The Theological Intentions of Mark's Literary Devices: Markan Intercalations Frames Allusionary Repetitions Narrative Surprises and Three Types of Mirroring

What sets The Theological Intentions of Marks Literary Devices apart from other books? What niche does it fill that makes its publication important? This volume will interest all those who value a literary approach to the Gospel of Mark. Dean Deppe introduces some new literary devices in the research of the Gospel of Mark as well as demonstrates the theological intentions of Mark when he employs these literary devices. Deppe argues that Mark employs the literary devices of intercalation framework allusionary repetitions narrative surprises and three types of mirroring to indicate where he speaks symbolically and metaphorically at two levels. Mark employs these literary devices not just for dramatic tension and irony but also for theological reasons to apply the Jesus tradition to specific problems in his own day. Marks Gospel is subtle and deep: It provides a compelling portrait of Jesus designed to address the theological and discipleship challenges faced by Christians in Marks day. Dean Deppes study of Mark is subtle and deep: It provides a compelling interpretation of Mark designed to address the exegetical and literary challenges faced by Markan interpreters in our day. Deppes study does justice to this most profound Gospel! --Tim Geddert Professor of New Testament Biblical Seminary Fresno Pacific University Deppe has invested 30 years studying the Gospel of Mark teaching the Gospel of Mark and following the scholarly conversation about Mark. It shows. Deppe notices all the small details of the Gospel and then traces out how those details contribute to the larger message of Mark. He follows the scholarly conversation but is not afraid to blaze his own trail when the evidence warrants. For example he is insistent on 16:8 being the natural ending for the Gospel at a time when many are postulating a lost ending. I found his reconstruction of the setting for the Gospel compelling and I appreciated how he linked that setting to the overall theme of discipleship failure: in Marks own life in the original band of Twelve and in Marks audience. Warmly recommended for all students of this our first written Gospel. --Thomas Niehof Cornerstone School of Theology Ames Iowa Dean B. Deppe is Professor of New Testament Theology at Calvin Theological Seminary concentrating on the teaching of the gospels and Greek. He is the author of The Sayings of Jesus in the Epistle of James (1989) and All Roads Lead to the Text: Eight Methods of Inquiry into the Bible (2011). You can find his Lexham Greek Clausal Outlines of the New Testament on Logos Bible Software.