In his 2004 first volume to the series Synoptic Problem, Burkett (religious studies, Louisiana State U.) set out a new theory about the sources of the material that Mark shares with Matthew and/or Luke. Here he continues his argument by examining the presumed but elusive source of the non-Markan material common to Matthew and Luke, known only as Q. In particular, he addresses two hotly disputed questions: Is it necessary to hypothesize such as source a Q? If so, did the Q material come from a single source or more than one. He answers the first in the affirmative. Then he presents evidence that Q did indeed exist as a single written source unified by recurring features of style and theme. Such a position, of course, requires that he then explain how Matthew and Luke got so much so different; he is up to the task. Annotation 2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
