Character Studies and the Gospel of Mark

Description

Characters in the Second Gospel are analysed and an in-depth look at different approaches currently employed by scholars working with literary and reader-oriented methods of analysis is provided. The first section consists of essays on method/theory, and the second consists of seven exegetical character studies using a literary or reader-oriented method. All contributors work from a literary, narrative-critical, reader-oriented, or related methodology. The book summarizes the state of the discussion and examines obstacles to arriving at a comprehensive theory of character in the Second Gospel. Specific contributions include analyses of the representation of women, God, Jesus, Satan, Gentiles, and the Roman authorities of Mark's Gospel. This work is both an exploration of theories of character, and a study in the application of those theories. Cover Title Copyright Dedication Contents Preface List of Abbreviations List of Contributors INTRODUCTION Part I MARKAN CHARACTERIZATION: HISTORY AND METHOD Chapter 1 THE STUDY OF CHARACTER(S) IN THE GOSPEL OF MARK: ASURVEY OF RESEARCH FROM WREDE TO THE PERFORMANCE CRITICS (1901 TO 2014) I. Introduction II. William Wrede: An Epoch-Making Paradigm (1901) III. Markan Characters and Redaction Critics (the Mid-1950s to the Mid-1980s) IV. Markan Characters in Literary Perspective (1982 to the Present) V. Markan Character Studies in Prospect Chapter 2 HISTORY, THEOLOGY, STORY: RE-CONTEXTUALIZING MARK’S ‘MESSIANIC SECRET’ AS CHARACTERIZATION I. Introduction II. Wrede, Mark’s Gospel, and the ‘Messianic Secret’ III. Re-Contextualizing the ‘Messianic Secret’ in Mark’s Gospel IV. The So-Called Messianic Secret and the Mysterious Markan Gospel Chapter 3 THE CREATION OF PERSON IN ANCIENT NARRATIVE AND THE GOSPEL OF MARK I. Introduction II. Ancient Education and the Characterization of Persons III. The Mimetic Ethos of Ancient Composition IV. Literary Mimesis and Early Christian Narrative V. The Taming of Bucephalus and the Mimetic Texture of Jesus in Mark 11.1-11 Part II APPROACHING THE CHARACTERS OF MARK’S GOSPEL Chapter 4 GOD AS HEALER OF CREATION IN THE GOSPEL OF MARK I. Introduction II. Theological Paradox III. The Reign of God IV. Death and Resurrection V. Trans􀂿guration VI. Conclusion Chapter 5 THE CHARACTERIZATION OF JESUS AS LORD IN MARK’S GOSPEL I. Introduction II. Mark’s Use of ‘Lord’ III. Mark’s Use of Characterization IV. Mark’s Use of ‘Lord’ and His Characterization of Jesus A. Jesus as Exemplary for His Followers B. Jesus as Exalted in His Authority C. Jesus as Hidden in the Present Time V. Conclusion Chapter 6 CHARACTERIZING THE NON-HUMAN: SATAN IN THE GOSPEL OF MARK I. Introduction II. Non-human Characters and Characterization III. Satan as Character in Mark IV. The Characterization of Satan in Mark V. Implications of the Characterization of Satan for Conflict in Mark’s Narrative Chapter 7 THE NARRATIVE RHETORIC OF MARK’S CHARACTERIZATION OF PETER I. Introduction II. The Method of Analysis III. Application of the Method IV. Pre-existing Beliefs about Peter – Mostly Positive V. Neutral Repetition VI. Sophisticating Repetition VII. Deconstructive Repetition VIII. Sophisticating/Deconstructive Repetition IX. The Narrative Rhetoric of Peter’s Characterization A. The Sequence, Frequency, and Distribution of Rhetorical Strategies B. Maintaining the Reliability of Peter’s Characterization X. The Narrative Function of Peter’s Characterization Chapter 8 WOMEN CHARACTERS IN MARK’S GOSPEL I. Introduction II. Faithful and Unfaithful Women A. The Woman with the Flow of Blood (5.24-34) B. The Syrophoenician Woman (7.24-30) C. Herodias (6.14-29) III. Women and Gifts A. The Poor Widow (12.41-44) B. The Woman who Anoints Jesus (14.3-9) IV. Women Disciples? A. The Women at the Cruci􀂿xion (15.40-41) B. The Women at the Tomb (16.1-8) V. Conclusion Chapter 9 ‘THEIR GREAT ONES ACT AS TYRANTS OVER THEM’: MARK’S CHARACTERIZATION OF ROMAN AUTHORITIES FROM A DISTINCTLY ROMAN PERSPECTIVE I. Introduction II. Roman Readers III. Markan Characterization of Herod Antipas A. What Herod Says B. What Herod Does C. What Other Characters Say about Herod D. Summary of the Markan Herod IV. Characterizing the Markan Herod from a Distinctly Roman Perspective A. Marrying his Brother’s Wife B. Arresting John the Baptist C. Dancing Daughter D. Promising up to Half His Kingdom E. Beheading John the Baptist F. King Herod G. Summary: Characterizing Herod from a Roman Perspective V. Characterization of Pontius Pilate A. What Pilate Does and Says B. Summary of the Markan Pilate VI. Characterizing Pilate from a Distinctly Roman Perspective A. The Customary Release of a Prisoner B. Presenting a Choice between Barabbas and Jesus C. Releasing a Criminal and Executing an Innocent Man D. Summary: Characterizing Pilate from a Roman Perspective VII. The Function of Herod and Pilate in Mark’s Gospel A. Pilate and Herod as Foils for Jesus and his Disciples B. Pilate and Herod as Symbols for Roman Power and Roman Emperors C. Pilate and Herod as Catalysts for the Jewish Revolt Chapter 10 GENTILE CHARACTERS AND THE MOTIF OF PROCLAMATION IN THE GOSPEL OF MARK I. Introduction II. The Gentile Mission III. The Gerasene Demoniac (5.1-20) IV. The Syrophoenician Woman (7.24-30) V. The Deaf Man and Surrounding Crowd (7.31-37) VI. The Father with a Demon-Possessed Son (9.14-29) VII. Pilate and the Roman Soldiers (15.1-47) VIII. The Centurion (15.39, 44-45) IX. Conclusion Bibliography Index of References Index of Authors