Yeshua in Context >> Reading Strategies , Study Tips >> A Simple Gospel Test
A Simple Gospel Test
One of the most read articles ever at Yeshua in Context is " A Gospel Proficiency Test ."
But here is an even simpler test and if you don't know the answer, then you have the common disease of Gospel Attention Deficit Disorder. This disease often occurs in religious communities where favorite passages are read and sermonized irregularly and without attention to context, comparisons with parallel passages, and so on. It results from a lack of two things: (1) consistent, habitual reading of the Bible and especially the gospels and (2) taking the time to check the parallels when you read a gospel story.
Here is the test:
How did Peter first meet Yeshua?
I will give the wrong answer in the comments and the right answer in the comments, so see below.
Filed under: Reading Strategies , Study Tips
WRONG ANSWER: Yeshua came up to the Sea of Galilee and called him to become a fisher of men. See Mark 1:16.
RIGHT ANSWER: Andrew and an anonymous disciple (later it becomes obvious this is the Beloved Disciple) followed Yeshua based on John the Baptist's calling him the Lamb of God. Andrew then introduced Peter to Yeshua. See John 1:35-42. This answer assumes, rightfully in my opinion, that the two stories can be harmonized and are not contradictory.
HOW TO READ BETTER: Get a harmony of the gospels (I recommend Gundry and Thomas) or use a harmony at one of the online Bible sites such as this one at blueletterbible.com: http://www.blueletterbible.org/study/harmony/index.cfm .
When you read a story in one gospel, look to see what the other three have to say about it. Note that John often adds completely new information to some of the stories (John does not have a version of many of the stories found in Mark-Matthew-Luke, but does have parallels to some of them).
You will notice many, many things (and be both challenged with apparent problems and encouraged with deeper reflection) if you make it a habit to compare and study.
Derek Leman