The term “Synoptic Problem” alludes to the similarities and differences that appear in the Synoptic Gospels. The events that occurred are detailed in somewhat different arrangements and narrations. These differences and similarities have led practicing Christians to wonder what could cause what appears to be a chronological difference between these gospels and why do we have more than one gospel? All of these observations and questions essentially constitute the “synoptic problem.” (Lea and Black, The New Testament, Its Context and Message 2003:114) The development of the gospel as described by Luke referred to "eyewitnesses", an "account of things" and an "ordered narrative" . These stages correlate with the oral tradition, the period of written sources and the period of final composition. (Lea and Black, The New Testament Its Background and message 2003: 115) • The Urevangelium theory of GE Lessing, a German critic, suggests that the accounts of the Gospels derived from a single Gospel written in Hebrew or Aramaic. He believed that Matthew wrote the Aramaic Gospel of the Nazarenes, the seeds of which came immediately after the death of Jesus Christ. This theory of an Urevangelium has no historical support and is highly improbable. (Thiessen, Introduction to the New Testament 2002: 103) • Geisler's theory of oral tradition suggests that the common basis of the Synoptics was entirely oral due to the instruction of the apostles during their extended stay in Jerusalem. This material ended up being repeated in the same way. (Thiessen, Introduction to the New Testament 2002: 106) This theory is true but has its limits. The teachings of Jesus Christ and the facts of his life were surely first given orally...in the middle of the document......a legal perspective and Luke from a socio-economic perspective. In retrospect, Jesus' ipsissima verba and ipissima vox stated the authenticity of his voice and not his words verbatim. We should therefore believe that each writer gives us an accurate summary in his own words. (Lea and Black, The New Testament, Its Context and Message 2003: 122-125) Works Cited Bibliography Carson, DA and Douglas J. Moo. An introduction to the New Testament. 2nd edition. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2005. Lea, Thomas D. and David Alan Black. The New Testament, its context and its message. 2nd edition. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003. Thiessen, Henry Clarence. Introduction to the New Testament. 1st edition. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2002.