Tying Some Pieces Togetheroutline Critical Thinkings Example

Introduction to the New testament Canon

The gospel of Matthew
Why the book of Matthew
A list of criteria used
A canon of scriptures is a list of books that are authoritative scriptures for Christians. The canon of scriptures is derived through debate and agreement by the religious authorities of the Christian faith. It is believed that these books are written and inspired by God (Pope Paul VI 1). The New Testament canon has twenty seven agreed upon books. These books include Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, James, Hebrews, 3 John, 1 and 2 Peter, 1,2 Jude and Revelation (Senior and Collins 10). If I reduced the canon of scriptures into one book, it would be the book of Matthew or the gospel of Matthew. Firstly, it is one among the four canonical Gospel and among the three synoptic gospels (Johnson 596). This goes to show that upon being debated upon by some of the earlier authorities in the Christian faith it was agreed upon as a sound record for the Christian faith. Secondly, it is believed by current scholars to be founded on the Gospel of Mark which is the earliest Gospel and the closest account of the life of Christ. It did not just draw material from the Gospel of Mark but expounded on it by bridging the gaps in Mark and emphasizing the positions of Christ in the Jewish tradition. Thirdly, the book of Matthew is a chronological account of Jesus’ life upon whom the Christian faith is founded on. It gives an account of Jesus’ genealogy, nativity, birth, infancy, baptism, ministry, death and resurrection. It takes the believer on a journey of faith connecting the old and the New Testament through addressing the issue of the messiah and the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies in Christ. Fourthly, the Gospel of Mathew does not only draw material from Mark but also from a second source known as “Q (Quelle) source” which gives more meat to the bones. Finally, the Gospel of Matthew has a unique structure and brilliant prowess. Of all the Gospels, Matthew alternates five blocks of narratives with five discourses. Each phrase beginning with “When Jesus had finished” (Turner 9).The list of criteria, I used to arrive at the Gospel of Matthew as my choice includes:

Structure and content

Acknowledged various sources
Acceptance by the Christian community
Clarity and fact-based
Uniqueness

Works cited

Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Writings of the New Testament. 3rd ed. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2010. Print.
Pope Paul VI, Second Vatican Council. Dei Verbum: Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation. 1965. Vatican Archive. Web. 14th April 2015.
Senior, Donald and Collins John. Ed. Catholic Study Bible. Oxford: Oxford University, 2010. Print.
Turner, David L. Matthew. Baker. 2008. ISBN 978-0-8010-2684-3.