| abstract |
This dissertation examines the ministry of Jesus Christ as presented in the Four Gospels from a Tong Bible (canonical and integrative) perspective. Rather than approaching each Gospel as an isolated text, this study seeks to understand His ministry within the redemptive-historical flow of the entire biblical canon, from Genesis to Revelation.
Each Gospel portrays His ministry with a distinct theological emphasis: Matthew presents Jesus as the King who fulfills Old Testament prophecy; Mark emphasizes Jesus as the Suffering Servant; Luke highlights Jesus as the Son of Man who brings salvation to all humanity; and John proclaims Jesus as the Son of God who reveals divine glory. This study argues that these perspectives are not contradictory but complementary, forming a unified testimony to the person and work of Jesus Christ when read through a Tong Bible framework.
Methodologically, this research employs a literature review of Tong Bible theology, a comparative and integrative analysis of the four Gospels, and a thematic examination of His major ministries, including teaching, healing, suffering, death, resurrection, and the formation of the disciple community. In addition, this dissertation analyzes twelve years (2011–2023) of pastoral ministry at Changwon Saesun Church to demonstrate how a Tong Bible approach can be effectively applied in a contemporary church context, particularly in next-generation education.
This study concludes that a Tong Bible approach to the four Gospels provides a more holistic understanding of His ministry and offers a practical alternative to fragmentary, verse-by-verse biblical instruction. By emphasizing the unified narrative of Scripture and the centrality of His ministry, this research highlights the importance of teaching at least the four Gospels integratively as a foundational framework for Christian faith formation, especially among children, youth, and young adults.
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