What Comes First Chicken or Egg?

First, the advantages and disadvantages of having four Gospels instead of a single Gospel are discussed. Second, how to answer a sincere question from a friend who is pondering how to distinguish between the words of Jesus and the opinions of the early church is explained.

First, there are several advantages to having four gospels instead of just one. Having four gospels gives readers a four-dimensional look into the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Each gospel is from a different author, addressed to a particular audience, compiled from different sources, and offers a unique purpose. In addition, each gospel is no more or no less God-breathed or inspired by God than the other. To illustrate, “the gospel of Matthew utilized eyewitness material for instructing early Jewish Christians. Mark, who had close contact with Peter, summarized Peter’s preaching in his Gospel. Luke used oral and written sources to produce a careful historical account of early Christian events.”

Second, distinguishing between the words of Jesus and the opinions of the early church is clarified. “The message of the Gospels produced the churches; the churches did not produce the message. We must reject critical views of Gospel origins that attribute the tradition to the church rather than seeing the role of the tradition in creating the church.” The Holy Spirit guided both the authors in writing the gospels and the members of the early Christian church in accepting the gospels. “As these Gospels circulated throughout the New Testament world, the Spirit of God guided the members of the Early Christian church to accept them.”

This question of what comes first the Gospels or the church is very challenging to clarify, especially to a non-believer, from a scientific approach. The best source to gain an understanding and appreciation that the gospels came before the church is by studying the New Testament itself and study it within the content of its history and literary genre. From scripture, the conclusion can only be that the biblical text is equivalent to the words coming directly from the mouth of God. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB).

In summary, having four gospels gives readers a four-dimensional look into the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The message of the Gospels guided by the Holy Spirit produced the churches; the churches did not produce the message. Moreover, most importantly, God inspires the gospels.