RT Article
T1 The Synoptic Gospels as Mixed Media
JF Biblical research
VO 64
SP 42
OP 66
A1 Elder, Nicholas A.
A2 Collins, Adela Yarbro 1945-
LA English
YR 2019
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1689800763
AB This article argues that the Synoptic Gospels are notequal as to their medium. Specifically, Mark is a less “bookish”text than its later counterparts Matthew and Luke. Foundationalto this thesis is media theory that maintains that literatecultures utilize various kinds of texts that make for differentkinds of reading events. The article then argues that theSynoptic Gospels are different kinds of texts on the basis ofinternal evidence from the Synoptics and externalevidenceabout their production. The internal evidence for the thesis istwofold. First, the beginning of each Synoptic Gospel suggestswhat kind of text it is. Mark and Matthew do so by means of atitle and Luke by means of an historical preface. Second,thelanguage and style of Mark that is residually oral is consistentlyredacted by Matthew and Luke. With respect to external evidence,not only do early ecclesiastical authors testify that Markis a tertium quidbetween orality and writing, they consistentlyemploy literary language when addressing Matthew and Lukethat they do not utilize when it comes to Mark.
K1 Bible. Gospels; Criticism, Literary
K1 Greek language; Terms; Biblos
K1 Greek language; Terms; Euangelion
K1 Orality
K1 Q (Gospel source)
K1 Structural linguistics