©Arlene R. Taylor PhD

altMany individuals have questioned the reason for four Gospels. Although admittedly conjecture, from a brain-function perspective this may relate somewhat to authorship. What if each author represented a different brain lead? Regardless of the reader’s own preference, each could find a “language” that was comfortable for his/her own brain.

Following are examples of how each gospel might align with the four cerebral divisions.*

altPrioritizing Division

 

altEnvisioning Division

 

  • A physician has been credited with writing the Gospel according to Luke. He recorded facts after a thorough investigation, used a variety of medical terms rather than colloquial euphemisms, and traced Christ’s ancestry back to Adam.
  • The Zealots - a fanatical sect with the goal of repelling Roman domination.

 

  • Mark wrote the Gospel according to Mark with innovation and dramatic vitality. He emphasized the unusual (e.g., miracles, signs, wonders), and presented Christ as a man of action.
  • The Essenes - monastic brotherhood that lived in seclusion and prepared the Dead-Sea Scrolls.

 

altMaintaining Division

altHarmonizing Division

 

  • Matthew, a tax collector wrote the Gospel according to Matthew as a historical narrative. He reported several sermons in their entirety and presented Christ as a teacher of “how to do it right.”
  • The Pharisees - in an effort to do things correctly, they emphasized strict observance of rites, oral traditions, and ceremonies.

 

  • John, known as the beloved apostle, wrote of connection and faith in the Gospel according to John. He emphasized the coming of theComforter, and presented Christ as the Word.
  • The Sadducees - a dislike of conflict led to compromise, which eventually resulted in the loss of hope and in differences of belief.

 

*Note that in conversation with Benziger, she has indicated a different opinion; that Luke is associated more with the Basal Right (Harmonizing division) as he was a physician, and that John is more associated with the Frontal Left (Prioritizing Division).