The Gospel of Mark

[Mojster]

Hello, I'm new here, so I'm not sure if this is in the right spot, so move it if needed.

I am currently taking a New Testament class that is being taught from an academic perspective, and me not being much of a writer at all, is asking yfor the help of you good people. I really just need ideas for what to say regarding the notebook assignments I have to do. The teacher wants them to be 1-2 poages double spaced, so I won't need a whole lot of info. But any help at all will be appreciated.

Here is the first one I will post:

According to most readings, the Gospel of Mark hinges aroud the story of Peter's declaration that Jesus is the Messiah in Mark 8:27-30. Let's assume that is true and use it as the working hypothesis for this assignment. Based on your reading in Mark, how does this passage in Mark 8 serve as a turning point in Mark's narrative? What "before and after" changes do you see, for example, in style, pace, content? Are there any new departures in Jesus' ministry and teaching that take place after Peter's declaration? Use specific examples to support your points.

Again, any help at all on this would be greatly appreciated. I will post a few more of the questions I have later, as I am kinda falling behind in the class and need loads of help. Thanks!

 

[sarahm12002]

Hello, I'm new here, so I'm not sure if this is in the right spot, so move it if needed.

I am currently taking a New Testament class that is being taught from an academic perspective, and me not being much of a writer at all, is asking yfor the help of you good people. I really just need ideas for what to say regarding the notebook assignments I have to do. The teacher wants them to be 1-2 poages double spaced, so I won't need a whole lot of info. But any help at all will be appreciated.

Here is the first one I will post:

According to most readings, the Gospel of Mark hinges aroud the story of Peter's declaration that Jesus is the Messiah in Mark 8:27-30. Let's assume that is true and use it as the working hypothesis for this assignment. Based on your reading in Mark, how does this passage in Mark 8 serve as a turning point in Mark's narrative? What "before and after" changes do you see, for example, in style, pace, content? Are there any new departures in Jesus' ministry and teaching that take place after Peter's declaration? Use specific examples to support your points.

Again, any help at all on this would be greatly appreciated. I will post a few more of the questions I have later, as I am kinda falling behind in the class and need loads of help. Thanks!

Yikes! This is tough, IMHO. What do they mean by "hinges"? Are they saying the main point of the Gospel of Mark is those three verses?

BTW, welcome to the board!

 

[Mojster]

When they say "hinges" they are basically saying that those verses are the turning point in Marks narrative. And that the whole Gospel of Mark revolves around Peter declaring Jesus to be the Messiah. At least that is what I get out of it.

 

[sarahm12002]

When they say "hinges" they are basically saying that those verses are the turning point in Marks narrative. And that the whole Gospel of Mark revolves around Peter declaring Jesus to be the Messiah. At least that is what I get out of it.

That's what I thought they meant. I wish I could help, but since I don't agree with them I really don't know what to say.
Sorry.

Hopefully someone else will have some ideas!

 

[filosofer]

That's what I thought they meant. I wish I could help, but since I don't agree with them I really don't know what to say.

Well, I find in my 20+ years of study and translation of Mark that Peter's confession is a turning point, and there is another in chapter 15 (can you find the parallel?).

But even if you disagree with that assessment, perhaps you can answer the question by considering the negative. What evidence can you provide that supports your view that it does NOT hinge on Peter's confession? In other words, if you build an arugment that shows it is not, then you have to consider the evidence that people have used to come to that conclusion. It's backward but should work for you.

 

[jbarcher]

Well, okay, but the question of "how does this passage in Mark 8 serve as a turning point in Mark's narrative?" isn't answered. Basically, what changes do you see that would indicate this?

Hi Mo.

 

[Crazy Liz]

Look for changes in the other Marcan themes, such as the "Messianic secret" and healings of blind people. Also, consider other things that change in the other gospels, such as opposition by the Jewish leaders, size of the crowds, public/private teaching ministry, etc. Do these change the same way or at the same time in Mark? Look at how this confession is related to the Transfiguration in Mark, compared with Matthew and Luke. What happens just before and just after it? In literary terms, does this occur where you would expect to see the turning point in a novel or other story? How does it relate to the story's climax? Why would it be that something Peter says would be the turning point in Mark? Is there anything in the early traditions about Mark that would bear this out? Do you think the text and the traditions support each other, or not?

