Type of Document Master's Thesis Author Cadenhead, John Morgan Author's Email Address johnmcadenhead@gmail.com URN etd-11192008-170434 Title THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JESUS’ HEALING MIRACLES: A STUDY OF THEIR ROLE IN THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE TO EARLY CHRISTIANITY Degree Master of Arts Department Religious Studies Advisory Committee
Advisor Name Title Timothy Renick Committee Chair Keywords
- Synoptic Gospels
- Gnostic Gospels
- Early Christianity
- Elaine Pagels
- Healing Miracles
Date of Defense 2008-11-14 Availability unrestricted Abstract This essay examines the healing miracles of Jesus as described by the Synoptic Gospels and posits that the appeal of the Synoptics over non-canonical texts can partially be found in the former’s focus on these physical healing miracles. The essay argues that the idea that one can be healed of physical pain through faith is a varied theme in the Synoptics and a strong motivator to bring an interest in early Christianity, especially during a time of persecution. Further, this essay considers Gnostic Gospels and their relative lack of healing miracles to expand upon a theory put forth by Elaine Pagels, namely that the early church declared Gnostic texts to be heretical in part because they did not cater to the basic needs of the people as the Synoptics did.Files
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