Saturday, July 30, 2005
WHY THE NAME "Deutero Q"?
The strange name "Deutero Q" is a playful jab at some of the questionable conclusions of modern--particularly liberal--biblical scholarship. For instance, many Bible scholars believe that four different "Isaiahs" wrote the letter Isaiah (traditionally ascribed to but one author). "Deutero Isaiah" is the name given to the supposed second writer of that letter. (The word "deutero" is from the Greek and means "second.")
As for "Q," the name comes from the German word Quelle, meaning "source." According to many Bible scholars, the gospel of Mark was written first and the later gospels of Matthew and Luke depended on Mark and another source referred to as the "Q source." This supposed source has never been found.
So there you have it: "Deutero" and "Q" were combined to form the strange name. By the way, I first used "Deutero Q" as a spoof years ago while student editor of my seminary newsletter.
