Matthew: The Gospel of Identity (The Biblical Imagination Series)

<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/p/9780830838127_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-24035" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/p/9780830838127_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" alt="Matthew: The Gospel of Identity" width="200" height="93"></a>Despite being a long time fan of Michael Card as a musician, I was completely unaware that he had written a series of commentaries on the Gospels. When attending a Christmas concert this past year where he performed with another perennial favorite artist of mine named Phil Keaggy, I happened to wander by the table where the artists were selling CDs, hoping to pick up some music I did not have. It was then I discovered the Biblical Imagination Series by Michael Card of which his book Matthew: The Gospel of Identity is a part.What exactly is this Biblical Imagination Series of commentaries all about? Matthew Card addresses his perspective of a biblical concept of imagination, noting in the preface to this commentary on Matthew the following statement:“On one side are those who study Scripture with their minds. They engage intellectually, puzzling over the text as if it were only a cipher to be solved. They tend to gravitate toward theology. They revel in being “right.” On the other side are those who engage the Bible predominantly with the heart. They lean toward the emotional, even mystical understanding of the Scripture. Rather than theological, I would describe them as devotional in their approach. Neither approach is wrong, but both are incomplete. God has given us hearts with which to feel and minds for reasoning. He longs to recapture them both with the truth of the Word.”It is the recapturing of the imagination and the refocusing of the mind and heart to a thorough and complete studying of God’s word that is behind the concept of the Biblical Imagination Series.As I began to read through Card’s commentary on Matthew, I was immediately struck by the simplistic profundity by which he engages Scripture. Keep in mind this series of commentaries is not scholarly in nature yet it is scholarly in its depth of thought. This means that Card exegetes Scripture with a view to the layman without sacrificing when needed the engagement of what could be termed more scholarly material.An example is his discussion of the background of the area known as Galilee, noting important geographical matters that impact the story, issues that many may overlook such as the size of the Sea of Galilee and the rocky shores that surround this lake. While avoiding a deep dive into all the various geographical or historical elements that comprise more lengthy style commentaries, Card provides the reader with valuable information that relates to the message at hand in a manner that is informative yet does not get overly bogged down in minutia.Card walks through the entire book of Matthew one chapter at a time, devoting a chapter in this book to the events that Matthew records in his gospel. The commentary is written in such a way that the reader can work through several chapters at one time or they can journey through the Gospel of Matthew slowly. Either approach will work as again the text is written in such a manner as to not be too overwhelmingly scholarly while still providing much food for thought. Card’s exegesis is theologically sound and the passion for the Word of God that for many years was reflected in his music is clearly evident throughout this commentary. I was really struck by the attention paid by Card to how Jesus interacted with those around him and why that matters. Additionally, I appreciated the manner in which Card elucidated why Matthew included certain elements of Jesus’ life in his Gospel, points which may have received a passing submission or even a longer look by the other gospel writers. Understanding the author, in this case the Gospel of Matthew is important for understanding why some things are included and Card does an excellent job of outlining those important issues.At the end of this commentary, Card provides several short yet helpful appendices that help the reader engage in more detail some aspects of Matthew’s Gospel. Appendix A lists the five major blocks of Jesus’ teaching found in Matthew, Appendix B lists content found only in Matthew’s gospel, Appendix C provides a very interesting look into the flogging endured by Jesus in the Synagogue, Appendix D is a discussion of the historical notation made by the Jewish historian Josephus regarding John the Baptist, and Appendix E provides a quick but helpful examination of what was considered to be work on the Sabbath.I highly recommend Michael Card’s commentary, Matthew: The Gospel of Identity for scholars and layman alike. Additionally, I recommend the accompanying music CD called Matthew: The Penultimate Question. As with all of Michael Card’s music, this CD is biblically sound and musically excellent, providing a wonderful supplement to the commentary. Both are well worth your time. I greatly look forward to reading the other books in this series and listening to the other CDs that Michael Card has produced to go along with the other books in his wonderful Biblical Imagination Series.

Michael's approach is very thought-provoking. We've read and have shared the entire Biblical Imagination Series with others and would recommend it highly.

Michael Card has been a favorite of mine for approximately 25 years. He has just written a series on the Gospels which I am using as I put together a years monthly lessons on the Ten commandments. It is current to our times and how Jesus used the 10 commandments but also is a resource of all the scriptures found in each of the Gospels. I would recomment getting the 4 books.

Love Michael Card’s rich and layered perspective on Matthew’s gospel. He writes books as beautiful as his lyrics and melodies. Eager to read the other books in this series.

Very good compliment to reading Gospel of Matthew! Added depth to a book i’ve ready many times. Used it for a small group study. Want to get the other gospels as well.

I really enjoy the way the author engages with the writers of the gospel in this series. I feel like I am transported back in time and can experience with them. If you want to have a better idea of what it was like, I encourage you to get all four books in the series and lean in to the truths being shared with you.

Michael Card is not only a musician and songwriter. He is a solid believer with graduate Biblical training. His heart if love for Christ, writing skills, and Biblical knowledge combine for a helpful commentary.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this book. The subject matter is, of course, the gospel of Matthew, but the style is nothing like a dry commentary. It feels much more like a lecture on the book of Matthew, with the speaker pointing out cool, geeky, parenthetical facts about the book of Matthew. I especially liked his comments about how Matthew was writing to the Jewish Christians who were suffering an identity crisis. This very much mirrors the American church as we struggle to adapt to postmodernism, and an increasingly pagan/secular culture

well written, well researched

We read this book together as a group and it gave us some really good insight into the culture. It's not a typical commentary with an overly scholarly foundation. It's more of a walk through the life and person of Jesus (and His friends). It's an easy read and resolute in its goal of helping us see Jesus more clearly through Matthew.