Assessment

Formative Essay 20% + Tutorials 20% + Exam 60%

Module Aims

This module aims to familiarize learners with the narrative and interpretation of the Gospel of Mark in ways that permit appreciation of its essential literary and theological character, and that enhance sensitivity to the cultural contexts of its origins, and those of its contemporary readers and hearers. As well as providing a foundational contour for the Christian life by means of its portrayal of Christ (Christology), of the disciples and their community (spirituality and ecclesiology), and of God (theology), Mark’s Gospel also presents its readers with key categories of Christian discourse (Kingdom of God, salvation, faith, power, etc), and so provides an broad basis for both the introduction to and development of biblical interpretation

Indicative Syllabus:

The following is an indicative syllabus:

1. How Narratives Work

2. The World OF the Text Characterisation — Jesus in Mark

3. The World BEHIND the Text—Conflicts and Social Reality in Mark’s World

4. Caesar’s “things” and God’s “things”—Seeing Another Empire and its God

5. Imagining God’s “Empire” —Parables and the Kingdom of God

6. Enacted and Embodied Parables—When Characters are More than Characters

7. Boundaries, Identity and God—God, Torah and Jesus

8. Mapping God’s Upside-Down World—Boundaries and Honour in the Kingdom

9. Hidden Heroes in a World Upside Down—Women, Honour, and Discipleship

10. Where Are All the Real Men?—Mark and Masculinity

11. Not the Expected Messiah?—A Weak (Unmanly) & Abandoned Jesus

12. Unveiling Fear—How the End becomes the Beginning

Learning Outcomes

• — Outline the literary structure of the Gospel of Mark, present its key characters, and their development, and describe the major literary and theological elements this text.
• — Articulate major narrative features of the Second Gospel, and indicate how they contribute to the overall effect (Wirkung) of the Gospel.
• — Apply narrative and theological approaches to selected passages in the Gospel
• — Express insightful perspectives on the Gospel of Mark gained from a close reading of the biblical text with judicious use of secondary sources.
• — Provide a concise summary of theological motifs and pastoral concerts of Mark, especially the humanity of Jesus, the nature and character of God, and the significance of women, as presented in Mark’s narrative, and present the results clearly in writing.
• — Demonstrate discernment regarding problematic historical, social, and theological issues within the biblical text, and their relevance in contemporary preaching and evangelisation.

Bibliography

• — Anderson, Janice Capel and Stephen D. Moore (eds). Mark and Method: New Approaches to Biblical Studies. Second Edition. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2008.
• — Black, C. Clifton. Mark’s Gospel: History, Theology, Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2023.
• — —————. The Gospel of Mark. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Nashville: Abingdon, 2011.
• — Boring, M. Eugene. Mark: A Commentary. NTL; Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2006.
• — Brown, Raymond E. A Crucified Christ in Holy Week. Collegeville: Liturgical, 1986.
• — Byrne, Brendan. A Costly Freedom: A Theological Reading of Mark’s Gospel. Collegeville: Liturgical, 2008.
• — Donahue, John R. and Daniel Harrington. The Gospel of Mark. Sacra Pagina 2; Collegeville: Liturgical, 2002.
• — Dowd, Sharyn. Reading Mark. A Literary and Theological Commentary on the Second Gospel. Macon: Smith & Helwys, 2000.
• — Focant, Camille. The Gospel according to Mark: A Commentary. Eugene: Wipf and Stock, 2012.
• — Juel, Donald H. A Master of Surprise. Mark Interpreted. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1994.
• — Malbon, Elizabeth Struthers. In the Company of Jesus: Characters in Mark’s Gospel. Louisville: WJK, 2000
• — ————. Between Author and Audience in Mark: Narration, Characterization, Interpretation. Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix, 2013.
• — Rhoads, David, Joanna Dewey, and Donald Michie. Mark as Story. Third Edition. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2012.
• — Thurston, Bonnie B. Maverick Mark: The Untamed First Gospel. Collegeville: Liturgical, 2013.
• — ———. The Spiritual Landscape of Mark. Collegeville: Liturgical, 2008.