The theological role of paradox in the Gospel of Mark
By: Laura C. Sweat
Series: Library of New Testament studies -- 492; T & T Clark library of biblical studies; Library of New Testament studies -- 492.; T & T Clark library of biblical studies
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Published: 2013
Place of publication: London; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 208
ISBN-13: 9780567215703
Subjects: Bible; Person and offices; Criticism, interpretation; Christian life; Paradox in the Bible; Christology
Description: "Scholarship on the Gospel of Mark has long been convinced of the paradoxical description of two of its primary themes, christology and discipleship. This book argues that paradoxical language pervades the entire narrative, and that it serves a theological purpose in describing God's activity. Part One focuses on divine action present in Mark 4:10-12. In the first paradox, Mark portrays God's revelatory acts as consistently accompanied by concealment. The second paradox is shown in the various ways in which divine action confirms, yet counters, scripture. Finally, Mark describes God's actions in ways that indicate both wastefulness and goodness; these deeds are further illuminated by the ongoing, yet defeated, presence of evil. Part Two demonstrates that this paradoxical language is widely attested across Mark's passion narrative, as the Gospel continues to depict God's activity with the use of the three paradoxes observed in Mark 4. Through these paradoxes, Mark emphasizes God's transcendence and presence, showing that even though Jesus has brought revelation, a complete understanding of God remains tantalizingly out of reach until everything comes to light."--Page 4 of cover.
Notes: Revision of the author's thesis (Ph. D.)--Princeton Theological Seminary, 2011 under title: A paradoxical portrayal : God in the Gospel of Mark.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 183-196) and indexes.

Current Copyright Fee: GBP17.50 0.
Table of contents: title: I. Parables. Paradox introduced; title: A first paradox: concealment and revelation; title: A second paradox: Scripture both countered and confirmed; title: A third paradox: sowing abundant waste; title: II. Passion. Paradoxical proclamations: waste and bounty at Bethany (14.1-11); title: Challenging Scripture and concealing action: a paradoxical view of Gethsemane (14.27-42); title: Climactic concealment and the wastefully sent Son: Golgotha (15.22-39); title: The promise of paradoxes: the empty tomb (16.1-8).