The term “synoptic problem” alludes to the similarities and differences evident in the synoptic gospels. The events that occurred are detailed in slightly different arrangements and narratives. These differences and similarities have caused observant Christians to wonder what could cause what appears to be a chronological difference in these Gospels and why do we have more than one Gospel? All these observations and questions essentially constitute the “synoptic problem”. (Lea and Black, The New Testament Its Background and message 2003:114) The development of the Gospel described by Luke referred to “eyewitnesses,” an “account of things,” and an “orderly account.” These phases are related to 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 reports from 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 originated in the time immediately following the death of Jesus Christ. This theory of an Urevangelium has no historical support and is highly unlikely. (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 was repeated by everyone in the same way. (Thiessen, Introduction to the New Testament 2002:106) This theory is true but has its limitations. Surely the teachings of Jesus Christ and the facts of his life were first reported in oral form... in the middle of the paper... in a legal perspective and Luke in a socio-economic perspective. Retrospectively, the ipssima verba and the ipissima vox of Jesus enunciated the authenticity of his voice and not his words word for word. We should therefore trust that each writer provides us with an accurate summary in their own words. (Lea and Black, The New Testament Its Background and message 2003: 122-125) Works Cited Bibliography Carson, D. A. 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, Tennessee: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003. Thiessen, Henry Clarence. Introduction to the New Testament. 1st edition. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 2002.