The good news of Jesus spread like wildfire through the Roman Empire in the decades between his death and the writing of the first gospels—but how? What exactly did the first Christians say abou
The good news of Jesus spread like wildfire through the Roman Empire in the decades between his death and the writing of the first gospels—but how? What exactly did the first Christians say about Jesus? In From Good News to Gospels David Wenham delves into the gospels, the book of Acts, and the writings of Paul to uncover evidence of a strong and substantial oral tradition in the early church. This book will inform, engage, and challenge readers, inspiring them to better understand and appreciate the earliest gospel message.
Craig L. Blomberg
— Denver Seminary
“The role of oral tradition as the key component behind the formation of the Gospels, even where literary dependence exists, is making a comeback in Gospel scholarship. It hasn’t yet replaced the reigning paradigms of redaction and literary criticism, but if it does, David Wenham’s works over the years will have had a lot to do with it. This short, straightforward little book masks years of research and a breadth of learning. . . . A delight to read and recommend.”
John Nolland
— Trinity College Bristol
“I have long suspected that the very small role allowed for oral tradition in most Gospel scholarship is, at least in part, a failure of imagination and a refusal to allow into the picture what cannot be readily manipulated by well-honed academic procedures. David Wenham makes a powerful case for glimpsing major traces of oral sources at many points in our existing documents. Our imaginative powers need to catch up, and our academic procedures need to become more flexible!”
Craig A. Evans
— Houston Baptist University
“Wenham has been writing good books on major New Testament topics for thirty years. From Good News to Gospels is another one, and it is one of his best. Contrary to some scholars, Wenham rightly underscores the continuity between the preaching and ministry of Jesus and the story of his life, death, and resurrection given us by the evangelists. This book is instructive, well written, and full of insight.”
View Review quote
David Wenham is a well-known British theologian who has specialized in Christian origins during his teaching career at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and Trinity College, Bristol, among other places. His previous books include The Parables of Jesus and Paul: Follower of Jesus or Founder of Christianity?
View Biographical note
