The Gospels are Great too, Right?
I want to give some comments in defense of the four accounts of the gospel of Jesus Christ as recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I am not, at least not presently, going to defend them against the unbelieving critics, but rather against what I feel is a tendency (amongst ourselves) to minimize these four books in favor of the epistles on the basis that we evangelical Christians may feel more comfortable (ironically) with the way the gospel is presentented outside of “the gospels”.
Martin Luther began his preface to Romans saying, “This letter is truly the most important piece in the New Testament,” and a number of children of the Reformation have followed suit, speaking in terms that elevate Romans even above the rest of the Bible (see some quotes here). That includes a number of preachers whom I highly respect, so I would want to give them the benefit of the doubt and give them a chance to defend such statements. But I must admit that such quotes have always made me feel uncomfortable. How can someone say Romans is more “important” than Luke, or more “profound” than the gospel of John, for example?
Yes, I can see how a quote like Luther’s might be defended. After all, during Jesus’ lifetime He did say to His disciples, “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now” (John 16:12), and He promised to later send the Spirit to guide them into all truth. And yes, during the early days (years) of the church the apostles were still having a hard time grasping the law/gospel distinction in salvation (Acts 10-11, Acts 15, Gal 1). And yes, there are certain things that are still in shadowy form even in the four gospels, until God tears apart the veil of revelation (largely by calling Paul as apostle to the Gentiles) and reveals His truth more clearly and explicity than ever before (see also Luke 24). Yes, amen, and praise God for Romans and all the epistles and the completion of the canon and the fullness of God’s written word for man!
But “even still”, I say. Even after all of that I am still not ready to give an “amen” if someone wants to elevate Romans above the other books of the Bible, especially if it is above the four gospels. Our understanding of the gospel should be magnificently enriched when we read the gospels. If our understanding of the gospel is threatened by the gospels, then yes there is a problem. But not with them.
When you need a treatise on the righteousness of God (as Luther desperately did!) Romans is probably the best place to look. But for gaining insight into the Kingdom of heaven and its King, it’s hard to beat Matthew. Want to watch the Son of God working in power, then turn to Mark. Look to the good doctor Luke’s orderly account as your primary source to feed Greek-like minds in the certainty of the things Jesus began to do and teach. And John is like a bottomless well of living water springing up unto faith and life in the eternal, radiant Word of God made flesh!
I intend, Lord willing, to say some more on this topic in subsequent posts. But for now I just want to encourage evangelical brothers and sisters to delight yourselves in a good read, or a good study through, the gospels. Yes, they are great too! You already knew that, but it can often actually help to encourage people in what they already know.