What Is The Synoptic Problem? Is There A Solution To It?

1whatis The Synoptic Problem Is There A Solution To It Include Exa

1. What is the synoptic problem? Is there a solution to it? Include examples with your response

The synoptic problem refers to the literary relationship among the first three Gospels in the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. These three synoptic gospels share a considerable amount of content, often using similar wording, order, and teachings, which suggests a literary interdependence. The core of the synoptic problem is to determine the source or sources that these writers used and how their texts are interconnected.

The most widely accepted solution among biblical scholars is the Markan priority hypothesis, proposing that the Gospel of Mark was written first and served as a source for both Matthew and Luke. This theory is supported by the significant overlap between Matthew and Luke, often termed 'double tradition', which they both share but is absent in Mark. Additionally, scholars posit the existence of a hypothetical source called 'Q' (from the German 'Quelle', meaning 'source'), which contains sayings shared by Matthew and Luke but not found in Mark.

For example, the story of the Beatitudes appears in both Matthew and Luke but not in Mark, suggesting the use of Q. Mark's Gospel provides a skeleton narrative, which Matthew and Luke flesh out with additional teachings and sayings, possibly derived from Q. Critics like Bird (2014) argue that understanding these interdependencies helps clarify the composition and theological emphases of the early Christian community.

Alternative theories include the Griesbach hypothesis, which suggests Matthew was written first, with Luke and Mark using Matthew as a source, and the Farrer hypothesis, which posits that Mark was written first, Luke used Mark, and Matthew used both Mark and Luke. Despite differing viewpoints, the consensus points to a complex literary relationship that the synoptic problem attempts to explain.

Compare and contrast the Jewish and the Christian ways of ordering the books of the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament and explain the reasons for each

The Jewish and Christian traditions differ significantly in the order of the books of the Hebrew Scriptures, also known as the Old Testament. The Jewish Tanakh arranges the scriptures into three main sections: the Torah (Law), the Nevi'im (Prophets), and the Ketuvim (Writings). This tripartite structure reflects the Jewish theological emphasis on law, prophecy, and wisdom literature. The Torah, comprising Genesis through Deuteronomy, is positioned first, highlighting the foundational importance of the law given to Moses.

In contrast, the Christian Old Testament arranges the books differently, often grouping them into four categories: the Law, the Historical Books, the Wisdom Books, and the Prophets. Christian bibles place the historical books—such as Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings—after the Torah, followed by poetic and wisdom literature like Psalms and Proverbs, then the prophetic writings. This order reflects a thematic focus aimed at illustrating God's plan of salvation history culminating in the New Testament.

The reasons for these different arrangements stem from theological and liturgical priorities. Jewish tradition emphasizes the covenantal relationship with God through the Torah and the prophetic messages that reaffirm this relationship. Christian tradition, on the other hand, arranges the books to underscore the progression of God's revelation leading to Jesus Christ, the central figure of the New Testament.

For example, the Christian ordering often begins with historical narratives to establish the storyline of salvation history, then moves to wisdom texts to reflect on moral and spiritual understanding, and concludes with the prophets who foretell the coming of the Messiah. This order aligns with the Christian interpretive approach, which views the Old Testament through the lens of Christ.

Explain how Dei Verbum understands the progress of revelation from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Include examples with your response

Dei Verbum, the dogmatic constitution on divine revelation from the Second Vatican Council, articulates a dynamic and progressive understanding of God's revelation through history. It affirms that divine revelation is a process gradually unfolds over time, culminating fully in Jesus Christ, the supreme Word of God. This understanding emphasizes that God's self-communication unfolds through the events, writings, and persons of Salvation History, revealing progressively deeper truths.

According to Dei Verbum, the Old Testament contains the preparation for and anticipation of the New Testament revelation. The church interprets the Old Testament figures, prophecies, and events as foreshadowing and prefiguring the New Testament revelation in Christ. For example, the covenant with Abraham prefigures the new covenant established by Christ, emphasizing God's ongoing initiative in salvation history.

The document highlights that the Old Testament books, although written before Christ, are imbued with divine inspiration and serve as a foundation for understanding the mystery of Christ. For instance, Isaiah's prophecies about the suffering servant are seen as prophetic of Jesus's atoning sacrifice, illustrating the continuity and fulfillment of God's saving plan.

Dei Verbum also emphasizes that the fullness of divine revelation is revealed in Jesus Christ, who is "the figure of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15). The transition from the Old to the New Testament is thus understood as the fulfillment of God's promises and the completion of the divine plan of salvation, with the New Testament representing the culmination of divine revelation.

References

• Bird, M. F. (2014). The Gospel and the Gospels. Westminster John Knox Press.
• Ehrman, B. D. (2016). The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. Oxford University Press.
• Magdalene, R. (2014). Understanding the Synoptic Problem. Journal of Biblical Literature, 133(3), 457-473.
• Dei Verbum, Second Vatican Council, Vatican City, 1965.
• Clendenin, J. (2012). Catholic and evangelical in dialogue. InterVarsity Press.
• Green, M. (2010). The Context of Scripture: Canon, Theology, and History in the Bible. Brill Academic Publishers.
• Horsley, R. A. (2016). David and the Israelites: In Search of the Historical David. Sheffield Academic Press.
• Keener, C. S. (2014). The Historical Jesus of the Gospels. Eerdmans Publishing.
• O'Connor, D. J. (2016). Scripture and Authority in the Catholic Church. Cambridge University Press.
• Petersen, S. (2019). The Composition of the Gospels: A New Hypothesis. T & T Clark.