Theological Term of the Week: Synoptic Problem

synoptic problem
The issue of how to account for the similarities and differences in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke); the debated subject of whether these similarities and differences can be explained by interdependence—one or two of the gospels were used as source(s) for others—or dependence on an outside source.

• From the three accounts of the healing of the paralytic (Notice particularly the similar parenthetical statements I’ve italicized.):

“But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” (Matthew 9:6 ESV)

“But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” (Mark 2:10-11 ESV)

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” (Luke 5:24 ESV)

• From The Synoptic Problem: An Introduction by Robert H. Stein:

One of the most persuasive arguments for the literary interdependence of the synoptic Gospels is the presence of identical parenthetical material, for it is highly unlikely that two or three writers would by coincidence insert into their accounts exactly the same editorial comment at exactly the same place. 

Learn more:1

1. Blue Letter Bible: The Synoptic Problem
2. GotQuestions.org: What is the Synoptic Problem?
3. Theopedia: The Synoptic Problem
4. Christian Apologetics and Research Ministries: What is the gospel of Q and does it prove the gospels are false?
5. Daniel Wallace: The Synoptic Problem, The Synoptic Problem and Inspiration
6. John MacArthur: Introduction to Mark
7. James Arlandson: What Is the “Q” Gospel?
8. Mark D. Roberts: What Sources Did the Gospel Writers Use?

Related terms: 

• synoptic gospels

Filed under Scripture

1The authors of these articles do not all agree on the best solution to the synoptic problem, or even whether there actually is one, and I don’t know enough to have an informed opinion.

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Sunday's Hymn: How Firm a Foundation

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
You who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed;
I, I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

“E’en down to old age all my people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.

“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.”

—John Rip­pon

Other hymns, worship songs, or quotes for this Sunday:

• Behold, He Cometh at The Happy Wonderer
• The Person Christmas Celebrates — Hymn 1 at The Outspoken Tulip

Selected Reading, November 28, 2020

 

A few good things to read this weekend.

Life

Dorothy at the Window
“I will remember the summer of 2020 for many things. I will remember it as the summer when I asked my neighbor if I could hug her. I will remember it as the summer when I could drive around my little town and see store signs assuring me they were open (“Please come buy stuff!”). I will remember it as the summer when I could look out my window and see broad daylight, yet not be allowed to walk in it. With all these things, I will also remember it as the summer I saw Dorothy at the window.” —Esther O’Reilly

Biography

Scipione Lentolo — A Firm Hand in Unstable Times
An Italian pastor you should know.

Worship

Multidirectional, Participatory Worship
Gathered worship is not a spectator sport—not for God, and not for the people of God. “In the gathered assembly, there are multi-directional dimensions to the various elements of worship. We gather together on the Lord’s Day to look vertically, horizontally, outwardly, inwardly, backwardly, and forwardly in the elements that guide a biblical and God-honoring worship service.” — Nicholas Batzig