A combination of two classic discussions in New Testament scholarship, the contributions in this volume shed light on the still unsolved synoptic problem by using the well-coined concept of rewriting to describe the relationship between the synoptic gospels. The contributions work with the hypothesis that the synoptic tradition can be conceived of as a process of rewriting: Matthew rewrote Mark and Luke rewrote Mark and Matthew. This approach to the synoptic problem dismantles the grounds for the otherwise widely accepted two-source theory. If it can be shown that Luke knew Matthew's Gospel the Q-hypothesis is superfluous.
One group of articles focuses on the general question of Luke's literary relation to the other gospels. In these essays, the concept of rewriting describes Luke's use of his sources. The second part of the collection examines a number of texts in order to shown how Luke rewrites specific passages. In the final section the contributions concern Luke's relation to Roman authorities. It is shown that Luke's literary creativity is not limited to his predecessors in the gospel tradition. Rewriting is his literary strategy.
Mogens Müller is Professor of New Testament Exegesis in the University of Copenhagen.
Chris Keith is Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, Norway. He is the author of
The Pericope Adulterae, the
Gospel of John and the Literacy of Jesus, a winner of the 2010 John Templeton Award for Theological Promise, and
Jesus' Literacy: Scribal Culture and the Teacher from Galilee. He is also the co-editor of
Jesus among Friends and Enemies: A Historical and Literary Introduction to Jesus in the Gospels, and was recently named a 2012 Society of Biblical Literature Regional Scholar.
Jesper Tang Nielsen is Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Michael Labahn is Wissenchaftlicher Assistant for New Testament at Martin-Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
Dr. Michael Labahn is Wissenschaftlicher Assistant for New Testament at Martin-Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.