AbstractsPhilosophy & Theology

Miracles and the Kingdom of God in Mark and Q: Christology and Identity Among Jesusâ Early Followers

by Myrick Clements Shinall




Institution: Vanderbilt University
Department:
Year: 2016
Keywords: kingdom of god; Synoptic gospels; christology; miracles; temptation
Posted: 02/05/2017
Record ID: 2066392
Full text PDF: http://etd.library.vanderbilt.edu/available/etd-07212016-223427/


Abstract

Mark and the hypothetical gospel source Q both portray Jesus as a miracle worker and as proclaimer of the coming kingdom of God. Comparing the ways Mark and Q depict Jesus in these roles demonstrates two distinct ways of remembering Jesus. For Mark, miracles point to Jesusâ divine identity, and the kingdom of God signifies Jesusâ future coming in power in the place of God to judge the world. In Q, Jesusâ miracles demonstrate the presence of the kingdom of God, which for Q signifies a state of eschatological blessedness for those who accept Jesusâ message. The differences in how Mark and Q narrate the Beelzebul Controversy (Mark 3:22-30, Matt 12:22-31//Luke 11:14-23) and the Commissioning of the Disciples (Mark 6:7-13, Matt 9:38-10:16//Luke 9:1-6, 10:1-12) make this difference in emphasis clear. The differing ways Mark and Q narrate Jesusâ Testing after his baptism (Mark 1:13, Matt 4:1-11//Luke 4:13) show these two ways of remembering Jesus to be in competition with each other. These two different ways of remembering Jesus represent two different strategies for early Jesusâ followers to create identity for themselves. Qâs way of remembering Jesus creates identity by emphasizing that Jesusâ followers are co-workers with him in proclaiming and instantiating the kingdom of God. On the other hand, Markâs way of remembering Jesus creates identity among Jesusâ followers by emphasizing the uniqueness of Jesus as the one who acts as God on earth. Advisors/Committee Members: Amy-Jill Levine (chair), Keith Meador (committee member), Joseph Rife (committee member), Robin Jensen (committee member), Todd Klutz (committee member).