4 Gospels, 4 Social Styles: Teamwork In The Bible

Regular readers of my blog will know I am in the middle of a series on social styles in church. I would like to suggest in this post that the four social styles I described in the last one are reflected in the styles of the authors of the four gospels. We can see this from the way each of them choose to start their gospels.

Analytical Luke
“It seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you”

This suggests the slow methodical accuracy of an anaytical who got there in the end (although arguably Luke never finished Acts….)

Amiable Matthew
“Jesus Christ, the son of David…. Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child”

This suggests the interest in people and relationships of the amiable, and puts Jesus into his relational context.

Expressive John
“In the beginning was the word.and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory”

John leaps straight in with soem of the most wonderfully rich and expressive writing in scipture. You can feel the passion dripping off the page.

Driver Mark
“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God….and immediately”

The bluntness, and directness of the Driver comes through. Mark is eager to keep the pace up and has been described as the most blunt and clipped of the gospels. How many of us would begin our evangelism by boldly declaring Jesus was the son of God?

Perhaps these four styles we are exploring are somehow fundemental to who we are, and God wisely included a gospel to suit each of us.