Synkrisis

9 books in series
3 out of 5 stars 2 ratings

How the Gospels Became History Summary

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 Litwa
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Product list
  • Book 1

    The Mysteries of Artemis of Ephesos: Cult, Polis, and Change in the Graeco-Roman World cover art
    • The Mysteries of Artemis of Ephesos: Cult, Polis, and Change in the Graeco-Roman World

    • By: Guy MacLean Rogers
    Not Available on Audible.co.uk

  • Book 2

    Transient Apostle: Paul, Travel, and the Rhetoric of Empire cover art
    Not Available on Audible.co.uk

  • Book 3

    Christ Child: Cultural Memories of a Young Jesus cover art
    Not Available on Audible.co.uk

  • Book 4

    A Spiritual Economy: Gift Exchange in the Letters of Paul of Tarsus cover art
    Not Available on Audible.co.uk

  • Book 5

    Raised on Christian Milk: Food and the Formation of the Soul in Early Christianity cover art
    • Raised on Christian Milk: Food and the Formation of the Soul in Early Christianity

    • By: John David Penniman
    Not Available on Audible.co.uk

  • Book 6

    Regulating Sex in the Roman Empire: Ideology, the Bible, and the Early Christians cover art
    • Regulating Sex in the Roman Empire: Ideology, the Bible, and the Early Christians

    • By: David Wheeler- Reed
    Not Available on Audible.co.uk

  • Book 7

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  • Book 8

    Having the Spirit of Christ: Spirit Possession and Exorcism in the Early Christ Groups cover art
    • Having the Spirit of Christ: Spirit Possession and Exorcism in the Early Christ Groups

    • By: Giovanni B. Bazzana
    Not Available on Audible.co.uk

  • Book 9

    The Christians Who Became Jews: Acts of the Apostles and Ethnicity in the Roman City cover art
    • The Christians Who Became Jews: Acts of the Apostles and Ethnicity in the Roman City

    • By: Christopher Stroup
    Not Available on Audible.co.uk