A Synopsis of the Synoptic Problem (Part 2 of 2) by Doy Moyer (www.focusmagazine.com)
Suggested Solutions (continued)
Eyewitnesses. One important factor is that there were eyewitnesses who could verify the truthfulness of the accounts. Matthew was himself a firsthand witness of Jesus. It would seem rather strange that he would have had to rely upon other material for events that he himself witnessed. Mark was apparently a witness to some of the events, and evidence suggests that he wrote his account based upon the testimony of Peter. Luke explicitly claims to have gathered information from eyewitnesses (Luke 1:1-4). Therefore, the direct knowledge obtained by the writers refutes the notion that they needed to rely upon each other for their material.
Oral Teaching and Written Accounts. The Gospel was first spread orally. During the time that the apostles were in Jerusalem, Christians learned the Gospel and repeated what they learned in much the same way. There was a great amount of similarity in how the Gospel was taught. This must be factored into the similarities in the Gospel accounts. Luke also verifies that there were some other written accounts of the life of Jesus, but they were inadequate for Luke's purposes. Priority seems to be given to the oral accounts. Luke says, "just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the Word have handed them down to us" (Luke 1:2). He knew of earlier sources, but he asserts that he relied upon eyewitness testimony. These "eyewitnesses" most likely included the apostles themselves.
Different Facts and Proper Interpretation. Keeping in mind that a contradiction does not exist if there is a plausible explanation, there still may be a question about different facts that differ in the accounts. Much of this can be solved through proper hermeneutical methods. For example, Matthew records that a centurion came to Jesus (Matthew 8:5-13); whereas Luke reports that the centurion sent others to Jesus (Luke 7:2-10). Matthew's account does not exclude what Luke says. It is possible that the centurion sent others, and then anxiously went himself. It is also possible that this could be explained on the principle that one who does something through another does it himself. In either case, a plausible explanation exists, and one cannot sustain the charge of contradiction. This one example is typical of many other cases in the Gospel accounts. The point is that proper interpretation goes a long way in solving the Synoptic Problem. Simply because we do not have all of the information of a specific event does not mean it is an error.
The Historical Context. Each account not only has a different audience, but also has a message well-suited to the audience. Thiessen states:
"We believe that modern Synoptic criticism has too largely ignored the historical situations out of which our Gospels grew. The Book of Acts indicates that the Church was at first Jewish and that persecutions caused the Christians to scatter to various parts of Palestine and other countries. It indicates that the Gospel was then carried to the Greeks at Antioch; after that through Asia Minor and Macedonia, and on to Greece. It indicates further that the Gospel was taken to Rome and to the uttermost parts of the earth. At each of these new steps in the progress of Christianity a written Gospel seems historically necessary. That is, the historical situations gave rise to our four Gospels." (128-129)
Factoring In God
God is ultimately responsible for the Gospel. One cannot be neutral about the Bible, since it claims to be inspired of God. Just because a particularly passage was not written the way we think it should have been written is not adequate grounds to charge that the Bible contradicts itself. God knew what was best for the people and the situation at that given time. We may not have as much information as we would like. We may not fully understand why God chose to include or exclude certain facts. Those answers ultimately rest with Him. It is foolish to charge the Bible with errors based upon our limited knowledge.
One fallacy of modern criticism is that it is impossible for those so far removed from the events to know more about the Biblical situation than those who saw and heard firsthand the events being described. Modern criticism must assume that those who called themselves eyewitnesses were really liars, or at least deluded. Where is the objective evidence for this? Unless this evidence is forthcoming, we must still give the Biblical writers the benefit of the doubt.
Conclusion
That there is a "Synoptic Problem" is readily acknowledged.
That this "problem" is insurmountable is denied. Many
of the problems disappear through a careful study of the text,
an understanding of the historical context, and careful comparison
of the accounts. One must be careful not to force contradictions
where they do not exist.
