Who Is This Man?

Today we are joined virtually by Dr. Ed Neufeld - A Professor of Biblical Studies at Providence University College & Theological Seminary in Manitoba, Canada. Dr. Neufeld joined us to share some of his expertise and insight into the Gospel of Mark, its purposes, origins, and how it should be read and taught in the church today! 

We’ve been exploring the ways that the Gospel of Mark uses references to the Old Testament and Israel’s history to make sense of this person of Jesus. In these episodes, we’ll start exploring the ways that Mark draws parallels between Jesus and King David. Ever since the days of David, Israel had been longing for their kingdom to return, and to gain the same political autonomy that they enjoyed under the reign of David. What we’re going to see in these episodes is how Mark makes it clear that, although Jesus’ methods of kingship are quite different from David’s, Jesus’ kingdom is indeed the Kingdom that Israel had been waiting for.

Sources used in this episode:

Echoes of Scripture in the Gospels by Dr. Richard B. Hays

Salvation by Allegiance Alone by Dr. Matthew W. Bates

We’ve been exploring the ways that the Gospel of Mark uses references to the Old Testament and Israel’s history to make sense of this person of Jesus. In these episodes, we’ll start exploring the ways that Mark draws parallels between Jesus and King David. Ever since the days of David, Israel had been longing for their kingdom to return, and to gain the same political autonomy that they enjoyed under the reign of David. What we’re going to see in these episodes is how Mark makes it clear that, although Jesus’ methods of kingship are quite different from David’s, Jesus’ kingdom is indeed the Kingdom that Israel had been waiting for. 

Sources used in this episode:

Echoes of Scripture in the Gospels by Dr. Richard B. Hays

Salvation by Allegiance Alone by Dr. Matthew W. Bates

In Mark chapter 4, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed. This seems strange, doesn't it? Jesus' fellow israelites had been holding on for many years to the promise of a kingdom which they expected to recieve one day - a kingdom which would come with great strength and power. Not exactly something they would imagine as a mustard seed. Yet, Jesus is clear that this is an appropriate metaphor for the kingdom he is bringing, and Mark's narrative makes it clear that Jesus kingdom is indeed the kingdom that the prophets had long been expecting, and that it still comes to earth with power and glory, even if its origins are a bit more humble than we may have hoped for.

Why did Jesus teach in parables? And why did he seem to purposely confuse people with them? Turns out, there's a lot at play here, and believe it or not, it goes all the way back to Isaiah! This is the first episode in our series on Mark's use of Jesus' parables. Special emphasis is placed on the way that Mark uses Old Testament references to frame Jesus' mission and intentions. 

After a brief delay we are back up and running! Not much for scholarly (or serious) discussion in this one - But we've got a new cohost. And big things ahead!

In this episode I begin unpacking the way Jesus is intentionally set as an adversary to worldly political powers, such as the Roman Empire, and the ways this influenced early Christian behaviour in the first century world. 

A few books that I reference in this episode:

1. Destroyer of the Gods: Early Christian Distinctiveness in the Roman World by Dr. Larry Hurtado

https://www.amazon.ca/Destroyer-Gods-Early-Christian-Distinctiveness/dp/1481304747/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=destroyer+of+gods&qid=1617936612&sr=8-1

2. Reading Revelation Responsibly by Dr. Micheal J. Gorman

https://www.amazon.ca/Reading-Revelation-Responsibly-Following-Creation/dp/1606085603/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=reading+revelation+responsibly&qid=1617936661&sr=8-1

3. Echoes of Scripture in the Gospels by Dr. Richard B. Hays

https://www.amazon.ca/Echoes-Scripture-Gospels-Richard-Hays/dp/1481305247/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=echoes+of+scripture+gospels&qid=1617936689&sr=8-1

In this episode I explore Mark's use of irony and juxtaposition to explain the divine character and kingly role of Jesus. Specifically, I wanted to explore why Jesus sometimes chooses to keep his identity a secret throughout Mark's gospel and why only certain characters who encounter Jesus seem to have the special insight required to understand Jesus' divine nature and mission.

I referenced the following books in this episode:

1. "Echoes of Scripture in the Gospels" by Richard B. Hays

https://www.amazon.ca/Echoes-Scripture-Gospels-Richard-Hays/dp/1481305247/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HQMFIDIYXW1B&dchild=1&keywords=echoes+of+scripture+in+the+gospels&qid=1616359532&sprefix=echoes+of+script%2Caps%2C200&sr=8-1

2. "The Lost World of Genesis One" by John Walton

https://www.amazon.ca/Lost-World-Genesis-One/dp/0830837043/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+lost+world+of+genesis+1&qid=1617171543&sr=8-1

3. "Isaiah's New Exodus in Mark" by Rikk E. Watts

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0801022517?pf_rd_r=QXXH9KCWAY6WJJYVA60W&pf_rd_p=05326fd5-c43e-4948-99b1-a65b129fdd73&pd_rd_r=c0f3b781-a0d2-48f7-8ff0-798db4e41cfa&pd_rd_w=CxoAG&pd_rd_wg=zwwGC&ref_=pd_gw_unk

In this episode I unpack the historical and literary context of Jesus' introduction in Mark chapter 1. Specifically, I wanted to learn more about what is meant by Jesus' declaration that we should "repent" and believe the "gospel", and how Mark uses references to Israel's scriptures to place Jesus within the wider narrative of the Bible.

I referenced the following two books in this episode:

1. "The Challenge of Jesus" by N.T. Wright

https://www.amazon.ca/Challenge-Jesus-Rediscovering-Who-Was-ebook/dp/B018Y98UT6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+challenge+of+jesus&qid=1616359549&sr=8-1

2. "Echoes of Scripture in the Gospels" by Richard B. Hays

https://www.amazon.ca/Echoes-Scripture-Gospels-Richard-Hays/dp/1481305247/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HQMFIDIYXW1B&dchild=1&keywords=echoes+of+scripture+in+the+gospels&qid=1616359532&sprefix=echoes+of+script%2Caps%2C200&sr=8-1

As well as the following wikipedia article on the Priene Inscription:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendar_Inscription_of_Priene

'Who is This Man?' is the podcast dedicated to figuring out who Jesus of Nazareth was, is, and what it means to follow him. We have a wild ride ahead of us.