The Jimmy Akin Podcast #028 Why Are the Gospels Called “Gospels”? - Jimmy Akin
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Apr 7, 2025 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.
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Gospel Titles
- The Gospels are biographies of Jesus, belonging to the ancient Greek literary genre "bios" (life).
- They might have been titled "Life of Jesus" or simply "Jesus" like other ancient biographies.
Ancient Book Titles
- In the ancient world, authors self-published books, sometimes without titles.
- If popular, titles were given by users like booksellers or readers, sometimes resulting in multiple titles.
Consistent Gospel Titles
- The Gospels didn't circulate without titles; early writings refer to them consistently as "according to" Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
- This contradicts the claim of later title additions.