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Jesus Tradition, Early Christian Memory, and Gospel Writing: The Long Search for the Authentic Source
Breaking a 200-year impasse on the origins of the gospels
Biblical scholars want to get to the roots of the gospels—the very earliest memories of Jesus and his world. Though scholars know about all the major concepts at work—Q, the Urgospel, priority—it seems like a definitive solution to the Synoptic problem is hopelessly unattainable. Why the impasse? And where do we go from here?
In Jesus Tradition, Early Christian Memory, and Gospel Writing , Alan Kirk guides us through the history of biblical scholars’ quest for the authentic source. Kirk reveals that outdated assumptions about ancient media realities have caused the past two centuries of academic deadlock. Using cutting-edge scholarship on orality, memory, and tradition formation, he shows how the origins of the gospels may be found in the memory practices of the earliest Jesus communities.
Jesus Tradition, Early Christian Memory, and Gospel Writing is an essential resource for scholars and students looking to better understand this complex and rapidly changing field.
Biblical scholars want to get to the roots of the gospels—the very earliest memories of Jesus and his world. Though scholars know about all the major concepts at work—Q, the Urgospel, priority—it seems like a definitive solution to the Synoptic problem is hopelessly unattainable. Why the impasse? And where do we go from here?
In Jesus Tradition, Early Christian Memory, and Gospel Writing , Alan Kirk guides us through the history of biblical scholars’ quest for the authentic source. Kirk reveals that outdated assumptions about ancient media realities have caused the past two centuries of academic deadlock. Using cutting-edge scholarship on orality, memory, and tradition formation, he shows how the origins of the gospels may be found in the memory practices of the earliest Jesus communities.
Jesus Tradition, Early Christian Memory, and Gospel Writing is an essential resource for scholars and students looking to better understand this complex and rapidly changing field.
380 pages, Hardcover
Published August 15, 2023
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December 3, 2025
Kirk’s book offers a good review of the history of studies concerning oral traditions and the composition of the Gospels. While Kirk offers a good review, the book does not spend a lot of time on Kirk’s own conclusions outside of the last chapter. The book is great if the reader is looking to study the history of the research. For that reason, it’s a good book to have on one’s shelf.
Displaying 1 of 1 review