Sources of the Gospels

Q and the So-Called

“Search For the Historical Jesus”

Randy Broberg 2004

Class Theme Verse: 1 Thess. 2:13

• “For this reason we also constantly thank God that

• when you received the word of God

• which you heard from us,

• you accepted it

• not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God,

• which also performs its work in you who believe.”

ATTACKS ON THE

GOSPELS

Old Attacks on Jesus

Albert Schweitzer

Albert Schweitzer

The historical investigation of the life of

Jesus did not take its rise from a purely

historical interest; it turned to the Jesus of

history as an ally in the struggle against

the tyranny of dogma. …This dogma had

first to be shattered before men could

once more go out in quest of the

historical Jesus, …. That the historic

Jesus is something different from the

Jesus Christ of the doctrine of the Two

Natures seems to us now self-evident..

Old Attacks on Jesus

Rudolf Bultmann

• In the 1950s and 60s,

Rudolf Bultmann, argued

that most the Gospel

accounts of Jesus' life

grew out of the myths of

the early church.

•“All that remains of Jesus is an eschatological call to decision; the picture of His person and work has disappeared.”

New

Attacks

on

Jesus

Christ

Network TV Attacks

• In 2000, ABC’s Peter Jennings Reporting:

The Search for Jesus, had 16 million

viewers!

Time Magazine Attacks

THE GOSPELS:

ORAL SOURCES

Luke’s Oral and Written Sources Luke 1:1-4:

“In as much as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word have handed down to us, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write (it) out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.”

1. Written sources (1:1)

2. Oral sources (from

eyewitnesses) (1:2)

3. Luke confirmed this with his

own investigations (1:3)

4. Luke couldn’t “embellish,”

since the material was

already widely known in

the early church (1:4)

Apostolic Oral Tradition

As Source of Gospels

• 1 Thess 4:15-18

– For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Apostolic Oral Tradition

As Source of Gospels

• 1 Thess 5:1-2

– Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Apostolic Oral Tradition

As Source of Gospels

• 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

– For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

Apostolic Oral Tradition

As Source of Gospels

• 1 Corinthians 11:3-25

– For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.“ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

Apostolic Oral Tradition

As Source of Gospels

• 1 John 1:1-3

• That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us-- that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

THE GOSPELS:

WRITTEN SOURCES

Evidence of Written Sources

of the Gospels

• The general scheme of the three

Synoptic Gospels is the same.

• Not only do Jesus’ words match,

but also the narrative events.

• There are passages that Matthew

and Luke have that Mark does not.

• Each Gospel has its own material.

Early Church Views of Order of

Gospels and Their Sources

• Early Church Tradition

– Matthew wrote first.

– Mark wrote his Gospel independently, using Peter as his source.

– Luke used Matthew to write his Gospel and was companion of Paul.

• Eusebius quotes a man named Papias who wrote early in the second century.

• Papias states that Matthew wrote down the “logia” (sayings, oracles) of Jesus in the “Hebrew dialect.”

Eusebius (c. 260 - c. 340) (Citing Clement

c 120): on the Order of the Gospels

"The Gospels containing the genealogies, [Clement] says, were

written first. The Gospel according to MARK had this occasion. As

Peter had preached the Word publicly at Rome, and declared the

Gospel by the Spirit, many who were present requested that Mark,

who had followed him for a long time and remembered his

sayings, should write them out. And having composed the Gospel

he gave it to those who had requested it. When Peter learned of

this, he neither directly forbade nor encouraged it. But, last of all,

JOHN, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in

the Gospel, being urged by his friends, and inspired by the Spirit,

composed a spiritual Gospel." This is the account of Clement.

Irenaeus (120-203 AD) on the

Authorship of the Gospels

"Matthew published his Gospel among the Hebrews in

their own language, while Peter and Paul were

preaching and founding the church in Rome. After

their departure Mark, the disciple and interpreter of

Peter, also transmitted to us in writing those things

which Peter had preached; and Luke, the attendant

of Paul, recorded in a book the Gospel which Paul

had declared. Afterwards John, the disciple of the

Lord, who also reclined on his bosom, published

his Gospel, while staying at Ephesus in Asia."

Matthew First Theory

Matthew

50s

Luke

60s Mark

60s John

70-95

Paul Peter

Eyewitnesses of Jesus

27-30 AD

Mark First Theory

• The percentage of Mark found in the other Gospels.

