An Essay For Humanities Courses: The Bible

An Essay for Humanities Courses: The Bible


PART A

MARK"S THEOLOGY REFLECTED IN WRITING

        Mark and the other evangelists used basically five ways to change, edit
or enhance Jesus" sayings to reflect their own views of Christianity.   According
to the Five Gospels Book, plagiarism and changing of writing was not a crime,
but actually very common Mark"s time.   Besides, Mark never knew Jesus first-hand,
he somehow had to make a "story" from basically Hearsay!
        Mark groups different parables and sayings of Jesus by topic; making a
false impression that these things happened in order.   This may have little
effect on changing the meaning of the lesson, however it illustrates the fact
that Mark was trying to author a "readable" story for people, rather than a book
of facts.   The best example would be in Mark 10:17-31 (Jesus Counsel to the
Rich) & (Parable of The Camel and the Eye of a Needle).   It is doubtful that
these things happened at the same time; however, they are GREY in The Five
Gospels anyway ... and probably didn"t happen as Mark describes.   This brings us
to Mark"s writing style.
        Mark seems to "tack-on" sentences to Jesus" teachings to make them more
"Christian."   This really changes the meaning more than any other tactic!   Who
knows what Mark may have edited-out to accomplish what he wanted to impress upon
his readers?   In this, he tries to interpret the meaning of Jesus" actions ...
and does this in a misleading way! For example: Mark 2:19, Jesus regarding
Fasting.   Jesus makes a strong statement against importance to fasting, but Mark
(in 2:20) tags on:

        "But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from
them, and they will fast in those days."
        This blatantly shows that Mark held higher regard for the Old Traditions
of Fasting rather than Jesus" new teachings!   This is also an example of
"Christianizing Jesus" according to traditions that have already earned respect
from Jews in their tradition.   (Wow,...