1. Redaction Criticism 1 The Synoptic Gospels Redaction Criticism

2. 2 Introduction to Redaction Criticism ãBoth Source Criticism and Form Criticism deal with the sources for the gospels åSource Criticism deals primarily with written sources. åForm Criticism deals with oral sources. ãBut what about the final product?

3. Redaction Criticism 3 In Form Criticism, we learned that the units of oral tradition were selected and arranged for theological reasons rather than for chronological reasons. Remember...

4. Redaction Criticism 4 Redaction Criticism... Looks at the final form of the written Gospels In order to determine the theological reasons for the åselection åarrangement åand editorial additions

5. Redaction Criticism 5 A Short History... ãGunther Bornkamm, 1948 åTradition and Interpretation in Matthew ãHans Conzelmann, 1954 åTheology of St. Luke (Die Mitte der Zeit) ãWilli Marxsen, 1956 åMark the Evangelist ãNOTE: Conzelmann is key!

6. Redaction Criticism 6 Major Axiom of Redaction Criticism ãWe can discern three levels for each Gospel pericope: åFirst Level: The setting in the life of Jesus åSecond Level: The setting in the life and work of the early Christian communities åThird Level: The setting in the work and purpose of the evangelist.

7. Redaction Criticism 7 The Goal of Redaction Criticism Redaction Criticism attempts to discover the theological perspectives of the evangelist by analyzing the editorial and compositional techniques employed by the evangelist.

8. Redaction Criticism 8 Thus -- Redaction Criticism focuses on the Third Level of the Gospel narratives.

9. Redaction Criticism 9 The Process... ãIdentify the similarities and differences by using a synopsis. ãIdentify the sources which lay behind each evangelist’s version. ãDetermine editorial additions and/or deletions. ãEvaluate the significance of each diversion.

10. Redaction Criticism 10

11. Redaction Criticism 11 More to Learn... ãSource CriticismSource Criticism ãForm CriticismForm Criticism ãRedaction CriticismRedaction Criticism