Among the various kinds of literature that circulated, Greco-Roman biographies was fairly dominant.1 This is relevant because, even absent their resembling biographies so much, it would recommend for us to take the gospels as biography as a matter of default, provided they are not letters.
The Gospels fit as biographies, internally exemplifying the quintessential family characteristics.
The Gospels fit as biographies, internally exemplifying the quintessential family characteristics.
• Bios are around 10-25k words long.
• Bios continually focus on a main character.
• Bios focused on an influential figure.
• Bios gave a telling sample of the character’s life.
• Bios illuminate via narrating key words & deeds.
• Bios consist of, anecdotes, and speeches.
• Content-Arrangement prioritizes character-illumination.
• Bios don’t opine on the words & deeds.
• Bios on miracle-working sages were hot.
• The gospels claim to be histories.
• The Gospels internally match ‘histories’.
But no...
• Gospels are not literarily sophisticated.
• Mt and Lk borrowed much from Mk.
• Gospels didn’t discuss their sources.
• Gospels were Jewish documents.
• The Gospels include propaganda.
• Gospel’s main character was flawless.
Rather than inventing Jesus-biography, the authors of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—as editors/redactors—were honest in writing their Gospel reports.
• The originating Gospel/NT content seems honest.
• Gospel authors faithfully copied their sources.
• Gospels relayed Jesus-bio info (didn’t create it).
• Readers took them as bios.
• Gospel authors wouldn’t lie-invent Jesus-bio.
• Mt/Mk/Lk/Jn are accurate where checked (trend).
• Gospels display sacrificially honest restraint.
• Gospel authors strove for witness-based Jesus-bio.
The gospels strove to be witness-based, recording witness testimony as closely as possible.
• Gospel claims are all inherited/sourced.
• Early Empire biography self-identifies as witness-based.
• Gospels did check with witnesses.
• Esteemed Christians’d hate to be exposed.
• Gospels authors prized witness testimony.
• Gospels were big projects (honor).