We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.
We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 October 2009
So far we have seen how, in Mark's presentation, both the content of Jesus' verbal proclamation and instruction, and the inherent character of his deeds of power, give expression to one fundamental reality: the dawning of the kingdom of God and the consequent need for repentance and faith. The day of God's ruling power has arrived in the person of Jesus, and the unfolding drama traces the manifold impact of this phenomenon on different characters in the story. There are a number of episodes in the Markan narrative in which the author presents in positive terms the relationship between human powerlessness and the power made available to genuine, receptive faith. These episodes are all miracle stories and involve the interaction of Jesus with minor, usually unnamed characters. The miracle context provides the dramatic setting within which faith is portrayed, and characterisation is one of the major devices the author uses to expound his conception of faith. In this chapter we shall examine five separate narratives which exemplify the author's understanding of the connection between faith and extreme human need. Before doing so, however, we should consider the place of plot and characterisation in these accounts in bringing out the essential qualities of the faith depicted.
Plot and characterisation in the faith narratives
Coherency of plot and consistency in characterisation are two of the main factors that qualify Mark's finished composition as a bona fide narrative.
To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.
Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.
Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.
