The Gospels in Their Historical Context, Part 1 (History of Christianity #1) - Ministry Videos

Our quote today is from Clement of Alexandria. He said, "Therefore let us repent and pass from ignorance to knowledge, from foolishness to wisdom, from licentiousness to self-control, from injustice to righteousness, from godlessness to God."

Today, we are looking at the topic of "The Gospels in Their Historical Context" (Part 1) from Justo L. Gonzalez's fine book, The Story of Christianity.

Luke 2:1 says, "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed."

From its very beginning, the Christian message was grafted onto human history. The Good News Christians have proclaimed throughout the ages is that in Jesus Christ, and for our salvation, God has entered human history in a unique way. History is crucial for understanding not only the life of Jesus, but also the entire biblical narrative. The Bible tells the story of God's revelation in the life and history of the people of God. Without that story, it is impossible to know that revelation.

The New Testament writers are quite clear about this. The Gospel of Luke tells us that the birth of Jesus took place during the reign of Augustus Caesar, "when Quirinius was governor of Syria." Shortly before, the same Gospel places the narrative within the context of Palestinian history, recording that it took place "in the days of Herod, king of Judaea." The Gospel of Matthew opens with a genealogy that places Jesus within the framework of the history and hop