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In the article "Gospel Media: Reading, Writing, and Circulating Jesus Traditions," Elder argues that there was a diversity in the ways that literature was read, written, and circulated in the ancient world, including the Gospels. He challenges the notion that all reading in the ancient world was vocalized and communal, providing evidence for silent reading and solitary reading. Elder also examines the different ways in which the four canonical Gospels were composed and circulated, highlighting their distinct textual expressions and intended readerships. Overall, Elder's study challenges common assumptions about ancient media practices and offers new insights into the reading, writing, and circulation of the Gospels. [Extracted from the article]

The text is a book review of "Finding Phoebe: What New Testament Women Were Really Like" by Susan E. Hylen. The reviewer praises the book for challenging the view that women in the New Testament period were subordinate and unable to exercise authority. Hylen argues that women owned property, made decisions about it, and were active contributors to community life. The reviewer appreciates Hylen's accessible approach and pedagogical style, but suggests that more attention could have been given to the differing perspectives on women's roles in the New Testament. Overall, the book is recommended for its nuanced historical argument and its exploration of the complexities of the cultural world of the New Testament. [Extracted from the article]

"What Is a Gospel?" by Francis Watson is a collection of fourteen essays that challenge the traditional understanding of gospel literature. Watson argues that we should not read the canonical four gospels as categorically different from other non-canonical gospels. He emphasizes the continuity between the canonical and non-canonical gospels and explores the composition and reception of gospel literature. While Watson's methodological approach is important, there are still unanswered historical questions and some of his proposals seem unnecessarily complicated. Overall, "What Is a Gospel?" is a valuable resource for anyone studying the New Testament and the early Jesus movement. [Extracted from the article]