Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Introduction: from Jesus to Gospels -- Excursus: From oral gospel to written gospel -- The purpose and preservation of the Jesus tradition -- Excursus: An evangelical and critical approach to the gospels -- The formation of the Jesus tradition -- Excursus: The failture of form criticism -- The literary genetics of the gospels: the synoptic problem and Johannine question -- Excursus: Patristic quotations on the order of the gospels -- The genre and goal of the gospels: what is a gospel and why write one? -- Excursus: What about the "other" gospels? -- The fourfold gospel of Jesus Christ: why four gospels? -- Excursus: The text of the gospels in the second century.

In this book, through a distinctive evangelical and critical approach, Michael Bird explores the historical development of the four canonical Gospels. He shows how the memories and faith of the earliest believers formed the Gospel accounts of Jesus that got written and, in turn, how these accounts further shaped the early church. Bird's study clarifies the often confusing debates over the origins of the canonical Gospels. Bird navigates recent concerns and research as he builds an informed case for how the early Christ followers wrote and spread the story of Jesus & mdash; the story by which they believed they were called to live. The Gospel of the Lord is ideal for students or anyone who wants to know the story behind the four Gospels.

Print version record.

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