The Synoptic Gospels and Source Criticism by Richard P. Thompson

Description

The Synoptic Gospels and Source Criticism offers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to this foundational field of study. Guiding readers through the history of scholarship and the major hypotheses—from Markan priority and the Two-Source Theory to the Farrer, Griesbach, and Augustinian models—this volume carefully examines the evidence through detailed textual analysis and extended case studies. Particular attention is given to how different solutions account for agreements in wording and order, distinctive redactional tendencies, and the theological shaping of tradition. The book also situates classical source criticism within contemporary conversations, including memory studies, digital tools, and global perspectives on Gospel interpretation.

Written for students, pastors, and scholars alike, this volume does not argue for a single definitive solution to the Synoptic Problem. Instead, it equips readers to understand the strengths and limitations of competing models and to appreciate the theological significance of the Gospels’ plurality. By illuminating how the evangelists received, shaped, and transmitted tradition, The Synoptic Gospels and Source Criticism invites readers to read the Synoptics with greater historical sensitivity, literary insight, and theological depth.