Synoptic Problem

Part of the attack on the New Testament is due in part to what is called the "synoptic problem." Since the 18th century scholars have been comparing the gospels to see what similarities and differences might be there. They do this by placing the gospels side by side in parallel columns. The term "synoptic" means "seeing together." (Syn= together and optic=seeing) In doing this kind of careful study it has been observed that three of the four gospels are very much alike. They are Matthew, Mark and Luke. John's gospel is different in content and in several other ways. Therefore Matthew, Mark, and Luke constitute the "synoptic gospels." It has also been noted that there are significant differences between these three witnesses to the life of Christ. These differences cause some scholars to conclude that there were therefore errors made by the writers. Further studies reveal that Matthew's gospel contains 91% of Mark's words, and Luke contains about 53% of Mark's gospel. It has therefore been speculated that Matthew and Luke both used Mark's gospel and were familiar with it. Others speculate that there may have been a fourth document, or oral tradition, unknown to us, perhaps lost in the sands of time, known as the "Q" document that was also used by Matthew and Luke. ("Q" stands for the German word "Quelle" meaning source.)

ASSIGNMENT: Prepare your own synoptic gospel of the birth and early years (up to 12 years old) of Christ. Do this by labeling each event in the birth and childhood narratives and list those events in chronological order (the order in which they happened.) Be sure not to leave anything out. How many events are there? Ask yourself, "What are the differences and similarities? Are there any contradictions? Why do you suppose they do not all contain identical material? Share your observations with the class.

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