Who are we?

These pages were created and are maintained by a team of scholars who are interested in and working on the synoptic problem. Members of this team have found the widely accepted "Two Document Hypothesis" unsatisfactory as an explanation of the literary phenomena that are observed when the first three gospels are compared with each other. While there are different views represented among members of the team, all prefer the "Two-Gospel Hypothesis" over any of the other solutions which have been offered to resolve this problem. Bibliographies of the published works of each team member are available and provide some information about his scholarly interests and research

In 1996, this team (of which Longstaff was not yet a member) produced the first volume presenting the results of its collaborative research: Beyond the Q Impasse - Luke's Use of Matthew: A Demonstration by the Research Team of the International Institute for Gospel Studies, edited by Allan J. McNicol with David L. Dungan and David B. Peabody. Valley Forge, PA: Trinity Press International, 1996. The team has now completed a second volume, devoted to the Gospel of Mark, which has the title: One Gospel from Two - Mark's Use of Matthew and Luke. This book was edited by David B. Peabody, Lamar Cope and Allan J. McNicol. The book, with a companion CD containing a full-color synopsis of Mark, is now available from Trinity Press International.

In alphabetical order, members of the team include (Click the link to send email or read the bibliography):

Lamar Cope

Ph.D. Union Theological Seminary '71, is Professor of Religious Studies Emeritus at Carroll College, Waukesha, Wisconsin.

David L. Dungan

Th.D. Harvard Divinity School '67, is Professor of Early Christian History Emeritus in the Religious Studies Department at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee.

William R. Farmer

Th.D. Union Theological Seminary '52, is Professor of New Testament Emeritus, at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He was subsequently a Research Scholar at the University of Dallas in Dallas, Texas. With deep sadness we note Professor Farmer's death on December 30, 2000.

Thomas R. W. Longstaff

Ph.D. Columbia University '73, is Crawford Family Professor of Religious Studies Emeritus at Colby College in Waterville, Maine

Allan J. McNicol

Ph.D. Vanderbilt University '74, is Professor of New Testament at the Institute for Christian Studies in Austin, Texas.

David B. Peabody

Ph.D. Southern Methodist University '83, is Professor of Religious Studies at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Philip L. Shuler

Ph.D. McMaster University '75, is retired Professor of
Religion at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. He is
currently Adjunct Professor at Lander University in
Greenwood, South Carolina.