The Hermeneutics of Speaking and Writing in the Synoptic Tradition - Essay Example

‘Syn’ means the same while ‘optic’ means relating to sight or view.

However, despite these similarities, the three books also have differences but there are difficulties in pointing them out. These difficulties are referred to as a synoptic problems. For instance, the remarkable similarity of the flow of events and points of view in the gospels of Mathew, Mark, and Luke makes one wonder if they had a common source of information Even though we still acknowledge the role of the Holy Spirit. Although the gospel of Mathew is shorter, the similarity of these three books could also be a result of their referring to each other’s works when writing the gospels.

Definition of Jesus’ authority

The common source suspected of having been used is referred to as ‘Q’ from the German word quell. This word means source. However, this document has never been discovered and none of the fathers of the early churches ever made a mention of it. However, the synoptic books are still used in inspiring hope and bringing more people to the religion of Christianity. These gospels are still useful in achieving the purpose of the bible.

• Gospel

Gospel is generally referred to as the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is a record of Christ’s teaching in the first four books of the New Testament in the bible. The name gospel means good news which is a translation from the Greek word ‘evangelize’. This refers to the message contained in the New Testament books revealing good news that brings hope and inspiration to followers and encourages people to convert to the Christian religion. Gospel of Christ the Son of God and offers deliverance from sin.

Rudolf Karl Bultmann

Rudolf Karl Bultmann was a New Testament Scholar who intended to Form Criticism. He refused to accept the imminent supremacy of God and felt that there was a problem with the gospels having an eschatological Jesus who announced the end of the world. He was one among several other critics of the gospel. Bultmann had an existentialist theory that he founded based on the Cross of Christ. To him, this event was not primarily historical but more of an existential event

Martin Kahler

Another critique, Martin Kahler felt that the gospels do not give a sufficient historical picture of Jesus but instead produce a historic picture. He wanted to stand between a historical and modern form of Christianity. However, he was right in anticipating how the application of the historical-critical method disheartenment the faith of Christian Germany and afar.

Over the years, the number of critiques of the gospel has changed little in the way it continues to impact the followers of Christianity. The gospel is still important to the Christians who refer to it in trying times for encouragement and to regain hope. They also use it to learn what is required of them from God which shows that faith in religion is still of great importance to believers of Christ.