#028 Why Are the Gospels Called “Gospels”? - Jimmy Akin
Apr 7, 2025
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Discover why the New Testament writings are called 'Gospels' instead of biographies. Dive into the historical significance of their naming conventions and how these titles shape our understanding of Jesus's life. Explore the emergence of the term 'Gospel,' especially in connection with Mark, and see how early Christian figures influenced its use. This engaging discussion reveals the layers of meaning behind these texts and their pivotal role in conveying God's message.
The Gospels are specialized biographies emphasizing the divine relationship between God and Jesus, rather than traditional human life stories.
The term 'gospel' likely originated from Mark's Gospel, shaping how subsequent Gospels were titled and understood within the early church.
Deep dives
The Nature of the Gospels
The Gospels are often referred to as biographies of Christ, yet they are distinct in their purpose and naming conventions. Unlike typical biographies that center on the subject's life story, the Gospels emphasize the relationship between God and Jesus, framing the narrative around the divine rather than solely human aspects. This reclassification reveals that the primary aim of the Gospels is to convey the message of the good news, or 'euangelion,' which centers on Jesus's mission and ministry rather than a straightforward account of his life. This makes them a specialized form of biography that upholds theological significance over mere historical recounting.
The Use of Titles and Naming Conventions
Traditionally, ancient biographies included either the subject's name or a term indicating 'life' in their titles; however, the Gospels deviate from this pattern. Titles such as 'Bios Yesu' or 'Life of Jesus' would align with common practices of the time, yet the Gospels diverge by being titled based on the authorship, like 'Gospel according to Matthew.' This raises questions about why the Gospels were not simply called lives, as the language used aligns more with the titles adopted by early church communities. The established naming convention appears to have stemmed from the titles created by readers and early Christians rather than from the authors themselves.
Mark's Influence on Gospel Naming
The prominence of the term 'gospel' can potentially be traced back to Mark's Gospel, which opens with the phrase 'the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ.' This early usage suggests that the title 'gospel' may have originated from the first verse of Mark and subsequently influenced how the other Gospels were named. Scholars believe that as Mark's text was circulated within early church services, the term 'gospel' became a technical designation for these writings. By this logic, the other Gospels, written later, adopted the term as a standard, cementing Mark's role in defining this particular genre of Christian literature.
Everyone knows the New Testament has four Gospels—biographies of Christ—but few ask why they're called "Gospels," and Jimmy Akin reveals the surprising reason in this episode.
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