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Introduction
The
Clementine Gospel Tradition
In order to promote the theory of Markan Priority the testimony of the early church fathers has to be rejected for the most part. The only way to bring a slight resemblance of their testimony to this theory is to say that the Gospel of St. Matthew is not the same Gospel of Matthew that we have today. This theory is based on the assumption that the Fathers have very little useful or accurate information on the order or the authorship of the Gospels for us today
When defining the Canon, the Council of Trent based their decision on the testimony of the Fathers of the late 4th century AD. These Fathers in turn based their decision on the pattern of the Fathers before them. Are we ready, and is it now necessary to reject their testimony? .
5. Again, in the same books, Clement gives the tradition of the earliest presbyters, as to the order of the Gospels, in the following manner:
6. The Gospels containing the genealogies, he says, were written first. The Gospel according to Mark had this occasion. As Peter had preached the Word publicly at Rome, and declared the Gospel by the Spirit, many who were present requested that Mark, who had followed him for a long time and remembered his sayings, should write them out. And having composed the Gospel he gave it to those who had requested it.
7. When Peter learned of this, he neither directly forbade nor encouraged it. But, last of all, John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the Gospel, being urged by his friends, and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual Gospel. This is the account of Clem ent.[Ecclesiastical History - Church History- Book. VI. Chapter 14. Text from New Advent] Mark Memory St. Augustine
The early Church Fathers were unanimous that Matthew's Gospel was written first. After Matthew there is a difference between Mark then Luke or Luke then Mark's Gospel being written. Dennis Barton, following Dom Bernard Orchard OSB, shows how this difference came about. The order of writing was Matthew, Luke, Mark, John. However, Luke needing to get his Gospel apostolic approval submitted it to Peter. Peter preached while comparing Matthew with Luke. His preaching was recorded by Mark and this became known as Mark's Gospel. Mark, having had a team of copyist at hand, published his Gospel immediately so that many of the churches received them in the follwing order of publishing. This order was Matthew, Mark (1st edtion), Luke, Mark (2nd edition), and John.
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