Introduction

Abstract

Abstract This chapter introduces the method and key terms and provides initial background. After introducing the canonical Gospels and Acts, this chapter gives an overview of the book’s methods and assumptions. This book uses a synchronic and ancient audience-oriented approach but incorporates a significant amount of historical background into the conversation. Next, the chapter defines the literary genres of the canonical Gospels as ancient biographies, and Acts as an ancient historiography, noting the questions of historicity these writings also raise. The final major section of the introduction investigates possible literary relationships between the canonical writings, incorporating recent scholarship in an accessible manner. The chapter ends with a brief overview of the flow of the rest of the volume.