Nag Hammadi and The Gospel Tradition. Synoptic Tradition in the Nag Hammadi Library. Edited by J. Riches.

T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh, 1986. XI,194p. Original dark brown cloth with dust wrps. Spine gilt titled. Dust wrps to spine a bit discoloured. Else: like new. Series: Studies of the New Testament World. ?Novel here is Tuckett?s attempt to examine every Nag Hammadi text that contains synoptic material. Throughout, Tuckett?s aim is to decide whether these quotations and allusions derive from the finished synoptic gospels or whether they stem from presynaptic tradition of some sort. His conclusion is largely negative: in no case does Tuckett think sufficient evidence exists for positing presynaptic tradition as the source for a Nag Hammadi text (with the exception of the Gospel of Thomas, which is not treated). Consistent with the patristic sources, he finds that, in the Nag Hammadi texts, ?Matthew?s gospel is widely favoured, Luke?s gospel is sometimes used, whilst there are relatively few instances of Mark?s gospel being clearly echoed? (p.150). This book is useful as a reference for the reader who wants a concise compilation of the synoptic material in the Nag Hammadi texts (?). Methodologically, Tuckett?s work is judicious, and he is hesitant to claim too much for the results of his study. (?) The book?s major weakness lies in the limitations it sets for itself, for without theating the Johannine allusions, otherwise unknown material about Jesus, and the Gospel of Thomas, the study cannot make even tentative conclusions about the role of traditional sayings material in the various tractates of the Nag Hammadi corpus. (?) [Its] relevance lies in the negative nature of its conclusion that no Nag Hammadi document outside the Gospel of Thomas is a witness to presynaptic tradition.The study has less value for conclusions regarding the authors of the various Nag Hammadi treatises themselves.? (JEFFREY A. TRUMBOWER in The Journal of Religion, 1988, pp.449-450).