Cross Balance

Four Gospels

PEOPLE
As these notes are about people,
I finish them with a brief look at a few actual individuals, including me!

Why are we left with four Gospels?
 It is tempting to think that we have records
 that reflect each of the four temperaments.

• Matthew,
  a tax collector, wrote for the Jews, focussed on the kingdom of Jesus
  showing how this was foretold on the Old Testament.
  He is least known as a person, and his job was not highly regarded!

• Mark,
  an ordinary worker, wrote for the Romans, and emphasised Jesus as a servant.  
  The gospel jumps around, highlighting incidents of deeds, not words,
  and reflects  Mark’s close friend Peter’s energetic and impulsive character.

• Luke
  was a doctor, wrote for the Greeks,
  and emphasised the humanity of Jesus, and his actions.
  He was interested in people and a doer, a researcher.

• Finally, John,
  a fisherman, wrote a unique gospel to combat errors,
  concentrating on the divinity of Jesus.
  He was a contemplative, and apparently of an uncertain temper.

Based on these sketches,
the writers’ personalities each seem to be
a combination of two temperaments as shown.