interpreting text - Biblical criticism & the synoptic problem

what is biblical criticism?

lots of forms of it:

source

redaction

an umbrella term, scholarly approach to analysis of Biblical texts, purpose is to try & get a better understanding of the texts

necklace analogy

redaction criticism = how are the beads on a necklace strung together (what they did to create it)

form criticism = what each bead is like (characteristics)

the NT gospels

gospel = good news (about Jesus Christ)

1 gospel but 4 version in the NT

Mark

Luke

Matthew

John

synoptic = 'viewed together' i.e. the story is presented in a similar way

Mark

Luke

Matthew

Synoptic problem intro

= is the problem of how exactly the content of the 3 synoptic gospels in the NT (Matthew, Mark & Luke) is related

all hypothesises start with analysis of the evidence (Mt. Mk, Lk - the text)

similarities in content, style & theological emphasis

differences in content, style & theological emphasis

has puzzled scholars for centuries & no hypothesis is without its issues

4 source hypothesis - Streeter (C20th)

2 source Hypothesis - Weiss => Holtzmann (C19th)

source criticism

Priority of Matthew - Augustine of Hippo (C5th AD)

Life of Jesus

IMG_E0305

what he did

key events & miracles - physical healing, exorcisms, raising to life & nature

what he said

teachings - conversations, parables & discourses

Matthew

Mark

Matthew wrote 1st (28 chapters)

mark abbreviated Matthew's gospel to 16 chaps - poss to make it more accessible/straight forward

Luke

Luke wrote later using Mark & adding back bits of Matthew as well as adding his own info

BUT the further NT studies of the gospels & their poss authors led to widely accepted view that Mark was written 1st

W.R. Farmer (C20th scholar) - suggested Matthew wrote 1st, then Luke & then Matthew used both of their gospels to produce a comprise between the 2.

1789 scholar Griesbach - published the synoptic gospels in parallel columns & initiated a detailed study of the similarities & differences between them

ever since NT scholars have been engaged in comparing the gospels word by word to identify similarities & differences & then to suggest answers to the Qs 'why' & 'how'

this is an e.g. of scholars looking at the end result(s) & trying to determine the sources of each 'finished' gospel - source criticism

Mark (source 1)

'Q' (source 2)

aka quelle = 'source' in German cause scholar was German

Luke

Luke wrote using Mark & Q

Matthew

Matthew wrote using Mark & Q

Mark wrote 1st - Marken priority

a hypothetical 'source' consisting of content in Matthew & Luke but not in Mark

mostly logia ('sayings') of Jesus

German scholar Weiss 1st can up with the hypothesis in 1836, but didn't become widely accepted until 1863 when Holtzmann took up the idea

Matthew & Luke didn't know each other just shared access to Q

Mark (source 1)

'L' (source 4)

Luke

'Q' (source 2)

M (source 3)

Luke wrote using Mark, Q & L as sources

Matthew

mark wrote 1st - Marken priority

Matthew wrote using Mark, Q & M as sources

aka quelle = 'source' in German cause scholar was German

a hypothetical 'source' consisting of content in Matthew & Luke but not in Mark

mostly logia ('sayings') of Jesus

Matthew's special source (hypothetical)

Luke's special source (hypothetical

a hypothesis developed our out Holtzman's 2 source hypothesis

a Proto-Gospel?

John in the gospel source debate

the relationship between the synoptic gospels - commonly accepted in C21st

some NT scholars reject 'source criticism' as a fruitless endeavour cause there is as yet no single theory that successfully account for all the details of the sources

they instead suggest a more holistic approach like literary/narrative criticism - looks at the gospel as 1 story with a variety of themes & characters running through it.