• Assumption that we should not expect Mark to cut so

much of the sayings material

• order of events used.

– Sometimes, Matthew and Mark have a different order

than Luke.

– Sometimes Luke and Mark differ from Matthew.

– But Matthew and Luke never differ from Mark.

• Matthew exhibits consistent patterns in the ways he

abbreviates Mark

• Matthew mixes use of Greek & Hebrew versions in his OT

quotations--except where he agrees with Mark (suggesting

he follows Mark)

Mark First Theory

Mark

Matthew Luke

John

Exclusive Common

Mark 7% 93%

Matthew 42% 58%

Luke 59% 41%

John 92% 8%

Gospels’ Overlap

Mark 8:12 Matt 16:4 Matt 12:39-40

Luke 11:29

Why does this

generation seek

a sign? Truly, I

say to you, no

sign shall be

given to this

generation.

An evil and

adulterous

generation seeks

for a sign, but no

sign shall be

given it except

the sign of

Jonah.

An evil and

adulterous

generation seeks

for a sign, but no

sign shall be

given to it except

the sign of the

prophet Jonah.

For as Jonah

was three nights

in the belly of the

whale, so will the

Son of man be

three days and

three nights in

the heart of the

earth.

This generation

is an evil

generation; it

seeks a sign but

no sign shall be

given to it except

the sign of

Jonah.

The Second Source Theory

1. Some stuff in Matthew and Luke is similar, but not

identical, so probably Matthew did not copy Luke or

Luke copy Matthew

2. Often the common material in Matthew and Luke

diverges from Mark

3. There are extra passages that Matthew and Luke both

have but Mark does not.

4. Matthew/Luke common material often in the same

sequence

The Second Source Theory

Mark

Matthew

?

Luke

“Q” Hypothesis

• Matthew and Luke used (1) Mark and (2) an unknown source called “Q.”

• From the German Quelle meaning “source.”

• Collection of 250 verses, mostly sayings with very little narrative found in Matthew and Luke but not Mark.

• ca. 30-70 AD

• Q has no passion account.

• Portrays Jesus as itinerant prophet and wisdom teacher, but not Son of God/Redeemer

• Actual text of Q is unknown – no one has ever found it.

Arguments for Existence of Q

• Exactness in Wording in Matthew and Luke

• Doublets in Matthew and Luke – (Same wording,

different context)

Looking For Q!

Gnostic Gospel of Thomas • From the Publisher "In 1945, twelve ancient books

were found inside a sealed jar at the base of an Egyptian cliff. One of those texts was the Gospel of Thomas, one of the most important religious archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century. While illuminating the origins of Christianity, it raises the question whether the New Testament's version of Jesus' teachings is entirely accurate and complete." "Written at the same time as the canonical Gospels, the Gospel of Thomas portrays Jesus as a wisdom-loving sage. The aphoristic sayings emphasize the value of the present, teaching that the Kingdom of God is here and now, rather than a future promise or future threat. It presents a new way of looking at the challenging and intriguing figure of Jesus, and reminds us that the Divine can be found right here on earth." This Skylight Illuminations edition …. and gives you deeper understanding of Thomas' innovative message; that self-knowledge and contemplation of the nature of this world are the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Looking for Q:

Gnostic Gospel of Thomas

• John Dominic Crosson’s Theory

– Thomas belongs to what he calls the “First Stratum” which dates from 30-60 AD with Q

– No canonical gospels appear in the first stratum but some epistles do.

• John P. Meier, A Marginal Jew,

– “With all due hesitation, I am inclined to the view that the Gospel of Thomas is dependent on the Synoptics tradition.”

Arguments Against Existence of “Q”

• It has never been found

• It was never mentioned by the Church Fathers

• Similarities between Luke and Mathew can be explained alternatively

– Speeches, catchphrases, slogans, etcetera, were probably repeated on more than one occasion and in multiple locations

• Not Enough Time For Q

– Mark – Before 70 AD Dead Sea Scrolls (?)

– Matthew – c. 50 AD (Magdalen Fragments)

– Luke – Before 68 AD (Luke stops writing when Paul was still alive)

Establishing the Gospels’ Dates

4 B.C.

Jesus born

B.C.

