A Preface to Mark
Notes on the Gospel in Its Literary and Cultural Settings
Published on 2. October 1997
Book
Paperback/Softback
232 pages
978-0-19-511567-3 (ISBN)
Description
A Preface to Mark is a literary study which, from the standpoint of newer critical methodologies, explores two questions. First, Bryan attempts to determine what kind of text Mark would have been seen to be, both by its author and by others who encountered it near the time of its writing. He examines whether Mark should be seen as an example of any particular literary type, and if so which. It is argued that a comparison of Mark with other texts of the period leads inevitably to the conclusion that Mark's contemporaries would broadly have characterized his work as a "life." Second, Bryan looks at the evidence that exists to indicate whether Mark, like so much else of its period, was written to be read aloud. He points out ways in which Mark's narrative would have worked particularly well as rhetoric. The first examination of Mark as a whole in the light of contemporary studies of orality and oral transmission, A Preface to Mark not only shows us Mark in its original setting, but also suggests ways in which our own encounter with Mark's text may be significantly enriched. Its accessible style will serve as a good introduction to the Gospel for students as well as the general reader.
Reviews / Votes
From the cloth edition: a well-reasoned discussion of two issues ... an interesting, stimulating ... study. His discussion is thorough, and ... presents his conclusions with enthusiasm and as a result of wide reading and careful research * Church Times * a book to ponder, not least in so far as our residual experience of its emphasis has been reduced to the weekly hearing of liturgical snippets too often badly rendered. * Expository Times * It is a well-reasoned discussion of two issues ... an interesting, stimulating ... study ... His discussion is thorough ... presents his conclusions with enthusiasm and as a result of wide reading and careful research. * Eric Franklin, Church Times * The book is informative and refreshing due to its interaction with a variety of Graeco-Roman sources. * Journal for the Study of the New Testament 57 (1995) * This introduction to the Gospel of Mark as Graeco-Roman literature is highly recommended, not just for students of Mark but for anyone interested in the literary character of the early Christian writings ... Bryan's confident grasp of the relevant sources, as well as his clear and engaging style, make this a suitable and instructive text for scholars at all levels. * Journal of Theological Studies * In this well-written book, he brings together two major strands of gospel studies into a fascinating synthesis....This is a significant contribution to Markan studies...... like Mark, this book has an easy accessible style (with few intrusive notes, but full, annotated bibliographies after every chapter), draws on a wide variety of literary traditions, and deserves a wide hearing. * Scottish Journal of Theology *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
339 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-511567-3 (9780195115673)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
02/1997
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€28.99
Available for download