L - 4

M - 1

Q - 2

M - 3

Luke

Matthew

IMG_0307

some scholars believe there may of been a proto-gospel - a sort of 1st attempt written in Aramaic that all 3 synoptic writers had access to when writing -each used it according to their specific agendas (redaction criticism)

its also suggested that such a proto-gospel might best represent the original preaching's (kerygma) of Jesus & his 1st decuples

FOR:

Luke 1:1-4 clearly states that others have drawn up accounts of Jesus' life before - might be refer to a proto-gospel

a 'lost' proto-gospel would explain the similarity in language & writing structure between Synoptic gospels & is a plausible bridge between the words & actions of Jesus & his disciples & the gospel writers

AGAINST:

none of the earliest Christian writers (C1st & C2nd) make ant reference to such a gospel - whereas they do mention texts such as the Gospel of Ebonites (not found) & Gospel of Thomas (discover 1945)

scholars generally think the synoptic gospels were written relatively early in the C1st, with Mark's gospel around 65-70 AD only c. 30 years after Jesus' death. - so there would've been no need to a proto-gospel as the actual NT gospels were written relatively quickly after the events

some have suggested that Matthew could be the Proto-gospel (priority of Matthew) BUT this raises the Q, why would Matthew leave out key elements such as the birth story, sermon on the Mount & resurrection appearances. - if Mark was the pro-gospel then you are just doing 2 source hypothesis

key characteristics of John's gospel (not a synoptic)

Key Characteristics of Luke's gospel

key characteristics of Mark's gospel

Key characteristics of Matthew's Gospel

Form, source & redaction Criticism in the NT gospels

source criticism

redaction criticism

Form criticism

goes further than identifying the sources - identifies what 'forms' of text/oral traditions pre-date the written sources

'forms' - include sayings, parables, miracles, stories, etc

form critics try to identify different forms & then work out their 'setting in life' - i.e. ow/when they came into being & were used originally

form critics are particularly interested in exploring where any of these 'units of tradition' can be used as originating with Jesus

attempts to identify the 'sources' used to product the gospels in the NT today

source critics try to determine where authors got their info (written or oral)

interested in the way the authors choose to use hoe sources - what they leave in/out/what they change

redaction critics then look for motifs in a text that might indicate he authors particular agenda/priorities given historical context, theological beliefs/life experiences

follower of Jesus (? the tax collector)

was Jewish hence emphasis on:

Jess' genealogy traced back to 1st Jew ( Abraham)

Jesus as 'new' Moses (e.g. giving new commandments through his teaching (sermon on the mount recalls theme of Moses being given the 10 commandments in Mount Sinai)

Jesus as Jewish Messiah foretold in scripture (e.g. proof texts)

Jesus is more frequently called Son of God ('high' Christology)

focus in Jesus as a 'teacher' (not just his actions) - lots of teaching about how Christians should behave in context of writing for the 1st Jewish Christians beginning to establish themselves as a Church (only 1 to mention church)

disciples portrayed quite positively (not universally positive but more so than Mark)

written as insiders privy to special knowledge- but with flawed moral character

lots of apocalyptic imagery

focus more on Jesus' public ministry (espec his actions, e.g. miracles) & the Passion (suffering) of Jesus & how this leads to salvation

suffering servant

no birth stories; gospel begins with preaching of John the Baptist

no resurrection stories; gospel ends with women discovering empty tomb

short, pacey story, moves quickly (only 16 chaps)

Jesus is Son of God but also Son of Man ('low' Christology)

use of Messianic secret

disciples often portrayed rather negatively - have failed Jesus

linked with apostle Paul

gospel is part 1 of the story & NT book of Acts is part 2

Gospel written for Gentiles, to include them in God's saving (universalism)

was a gentile & by tradition doctor &historian, hence emphasis on universalism:

Jesus is saviour for all types of people & espec the poor, sick & any marginalised in C1st Palestine e.g. women & tax collectors

Jesus' mission is to seek out & save the 'lost' (sinners) - unique parables like the Lost son & good Samaritan

Jesus is saviour of all poeple not just Jews

Jesus' genealogy traced back to Adam

Jesus is presented as an ethical teacher with a focus on followers acting in accordance with the standards expected in the KoG (e.g. love they neighbour, forgiveness, justice & generosity of both heart & money)

identity disputed but traditionally a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee & 1 of the 1st 12 disciples of Jesus along with brother James

focus of gospel on 7 signs & 7 'I AM' sayings

begins with prologue which takes a 'step up' in Christology Jesus IS God (the word made flesh Jn1:14)

stated purpose of gospel is to 'select' events & set them out so that people will believe in Jesus & through this belief be saved & have eternal life (Jn20:30-31)