Dodson's Review (Unit 1) Flashcards
What does Dodson mean by “Interpretive Portraits” of Jesus?
Gospels are Portraits, not photographs
- artistic interpretation (authors differ)
- artists’ context matters (history AND theology)
- perspectives of the same thing
- trying to merge the portraits might end up in a mess
Meaning of Gospel
An oral proclamation of ‘good news’
4 Animals associated with the 4 Gospels
Matthew: human (begins with genealogy, human ancestry)
Mark: lion (john cry in wilderness like lion; jesus portrayed as lion)
Luke: ox (zacheriah sacrifice beginning, ox as sacrifice animal)
John: eagle (theological perspective, divinity of Christ)
Synoptic Problem
The synoptic gospels share many events. How are they related?
Two-Source Theory (3 Assumptions)
Markan priority, Luke and Matt are independent of each other, Q (Quelle) is external document that both Matt and Luke used.
Baptism differences
Matthew involves “fulfil all righteousness” explanation
Mark and Luke is “You are my son” (more personal) vs. “This is my son”
What happened around 142 BCE? What is its significance?
Maccabean Revolt. Start of Hasmonean dynasty.
Hanukkah’s celebration
Client Ruler (where?)
Someone ruling in Galilee but put there by Rome (eg. Herod Antipas)
Most important governor during the time (and where?)
Pontius Pilate; Judea
High Priest (where?)
Joseph Caiaphas; Jerusalem
Antiochus IV
Greek ruler of Seleucid empire who forcefully hellinized Jews
Jewish Groups and Characteristics (and ‘purity’)
Pharisees: oral tradition fence are authoritative (privatized purity)
Sadducees: wealthy aristocrats, Roman corroborators (institutionalized purity)
Essenes: sectarian group, discipline (isolated purity)
Zealots: political and violent movement to overthrow Rome and tried in Jewish Revolt (politicized purity)
Samaritans: Israelite descendants
What did all Jewish groups share in common?
Monotheism, divine election, Torah centrality, temple
Messianic Expectations
There was diversity. Term messiah meant royal figure who would act on behalf of God
Audience of Mark
Gentile Christians
Papias Tradition
Mark’s connection with Peter. Tradition from 2nd Century
Mark 1st verse significance
The title and Jesus as son of God
2 Sections of Mark: how is Jesus portrayed?
1st half: powerful in word and deed (1-8)
2nd half: the suffering messiah (9-16)
Interpretive center of Mark (what’s significant?)
Inclusio/Framing: healing of blind and and another healing
3 Passion predictions
Intercalation
Markan sandwich
What happens after each passion prediction?
Disciples misunderstand, then Jesus teaches them about true discipleship
Mark’s ending/conclusion
Women fled from tomb with amazement and terror, did not say a word.
Why is Mark’s beginning considered dramatic?
1) Dramatic irony: audience knows something that the characters don’t
2) prophetic fulfilment
Interpretive issues in Mark
Ex: Jesus temptation with wild beasts, Where the opening ends (v. 13 or 14-15)
