by Mike Duncan
First published 2022
Duncan presents the Synoptic Problem as a puzzle about writing rather than ancient texts. He champions the Farrer Hypothesis, which suggests that Matthew and Luke drew directly from Mark and other sources without requiring a lost document called Q. Duncan examines six different aspects of gospel composition through case studies. He analyzes how resurrection narratives differ across gospels and how each author portrays the apostles differently. His central argument positions the synoptic gospels as competing stories about Jesus, where Matthew and Luke deliberately responded to earlier versions with the goal of creating superior accounts. Duncan acknowledges the limitations of his approach. He admits the Farrer Hypothesis faces serious problems and remains educated guesswork. The Synoptic Problem may be unsolvable due to missing evidence and lost historical context. Only by accepting this uncertainty, Duncan argues, can scholars examine the available options with clear eyes and honest assessment.
Genres: history, christian, religion, non-fiction, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: academic-analysis, competing-narratives
296 pages · Hardcover · Fortress Academic