Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels
The Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels emerged from the recognition that contemporary Gospel scholarship had grown increasingly specialized and fragmented, making it difficult for students, pastors, and educated readers to navigate the vast terrain of historical Jesus research and Gospel studies. Edited by Joel Green, Scot McKnight, and I. Howard Marshall, this reference work brought together contributions from over 200 scholars representing diverse denominational backgrounds and methodological approaches, unified by their commitment to serious engagement with the biblical text.
The dictionary provides comprehensive treatment of the major themes, methods, and debates surrounding Jesus and the four Gospels. It addresses historical questions about the life and teaching of Jesus, literary analysis of the Gospel narratives, theological interpretation of Jesus' significance, and the complex relationships between history and faith in Gospel studies. The work covers everything from archaeological findings that illuminate first-century Palestine to contemporary debates about Gospel genre and composition. Rather than advocating a single interpretive approach, it presents the spectrum of scholarly positions while maintaining evangelical convictions about the reliability and authority of Scripture. The entries demonstrate how historical-critical methods can serve rather than undermine faithful reading of the Gospels.
This dictionary has remained influential because it successfully bridged the gap between academic scholarship and pastoral application during a period of significant methodological development in Gospel studies. It provided evangelical scholars with a substantial response to more skeptical approaches while engaging seriously with critical scholarship. The work continues to serve as a starting point for research and a model for how confessional scholarship can participate meaningfully in broader academic conversations.
Who should read this: Seminary students, pastors, and serious Bible students who want to engage contemporary Gospel scholarship from an evangelical perspective will find this indispensable. Those seeking quick devotional insights or readers uncomfortable with critical methodology should look elsewhere.