Date Thesis Awarded
4-2017
Access Type
Honors Thesis -- Access Restricted On-Campus Only
Degree Name
Bachelors of Arts (BA)
Department
History
Advisor
Michael Daise
Committee Members
Alexander Angelov
Barbette Spaeth
Abstract
This study addresses two critical questions. First, whether or not the sayings document Q exists, and second, whether or not it is easier to explain the origin of the Synoptic Gospels based solely on a literary relationship amongst the three, without reference to any lost sources or outside documents. This study further has implications for the nature of earliest Christianity, as Q is often thought to be a window into a pre-gospel Judaic Christian community that putatively existed in Galilee, who likely developed its theology prior to St. Paul the Apostle. In addition, if Q can be shown not to exist, there are implications as to the dates of both the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, with a re-dating of the gospels potentially under consideration. Similarly, this study may have implications for the study of the historical Jesus of Nazareth, as Mark and Q are often appealed to as two independent sources for Jesus’ sayings and teachings.
Recommended Citation
Stein, Paul S., "Is Q Necessary? A Source, Text, and Redaction Critical Approach to the Synoptic Problem" (2017). Undergraduate Honors Theses. William & Mary. Paper 1118.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses/1118
