Mark, Canonizer of Paul
Review of a book about the Gospel of Mark by Tom Dykstra
Well researched and clearly explained, this book illuminates the structure and intent of the Gospel According to Mark, putting it into context as written after the Epistles of Paul, in support of Paul’s views and in contrast to those of the other gospels, which were written later.
A few memorable passages:
“… open the way to appreciating the gospels as cohesive literary works in which each part was carefully and deliberately crafted and organized to serve the author’s overall purposes.” p. 65
“Galilee was a region outside of Judea known for its mixed Jewish-Gentile population, and is explicitly associated with “the nations” (the Gentiles) in Isaish 9:1… [Mark’s] use of Galilee to mean a land where Jews and Gentile mix, as opposed to Judea and Jerusalem which represent exclusively Jewish territory…” p. 73
“… Mark deliberately created a literary Jesus whose words and actions parallel the words and actions of Paul.” p. 149
“Genre is a function of your intention.” p. 169
