gospels and Homer, The

By Dennis Ronald MacDonald

Book Description

Biblical scholar Dennis Ronald MacDonald presents a fascinating exploration of how ancient storytelling traditions may have shaped the foundational texts of Christianity. In this scholarly investigation, MacDonald examines potential connections between Homer's epic poems, the Iliad and Odyssey, and the Gospel narratives of Mark and Luke-Acts.

Through careful analysis and side-by-side comparisons, the author demonstrates how Gospel writers may have drawn inspiration from Homer's beloved characters and dramatic episodes when crafting their accounts of Jesus and early followers like Paul. MacDonald applies mimesis criticism to reveal striking parallels between classical and Christian literature, from miraculous feedings and supernatural transformations to encounters with the deceased and perilous sea voyages.

The book illuminates how early Christian authors might have deliberately echoed Homer's epic adventures, creating familiar narrative patterns that would resonate with their audiences while establishing Jesus as a heroic figure worthy of reverence. MacDonald supports his thesis by examining Byzantine poetry that explicitly weaves Homeric verses into Christian retellings of Jesus's life, suggesting that such literary borrowing was an accepted practice among ancient writers.

This scholarly work offers readers a unique lens for understanding how sacred texts emerge from rich cultural traditions. By exploring these potential literary connections, MacDonald invites us to consider how timeless stories of heroism, sacrifice, and divine intervention continue to shape spiritual narratives across different traditions and centuries.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~12 hours)

📄 Length: 425 pages

What You'll Discover

✓ Study Bible from spiritual perspective
✓ Explore Historicity
✓ Explore Markusevangelium
✓ Explore Influence
✓ Explore Heracles (Greek mythology)
✓ Explore Biography
✓ Explore Greek literature
✓ Explore Bible, criticism, interpretation, etc., n. t. gospels

Topics Covered

Bible, criticism, interpretation, etc., n. t. acts Historicity Markusevangelium Influence Heracles (Greek mythology) Biography Greek literature Bible, criticism, interpretation, etc., n. t. gospels Relation to the New Testament Bible Extra-canonical parallels Relation to the Odyssey Criticism, interpretation Christianity Homer Odyssey (Homer) History and criticism Origin Lukanisches Doppelwerk Intertextualität Iliad (Homer) Relation to the Iliad Odysseus (Greek mythology)