The Case for Christmas Chapter 1: The Eyewitness Evidence.

 

Deacon David Previtali · The Case for Christmas: Chapter 1 - The Eyewitness Evidence

Here is the audio clip for Chapter 1 in our Advent Course study. I am not sure if it's best to listen to it before or after reading the chapter. Let me know what you think. The thrust of this chapter is the reliability of the facts and events recorded for us, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, by the four evangelists (gospel-writers). This is of utmost important so that we can trust that pur faith in Christ is rooted in eyewitness experience and personal testimony.

The four evangelists are:

St. Matthew, the Tax-Collector turned Apostle.  He wrote his edition of the gospel primarily for Jewish Christians and Jewish inquirers into Christianity. This is why his gospel makes such heavy reference to the Old Testament and to the fulfillment of the prophecies about the Promised Messiah.  

St. Mark. He was not one of the Twelve Apostles but was an early disciple. He accompanied St. Peter to Rome and acted as his interpreter there.  His gospel has apostolic authority because it is a collection of the experiences and memories of St. Peter. Marks gospel was written for the Romans and as such it emphasizes the power and authority of Jesus as Christ and Son of God.

St. Luke the Physician. He is unique among the evangelists because he was not a Jew by birth but a Gentile who converted to Judaism. It seems that he wrote his gospel as a investigative reporter carrying out a mission on behalf of wealthy benefactor who wanted to be sure about the facts concerning Jesus of Nazareth. Luke's profession as a doctor is evident in the description he gives to the symptoms of some of the sick whom Jesus healed (which the other evangelists do not mention).  Luke wrote his gospel for to show that the Messiah is Savior for all people not just for the Jews. He highlights those who were outcasts in Jewish culture: women, the poor and sinners.

St. John the Beloved Disciple and Apostle. This gospel was written quite a long time after the other three and emphasizes who Jesus is more than what he did. John combines sayings of Jesus with miracles worked by Jesus in order to show, by word and deed, that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God who offers us eternal life.