A Theology of Matthew: Audio Lectures develops the perspective that Matthew wrote his Gospel to identify, defend, and proclaim Jesus Immanuel, "God with us," as the Davidic Messiah who fulfilled Old Testament expectations of humanity's redemption. Matthew's Gospel establishes Jesus's identity as the heir to the promises of Israel's throne through king David, and heir to the promises of blessing to all the nations through the patriarch Abraham (1:1). So, this first Gospel offers evangelistic hope in Jesus's message of the gospel to Jews, contending that they should turn to Jesus as their long-awaited Messiah (Matt 11:2-6). But, strikingly, Matthew's Gospel also offers evangelistic hope to Gentiles, emphasizing that salvation through Jesus Messiah is available to all the nations (28:19).

This series emphasizes the three horizons that comprise Matthew's Gospel: history, theology, and literature. The first horizon focuses on Jesus's historical ministry. The second horizon develops Matthew's theological perspective for his audience(s). The third horizon emphasizes today's students engaging with Matthew's Gospel as literature.

In this series, professor and author Michael Wilkins views Matthew's perspective of God's activities in Jesus's unfolding earthly ministry. The alternating sections of narrative and discourse provide a manual on discipleship to Jesus Messiah in the kingdom of heaven. Combined, the narratives of Jesus's life provide Jesus's example to follow, and the discourses give Jesus's instructions to obey, and are the basis of our ongoing transformation to become like Jesus.