Throckmorton’s text, Gospel Parallels: A Comparison of the Synoptic Gospels became definitive, in part, because it was put together with a true dedication to thoroughness and a high attention to detail. He also acted as a minister and taught on these subjects at Bangor Theological Seminary in Maine (U.S.). That gave him the knowledge necessary to write this text (along with several others that were equally popular). His strong interest in religious studies led him to pursue an education in that arena. Throckmorton was born in 1921 in Elizabeth, New Jersey (United States). was and why his gospel parallels should be relied upon above other options. How did Throckmorton’s text become definitive?įirst, you may wonder who exactly Burton H. When investing in a gospel parallel, be sure to consider the definitive text from Throckmorton. When you have them on hand, you can easily analyze and answer your own questions at any time they enter your mind. The true problem would be in being unable to carry out that inquiry, especially if doing so would ultimately bring you greater knowledge.įor this reason, it is recommended to get texts that will allow you to engage in that inquiry. There is no sin in inquiry, or even doubting and searching for answers.
If you believe that it is important for anyone to be able to access the word of the Bible, then know that it is equally important for anyone to be able to compare, contrast, and generally analyze that word.
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The text is even handed out for free whenever possible to enlighten interested minds. Now, everyone can indeed easily access a Bible. This process was, of course, made easier by the printing press. Instead, they felt “the good word” should be printed and disseminated wide and far, so that everyone could personally access it. Many people started to recognize that the Bible should be not only for the elite. It also led to an indirect connection between the average person and their spiritual practices. This made biblical study and inquiry inaccessible to the common person. Based on the Revised Standard Version of the bible, Throckmorton utilized many resources, including ancient texts, to produce his comprehensive examination of the Synoptic Gospels (those written by Matthew, Mark, and Luke).Īt one point in human history, it was believed that only an elite few could read, comprehend, and convey the word of God to others. produced the definitive version of a gospel parallel in his definitive text Gospel Parallels: A Comparison of the Synoptic Gospels. The texts tend to be formatted so that the gospel and accompanying information are presented on a single page, with various columns and footnotes. Oftentimes, this means presenting the multiple versions of the gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) beside each other so that each can be read for a more holistic and sometimes comparative understanding.Īt other times, a gospel parallel will present biblical analysis and enlightening information to accompany the actual word of the biblical gospels. In general, a gospel parallel is a text that provides multiple pieces of information in tandem. Learn all about the Gospel Parallels and how this great resource can increase your knowledge of, understanding for, and connection to the word of the Bible: