Reading the Bible as Literature: The Gospel of Mark

‘See I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness . . .’

Mark 1: 3

Roaring like a lion, Mark’s Gospel bursts into action. Written in a pacy, journalistic style, this work reads like a brief biography of Jesus’ life and works. Content to rest with that observation? Then this salon is not for you. Curious to find out more about Mark’s literary genius? Then read on.

Narrated seemingly from an eye-witness point of view, Mark’s Gospel is tightly constructed and full of literary techniques which share more in common with epic literature and Hebrew poetry. Words, phrases and even similar episodes are deliberately echoed and returned to. When considered as drama, his gospel has elements resembling epic sagas, or tragedies, and yet with its oddly abrupt ending, does Mark’s narrative arc reach a satisfactory conclusion?

He brings us parables and miracles, conflict and controversy, but is Mark’s intention to share witnessed history, apocalyptic prophecy, or to weave a carefully argued theological discourse? How do his intentions and preoccupations as author/editor sit alongside those we might attribute to Jesus, or the early church, and how do we, as modern day readers, react to the text? 

Over four meetings, this salon will examine Mark’s Gospel from a literary critical rather than faith approach. You do not need prior Bible knowledge. You are welcome to bring any version of the Bible to the session, provided that it has a New Testament section and preferably a standard layout (i.e. chapters and verses).

If you do not already own a Bible, you are recommended to purchase the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV with Old and New Testament). The facilitator will be using the Anglicized version with Apocrypha, ISBN: 978-0-19-107001-3 (Oxford University Press).

STUDY DETAILS: 

• Facilitated by Rev Dr Nicky von Fraunhofer
• Four virtual meetings (via Zoom)
• Thursday afternoons, 4.00-6.00 pm (UK time)
• Weekly, 6 to 27 October
• £120, including opening notes
• Please note that meetings will focus on reading the Bible as literature, this is not a faith-based study.