Description
The Oxford Handbook of the Synoptic Gospels presents essays that push the field beyond the Synoptic Problem and theological themes that ignore the particularities of each Gospel. The first section, "The Problem and Nature of the Synoptics," explores some of the traditional approaches of literary dependence, but primarily engages with alternative ways to understand Synoptic relations and the nature of each Gospel. Interesting questions are raised in these essays regarding the tools used to evaluate literary dependence beyond those of traditional source criticism and redaction criticism (such as performance, orality, rhetoric, ancient publication, literary structures, manuscript variety, and use by non-canonical literature).The second section, "Particular Features in Comparison," treats a variety of historical, literary, and cultural phenomena important to the study of these Gospels (such as gender, violence, power, body, history, sacred space, healing, food, gospel, suffering, sectarianism, itineracy, women, wealth). These essays indirectly reshape traditional theological themes like salvation, Christology, and discipleship, grounding them in the cultural dynamics of the period. The two main sections simultaneously express the current state of the field and push the field forward in unexplored directions.
Table of Contents
Abbreviations and ConventionsNotes on ContributorsIntroductionStephen P. Ahearne-KrollPART I THE PROBLEM AND NATURE OF THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS1. The History and Prospects of the Synoptic ProblemJohn Kloppenborg2. The Minor Sources and Their Role in the Synoptic ProblemPaul Foster3. The Use of Sources in Ancient CompositionJames Barker4. Ancient Rhetoric as an Evaluative Tool for Literary DependenceAlex Damm5. Paul's Possible Influence on the SynopticsCameron Ferguson6. Oral Tradition, Writing, and the Synoptic ProblemAlan Kirk7. Oral Performance of the SynopticsLee Johnson8. Narrative Design of the SynopticsMichal Beth Dinkler9. Manuscripts: The Problem with the Synoptic ProblemBrent Nongbri10. The Publication of the Synoptics and the Problems of DatingMatthew Larsen11. The Synoptic Gospels and Apocryphal NarrativesJanet Spittler12. The Gospel of Thomas and the SynopticsMelissa Harl SellewPART II PARTICULAR FEATURES IN COMPARISON13. Suffering and SacrificeCandida Moss14. Violent ImaginariesSarah Rollens15. Kingdom, Authority, and PowerMichael Peppard16. Wealth, Poverty, EconomyThomas Blanton17. Travel and ItinerancyTimothy Luckritz Marquis18. Food and MealsSoham Al-Suadi19. Healing and ExorcismMeghan Henning20. Sacred SpaceKaren Wenell21. HistoryEve-Marie Becker22. Apocalyptic EschatologyRobyn Whitaker23. Resurrection and the AfterlifeAlexey Somov24. GospelJoshua Garroway25. Jewish SectarianismJohn Kampen26. Gentiles and Their Relations to JewsMagnus Zetterholm27. Israel's ScripturesSusan Docherty28. Portraits of WomenSusan Myers29. GenderJoshua M. Reno and Stephen P. Ahearne-Kroll30. BodyStephen D. MooreGeneral IndexIndex of Passages
