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Academic Year 2004/2005

The Gospel of Mark and Christian Origins
RELI 380 FA

Borges has written that "the generations of men, throughout recorded time, have always told and retold two stories--that of a lost ship which searches the Mediterranean Sea for a dearly beloved island and that of a god who is crucified on Golgotha." This seminar will examine the fateful construction of an epic hero myth of Christian origins by tracing the social history and patterns of sectarian formation coursing through and under the Gospel of Mark. Through a close reading of Mark's parables and controversies, aphorisms and anecdotes, miracle stories and passion narratives, analyzed contextually with contemporaneous Jewish, Greek, Roman, and Christian literature, the Gospel will be exposed as an apologetic rationalization of a specific apocalyptic mythology.

MAJOR READINGS

Aland, K., SYNOPSIS OF THE FOUR GOSPELS
B. Mack, A MYTH OF INNOCENCE
C. Tuckett, THE MESSIANIC SECRET
W. Telford, THE INTERPRETATION OF MARK
THE OXFORD ANNOTATED BIBLE WITH THE APOCRYPHA
and numerous xeroxed articles

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

One major paper (10-15 pages); and 3-4 shorter working papers (2-3 pages each)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This course fulfills a "Religion in Society" departmental requirement.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS RELI    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005

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