Gospel Writing and Church Politics: A Socio-rhetorical Approach

In this expanded version of the Chuen King Lecture in 2000, Theissen enlarges on our understanding of the four canonical Gospels as well as Acts in each of their social, political and ecclesiastical contexts. His socio-rhetorical interpretation of the Gospels is to demonstrate that their authors guided their congregations and their lives by writing the history of Jesus of Nazareth. It is his hope that such an interpretation of the Gospels will contribute to the understanding of their pastoral function in our times.