The Oxford Handbook of the Synoptic Gospels

The Oxford Handbook of the Synoptic Gospels explores alternative approaches to understanding Synoptic relations and the nature of each Gospel, raising questions about the tools used to evaluate literary dependence. It also treats historical, literary, and cultural phenomena important to the study of these Gospels, reshaping traditional theological themes and pushing the field forward in unexplored directions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 592 pages
Publication date: 12 May 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The Oxford Handbook of the Synoptic Gospels is a comprehensive and groundbreaking resource that delves into the intricate study of the Synoptic Gospels, offering a wealth of essays that push the boundaries of the field beyond the Synoptic Problem and explore theological themes that acknowledge the unique characteristics of each Gospel.

In the first section, titled "The Problem and Nature of the Synoptics," the handbook engages with a range of traditional approaches to understanding the literary dependence between the Synoptic Gospels. While these approaches provide valuable insights, the essays in this section also introduce alternative ways of comprehending Synoptic relations and the distinct nature of each Gospel. Thought-provoking questions are raised throughout these essays, challenging the limitations of traditional source criticism and redaction criticism and exploring new tools for evaluating literary dependence, such as performance, orality, rhetoric, ancient publication, literary structures, manuscript variety, and the use of non-canonical literature.

The second section, titled "Particular Features in Comparison," delves into a diverse array of historical, literary, and cultural phenomena that are essential for the study of the Synoptic Gospels. These essays indirectly reshape traditional theological themes like salvation, Christology, and discipleship by grounding them in the cultural dynamics of the period. They explore topics such as gender, violence, power, the body, history, sacred space, healing, food, the Gospel, suffering, sectarianism, itinerancy, women, and wealth, providing a rich tapestry of insights that shed light on the complexities of these texts.

The two main sections of the handbook work in tandem to both reflect the current state of the field and propel it forward in unexplored directions. By engaging with a wide range of perspectives and methodologies, the handbook offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of the Synoptic Gospels, making it an invaluable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the study of these important biblical texts.

Dimension: 248 x 171 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190887452