Mark's Jesus
Characterization as Narrative Christology
By Elizabeth Struthers Malbon
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Subjects: All Biblical Studies, New Testament |
Noted biblical scholar Elizabeth Struthers Malbon asks a literary question in this landmark volume: how does the Markan narrative characterise Jesus? Through a close narrative analysis, she carefully examines various ways the Gospel discloses its central character. The result is a multi-layered Markan narrative christology, focusing not only on what the narrator and other characters say about Jesus (pro-jected christology), but also on what Jesus says in response to what these others say to and about him (deflected christology), what Jesus says instead about himself and God (refracted christology), what Jesus does (enacted christology), and how what other characters do is related to what Jesus says and does (reflected christology). Holding significant implications for those who wish to use Mark's Gospel to make claims about the historical Jesus, as well as for those who wish to use Mark's Gospel to construct confessions about the church's belief, Malbon's research is a groundbreaking work of scholarship.
Introduction: Characterization as Narrative Christology
2. Enacted Christology: What Jesus Does
3. Projected Christology: What Others Say
4. Deflected Christology: What Jesus Says in Response
5. Refracted Christology: What Jesus Says Instead
6. Reflected Christology: What Others Do
7. Implications: The Markan Jesus, Mark's Jesus, and the Historical Jesus
Indexes: Biblical Citations; Authors
“With characteristic insight, Malbon here opens our eyes to the multi-layered Markan narrative. An invaluable companion.”
—Paula Gooder, Writer and Lecturer in Biblical Studies
“This is Malbon at her most insightful and resourceful. Experts and dabblers alike will find the book enlightening and rewarding.”
—Stephen D. Moore, author of Mark and Method: New Approaches in Biblical Studies
Elizabeth Struthers Malbon has taken on the daunting task of treating the character of Jesus in Mark's Gospel, and she has produced an excellent analysis. By carefully sorting out the actions, dialogue, and points of view of the different Markan characters, she discerns fresh angles of vision and wrests many new insights from Mark's story. Her work shows how fundamentally God-centered this Gospel is and what a sophisticated narrative Mark has created. I benefitted greatly from reading this book. It will certainly be of interest to others-scholars, teachers, and students alike.
—David Rhoads, Professor of New Testament, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
"Malbon has now pulled together the research of more than twenty-five years of research into an attractive and readable volume that both brings the inexperienced reader up to speed and advances the discussion."
—Review of Biblical Literature (2011)
Elizabeth Struthers Malbon (Ph.D. Florida State University) is Professor of Religious Studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She is the author four books and editor or co-editor of four, including most recently, as editor, Between Author and Audience in Mark: Narration, Characterization, Interpretation (2009), and, as author, Hearing Mark: A Listener's Guide (2002), and In the Company of Jesus: Characters in Mark's Gospel (2000). She lives in Blacksburg, Virginia.
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