Ancient and Modern Reflections on The Gospel According to Matthew

For almost eighteen hundred years the principal gospel was the first book listed in the New Testament canon. This was entitled simply in the most ancient copies as Κατά Μαθθαίον - 'according to Matthew'. It was the most referenced of the three extant gospels during the first century, and continued to be so until recent times. It is widely agreed that this was the Life of Christ as created for the Messianic Jews, the first and leading believers in Jesus, son of Miriam of Nazareth, which presented Jesus as the fulfilment of the words of the prophets of ancient Isael.In modern times it has been strangely eclipsed by the racier gospel of Mark, the Gentile gospel of Luke, and the enigmatic gospel of John. Yet Matthew captured truths which were probably the first attempt at a cohesive narrative of the life and works of Jesus Christ. Matthew presents a narrative which links the books found bound in the Bible before and after Jesus' work. This gospel connects the words of Moses, Isaiah, David and other Hebrew prophets, onto the life and words of Jesus, and into the early Church.This book is a set of reflections, after the style of C.S.Lewis, but for a 21st century reader who wishes to reflect on ancient words in today's context. Extensive use is made of the words of the early Church Fathers to help show how Matthew's work influenced the thoughts of the Fathers, and how the writings of these Fathers illuminate the words of Matthew. Further, reference is made at times to the relevant Greek and Hebrew language of the times of Christ and of the Early Church. This is often illustrated in the linkage between the Greek New Testament, the Septuagint, and the Tanakh.The author, a scholar, is not a Theologian (cf C.S.Lewis). The writing is clear and not unnecessarily academic; the intention is that it can be read and appreciated by the ordinary, lay, educated, mature Christian. There is no denominational bias, but a preference for the works of first millennium writers does reflect in the pre-Schism and pre-Reformation understandings. Yet, this is one which, it is hoped, that most Christians would benefit by reflecting upon.The book has 136 reflections, in 12 major sections, generally as presented in within the Word on Fire Bible (NRSV Gospels). In order to save space, the gospel text is not included, just the chapter and verses of the unit of text being considered. However, any Bible translation may be used to accompany the reflections.