Unbound Book Review: Barker's Writing and Rewriting the Gospels

CBA Welcomes an Unbound Book Review of James W. Barker's

Writing and Rewriting the Gospels:  John and the Synoptics

A part of CBA's series of free virtual events which draw together scholars from diverse fields to discuss a recent publication through reflection on specific questions.

In this Unbound Book Review, we will gather to reflect on the following questions:
1) What are the advantages and disadvantages of Barker’s ‘snowballing trajectory’ model in light of compositional practices in antiquity? To what extent does this approach challenge the prevailing Two-Source hypothesis and the necessity of Q? 
2) How do the notions of 'rewriting' in general and oppositio in imitando in particular reshape our understanding of Johannine creativity and intention? 
3) In what ways does John’s theological reframing (e.g., Christology) alter or deepen the meaning of themes common to the Synoptics? How might this reframing shape the interpretive approaches of preachers, theologians, and lay readers in perceiving the inter-gospel dynamics?

After a brief introduction from Barker, we will welcome reflections from Zechariah Eberhart, Hugo Méndez, Daniel Frayer-Griggs.