Burkett on Q and the Synoptics

Christopher Skinner — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:04:07 +0000

I am currently reading Delbert Burkett’s book Rethinking the Gospel Sources, Volume 2: The Unity and Plurality of Q (Atlanta: SBL, 2009). The book has several objectives: (1) to argue for the necessity of Q in formulations of Synoptic relationships; (2) to argue that Q was a single, unified written source; and (3) to account for the plurality of wording appearing in various places in Matthew and Luke. Burkett responds to the major opponents of Q (Farmer, Farrer, Goulder, Goodacre) and makes his case with detailed precision. As I read his treatment, two things have stood out to me. First, I continue to be reminded of what a highly speculative enterprise Q studies are, despite the great confidence of those who write on the subject. Second, I am surprised by Burkett’s statement that the Synoptic evangelists should be regarded as strictly compilers rather than shapers of tradition. To my mind, it is axiomatic in Synoptic studies (since Marxsen, Conzelmann and other early redaction critics) that the Synoptic evangelists are sophisticated theologians in their own right.

More from Mark Goodacre on the Synoptic Problem

Christopher Skinner — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:49:11 +0000

This morning I ran across a post on Mark Goodacre’s blog that identifies some weaknesses in Mark Allan Powell’s handling of the synoptic problem in his new book, Introducing the New Testament. Among his most important criticisms is the book’s failure to mention the Farrer hypothesis or its adherents anywhere in the book. While I disagree with Mark on a number of issues I share his concern that Q has taken on monumental proportions and needs to be tempered (at least during in-class discussions) with the strong proviso that Q is a hypothetical construct and should not be given the same weight as the documentary evidence we do possess. I also agree with Mark’s estimation of the lack of balance in discussions of the synoptic problem in NT introductions. For most intro courses I use Luke Timothy Johnson’s, The Writings of the New Testament but I always feel compelled to supplement with my own material that presents a spectrum of views (this includes a discussion of the Farrer hypothesis and issues like “fatigue”). Nothing says we have to agree with a position in order to give it a fair hearing.

Brief correction: After Mark’s critique Powell included one reference to the Farrer hypothesis. Good for him.

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Burkett on Q and the Synoptics

More from Mark Goodacre on the Synoptic Problem