Solving the Synoptic Puzzle: Introducing the Case for the Farrer Hypothesis

by Eric Eve

The question of how the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke relate to each other has become the subject of often intense debate. No longer is it safe to assume that the long dominant Two Document Hypothesis can be accepted without much question. In this book, Eve introduces students and other interested readers to the issues surrounding the Synoptic Problem and goes on to argue for an alternative theory (the Farrer Hypothesis) which does away with the need for the hypothetic source Q. In the course of doing so he also provides a helpful discussion of the how and why of first-century Gospel authorship. While the reader is alerted to the difficulties and complexities that surround solving the puzzle of Synoptic relations, the discussion is kept as accessible as possible and assumes no prior knowledge of New Testament scholarship or Greek.

136 pages, Paperback

Published October 4, 2021

Reviews

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though many scholars talk about Q, and although I've had a basic understanding of what Q is, what it contains, and why scholars think it exists, I've never had a deeper understanding. Interestingly enough, Solving the Synoptic Puzzle, though it attacks the Q hypothesis, has given me a deeper understanding of how Q works and why scholars believe it existed.

Mr. Eve writes a balanced, objective book that sheds light on key issues and explains them in a way that most people can easily understand and then evaluate arguments both for and against. He starts by explaining the Two Document Hypothesis, one that claims that Luke based his Gospel on Mark and Q, and then Mr. Eve moves on to show how the Farrer Hypothesis, that Luke is based on Mark and Matthew, explains the data better.

A major problem with books like this that deal with the so-called synoptic problem is that no side can actually prove anything. All arguments are based on speculation and logical possibilities and likelihoods. As a result, readers are left to decide for themselves which theory seems most convincing. Though you might be convinced, there is no way of knowing for sure if you are right or wrong. That makes the synoptic problem an interesting one, but hardly practical and very much unsolvable.

Another major problem with books like these that come from scholarly sources is that the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is completely ignored. That God inspired Luke and the other Gospel writers never factors into any hypothesis. Sadly, academia, even in Christian circles, is so saturated with scientism that any mention of 'God did it' is rejected as 'God of the gaps' thinking. Though books like explain God's inspiration of Luke likely exist, Solving the Synoptic Puzzle is not it. Read it to learn about the synoptic problem and potential solutions, but don't expect to come away convinced that the problem has actually been solved.