This book is about developing the gospel. The Synoptic Gospels neatly fills the gap between brief treatments of the synoptics by New Testament introductions and exhaustive commentaries. Keith Nickle relates the background and development of the Gospels in uncomplicated, readily understood language. This book is designed for colleges, introductory seminary classes, and adult Christian education. Nickle shows how early Christians interpreted the stories of Jesus by examining these stories in light of their historical context. This enlightening book explores the major issues of faith which influenced the writers of the Christian gospel. It utilizes widely accepted insights from form criticism, literary criticism, tradition criticism, and redaction criticism to uncover the meaning of the Gospel stories. - Back cover.