Daniel's Son of Man in Mark: A Redefinition of the Jerusalem Temple and the Formation of a New Covenant Community

Through the use of current intertextual methods and narrative criticism this book offers a fresh examination of the Son of Man in Mark developing the conclusions of Morna Hookers 1967 work The Son of Man in Mark: A Study of the Background of the Term Son of Man and Its Use in St. Marks Gospel. Contrary to recent scholarship that argues Marks Son of Man does not make any thematic or christological contribution to the Gospel and/or that the OT background of the Son of Man phrase is irrelevant this work demonstrates that the Son of Man when examined in light of Daniel 7 advances one of Marks major themes: the transition of the locus of Yahwehs saving presence from the Jerusalem temple to a new covenant community that is not only founded on the Son of Mans sacrificial death but also is vindicated at his coming in the heavenly temple. Building on Hookers analysis of the Son of Man sayings in Mark Snow argues that the term as used by Mark redefines the meaning of temple and shapes the new covenant community around the suffering and vindicated Son of Man. Those weary of the old arguments will find this thorough intertextual and narrative study adds to their understanding of Mark. A significant addition. --Kent Brower Vice Principal Senior Research Fellow and Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies Nazarene Theological College Manchester In this detailed study Robert Snow takes on a tough and still contested topic. He interacts thoughtfully with pertinent primary sources and scholarly discussions; and he offers a cumulative and challenging argument. The resulting work requires careful consideration in ongoing efforts to correlate constructively the important elements and complex issues involved. --Tony Cummins Professor of Religious Studies Trinity Western University Unlike most studies Robert Snows not only privileges OT texts (especially Daniel 7) over extracanonical sources (which are used primarily to establish historical probability of his conclusions) but it also and especially takes seriously Marks narrative portrayal of the Son of Man. The latter characteristic enables him to consider in detail the complete range of Son of Man sayings in the Gospel from those evincing Yahwehs authority on earth (chapters 1 2) to those dealing with suffering (8 9 10) to those dealing with future judgment (8 13 14). Especially intriguing is Snows reading of Mark 13 and 14 with the judicial coming of the exalted Son of Man and the establishing of a new temple not made with hands comprising Jesus faithful followers. Kudos! --James W. Voelz Dr. Jack Dean Kingsbury Professor of New Testament Theology Concordia Seminary Robert S. Snow PhD is Associate Professor of New Testament Studies and Christian Studies Program Chair at Ambrose University in Calgary Alberta Canada.