This book is a thoroughly revised and updated edition of Understanding the Jesus Movement in the Gospel Traditions. It is designed as a resource book for the current course on Synoptic Gospels in Bachelor of Divinity degree level studies under the Senate of Serampore College (University). While it is structured according to the syllabus of the course, the book aims to introduce the issues and current scholarly discussions on matters of Jesus and Synoptic Gospels research. Though the students are the main targets of the book, both the pastors and lay believers alike will find it helpful for understanding Jesus and the Gospels.
Menjiwapong Jamir did his Doctor of Theology from Serampore University and is currently serving as Associate Professor and HoD of New Testament and Greek Studies at Eastern Theological College, Jorhat, Assam. Before joining ETC, he taught at Allahabad Bible Seminary for many years and was also a visiting faculty at Gospel and Plough Institute of Theology, SHUATS, Allahabad. He is married to Imnuksungla Lkr and they have two daughters, Lenyuna and Ngangtetso.
The Jesus movement inaugurated and ushered in by Jesus himself was molded and nurtured by the life and ministry of the earthly Jesus. This movement is the foundation and fountainhead of authentic Christian life, beliefs and praxis. It is the touchstone to gauge all ancient, medieval, modern and postmodern Christian movements, churches, whether ecumenical and evangelical or any other groups in between as to their faithfulness to all that Jesus stood for in his life, ministry and mission.
In this regard, the three Synoptic Gospels together with the Fourth Gospel are the non-negotiable primary sources for our inspiration and knowledge of what Jesus did and said, and what his immediate Twelve disciples and his broader followers saw, believed, and handed on to the future Jesus-believing generations. They narrate dramatically how Jesus reacted, responded, and addressed myriad of problems, and challenges; and how he prayed, taught, performed miracles; revealed and demonstrated the in-breaking of God's reign in the power of the Holy Spirit that brought healing, restoration, revitalization and renewal to individuals, families, and gave birth to the communities of the new messianic renewal movement.
Thus, this volume in your hand entitled, Studies in Jesus and the Gospels: Jesus Movement in the Synoptic Gospels by Dr. Menjiwapong Jamir is a must read for all who wish to discover afresh the message and challenges of Jesus today amid scholarly debates on various Jesus' traditions and materials in the Gospels, on the one hand; and on the other, our everyday questions, concerns, issues and challenges in life. This book is the fruit of many years of rigorous research and teaching which were tested in class room context in theological Seminaries and Colleges in India. It is a thoroughly revised and updated edition of a similar volume by the author himself in line with the latest Senate of Serampore College syllabus on the subject under consideration.
The seven main parts of the book with several sub-parts and smaller sub-units are packed with substantial modern and current New Testament scholarship on every question of Synoptic studies representing the mainline state of the scholarship, guiding the readers with balanced and nuanced conclusions amid scholars' divergences and convergences on various questions and issues. These are well documented with abundant scriptural basis and secondary sources and references used for further exploration. This makes the volume useful for both beginners and advanced readership. The author's clarity and careful and nuanced handling of complex and complicated subject matters are highly appreciated, and therefore this book is highly recommended for all purposes of studying Jesus secondary sources and references used for further exploration. This makes the volume useful for both beginners and advanced readership. The author's clarity and careful and nuanced handling of complex and complicated subject matters are highly appreciated, and therefore this book is highly recommended for all purposes of studying Jesus movement in the Synoptic Gospels meaningfully and relevantly.
The Synoptic Gospels generate intense scholarly discussions on matters ranging from their formations to their historicity and veracity of their portrayals of Jesus and his ministry to their contemporary relevance/meaning. Newer arguments and conclusions emerge regularly expanding the existing body of knowledge on these Gospels. This necessitates constant updating and revision of our knowledge about Jesus and the Synoptic Gospels.
The present volume is an outcome of years of engagement with the Bachelor of Divinity students under the Senate of Serampore College (University) in which I am privileged to teach a course on Synoptic Gospels. It is a fully updated and thoroughly revised version of my earlier Understanding the Jesus Movement in the Gospel Traditions. This revision was called for by two factors: first, to incorporate and introduce the students to newer terrains of scholars' works on Jesus and the Synoptic Gospels, and second, to design its contents as per the latest Serampore University's syllabus on the course "Jesus Movement in the Synoptic Gospels." Accordingly many new chapters have been added to and many sections have been omitted from the previous version.
I remain grateful to my own teachers, colleagues, and friends who encouraged me to undertake this revision and for providing critical inputs. My in-laws, some relatives and well-wishers have come forward to support this project financially and morally. I owe a great thanks to them all. My wife, Imnuksungla Lkr and our daughters Lenyuna and Ngangtetso also deserve my thanks for bearing with me in the process of this project.
My great admiration and gratitude to my first Greek Guru - Rev. Dr. A. Tali Ao- for initiating me and producing in me a deep love for Greek and New Testament as a young boy. I feel humbled and greatly honoured for his humility in accepting my request to write the Foreword for this volume. Thank you, my dear friend and student, Wapongtemjen Imsong. for the beautiful and creative cover design.
Life does not go without challenges. As soon as I started working on this project some health issues began to tease me at times. I also experienced the greatest loss of my life when my biggest supporter, my Dad, K.N. Temjen Jamir, received his heavenly call just before the printing of this book. He stood by me and walked with me through thick and thin of life and always encouraged me to write. So I dedicate this book to him. Throughout all these experiences, the Lord Almighty has been kind to me so he deserves my utmost "Thanks".
1. What are the Gospels?
"Gospel" (Greek "euangelion;" also plural "euangelia") means "reward for bringing good news and also the "good news" itself. In secular literature, this term was used as a technical term for the good news of political victory as well as private messages that brought joy to someone. "Euangelion" gained religious significance in the imperial cult, above all, the appearance of the divine world ruler, the inauguration of his reign, and his decrees are news of joy ("cuangelion"). Concerning the birthday of the Roman Emperor Augustus one reads in a calendar inscription (dated c. 9 B.C.) from Priene in Asia Minor, "The birthday of the god was for the world the beginning of glad tidings ["cuangelion"], which have gone forth for his sake."
In the New Testament (henceforth NT), "gospel" has the special meaning "news or message of salvation." It is based on the Greek verb "euangelizesthai (in Hebrew "bissar") which means "to proclaim the news of salvation." This act of proclaiming the news of salvation was firmly connected with the messenger of God who proclaims the eschatological message regarding the in-breaking of God's sovereign rule. In Jesus' word (Mat. 11:5), which is directly connected with Third Isaiah, "gospel" is the news of salvation which he himself brings. In Paul, "gospel" means the proclamation about Christ and the salvation which Christ brings (Rom. 1:1-6; 1 Cor. 15:11, etc.).
The first three Gospels are grouped under the name "Synoptic" (from Greek word "sunopsis") which means "common perspective" or "seeing things together." J. J. Griesbach was the one who introduced this term to these three Gospels in 1776 in his Synopse, where the parallel texts of the first three Gospels were printed side by side for comparison. In fact, this three-fold tradition requires a common perspective in order to be understood and evaluated in its unity and diversity.
The Gospels were not written until 30-35 years after the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. At first, teachings concerning the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ were circulated in oral form.
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