The Branch

The thesis of the book may be stated simply: it is an argument based upon the four prophetic texts of Jer 23:5; Zech 3:8; 6:12; and Isa 4:2 as a foundational pattern for the four Gospels. These four prophetic texts, it will be argued, mention a King Branch, a Servant Branch, a Man/Priest Branch, and a Lord God Branch. This study seeks to show how Matthew presents Jesus as the King Branch, Mark as the Servant Branch, Luke as the Priest/Man Branch, and John as the Lord God Branch. Consideration will also be given to explore the ramification of the four living Beings as described in Rev 4:6-7. Given the sum total of this sequence of literary facts, the conclusion of this book will raise a number of possible implications. One of these implications will offer the conclusion that the four evangelists could not have written their four Gospels solely on their own human unaided efforts.


""I can't think of a more interesting book. Preston Massey raises a whole series of probing questions about the four New Testament Gospels, why they are different in places, and how they relate to one another. Massey argues that four prophetic texts, which focus on the anticipated Branch, provide answers. These answers, in turn, may provide a whole new argument for revelation. This is a sophisticated study that breaks new ground almost on every page.""
--Craig A. Evans, Houston Baptist University

""How did the four canonical gospels come to be? In a novel, well-researched, and lively argument, Massey traces their foundation to four prophetic texts, 'branches' that form the substructure of the gospels, and their origin to divine inspiration. He challenges current scholarly trends, debunking many theories and axioms. . . . This work serves as an admirable and stirring introduction to the gospels.""
--David E. Garland, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University

Preston T. Massey has a PhD in Classics from Indiana University (2006). He currently is an adjunct professor in biblical studies at Indiana Wesleyan University, as well as pastor of Bethel Lane Community Church in Bloomington, Indiana. He has published numerous articles in academic journals around the world, including: Cambridge University's New Testament Studies, Brill's Novum Testamentum, South Africa's Neotestamentica, and Canada's Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism.