In this episode, we challenge one of the foundational assumptions of New Testament scholarship: Which Gospel was truly written first? While mainstream academics often point to Mark, our guest makes a compelling, evidence-based case for Matthew as the original Gospel. We Dive into the complexities of the Synoptic problem and discover why the sequence of the Gospels holds real significance—even for those who believe in divine inspiration. We navigate the landscape of competing Synoptic theories, dissect the arguments for Markan priority, and bring to light both external and internal evidence supporting Matthean priority.
David Pallmann’s Channel: https://youtube.com/@faithbecauseofreason8381?si=9QDerFeB5dF6Qklt
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:08 - Greetings
00:06:42 - Introduction
00:09:08 - What is the Synoptic Problem?
00:12:11 - Why Does the Gospel Order Matter?
00:13:26 - Early Church Father Quotations
00:22:17 - Overview of the Major Synoptic Theories
00:32:37 - The case for Markan priority
01:12:46 - The Case for Matthean Priority
02:05:24 - Summary
02:10:30 - Book Recommendations
02:12:54 - The Tide of Biblical Studies
RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
Why Four Gospels? - David Allen Black
https://www.amazon.com/Four-Gospels-David-Alan-Black/dp/1893729877
The Synoptic Problem: Four Views - Stanley Porter and Bryan Dyer (editors)
https://www.amazon.com/Synoptic-Problem-Four-Views-ebook/dp/B01HC1251Q
The Progressive Publication of Matthew - B. Ward Powers
https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Publication-Matthew-Ward-Powers/dp/0805448489
The Synoptic Problem: A Critical Analysis - William Farmer
https://www.amazon.com/Synoptic-Problem-Critical-Analysis/dp/B0000CMLX3
One Gospel From Two: Mark's Use of Matthew and Luke - David Peabody et al
https://www.amazon.com/One-Gospel-Two-Marks-Matthew/dp/1563383527
The Originality of St. Matthew - B. C. Butler
https://www.amazon.com/Originality-St-Matthew-Two-Document-Hypothesis/dp/0521233038
Matthew, Luke, Mark - Bernard Orchard
https://www.amazon.com/Matthew-Luke-Mark-Griesbach-Solution/dp/0860880095
History and Criticism of the Marcan Hypothesis - Hans Herbert Stoldt
https://www.amazon.com/History-Criticism-Marcan-Hypothesis-Hans-Herbert/dp/0865540020
The Order of the Synoptics: Why Three Synoptic Gospels? - Bernard Orchard and Harold Riley
https://www.amazon.com/Order-Synoptics-Bernard-Orchard/dp/0865542228
Evidence of Conflation in Mark: A Study in the Synoptic Problem - Thomas R. W. Longstaff
https://www.amazon.com/Evidence-Conflation-Synoptic-Problem-Dissertation/dp/0891300864
Mark as Composer - David B. Peabody
https://www.amazon.com/MARK-COMPOSER-New-Gospel-Studies/dp/0865541973
A History of the Synoptic Problem - David Laird Dungan
https://www.amazon.com/History-Synoptic-Problem-Composition-Interpretation/dp/0300140584
New Synoptic Studies - William Farmer (editor)
https://www.amazon.com/New-Synoptic-Studies-Cambridge-Conference/dp/086554087X
The Two-Source Hypothesis: A Critical Appraisal - Arthur Bellinzoni (editor)
https://www.amazon.com/Two-Source-Hypothesis-Critical-Appraisal/dp/0865540969#:~:text=Professor%20Arthur%20Bellinzoni%20has%20collected,literature%20on%20every%20side%20of
A History and Critique of the Origin of the Marcan Hypothesis - Hajo Uden Meijboom
https://www.amazon.com/History-Criticism-Hypothesis-Studies-Testament/dp/0567093107
The Making of Mark - Harold Riley
https://www.amazon.com/MAKING-MARK-Harold-RILEY/dp/0865543593The First Gospel - Harold Riley https://www.amazon.com/FIRST-GOSPEL-Harold-RILEY/dp/0865544093
The Interrelations of the Gospels - David Laird Dungan (editor)
https://www.amazon.com/Interrelations-Gospels-Symposium-Boismard-Theologicarum/dp/9068312618