Book Review: Why Four Gospels by David Alan Black

Having learned to appreciate the writings of David Alan Black I was excited about reading Why Four Gospels.  I was not disappointed.

Why Four Gospels is a short book with a big punch. Black states that he has learned that less is more. Well, this book certainly demonstrates the point.

Without belaboring the issues at hand, Black gives us the historical origins of the Gospels. While doing so, however, he takes it in hand to show us the truth about the synoptic “problem”. How? By dealing with it historically.

Black contends, and rightly so, that for too long the early church fathers have been neglected in the study of the origins of the gospels. As one who has waded into that study in the past few months, I must agree with him. It is much wiser to take the word of those who were very near the source above the words of those who “create” a history of the gospels.

Without spoiling the book for the potential reader, I shall only say that Black gives historical proof of Matthean priority and gives a very plausible explanation of the order of Luke and Mark.

I highly recommend this book as both a scholarly and concise approach to gospel origins and the synoptic “problem”.

About the author:

Known for his love for New Testament Greek and passion for teaching, Dave Black is a husband, father, professor, author, preacher, lecturer, web journalist, and (above all) a sinner saved by God’s sovereign grace.

Dave is currently Professor of New Testament and Greek at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He has also taught courses at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Lancaster Bible College, Fuller Theological Seminary, Talbot School of Theology, Simon Greenleaf University, Criswell College, Freie Hochschule für Mission (Germany), Tyndale Theological Seminary (Holland), Bibelschule Walzenhausen (Switzerland), IEM Bible College (India), Chong Shin Theological Seminary (Korea), Faith Theological Seminary (Korea), Cosin Theological Seminary (Korea), Evangelical Theological College (Ethiopia), Meserete Kristos College (Ethiopia), and at other institutions. In addition, he has lectured at the Complutensian University in Spain, the Areopagus in Timisoara, Romania, and the Universities of Oxford and Leeds in England.

(From the author’s website.)

This review copy freely provided by Energion with no expectations of a positive review.