The Christology of Mark’s Gospel

by Jack Dean Kingsbury

Publisher:

Fortress Press

, 1983

Overview

In The Christology of Mark’s Gospel, author Jack Kingsbury presents a history of Markan research and the dominant methods used by scholars to interpret Mark’s Christology. Kingsbury poses interpretive problems and provides his own analysis of Christ’s identity as found in Mark’s Gospel.

Key Features

• Presents a history of Markan research
• Studies the Gospel of Mark as narrative
• Analyzes the historical and cultural contexts surrounding Mark’s composition

Contents

• The Shape of the Problem: The Secret of Jesus’ Identity in Mark
• The Shape of the Problem: Corrective Christology in Mark
• The Christology of Mark: The Davidic Messiah-King, the Son of God
• The Christology of Mark: The Son of Man

Top Highlights

“As I see it, the reason the secret of Jesus’ identity is to be understood as a secret about his divine sonship is that Mark more typically associates the twin features of ‘identity’ and ‘secrecy’ with ‘Son of God’ throughout his story than with any other title.” (Page 14)

“But this bow to convention notwithstanding, the secret of Jesus’ identity in Mark has to do more specifically with his divine sonship.” (Pages 13–14)

“Still, this does not alter the fact that this combination of features does not constitute the hallmark of ‘Messiah” (Page 15)

“My contention is not that the title ‘Messiah’ never exhibits these twin features of ‘identity’ and ‘secrecy.’” (Page 14)

“ trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin does not result in the lifting of the secret of his divine sonship” (Page 18)

Praise for the Print Edition

Kingsbury acts as an exemplary pedagogue in this step-by-step exposition. This reviewer finds his overall argument persuasive.

—Gerard S. Sloyan, emeritus professor of religion, Temple University

This important work represents a major methodological advance in the study of the Gospels. . . . The result is a significant reassessment of Mark’s Christology and a stunning, new interpretation of the secrecy motif.

—David M. Rhoads, emeritus professor of New Testament, Lutheran School of Theology

Kingsbury provides a novel combination of a titular approach to Markan Christology and a literary critical reading of Mark’s Gospel. By refracting the major titles of majesty through the prism of Mark’s story woven around the plot of the secret of Jesus’ identity, Kingsbury produces a lucid, integrated spectrum of Mark’s Christology. Written in Kingsbury’s typically cogent, clear, interactive style, this work offers a greatly needed corrective for Mark’s Christology(ies) often seen as (intentionally or unintentionally) obtuse and incoherent.

—Robert A. Guelich, emeritus professor of New Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: The Christology of Mark’s Gospel
• Author: Jack Dean Kingsbury
• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Print Publication Date: 1983
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Pages: 205
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Jesus Christ › History of doctrines--Early church, ca. 30-600; Bible. N.T. Mark › Criticism, interpretation, etc
• ISBNs: 0800607066, 0800623371, 9780800607067, 9780800623371
• Resource ID: LLS:CHRSTLGYMRKSGSP
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-12-19T23:40:10Z

About Jack Dean Kingsbury

Professor Emeritus of Biblical Theology, Presbyterian School of Christian Education.