DISCOVERING JESUS
Four Gospels, One Person
By T. Desmond Alexander. IVP. 141 pages. £7.99
ISBN 978 1 844 744 978
Discovering Jesus is a clearly written book on the message of the four Gospels, centred on the person of Christ. The author is Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies at Union Theological Seminary, Belfast. He writes simply, without much academic jargon. He argues that each Gospel, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is ‘uniquely written’ and expresses ‘a different but complementary perspective on Jesus’.
Alexander begins by discussing six major themes which can be discovered in all four Gospels. He then goes on to discuss each Gospel in turn, setting out briefly (with helpful charts and diagrams) the main arguments for the authorship, date and context of each Gospel. He favours the view that Mark was the earliest Gospel, but sets out some reasons that could suggest the priority of Matthew. He then goes on to discuss some of the distinctive themes of each Gospel, which lead him to select four complementary descriptions of Jesus. In Mark, he argues, we see Jesus as ‘the Son of God who suffers to ransom others’. In Matthew, we see Jesus as ‘the Son of David who establishes the Kingdom of Heaven’. Luke (a two-volume History) emphasises that Jesus is ‘the Saviour of the world who seeks the lost’; John’s Gospel is discussed in relation to the other three Gospels, and in relation to the book of Exodus. Alexander argues that in John we see Jesus as ‘the Lamb of God who brings eternal life through a new exodus’.
The book concludes with a chapter on the composition of the Gospels, and some final observations. Alexander observes that the four Gospels ‘did not present rival views of Jesus’, but ‘taken together they were perceived as giving a fuller and deeper understanding of Jesus’. That is why I warmly commend this book. Questions at the end of each chapter, suitable for group or personal use, will help to deepen our understanding; and preachers will have some useful material for a sermon series or two!
Gordon Bridger, now retired in Cromer Church, was Principal of Oak Hill 1987-1996.
