<P> Another genre is that of gospel harmonies, in which the four canonical gospels were selectively recast as a single narrative to present a consistent text . Very few fragments of harmonies have survived . The Diatessaron was such a harmonization, compiled by Tatian around 175 . It was popular for at least two centuries in Syria, but eventually it fell into disuse . </P> <P> Marcion of Sinope, c. 150, had a much shorter version of the gospel that differed substantially from what has now become the standard text of the gospel of Luke . Marcion's version of the gospel was far less oriented towards the Jewish scriptures than the now canonical texts are . Marcion is said to have rejected all other gospels, including those of Matthew, Mark and especially John, which he allegedly rejected as having been forged by Irenaeus . Marcion's critics alleged that he had edited out the portions he didn't like from the then canonical version, though Marcion is said to have argued that his text was the more genuinely original one . </P> <P> Written in Coptic, it contains oracles that would have been used to provide support and reassurance to people seeking help for problems . It is not a gospel in the traditional sense, since it doesn't predominantly teach about Christ . </P>

What was the original purpose of the gospels