Mark’s Gospel: History, Theology, Interpretation

by C. Clifton Black

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2023

Overview

A culmination of contemporary scholarship on the Gospel of Mark.

A preeminent scholar of the Gospel of Mark, C. Clifton Black has been studying and publishing on the gospel for over thirty years. This new collection brings together his most pivotal work and fresh investigations to constitute an all-in-one compendium of contemporary Markan scholarship and exegesis.

The essays included cover scriptural commentary, historical studies, literary analysis, theological argument, and pastoral considerations. Among other topics Black explores:

• the gospel’s provenance, authorship, and attribution
• the significance of redaction criticism in Markan studies
• recent approaches to the gospel’s interpretation
• literary and rhetorical analyses of the gospel’s narrative
• the kingdom of God and its revelation in Jesus
• Mark’s theology of creation, suffering, and discipleship
• the Gospel of Mark’s relationship to the Gospel of John and Paul’s letters
• the passion in Mark as the gospel’s recapitulation

Scholars, advanced students, and clergy alike will consider this book an indispensable resource for understanding the foundational gospel.

Key Features

• Features an all-in-one compendium of contemporary Markan scholarship and exegesis
• Compiles his most pivotal work and fresh investigations
• Covers scriptural commentary, historical studies, literary analysis, theological argument, and pastoral considerations

Contents

• Preface
• Introduction: A Brief Commentary on the Gospel according to Mark

Part I: Historical Studies

• Was Mark a Roman Gospel?
• The Second Evangelist: Authorship and Apostolicity
• The Quest of Mark the Redactor: Why Has It Been Pursued, and What Has It Taught Us?
• Thirty Years On: Mark’s Disciples and Markan Redaction
• A Servant of Surprise: Juel Interpreted
• Markan Studies: Whence and Whither?

Part II: Theological Studies

• A Conspectus of Markan Theology
• Mark as Historian of God’s Kingdom
• The Face Is Familiar—I Just Can’t Place It
• Does Suffering Possess Educational Value in Mark’s Gospel?
• Mark: John’s Photographic Negative
• Christ Crucified in Paul and in Mark
• Endzeit als Urzeit: Mark and Creation Theology
• An Oration at Olivet
• The Kijé Effect: Revenants in the Markan Passion Narrative

Part III: Homiletical Studies

• Priming the Pump: Exegetical Ruminations for Preachers
• Ministry in Mystery: One Evangelist’s Vision

Praise for the Print Edition

Here one of the premier Markan scholars of our generation provides, even in the first half of his work, what amounts to an eloquent, well-arranged, and up-to-date introduction to Markan studies. This may well be the best and most thorough survey of and engagement with contemporary Markan scholarship to date. Those familiar with the debates will recognize how careful, respectful, fair and nuanced are his judgments. Along the way, the reader will also find the work theologically insightful and often spiritually edifying.

—Craig S. Keener, Asbury Theological Seminary

Written with characteristic erudition, wit and exquisitely crafted prose, this is a glorious collection of almost four decades of scholarship from a leading Markan scholar. With sophistication and candor, C. Clifton Black provides a masterly guide to the wild and mysterious terrain of Mark’s Gospel, bursting with both sophisticated scholarship and personal reflections. A must-read for scholars, students and ministers of religion.

—Helen K. Bond, University of Edinburgh

With his customary literary verve, C. Clifton Black has delivered a stunning exegetical and theological reading of the Gospel of Mark. Black shows that Mark exercised exquisite control over the traditions he received and delivered a surprising yet coherent message for Christian audiences of all ages. This volume marks something of a watershed in Markan studies (and much else).

—Francis J. Moloney, SDB, University of Divinity, Melbourne

Product Details

• Title: Mark’s Gospel: History, Theology, Interpretation
• Author: C. Clifton Black
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 2023
• Logos Release Date: 2023
• Pages: 534
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. N.T. Mark › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. Mark › Criticism, interpretation, etc
• ISBNs: 9780802879189, 0802879187
• Resource ID: LLS:MRKSGSPNTRPRTTN
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-04-27T15:23:07Z

About C. Clifton Black

C. Clifton Black, Princeton Theological Seminary’s Otto A. Piper Professor of Biblical Theology, earned his M.Div. from Emory University and his Ph.D. from Duke University. He is interested in New Testament exegesis, theology, and the history of scriptural interpretation, with a focus on the four Gospels. He regularly teaches such varied courses as biblical theology and the practice of ministry, prayer in the New Testament, the Gospel of Mark, major themes in New Testament theology, the biblical and Shakespearean visions, and the parables of Jesus. An ordained United Methodist minister, he serves with John T. Carroll and M. Eugene Boring as editor of The New Testament Library, published by Westminster John Knox Press. Black is also an associate editor of The Catholic Biblical Quarterly and Horizons in Biblical Theology, and a member of The Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton and The American Theological Society.