Reading Mark for the First Time
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
Wilfrid J. Harrington explores his favorite gospel, the Gospel of Mark, with emphasis on why Mark tells the story the way he does. Harrington backs up his appreciation of the literary sophistication by outlining Mark’s technique. He demonstrates Mark’s storytelling and writing ability, and discusses the centrality of the cross to Mark’s account of Jesus. Mark’s theology is a theology of the cross, and his Jesus is the most human out of all the gospels. Harrington admires Mark’s realism, and confirms his conviction that the cross is indeed the heart of Christianity.
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- Provides context to Mark’s narrative
- Highlights literary characteristics
- Explores Mark’s theology and his depiction of Jesus
- Part One: The Story
- Chapter 1. The Story
- Chapter 2. Mark’s Literary Pointers
- Chapter 3. The Ending of Mark’s Gospel
- Part Two: The Message
- Chapter 4. The Christ
- Chapter 5. Suffering Christ
- Chapter 6. Walking the Way
Top Highlights
“The outer conflict reflects an inner conflict: they want to be loyal to Jesus, but not at the cost of giving up everything, least of all their lives. The fact remains that readers of the Gospel are most likely to empathize with those same disciples. By doing so the readers come to discern their own inadequacies. They find comfort in the realization that, although the disciples failed him, Jesus remained unflinchingly faithful to them.” (Page 16)
“The narrator shows the authorities in a consistently negative light. The disciples—in practice, the Twelve—are presented in an unflattering light. In contrast, the characterization of the minor characters is firmly positive. Here, indeed, is an eye-opener. Our attention is drawn to something so obvious that it had escaped our attention. The fact is that, against both opponents and disciples, the minor characters in the Gospel steadfastly exemplify the values of the rule of God. Mark seems to be reminding his community that the sterling Christian qualities are to be found in the ‘simple faithful.’” (Page 17)
“Their being bound to silence is a reminder that to know the truth about Jesus, one must, like the Roman centurion, come to terms with the cross (15:39).” (Page 30)
“Historical criticism seeks a reconstruction of ‘the world behind the text.’ Narrative criticism focuses on ‘the world in the text’—more simply, the text itself—and how the text addresses ‘the world in front of the text’—more simply, the reader’s reading of the text.” (Page 20)
“Mark shared the awe of Paul. This Jesus has loved me so very much that he had chosen not only to die for me but to undergo the horrible and humiliating manner of death by crucifixion.” (Page 2)
Wilfrid J. Harrington is an Irish Dominican priest. He studied theology in Rome and biblical studies in Jerusalem, and currently teaches Scriptures at the Priory Institute, at the Church of Ireland Theological College, and at Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy, all of which are in Dublin.
Reviews
6 ratings
이정국
12/17/2024
Richard C. Hammond, Jr.
1/5/2023
David S. Hill
2/12/2022
Bhekukuthula
2/3/2021
Vivek John
1/4/2021
Michael Gavin Smith
12/28/2020
