Within a few decades of the death of Jesus of Nazareth, there emerged within the infant church five literary and theological geniuses: Paul and the writers of the Gospels. No works of literature have been subjected to such close, persistent scrutiny by so many over the centuries. Yet the Gospels continue not only to fascinate, challenge and inspire, but to reveal new treasures and throw up fresh problems. Much depends on the questions we ask of them and the level of curiosity and honesty we bring to this task. For while the Gospels represent four magnificent attempts to come to terms with Jesus and the God he revealed, we cannot be surprised when they fail. We should, however, be astonished that they take us so far into Truth - then point even further on. In this glorious book, Trevor Dennis urges us to follow some of those pointers, to investigate where they lead in the search for the bright gospel beyond the Gospels. We will find ourselves in territory that is sometimes disturbing and sometimes heartening . . . But never less than truly exhilarating.

Trevor Dennis taught Old Testament Studies at Salisbury and Wells Theological College for twelve years, before taking up the post of Canon Chancellor at Chester Cathedral, where he later became Vice Dean. Over the years he has published twelve books for SPCK, as well as a children's Bible, The Book of Books for Lion Hudson. He retired in 2010, and continues to be in demand as a speaker amongst Christian groups of many denominations all over the country. He is married to Caroline and they have four children and six grandchildren.

Introduction ix
1 'Do you see this woman?' 1
Turning the spotlight 3
An outpouring of love 5
A different anointing 13
Living among the dead 18
A matter of focus 28
2 'The Vikings were all men!' 31
A furious letter 33
'Follow me' 34
What do the Evangelists mean by 'the disciples'? 38
The failure of the men 41
The women as witnesses of the crucifixion 47
The women and the resurrection 50
Joanna and the disconsolate rich man 54
A tale of two sisters: Luke 60
A tale of two sisters: John 65
A tale of two sisters: John again 73
Concluding reflections 80
3 Rejection rejected... and reinstated 83
What shall we call the parable? 85
Luke's parable or Jesus' parable? 87
Beware being told what to think 89
Beware the scribes and the Pharisees! Or should we? 90
A lost sheep and a lost coin 93
The Two Brothers, Act 1, Scene 1: Home: father and son 95
Act 1, Scene 2: Far from home: the younger son 100
Act 1, Scene 3: Returning home: son and father 105
Act 2, Scene 1: Outside: the elder son 109
Act 2, Scene 2: Outside: father and son 111
Narrative and counter-narrative: the challenge of
the parable 116
Rejection reinstated 122
4 'Here is God: no monarch he, throned in easy
state to reign' 125
Defacing God 127
Narrative and counter-narrative: God seated on a throne,
or on a mat on the ground? 135
God as mother 141
Returning to the Gospels: first, a prologue and stories
of Jesus' birth 143
'I am among you as one who serves' 151
Riding into Jerusalem 154
Mayhem in the Temple 158
No sticky end 160
Resurrection 162
Metaphor matters 164
Notes 167