The Synoptic Gospels As You've Never Seen Them Before:
A Theoretical History of the Writing of the Synoptics
by Ray and Donna Dykes
Session 1
The Roman Gospel dedicated to Mark: Description of Roman Church
- Conditions in Rome and Roman Empire, including demographics
- Importance of power in Roman mindset
- Christian persecution
- Underground worship
- Needs of community, majority of slaves
Session 2
The Roman Gospel dedicated to Mark: Paul’s Impact on Church of Rome
- Jesus as Divine Son of God
- Apocalyptic and Eschatology
- Doctrine of Atonement
- Lack of knowledge of Jesus’ biography
Session 3
The Roman Gospel dedicated to Mark: Content of Gospel
- No need for birth story
- Miracle stories to match powers of other gods
- Jesus as coming emperor of Empire of God
- Secret messiahship of Jesus
- No need for resurrection appearances
Session 4
The Alexandrian Gospel dedicated to Matthew: Description of Alexandrian Church
- Conditions in Alexandria, including demographics
- History of Jewish community in Delta section
- Importance of knowledge in Greek culture
- Egyptian influence on Alexandrian Judaism
- Memory of Joseph and Moses, Jewish heroes in Egypt
- Needs of Jewish-Egyptian community
Session 5
The Alexandrian Gospel dedicated to Matthew: Roman Gospel’s Impact on Alexandria
- Use of Majority of Mark makes 60% of Matthew
- Important Changes to Content of Mark
- Improvement in Greek language
- Not new religion but new and improved Judaism
Session 6
The Alexandrian Gospel dedicated to Matthew: Content of Gospel
- Birth story features Joseph, dreams, trip to Egypt, exodus from Egypt
- Jesus as new and improved Moses, 100% human
- Teaching is paramount for Kingdom of Heaven in afterlife, especially Gnostic parables
- Five sections to parallel Torah
- Resurrection appearances but no ascension
Session 7
The Antiochian Gospel dedicated to Luke: Description of Church of Antioch
- Conditions in Antioch
- Gentile community with anti-Jewish tendencies
- Paul’s home church: he was their hero
- Importance of compassion and compassionate use of money
- Crossroads of many religions and philosophies
- Needs of sophisticated Greek community
Session 8
The Antiochian Gospel dedicated to Luke: Roman and Alexandrian Gospels Impact on Antioch
- Scribe used majority of Mark for 60% of Luke
- Scribe used significant additions from Matthew (allegedly Q) for 20%
- Scribe wrote 20% new material to express faith of Church of Antioch
- Scribe was well-educated, highly intelligent poetess
Session 9
The Antiochian Gospel dedicated to Luke: Content of Gospel
- New and different birth story, featuring women
- Jesus as social reformer as well as religious reformer
- Jesus as human until deified at resurrection
- More resurrection appearances added, plus ascension is unique to Luke
- Kingdom of God is now and forever
Session 10
Bringing Corporate Faith to Conscious Expression: Gospels Written by and for These Churches