Synoptic Composition: The Use of Oral and Written Sources in the Synoptic Gospels

The fascination with literary dependency in the most popular approaches to the synoptic problem has been built upon a faulty presupposition: that oral tradition is incapable of producing the word for word verbal agreement found in the synoptic accounts. Recent research in the area of oral tradition has shown that this is not the case, but we still rely on increasingly complicated literary models to explain the relationships between the Synoptic Gospels. This book engages in comparative analysis of Old Greek quotations found in more than one of the Synoptic Gospels, along with the material that surrounds these quotations. The resulting conclusions indicate that oral sources may better explain the similarities and differences found in the Synoptic Gospels, and that we ought to reexamine our foundational presuppositions in order to craft a better model for understanding the origins of the Synoptic Gospels. The hope is that the reader will join the author in seeking to better understand these books that include the climax of the greatest story of all time: the true story of people marred by sin, and their creator who seeks after them as he redeems all things to himself.

Adam J. Christian is an author, pastor, and teacher living in Evansville, Indiana where he oversees the Adult Ministry Team at Christian Fellowship Church. His book, Synoptic Composition: The Use of Oral and Written Sources in the Synoptic Gospels challenges the status quo of research on the Synoptic Problem, utilizing grammatical analysis to show that it is more likely that the similarities and differences found in the synoptic Gospels are better explained on the basis of shared oral traditions, rather than a literary relationship. His academic interests include Gospel origins, the New Testament use of the Old Testament, biblical hermeneutics, and the development of the early church. As a pastor, Adam's primary interests lie in discipleship, primarily through teaching and small groups, as well as organizational structure and leadership of the church.

In his spare time, he loves to spend time with his wife and two kids. He is an avid reader, and especially loves to read C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, or practically anything written about them and the other Inklings, especially works investigating the interplay between their fictional writings and their theology. He is also a huge fan of all things Star Wars (before Disney got their hands on it), video and board games, and enjoys all things technology... especially its use in ministry and education.

He has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry from Ozark Christian College, a Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies and a Master of Theology in New Testament from Western Seminary, and a Master of Theology in Pedagogy and a Ph.D. in New Testament from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was tempted to add on another degree or two, but his wife put her foot down and said absolutely no more degrees.