It was many years ago when I first heard the name of someone I thought was a woman–Loraine Boettner. Then I learned that Loraine was a man, a writer, a theologian, and a very generous older gentleman living in Rock Port, Missouri.
His books were published and distributed by Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company. They were relatively cheap hardback books, but they could be purchased even cheaper by ordering them from Dr. Boettner himself. And he would sign the books and enclose a typed letter.
Two of his books, Studies in Theology and The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination, were life-changers in my thinking and understanding. He ushered me into a whole new world of Calvinia where I had to learn a different vocabulary, a different way of thinking, and a different way of worshipping. I have never left that world.
Through the years, a few other Boettner works appeared. One such book was titled A Harmony of the Gospels. This was a blue kivar covered book, also published by Presbyterian and Reformed, around the year 1976.
In the past year, P & R Publishing (the more recent name for Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing) issued an all new, attractive hardback edition of Boettner’s work. This is a wonderful book for both appearance and contents. It is titled The Gospel of Jesus: The Four Gospels in a Single Complete Narrative.
Boettner put the Gospel accounts together originally for his students. He was a theology teacher. We have all been challenged by the fact that we have 4 accounts of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus from four different authors and perspectives.
I don’t have patience or energy for those who read them as contradictory or rival accounts. Each Gospel presents a powerful angle on a person who is the greatest challenge to any writer, historian, theologian, teacher, philosopher, or ordinary person (like me). Boettner found that his students were baffled at trying to see the four Gospels. Like the good teacher he was, he wove the account together. As the original title implies, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John sang in harmony. They didn’t sing the exact same notes all the time, but the net result is a harmonious whole.
Those theological students who are sweating out the details of events, such as the resurrection appearances, need to keep sweating and working on the texts. There are helps. Vern Poythress, among others, have written on these matters. But to read and get the continuous flow, Boettner’s book is a delight.
I read it last year just after I had finished reading the four Gospels separately. Boettner’s content is the Bible. This book can be read for your morning Bible reading, evening family time, or personal study of the life of Christ.
The Gospel of Jesus is not a replacement to your reading through the four faithful witnesses. It is a supplement. I love this book, as is typical of me in regard to books, but even more, I love the dear old fellow (now long departed) who put it together. And I join with him in loving the subject of his compilation.
The Heavy Laden Bookshelf 