Mosse combines a relentlessly logical assault on the Synoptic Problem with a radical treatment of New Testament history and chronology. Arguing for early dates and traditional authorship of the Synoptics, and against the redundant hypothesis of Q, he tackles also the major cruces in early church history, including the later career of Paul. ""This is a fine piece of work, creatively challenging a number of paradigms in New Testament scholarship and making use of all kinds of early Christian evidence to reconstruct a full and persuasive chronology for the biblical documents. . . . I]t is argued with energy and clarity and insists, rightly, on the significance of many neglected sources and arguments. A real achievement."" --Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury ""Martin Mosse has written a lively and provocative study of the composition of the Synoptic Gospels within the context of primitive Christianity. . . . The broad sweep of his investigations and the relentlessly pursued logic of many of his arguments are to be welcomed. Mosse flies many worthwhile kites which will deserve analysis by perceptive readers."" --J. Keith Elliott, University of Leeds ""Mosse's book has given me new confidence in our Gospel texts which will have a real impact on my preaching. His skillful use of Occam's Razor and what seemed to me irrefutable logic have persuaded me that we should jettison all references to Q at the earliest opportunity. He has also made a convincing case for traditional authorship of all four Gospels, and early dates of the Synoptics."" --Tom Kennar, Curate, Warblington with Emsworth Martin Mosse holds degrees in classics, mathematics and theology. Having made his career in operational research in the defense industry, he currently runs a one man think tank called BRAINWAVES.