50

A.D.

150 50 60 70 80 90 100 0 120 140

30 A.D.

Jesus

crucified

Dead

Sea

Scrolls

Oral Tradition Period

30-50 AD

Last John Date

100 AD

Last Luke

Date

Last

Mark

Date

Matthew

WHERE DOES Q FIT?

THE GOSPELS:

EMBELLISHMENT THEORIES

Jesus: A

Revolutionary

Biography

John Dominic Crossan

“…if you read them horizontally and

comparatively, focusing on this or that

unit and comparing it across two, three,

or four versions, it is disagreement

rather than agreement that strikes you

most forcibly. And those divergences

stem not from the random vagaries of

memory and recall but from the

coherent and consistent theologies of

the individual texts.”

The “Q” Embellishment Theory

Mark

Matthew

Q

Luke

70 AD Jewish

Messianic

Expectations

Oral Traditions of Jesus Sayings

Hellenistic

God Man

Expectations &

Miracle Stories

Paul’s

Sacrifice/

Redemption

Theology

Q and Embellishment Theories

• The Gospels’ miracles and Passion accounts, not found in Q were all added later by the church for polemical purposes.

• Q Theorists argue that we need to strip the layers from Gospels to get to the “real Jesus” and “the real words of Jesus.”

• This lead to the so-called “search for the historical Jesus.”

“Historical Jesus”

Embellishment Theory

“Jesus”

• 30-70 AD

• Saw Jesus

as a wise

teacher

• No need for

a messiah

• No Cross, No

Resurrection,

No “Gospel”

“Christ”

• 70-100 AD

• Added narrative myths

upon Q sayings

• Proclamation of the

death and resurrection

of Jesus

Embellishment Theory

Presuppositions • Naturalism:

– Miracles aren’t possible so stories must be embellishments

– Desire to reject Divinity of Christ while preserving him as a prophet or philosopher.

• Post Modern Tolerance Bias: – Wisdom of Jesus applicable and accepted by all but Gospel

implies hell and damnation

• Political Correctness Bias:

– Desire to preserve “Jewishness” of Jesus

• Chronological Circular Logic – Assume Gospel Writers didn’t have first hand knowledge of events

• It’s just plain easier to believe in a “Jesus of history” than “Christ, the Son of God”

Jesus Seminar Presuppositions

Confessed

• John Dominic Crossan:

– I do not believe in a God who

could forgive gratuitously but

actually does so only after

Jesus has been beaten to a

bloody pulp in our place. If I

accepted--as I emphatically

do not--Gibson's vision of

this savage God, I hope I

would have the courage to

follow Mrs. Job's advice:

"Curse God, and die" (2:9).

Arguments Against

Embellishment Theory

• Speed Problem-- A little more or less than a

generation separates Mark from the event

• Eyewitness Problem--Ignores the memory of men

who were eyewitnesses

• Oral Tradition Alternative -- Makes insufficient

allowance for the existence of an authentic tradition

of Christ's words

Circular Logic Problem

What’s left is

non-miraculous

wise

philosopher Jesus

Conclude Miracles,

Passion, & Divinity

added later as Jesus

evolved Into Christ

Strip Out Christ’s

Miracles,

Passion, & Divinity

from Gospels

Our Team:

Historical Jesus

A quote from N. T. Wright • The guild of NT studies has become so used to operating with a

hermeneutic of suspicion that we find ourselves trapped in our own subtleties. If two ancient writers agree about something, that proveS one got it from the other. If they seem to disagree, that proves that one or both are wrong. If they say an event fulfilled biblical prophecy, they made it up to look like that. If an event or saying fits a writer's theological scheme, that writer invented it. If there are two accounts of similar events, they are a "doublet" (there was only one event); but if a single account has anything odd about it, there must have been two events, which are now conflated. And so on. Anything to show how clever we are, how subtle, to have smoked out the reality behind the text. But as any author who has watched his books being reviewed will know, such reconstructions again and again miss the point, often wildly. If we cannot get it right when we share a culture, a period, and a language, it is highly likely that many of our subtle reconstructions of ancients texts and histories are our own unhistorical fantasies, unrecognized only because the writers are long since dead and cannot answer back.

– In _The Meaning of Jesus_ (HarperSanFrancisco 2000), 18.