Form and Redaction Criticism How the Gospels Came Together

Luke 1:1-4 Luke tells us he got information from eyewitness & “servants of the word” For at least a generation Jesus’ teachings were handed down orally Miracle stories seemed to be collected together Parables on similar topics were collected (Mk 4, Lk 15, etc)

As this information and these stories were preserved they were put into particular forms Miracle stories follow the same basic format: –Description of disease or condition –Description of Jesus’ action –Description of the individual’s or crowd’s reaction Sometimes more detail is added, but not often.

Collections of controversy stories – Mk. 2:1-36 –Series of Jesus debating with leaders Several stories were collected together that told of Jesus debating with Jewish leaders and concluding with a significant statement of Jesus –“Pronouncement” stories – Jesus ends the conversation with a “punch line” The Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath Here are my mother and brothers! Whoever does the will of God.

The passion narrative seems to have circulated as a unit Parables on similar themes were transmitted together –Mk 4 // Mt 13 – parables of the Kingdom –Luke 15 – parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, lost son

Assumptions of Form Critics Gospel tradition consisted of individual sayings and stories Gospel writers were primarily collectors & editors of the tradition Information about Jesus was transmitted orally For most of this period most of the material was handed down individually, some exceptions

All this information was used by early teachers in appropriate settings in the Church –Controversy stories were used to help with struggles with Jewish leaders or others –Pronouncement stories used to encourage Christians in difficult situations –Sitz im Leben – the “setting in life” in which the story or saying was used by the early Christians

Situations in Which Jesus Material Would be Used Problems of life within the Church Polemical encounters with opponents of the Church Instruction of newcomers to the Church Missionary proclamation

Negative Assumptions Early Christians created many of these stories to fit their needs The situation of the early Church influenced the content of the story, not just the form When we study the gospels we discover more about the needs of the early Church than we do about Jesus himself

Positive Approach The early Christians preserved the stories accurately They applied the teachings of Jesus and his actions to their situation Their situation in life influenced which stories to use from the oral tradition Only those that were pertinent Preserved the integrity of the stories & sayings

Redaction Criticism When the gospel authors wrote their books, they were more than collectors of tradition The gospel authors chose material from the sources (oral and written) that was useful for their audiences They shaped the material into cohesive units

The gospel authors were authors in their own way They told the story of Jesus in such a way to get their point across to their readers They used the historical material for –Instructing new believers –Polemical situations –Encouragement in difficult circumstances They were “redactors” – put the information together in order to tell the story from their perspective

Assumptions of Redaction Critics Any saying of Jesus could have been created by the gospel authors or others The genuine teaching of Jesus can be separated from the material the authors created Their sources can be identified and compared with their own additions by following “rules of transmission” Mark main source of Mt and Lk

Difficulties With Assumptions Transmission rules were not as set as once thought Too often assumed that redaction means composition – could mean shaping the material Redaction critics are often too subtle and subjective in explaining differences between Mt, Mk, and Luke Priority of Mark is itself an assumption

Positive Ideas in Redaction Studies Treats the gospels as whole not just pieces/parts Helps us to have a better idea how the gospels may have worked – as authors Helps us to see that the gospel authors had their own purposes in writing for their audiences Helps us to identify themes developed throughout each gospel

Form / Redaction Criticism Form Focuses on oral period Works with individual units Focuses on needs of 1 st generation Gospel writers as collectors Redaction Focuses on written gospel Works with gospel as whole Focuses on needs of 2 nd or 3 rd generation Gospel writers as authors

Both form and redaction criticism can be helpful if used in a positive manner Help us to realize that the gospel material did go through several stages before being written –Jesus’ own teachings –Early days of the Church – many issues Identity – who are we? Relationship with Jewish heritage, Gentiles, etc. –The written gospels – many issues Struggle with Jews, Romans, etc. –Applying the gospels today