What do you think about the similarities and differences in the four canonical gospels? As interpreters, what do we do with contradictory information? What role do non-canonical gospels have?
What do you think about the Diatessaronn, an attempt at creating a singular, harmonious narrative from the four gospels?
What role does authorship play in the New Testament books? Does it significantly change how we interpret a given text?
Applying the Text:
The New Testament has a lot of information that disagrees, both in Paul’s letters and in the gospels. When it comes to our use of these texts to inform our lives, how do we determine which guidance to follow?
Should we treat letters from Paul that are considered disputed, unlikely to be written by Paul, as less authoritative than undisputed letters? Which is more important: a letter’s authenticity or its inclusion in the biblical canon?
How are New Testament texts used in your faith community? Are gospels or epistles treated differently? Do you ever use non-canonical materials?