The Lost Gospel

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For other uses, see Lost Gospel (disambiguation).

The Lost Gospel by Burton L. Mack conjectures a "Q" source for the common material of Luke and Matthew not found in Mark. Mack assumes this to be the earliest of Christian writings. This writing has a definable community behind it which he describes with unwavering confidence. Following John S. Kloppenborg, he believes that there are three major layers to it, each of which neatly coincides with a stage in this community's life. However, he posits two additional stages, one before the composition of the earliest layer, and divides Q2 up into two parts, one against outsiders, and a further expansion exhorting the Q community. The earlier stages are supposed to be social criticism, much like the Cynic philosophers, and the later material apocalyptic. ( see also Q document )

[edit] Criticism

Many remark that the book contains primarily conjecture, with little substantial evidence, being a popular book, and not primarily for the scholarly community.^{[citation needed]} Some also, though incorrectly, argue against his Cynic-like Jesus by claiming that there is little evidence for dependence on Cynics for Q's thinking.^{[citation needed]} Mack never posits genetic dependence on Cynics, instead using them as an analogy for their belief system and social role.