
How the Gospels Became History
Jesus and Mediterranean Myths (Synkrisis)
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
3 months free
Buy for $19.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Doug Smith
-
By:
-
M. David Litwa
Did the early Christians believe their myths? Like most ancient—and modern—people, early Christians made efforts to present their myths in the most believable ways.
In this eye-opening work, M. David Litwa explores how and why what later became the four canonical gospels take on a historical cast that remains vitally important for many Christians today. Offering an in-depth comparison with other Greco-Roman stories that have been shaped to seem like history, Litwa shows how the evangelists responded to the pressures of Greco-Roman literary culture by using well-known historiographical tropes such as the mention of famous rulers and kings, geographical notices, the introduction of eyewitnesses, vivid presentation, alternative reports, and so on. In this way, the evangelists deliberately shaped myths about Jesus into historical discourse to maximize their believability for ancient audiences.
This is the most compelling and thorough comparison of the gospels and Greco-Roman mythology to appear in the last 50 years.
©2019 Yale University Press (P)2023 Matthew David LitwaListeners also enjoyed...




















People who viewed this also viewed...








Listener received this title free
Fascinating context for the gospels
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Fantastic work by Dr. Litwa
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Fun all 'round
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Excellent scholarly discussion
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.