The Tendencies of the Synoptic Tradition [Paperback]

This study deals directly with the question of determining the reliability of the Synoptic Gospels.The Synoptic Gospels contain traditions about Jesus which differ in some respects from Gospel to Gospel and, it is presumed, from the very earliest Christian traditions. Scholars often seek to establish the earliest form of each tradition and the methods and criteria they use are of the greatest importance. Dr Sanders here provides a reassessment of this whole problem.The Synoptic Gospels contain traditions about Jesus which differ in some respects from Gospel to Gospel and, it is presumed, from the very earliest Christian traditions. Scholars often seek to establish the earliest form of each tradition and the methods and criteria they use are of the greatest importance. Dr Sanders here provides a reassessment of this whole problem.The Synoptic Gospels contain traditions about Jesus which differ in some respects from Gospel to Gospel and, it is presumed, from the very earliest Christian traditions. Scholars often seek to establish the earliest form of each tradition and the methods and criteria they use are of the greatest importance. Dr Sanders here provides a reassessment of this whole problem. His study deals directly with the question of determining the reliability of the Synoptic Gospels.Preface; List of abbreviations; 1. The problem; 2. Increasing length as a possible tendency of the tradition; 3. Increasing detail as a possible tendency of the tradition; 4. Diminishing Semitism as a possible tendency of the tradition; 5. Direct discourse and conflation; 6. Conclusions; Appendixes; Bibliography; Index.