Preface

Summary

It is almost a commonplace these days to read of the ‘rediscovery’ of Mark by recent scholarship. The earliest evangelist, who in the past has been considered as a somewhat simple-minded collator or rather artless redactor of discordant traditions, is being increasingly recognised as an author of considerable theological and literary competence. Many would now feel that the comparatively low estimate of Mark's literary abilities that has coloured much form critical and redaction critical analysis of his gospel, simply attests to a failure by scholars to appreciate the stylistic features and rhetorical integrity of his text. Hopefully the present study of Mark's faith-theme will further corroborate this more positive evaluation of his capacities as an author.

This book is based on a doctoral thesis, prepared under the supervision of Professor G. N. Stanton and accepted by the University of London in December 1985. The revision was largely carried out during a short stay in London over the Christmas period of 1987–1988. I am grateful for a grant from the E. M. Blaiklock Memorial Fund that made the time in London possible and for the generous hospitality offered to my family and myself by the London Mennonite Centre. In carrying out the revision I was helped by the comments made on the thesis by its examiners, Dr John Muddiman and Dr Cyril Rodd, and especially by the detailed written criticisms offered by Professor Ernest Best, who recommended my work for inclusion in the SNTSMS series.