An in-depth analysis of several perplexing questions about the Gospel of Matthew that reaches entirely reasonable...
An earnest effort to solve several controversies surrounding the Gospel of Matthew posits Matthew as an authorized chronicler of Jesus’ daily life.
For centuries, religious scholars have debated several vital points related to the Gospel of Matthew. These issues really boil down to two questions: When was the Gospel of Matthew written? And why is it similar in language to the gospels of Luke and Mark? Govindaraj (The Matriverse and Other Essays, 2010) proposes a simple explanation: Jesus authorized Matthew to write a diary at the time about his ministry and life, which was later read by both Luke and Mark while they were writing their accounts. Govindaraj cites evidence to support his claim that Matthew had first-hand knowledge of Jesus, which was recounted in the Gospel, including specific, intimate knowledge about Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, and intimate knowledge of Jesus’ birth. One glaring omission in the Gospel of Matthew requires further analysis—the absence of Jesus’ Ascension into heaven following the Resurrection. Govindaraj leans heavily on information about the time period to support his claims about Matthew’s own life and probable motivations, but the historical suppositions lack crucial references. Furthermore, claims about motivation occasionally stretch credulity while not considering other, more obvious explanations. For example, Govindaraj credits Matthew’s willingness to leave his job and follow Jesus as a miracle, rather than suggesting Matthew may have been swayed by a charismatic and persuasive young leader whose message spoke directly to Matthew’s own heart. The main arguments in the book rely heavily on rather circular logic. Despite these unsettling problems with the text, the bulk of the book provides an incomplete but intimate look at the world of Matthew and Jesus Christ, and will give even those with little prior knowledge of the deep questions it examines a riveting look at the tumultuous and emotional biblical world.
An in-depth analysis of several perplexing questions about the Gospel of Matthew that reaches entirely reasonable conclusions with flawed logic.Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2012
ISBN: 978-1449763220
Page Count: 180
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Review Posted Online: Oct. 1, 2013
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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