Works Cited:
McDowell, Josh. A Ready Defense. San Bernadino, CA: Here's
Life Publishers, 1988.
Moreland, J. P. Scaling The Secular City. Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Book House, 1987.
Thiessen, Henry Clarence. Introduction To The New Testament.
Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1943.
Warfield, Benjamin B. The Inspiration and Authority of the
Bible. Philipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing
Co., 1948.
The Uncertainty of the Future by W. Frank Walton (wfwalton@juno.com)
"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what
a day may bring forth" (Prov 27:1).
On Saturday, February 1st, the world heard the tragic news that the space shuttle Columbia burned up on reentry. All seven brave souls died just 16 minutes before its scheduled landing and reunion with loved ones. This tragedy drives home the fact of the uncertainty of the future. NASA's shuttle flights had become a routine thing. We had taken their success for granted.
We're reminded of our mortality. We're reminded of our need for Him who over came death and alone gives the hope of immortality through the gospel (2 Tim 1:10). We need to entrust the unknown future to the known God of the Bible. He alone "dwells in eternity" and "sees the end from the beginning" (Isa 57:15, 46:10).
In reflecting on the uncertainty of the future, I want to share with you a thought-provoking article that I hope will do you as much good as it has done me. It was written by Franklin Camp over 50 years ago and is entitled "Nineteen-Hundred and Fifty One":
1951
"The year 1951 is almost gone. Time and experience are great teachers. Have we sat at their feet through the year and learned any profitable lessons? This year has been to me the most eventful of my life. I think I have learned some of life's most valuable lessons.
Perhaps the most important lesson I have learned this year is the uncertainty of life. How could I fail to learn it? How shall I ever forget it? If one so young and full of life as Vivian was, could so suddenly go, how can I be certain of what a day may bring forth? Vivian was our only girl. She was severely burned and lived only five days following her accident. She was burned on Sunday and died Thursday. She was looking forward to entering school on Monday.
I know now how brittle is the thread of life, know that no one knows whether tomorrow shall find him among his friends on earth or in the presence of his God. Now that I know this lesson, I shall try to live every day as if it were the last. It may be. God being my helper, I shall be ready if it is.
I have learned to love the Bible more. Why should I not? I have searched its sacred pages more to find the light I needed when the hours were so dark. I have turned to it again and again to hear it say, "O grave, where is you victory?" (1 Cor 15:57). When my face was wet with tears, I read with joy, "He shall wipe all tears away" (Rev 21:4). When care would flood my soul, I found comfort in the words, "Casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you" (2 Pet 3:16). Blessed Book- for me there is no other.
I have learned that faith is more precious than gold. It is the eye of the soul. By faith I can look beyond the veil of this life. By faith I can see every grave made empty. By faith I can see the city of God filled with the redeemed and among them an angel that was once a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl. When I see this, gold becomes cankered. I only want enough to pay my fare through this world. But faith, give me more! "O Lord, help thou my unbelief" (Mk 9:24).
I have learned to think less of earth and more of heaven. "The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Cor 4:18). What is the world with all its pomp and power? Just a bubble that will burst and be gone. But heaven-decay cannot affect it. It is "incorruptible, undefiled, and fades not away" (1 Pet 1:4). Why should I not think more of heaven than earth? It is my home. I am just a wayfarer and a pilgrim in this world traveling toward home." - excerpted from Old Truth in New Robes
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Our weekly services are held at 1318 Griffin Road, Leesburg, Florida
34748.
Phone: (352) 365-9946 for times of services.
Web site: http://www.careydillinger.com/cocbs/cocbshp.htm
MONTHLY BIBLE READING: The Gospels - Emphasizing the Early Work of Jesus
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
BIBLE INSIGHT is published for the members of, and
visitors to, the Church of Christ at Beverly Shores, Leesburg,
Florida, USA.
Carey Dillinger is the editor. He can be reached at the church
address or via e-mail: webmaster@careydillinger.com