Class 2 THE GOSPEL OF MARK Outline Manuscript Evidence for Mark The Lives of Mark Three Parts of Communication Acts Literary Criticism, & its Subset, Narrative Criticism ú Literary criticism in general ú Narrative criticism applied to Mark MANUSCRIPT EVIDENCE FOR MARK 1
Gospel of Mark Manuscript Evidence There are 1,738 manuscripts of Mark; only 9 of these date to the first 600 years of Christian history Century Manuscript Extent Mark 1:1-4 Codex Sinaiticus 200s P45 Parts of Mark 4 9, 11 12 (& Mt, Lk, Jn, Acts) 300s P88 27 verses from chapter 2 01 all 03 all 0188 7 verses from chapter 11 c.400 05 1:1 16:14 400s 02 all 04 most 500s 032 all D. C. Parker, An Introduction to the New Testament Manuscripts and Their Texts (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2008) 319-20. THE LIVES OF MARK The Lives of Mark Peter s scribe Spirit s pen Matthew s summarizer c.30 CE 65 75 Jesus dies Gospel composed 75-90 Matt & Lk copy Mk c.130 Papias 200 Origen 400 Augustine reporter theologian scissors & paste man redactor & author narrator Mark 1555 John Calvin 1863 Heinrich Holtzmann 1901 William Wrede 1919-1945 1956 1970s-80s M. Dibelius Willi Rhoads & Michie R. Bultmann Marxsen Tolbert Donahue TODAY 2
THREE PARTS OF COMMUNICATION ACTS World before the text What question do you want to ask? World OF the text Text Author Audience World after the text LITERARY CRITICISM, & ITS SUBSET, NARRATIVE CRITICISM 3
Literary Criticism in General encompasses many approaches initially meant any close reading including form and source criticism but since 1960s, it has shifted to methods practiced by English literature scholars focus on final text, not sources author worked with sources, but his new creation has its own literary integrity increasing attention has been paid to readers response Narrative Criticism A branch of literary criticism that examines narratives or stories. The term has been largely coined by biblical scholars who have sought to apply the insights of literary critics to the gospel narratives. Narrative Criticism: Authors & Audience IN the Narrative Real Author Implied Author Narrator Narratee Implied Audience Real Audience Text or Narrative 4
Narrative Criticism: The Story- Discourse Distinction Story the content of the narrative; WHAT it tells includes characters, setting and plot Discourse the RHETORIC of the narrative; HOW it is told includes several techniques for shaping the story elements to persuade a reader of the author s point of view Seymour Chatman, Story and Discourse: Narrative Structure in Fiction and Film (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1978). Narrative Elements Characters Rhetoric: Settings How the author shapes these elements to persuade the audience of his/her point of view Plot Rhetoric: How an Author Shapes Narrative Elements Characters revealed by showing or telling exhibit dominant traits; rarely change flat or round their point of view is evaluated by author Settings places have symbolic associations temporal markers set narrative pace Rhetorical Techniques point- of- view symbolism irony Plot order, duration and frequency causation (kernels & satellites) conflict 5
Rhetoric: How an Author Shapes Narrative Elements Narration Symbolism Who narrates? What is his/her level of knowledge, reliability, point of view Technique for suggesting interpretation Irony Technique for rejecting certain interpretations; juxtaposition of expected meaning and surprise meaning Rhetoric: Point- of- View The (implied) author shapes the response of the reader by insisting that the reader adopt a point of view consistent with that of the narrative. To discern the evaluative point of view, read closely the narrator s statements and be sensitive to the structure of the narrative. Determine the norms, values, and worldview with which the narrator judges the evidence. Plotting Exercise in Mark 1:1 8:38 1. Where are the episode breaks? 2. Do any episodes seem more significant than others (possibly kernels )? How do you know? 3. Is there a building of characterization or conflict? Are there causal connections between episodes? 6
An Overview of the Gospel Plot I. Prologue (1:1-3) II. Galilean Ministry (1:4-8:21) III. Peter s Confession, Prediction of Passion and Journey to Jerusalem (8:22-10:52) IV. Controversies in the Temple (11:1-13:37) V. Passion Narrative (14:1-15:39) VI. Resurrection Narrative (15:40-16:8) Using Biblical Research Tools: The Elijah Project (Workbook pp. 79-84) Concordance/Facilitator Biblical Apparatus Commentary Bible Dictionary Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (TDNT) What questions arose in your group that you could pursue further? 7