Christology in Mark's Gospel: Four Views

The Gospel of Mark has long been a worktable for the discovery of Christian origins and developing theologies, but the past ten years of scholarship have seen an unprecedented shift toward an early, high Christology. Christology in Mark's Gospel: Four Views brings together key voices in conversation to offer a clear entry point into early Christians' understanding of Jesus' identity. The significance of this discussion is contextualized by the general editor's introduction and summarized in the conclusion. The Critical Points Series offers rigorous and nuanced engagement between today's best scholars for advancing the scholarship of tomorrow.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 09 December 2021
Publisher: Zondervan

The Gospel of Mark, widely regarded as the earliest account of Jesus's life and the least explicit in terms of Christology, has long been a valuable resource for exploring Christian origins and developing theological frameworks. Over the past decade, there has been a significant shift in scholarly discourse towards an early, high Christology, which posits that Jesus's followers began to worship him as God very early in the history of the Jesus movement. However, other studies have challenged this notion, arguing that Mark's story is incomplete, intentionally ambiguous, or presents Jesus in entirely human terms.

To provide a comprehensive and accessible entry point into the understanding of Jesus's identity among early Christians, Christology in Mark's Gospel: Four Views brings together four prominent scholars in a lively conversation. Sandra Huebenthal (Suspended Christology), Larry W. Hurtado (Mark's Presentation of Jesus; with rejoinder by Chris Keith), J. R. Daniel Kirk (Narrative Christology of a Suffering King), and Adam Winn (Jesus as the YHWH of Israel in the Gospel of Mark) present their respective positions, engaging in robust discussions with the other contributors and offering concluding remarks.

The significance of this discussion is contextualized by the introduction provided by general editor Anthony Le Donne, and the conclusion summarizes the key points discussed. The CriticalPoints Series, like its predecessor, the CounterPoints Series, serves as a platform for rigorous and nuanced engagement between today's leading scholars, fostering the advancement of scholarship for tomorrow. By focusing on critical issues in biblical studies, theology, and philosophy, this series provides a forum for comparison and critique of different positions, contributing to a deeper understanding of Christian beliefs and practices.

In conclusion, Christology in Mark's Gospel: Four Views offers a valuable resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike, providing insights into the complex and evolving understanding of Jesus's identity within early Christian communities. Through engaging discussions and rigorous scholarship, this book contributes to the ongoing dialogue between different theological perspectives and promotes a deeper exploration of Christian origins and beliefs.

Weight: 340g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780310538707