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Modern Developments of Griesbach's Hypothesis
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 February 2009
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To refer to ‘modern developments’ of Griesbach's hypothesis makes clear that the present revival of interest in Griesbach's work is not simply an uncritical return to the past. For example, Griesbach accepted the traditional view of Augustine that Luke used Matthew even as he broke with tradition in affirming that Mark came after Luke as well as after Matthew. To the extent that Griesbach assumed Luke's use of Matthew while never discussing the relationship between those two gospels, his solution to the synoptic problem, for over a century and a half, remained in what must be judged as a critically undeveloped condition. Contemporary advocates of the Griesbach hypothesis have been obliged to explain the relationship of Luke to Matthew and in other ways develop a more convincing explanation of this hypothesis. This essay gives an account of the progress that has been made during the past twelve years in clarifying the merits of Griesbach's solution to the synoptic problem. In answering some of the objections that have been raised against this solution, an effort has been made to advance the discussion even further toward a more adequate resolution of this important question. The Epilogue includes some clarifying statements on the argument(s) from order.
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References
page 275 note 1 This paper in an earlier form was presented and discussed at the Griesbach Bicentennial Colloquium held at Münster, Westphalia, 16–31 July 1976. Other papers prepared for that colloquium will be published in S.N.T.S. Monograph Series, Jacob J. Grisbach: Synoptic and Text Critical Studies 1776–1976, ed. Orchard, Dom Bernard, Longstaff, T. R. W., Cambridge University Press, 1977.Google Scholar
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page 293 note 1 Professor Franz Nierynck in written communications prepared for the Griesbach Colloquy and in conversations during and following the Colloquy has drawn my attention to the need for a word of clarification. What is said about the argument from order in this Epilogue is in response to this need.