Overview of the Synoptic Problem Essay Example For Students

Overview of the Synoptic Problem Essay Should one fully read the opening four Gospels of the New Testament, he or she can find many similar patterns of literature and themes affording much attention to detail and study. This is what someone such as Merriam Webster would define as the Synoptic Gospels.So, what are and how can we explain the differences and similarities among synoptic authors Matthew, Mark, Luke, and the gospel, John? Which Book was written first? To what extent did the Evangelists depend on oral tradition, written sources, or each other? The phenomenon and mystery of these similar but unique Synoptic Gospels has for centuries challenged some of the best minds of academia and the church, stirring up much scholarly controversy; baffling many New Testament Survey students. To completely understand the similarities and differences between these Synoptic Gospels we must first be acquainted with the authors of them; we ought to discern the background of their life, academic qualifications, experiences, literature styles, and occupations. We must also ask the questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?The first very important question Id like to pose is: Who? Who were these authors that challenged our hearts and minds and taught us Jesus life, ministries, and importance?The foremost book of the New Testament is Matthew. It was written by the author, Matthew, to illustrate clearly that the King has arrived. Matthew, a Jew, was very literate. He was a despised tax collector who later changed his life and lived completely for Jesus and became one of His twelve disciples. Matthew directed this Gospel to his fellow Jews c.60-65 A.D. to prove that Jesus is the Messiah and to explain Gods kingdom that He holds in store for all of man. The Jews waited for a leader who had been promised centuries before by prophets. They believed that this leader-the Messiah (anointed one)-would rescue them from their Roman oppressors and establish a new kingdom. As their king, he would rule the world with justice. However, many Jews overlooked prophecies that also spoke of this king as a suffering servant who would be rejected and killed. It is no wonder, then, that few recognized Jesus as the Messiah. How could this humble carpenters son from Nazareth be their king, they thought.But Jesus was the King of all the earth, and it was Matthew (Levi) who took it upon himself (but not alone) to spread the word. Matthew used about 1475 words, 137 of which are words used by him alone of all the New Testament writers. Of these latter 76 are classical; 15 were introduced for the first time by Matthew, or at least he was the first writer in whom they were discovered; 8 words were employed for the first time by Matthew and Mark, and 15 others by Matthew and another New Testament writer. It is probable that, at the time of the Evangelist, all these words were in current use. Matthews Gospel contains many peculiar expressions that help to give decided colour to his style. Thus, he employs thirty-four times the expression basileia ton ouranon; this is never found in Mark and Luke, who, in parallel passages, replace it by basileia tou thou, which also occurs four times in Matthew. Matthew begins his account by giving Jesus genealogy. He then tells of Jesus birth and early years, including the escape to Egypt from the murderous Herod and their return to Nazareth. As you read this Gospel, Matthews mess age sounds clearly: Jesus is the Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. The message of Mark was written c.55-65 A.D. and was probably the first Gospel to be written. It was printed to encourage Roman Christians to live closer and steadier to God and to prove beyond a doubt that Jesus is Messiah. He sought to reveal the true person, work, and teachings of Jesus Christ. Mark presents a rapid succession of vivid pictures of Jesus in action-His true identity revealed by what He does, not necessarily by what He says. It is Jesus on the move. Omitting the birth of Jesus, Mark begins with John the Baptists preaching. Then, moves quickly Jesus baptism, temptation in the desert, and call of the disciples. Mark takes us directly into Jesus public ministry. Events moved rapidly toward a climax. The Last Supper, the betrayal, the crucifixion, and the resurrection are dramatically portrayed, along with more examples of Jesus teachings. Through Marks unique style of writing, we view Jesus-m oving, serving, sacrificing, and saving. Character Analysis-Tell Tale Heart EssaySome people question, however, if there is even a synoptic problem at all. It has recently been asked in the title of a provocative and controversial book by Eta Linnemann, (1992), who faults many textbooks for assuming that the interrelationship among the synoptic gospels is documentary rather than oral before establishing that proposition. These are questions that may never be completely answered by humans in the flesh, but later on in Heaven. The words written in the Bible must be dissected carefully, however, so that we may get a better understanding of the meaning of their writings. Such as your example you so used in class about the bank and how it may be interpreted many ways, so are the Words of God. Yet, scholars and literates may not always be correct. Thats why God leaves it to us to determine the meaning of the Bible. Amen, and God bless you. Bibliography:Wenham 1992 John Wenham, Redating Matthew, Mark Luke: A Fresh Assault on the Synoptic Problem (Downers Grove, Ill.: Intervarsity, 1992). Robertson 1992A.T. Robertson, M.A., D.D., LL.D., LITT.D, A Harmony of the Gospels for Students of the Life of Christ (Harper Row, Publishers, Incorporated, 1992)Stevens and Burton 1932William Arnold Stevens and Ernest De Witt Burton, A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study (Charles Scribners Sons, New York, 1932)Stonehouse 1963Ned B. Stonehouse, Origins of the Synoptic Gospels, (William B. EerdmansPublishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1963)Heim 1947Ralph D. Heim, A Harmony of the Gospels for Students (Fortress Press, Philadelphia, 1947)Linnemann 1992, ET 1992 Eta Linnemann, English trans. by Robert W. Yarbrough, Is There a Synoptic Problem: Rethinking the Literary Dependence of the First Three Gospels (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 1992). Appleton 1910Robert Appleton, The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume IX (Robert Applet onCompany, 1910)Koester 1990 Helmut Koester, Ancient Christian Gospels: Their History and Development (Philadelphia: Trinity Press Intl, 1990). Farmer 1994 William R. Farmer, The Gospel of Jesus: The Pastoral Relevance of the Synoptic Problem (Louisville, Ky.: Westminster/John Knox, 1994).