Abstract
Recent studies of ancient compositional practices and the Synoptic Problem have validated the Two-Source Hypothesis and challenged the “Augustinian,” Farrer–Goulder, and Griesbach Hypotheses. These studies conclude that, according to the Two-Source Hypothesis, subsequent evangelists would have adhered to the Greco-Roman conventions of working with one source at a time and not working backward through a text. The present essay adduces counterexamples such as the Greek Minor Prophets Scroll from Naḥal Ḥever, which predates the Gospels, and Tatian’s Diatessaron, which postdates the Gospels. Upon further examination, simultaneously accessing multiple sources and reordering those sources were established compositional practices in the first century. Moreover, every solution to the Synoptic Problem necessitates such scribal conventions. Therefore the lesser extent of these ancient compositional practices does not privilege the Two-Source Hypothesis over its rivals.
Disciplines
Biblical Studies | Religion
Recommended Citation
Barker, James W., "Ancient Compositional Practices and the Gospels: A Reassessment" (2016). Faculty/Staff Personal Papers. Paper 256.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/fac_staff_papers/256
Comments
James W Barker. "Ancient Compositional Practices and the Gospels" Journal of Biblical Literature Vol. 135 Iss. 1 (2016) p. 109 - 121 ISSN: 0021-9231