Four Source Hypotheses
Question one
Knowing these sources has opened my mind to appreciate the gospels better because I did not know how and why they were written. By me knowing the sources can identify redactions that are made to the text, and by identifying these redactions, I will be able to locate the clues to an author’s overriding emphasis and the Christological concerns. Having determined that, we can understand that gospels are some of the earliest Christological interests that we possess today. These sources help us to understand the earliest, and therefore, the most foundational portraits of Jesus Christ.
Question two
If the New Testament of the bible was written by people who were inspired by God himself, then why the argument that Mathew and Luke copied some stories from the book of Mark? Does it mean that the authors of the book of Mathew and Luke were not inspired? If Mark is the oldest gospel, then why was it not presented as the first book of the New Testament? I tend to think that since it is the oldest, then it could have been written as the first book. It is argued that Mathew and Luke copied some stories from Mark and changed the wording. Is it not possible for different authors to have the same stories but present them differently?
Question three
The Four –Source hypothesis convinces me because they have clearly given the reasons and explained thoroughly. For example, in source criticism, reason 3 explains well why Mark seems awkward compared to other gospels. Besides, by us knowing the sources, we can identify redactions which are made to the text and by identifying these redactions; we will be able to locate the clues to an author’s overriding emphasis and the Christological concerns