The Turning Point in the Gospel of Mark: A Study in Markan Christology

Based on linguistic and thematic links in the narrative The Turning Point in the Gospel of Mark argues that the twin pericopae of Peters confession (8:27-38) and the Transfiguration (9:2-13) together function as the turning point of the Gospel and serve in a Janus-like manner enabling the reader to see the authors main focus: the identity of Jesus and the significance of that reality for his disciples. Peters confession of Jesus as Messiah faces backward toward the Prologue (1:1-13) and functions as a mid-course conclusion. The declaration by God on the mountain faces forward and foreshadows the end-course conclusion (14:61-62; 15:39; Son of God). Jesus in response teaches that the Son of Man must suffer and die before being raised from the dead (8:31). Christologically the images of Messiah Son of Man and Son of God converge and present Jesus the crucified as king ushering in the kingdom of God in power (9:1 acting as the key swivel between the twin pericopae). When one is confronted with this Jesus though there remains something elusive about him and the kingdom of God in the narrative the only wise decision (after calculating the costs 8:34-38) is to follow. With admirable concision purified of cant this monograph offers a reliable guide to Marks most controversial issues in the service of a creative proposal for that Gospels exegesis. Consonant with his own heuristic device Morrisons study is Janus-like: looking backward to assess over a century of Markan study facing forward to firmer comprehension of Marks literary and theological intricacy. An illuminating exploration of Markan Christology The Turning Point in the Gospel of Mark merits a wide readership. --C. Clifton Black Otto A. Piper Professor of Biblical Theology Princeton Theological Seminary Princeton NJ The structure and Christology of Marks Gospel are perennial issues of Markan research that every student of the Gospel must eventually face. In this carefully crafted volume Gregg Morrison offers us a reliable history of research on these topics showing us how intimately related they are to each other. His work provides students and scholars with a sure map through the thicket of Markan research. --Frank J. Matera Professor emeritus The Catholic University of America Washington D.C. Gregg S. Morrison (PhD The Catholic University of America) is a trustee of Judson College Marion Alabama.