was apostolicity. This allowed the inclusion of Mark, which was not used much in early centuries, and most of which is also found in Matthew & Luke. This also prevented the Diatesseron
Meaning of apostolic: (1) chronological: had to come from the period before 100 AD, thus excluding the Diatesseron & the Shepherd of Hermas; (2) they come from the circle of the disciples of Jesus; (3) conformity with the church's teaching / the rule of faith.
Comparison of the four gospels & the gnostic gospels:
(1) the four are rich biographies vs. Gnostics which are not (Jesus completely supernatural teacher of timeless truths); (2) the four continue the OT story of Israel and see Jesus as its climax (historical) vs. the complete lack of such in the Gnostics--no fulfilled prophecy, etc. (mythical); (3) the four deeply rooted in Jewish monotheism vs. Gnostics which rarely if ever mention the name "God" because of Demiurge/Creator vs. the Father distinction; (4) the four are embedded in a historical context that can be verified vs. the vague Gnostics.
Literarly genre of the Gospels: ancient biography.
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