Date

10-13-2023

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Theology and Apologetics (PhD)

Chair

Ronnie Campbell

Keywords

Source of Special Matthean Materials, Source of M Narratives, Reliability of M Materials, Historical Reliability of Special Matthean Materials, Reliability of Guard Passages in Matthew, M Materials, Special Matthean Materials, Internal Evidence of Matthean Authorship, Preists in Matthean Materials, Scribes in Matthean Materials, Apocalyptic Influence on Matthean Writings

Disciplines

Religion | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Abstract

M materials refer to any content in Matthew that is not found in Mark and Luke and hence considered to be not part of the hypothetical Q. Questions are raised regarding the source and historical reliability of M materials. Many scholars consider M narratives to be fictional. Research work has been lacking among Matthean scholars to identify a source for M narratives. The primary goal of this research is to identify the Jewish priests as a plausible source of some M narratives. The research also attempts to unravel the reason for the Jewish apocalyptic influence on M materials and argues that it is due to Matthew’s self-identity as an apocalyptic scribe. In chapter one significant M materials are identified, a literary review is presented, the need for this research is demonstrated, and the methodological tools used in this research are listed. In chapter two, the research looks at the influence of Jewish apocalyptic literature on M materials and based on its unique vocabularies and peculiar narrative structure, argues that the entire body of M materials is the work of a single mind; and that the apocalyptic influence is due to Matthew’s self-identity as an apocalyptic scribe. Therefore, the research negates the possibility that other scribes were involved in the development of M. In chapter three, the research does case studies of five narrative passages in M to identify Jewish priests as a plausible source of a large number of M materials. Chapter four summarizes the findings of the research to support the main argument and subordinate arguments of the research. A conclusion is provided to argue that the Jewish priests can be identified as a plausible source of a large number of M narratives, M materials seem to be the work of a single mind who considered himself to be an apocalyptic scribe, and that some of the findings on the literary features and evidence support the case for the historical reliability of M narratives.

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