The Gospels as Stories

"The four Gospels of the New Testament have been read in a variety of ways but not always as they were meant to be--as unified stories about Jesus of Nazareth. This book will equip its readers with perspectives and strategies to approach the Gospels in a way that goes beyond mere atomistic reading. Including a wealth of concrete examples, Brown presents us with an excellent introduction to the narrative interpretation of the Gospels."

"In college and graduate school I viewed historical-critical methodologies as useful to an extent, but uninspiring. Then, in a class taught by Jeannine Brown, I discovered narrative criticism. This rejuvenated me. Finally, I was allowed--no, expected--to focus on the text as we have it; I started to hear the text speak. Now I have the honor of helping my own students hear the text speak, and using narrative criticism forms them into better readers of the Gospels and Acts. As Brown argues in The Gospels as Stories, reducing the theology of the Gospels to propositions is not helpful, for the Gospels theologize powerfully when they are read as they are meant to be read: as stories."

"In my three decades of teaching the Gospels I have found that the one thing certain to enlighten and excite students is a simple but profound appreciation for the Gospels as stories. In this book, Jeannine Brown shows us how to read the Gospels not merely as compilations of religious data and anecdotes but as narratives with captivating story lines, intriguing characters, and developing motifs. She demonstrates how each Gospel tells its story of Jesus with accomplished rhetoric and artistry that, despite overlapping content, set each Gospel apart from the other three. Anyone interested in the Gospels for their historical, theological, or literary merit will find this book enriching and useful."

"The study of the Gospels as narratives has been one of the most fruitful areas of Gospel research over the past three decades. In this volume, Gospels expert Jeannine Brown draws from her wealth of experience to guide students skillfully through the ins and outs of narrative analysis. This is an ideal supplemental text for Gospels courses and a must-read for pastors preparing to preach through the Gospels."