Comments on: New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson #6

By: Terry H

Terry H — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 15:24:35 +0000

sjames: Thanks for adding that. Unfortunately, the vast majority of harmonization I’ve listened to over the years (including as recent as yesterday) doesn’t build up a ‘complex and layered view’ although it should.

By: sjames

sjames — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 10:32:08 +0000

10;12. The matter of harmonisation is of course not unproblematic, which is Julie’s argument. What is potentially problematic is that we are now dealing with different identities, ie different Peters and Christs eg Jesus according to Mark, versus according to John; or a fragmented Christ, prompting arguments questionning the historicity of Jesus.
The purpose of harmonisation has been primarily chronological, with the effect that one builds up not a unitary view of identity, as some may argue, but a complex and layered view. Treating the Gospels as isolated accounts also sets aside questions related, for example, to their source texts, their heterogeneity, while providing scope for particular kinds of textual critique, as set out in the kinds of questions Julie asks.

By: Terry H

Terry H — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 20:16:33 +0000

kf. While most of us harmonize the Gospels (especially the Synoptics), I have found it rewarding to emphasize the differences and to ask why they ARE different. The Book of Mormon is ANOTHER Testament of Jesus Christ. Each of the four has its benefits. That’s why Julie’s approach (as indicated in her excellent book and on these posts) is so valuable in increasing our own knowledge. I often feel when we harmonize them (typically in GD class) we aren’t “earning” our knowledge and aren’t getting as much out of it as we could.

By: Julie M. Smith

Julie M. Smith — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 17:19:33 +0000

Mike Maxwell, comment #9 addresses your concern. Mashing up the stories is about as helpful to determining what Mark was up to as trying to assemble a jigsaw puzzle by borrowing pieces from a different puzzle.

By: Mike Maxwell

Mike Maxwell — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 17:10:59 +0000

Interesting point on asking why the authors described the fishermens calls as the did. Luke 5 makes it pretty clear that Simon Peter also owned a fishing boat so I’m not sure that explains the separate calls. Luke adds that John and James were business partners with Peter so perhaps this is an indication of Peter leaving a fishing boat “empire,” not just a humble, personal livelihood. Or, perhaps it is the first indication of Peter’s leadership and charisma, recruiting his partners to the movement.

By: Julie M. Smith

Julie M. Smith — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 23:43:56 +0000

kf, your questions presume a combination of the various gospel accounts. But I don’t think this is necessarily a good idea, since each writer is telling a different story–and they do not always agree. In other words, Luke’s and John’s accounts simply will not mesh with Mark’s and we shouldn’t try to force round pegs into square holes by reconciling them.

By: kf

kf — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 20:18:45 +0000

I really enjoy reading your posts! In reading the different accounts of Jesus calling the disicples, Luke mentions that Simon was partners with James and John. Doesn’t that make their potential economic differences less likely?

Also, I’m curious as to your thoughts about where/how John’s account of the disciples meeting Jesus in John 1 fits into the storyline of Jesus calling the disicples from their boats (in Matt, Mark, and Luke).

By: Rachel Whipple

Rachel Whipple — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 12:28:26 +0000

I don’t often comment, but I want you to know that I love these posts of yours. There is an art to asking good questions, and you excel at it.

By: Dasein

Dasein — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 22:36:48 +0000

Great stuff. Thank you.

By: theyims

theyims — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 19:11:50 +0000

Julie,
I had never thought that the disciples couldn’t have been expected to even get along with each other. That really adds something.

My family is using your book in our scripture study with partial success. We read the questions and our answers are usually, “I have no idea.” Then, “That’s a good question. Why didn’t I ever think of that question before?” So I have wished for more commentary to go along with your wonderful questions (because we rarely have any ideas that would lead to answers or even guesses), and this series is just what the doctor ordered! Thanks.

By: sba

sba — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 18:53:13 +0000

Julie, you’re right. I was only looking at the chapter assignments, not the lesson themes. Dang manual.

By: Julie M. Smith

Julie M. Smith — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 17:35:38 +0000

sba, I think you might have your numbers off? Lesson #6 focuses on calling disciples; lesson #7 on performing miracles. Or am I missing something?

By: sba

sba — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 17:02:35 +0000

Great stuff. Doesn’t it go better with Lesson 7, though?

By: Amy T

Amy T — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 14:34:11 +0000

Thank you for sharing this insight. It’s interesting to think about in light of our church experiences, particularly in wards that stretch across many demographics.