Pick a few of these questions and see if they help you find the kind of material you need.

 

[Crazy Liz]

PS, I assume that you are studying Mark near the beginning of your NT class, and you will probably be discussing "the Synoptic problem" soon. Make mental notes as you study Mark, especially if you compare it with Matthew and Luke. You'll probably have another assignment dealing with it.

 

[Crazy Liz]

That's what I thought they meant. I wish I could help, but since I don't agree with them I really don't know what to say.
Sorry.

Hopefully someone else will have some ideas!

If I were teaching the class, I would give a student full credit if he or she made a good case for something else being the turning point of Mark. But some professors don't like that, or grade harder on papers that disagree with the prof's thesis.

 

[filosofer]

And to add to Liz's questions: how is Jesus perceived prior to chap 8, and after chap 8. What is the relationship between 8:29 and 15:39? Not only between the statements, but the similarities and differences between the two who make the statements.

 

[plmarquette]

Hello, I'm new here, so I'm not sure if this is in the right spot, so move it if needed.

I am currently taking a New Testament class that is being taught from an academic perspective, and me not being much of a writer at all, is asking yfor the help of you good people. I really just need ideas for what to say regarding the notebook assignments I have to do. The teacher wants them to be 1-2 poages double spaced, so I won't need a whole lot of info. But any help at all will be appreciated.

Here is the first one I will post:

According to most readings, the Gospel of Mark hinges aroud the story of Peter's declaration that Jesus is the Messiah in Mark 8:27-30. Let's assume that is true and use it as the working hypothesis for this assignment. Based on your reading in Mark, how does this passage in Mark 8 serve as a turning point in Mark's narrative? What "before and after" changes do you see, for example, in style, pace, content? Are there any new departures in Jesus' ministry and teaching that take place after Peter's declaration? Use specific examples to support your points.

Again, any help at all on this would be greatly appreciated. I will post a few more of the questions I have later, as I am kinda falling behind in the class and need loads of help. Thanks!

who do you say I am .... thou art the Christ ... simon bar jonah...
or the road to Emmaus ... did the word not burn within us ...
or luke 9.1 , 10.9 authority , a taste , before pentecost

find a bible commentary , inexpensive , at most christian book stores , on every book in the bible ... could be very helpful and time saving ...

 

[mark kennedy]

Hello, I'm new here, so I'm not sure if this is in the right spot, so move it if needed.

I am currently taking a New Testament class that is being taught from an academic perspective, and me not being much of a writer at all, is asking yfor the help of you good people. I really just need ideas for what to say regarding the notebook assignments I have to do. The teacher wants them to be 1-2 poages double spaced, so I won't need a whole lot of info. But any help at all will be appreciated.

Here is the first one I will post:

According to most readings, the Gospel of Mark hinges aroud the story of Peter's declaration that Jesus is the Messiah in Mark 8:27-30. Let's assume that is true and use it as the working hypothesis for this assignment. Based on your reading in Mark, how does this passage in Mark 8 serve as a turning point in Mark's narrative? What "before and after" changes do you see, for example, in style, pace, content? Are there any new departures in Jesus' ministry and teaching that take place after Peter's declaration? Use specific examples to support your points.

Again, any help at all on this would be greatly appreciated. I will post a few more of the questions I have later, as I am kinda falling behind in the class and need loads of help. Thanks!

It seems to me that the change was primarily the area being covered and the level of revelation. By the begining of chapter 8 Jesus had expanded into regions that were largely occupied by Gentiles. This may have implications for the inclusion of the Gentiles and there does seem to be a shift when the Scribes and Pharasees reject him and he answers the in chapter 7. This reminds me of the Pauline concept of the Jew first and then the Gentile.

Notice in chapter four the parables and then compare this to the teaching in chapter 8 and 9. He is becoming more explicit and instead of speaking in parables, which are like riddles, he speaks plainly to the disciples.

I would be interested in the paper when you finish it if you would care to post it here.