The Synoptic Problem: A Way through the Maze
Overview
Perhaps the greatest literary enigma in history, the Synoptic Problem has fascinated generations of scholars who have puzzled over the agreements, the disagreements, the variations, and the peculiarities of the relationship between the first three of our canonical Gospels. Yet the Synoptic Problem remains inaccessible to students, who often become quickly entangled in its apparent complexities. Now Mark Goodacre offers a way through the maze, explaining in a lively and refreshing style exactly what study of the Synoptic Problem involves, why it is important and how it might be solved in this readable, balanced, and up-to-date guide.
This introduction is fair and helpful, especially to a beginning student. It has the special advantage of making the whole subject matter relevant, which is no small task… It is well written…
—Mark A. Matson, Michigan College
- Title: The Synoptic Problem: A Way through the Maze
- Author: Mark Goodacre
- Publisher: T & T Clark
- Publication Date: 2005
- Pages: 181
Mark Goodacre is professor in the Department of Religion and director of Undergraduate Studies at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. He is the author of Thomas and the Gospels: The Case for Thomas’s Familiarity with the Synoptics, The Case Against Q: Studies in Markan Priority, and The Synoptic Problem: A Way through the Maze.
Reviews
1 rating
Josh
9/15/2013
At the end of every section, Goodacre succinctly summarizes what was just discussed. I appreciate when authors do this. It helps with my retention of the content. Overall, this was a good - but breif - introduction into the Synoptic Problem. Throughout Goodacre strongly argues for the Farrer Theory or the "Markan Priority without Q" hypothesis. I believe he does an admirable job in doing this. Don't read this book unless you want to be convinced to "dispense with Q". I know I did!
