There are many ways to understand the Gospel as a Word of God. Among these ways, Understanding of the Gospel through study on author and situation of the Gospel is important. Because the Gospel involves in the intention of author, the thought of autho...
There are many ways to understand the Gospel as a Word of God. Among these ways, Understanding of the Gospel through study on author and situation of the Gospel is important. Because the Gospel involves in the intention of author, the thought of author, and the retrospect of the age.
In this viewpoint, this study manipulates 'Sitz im Leben' of Mark Gospel, namely author, time, and place. In fact, a study of Mark the author through work of Papias and Acts adds ambiguity to certainty of author. Whether John Mark or Some Mark, that is a problem of choice. Which one is selected? But it is important that Mark Gospel doesn't try to find identity of Mark and doesn't suggest the basis of this trial certainly and clearly. So to speak, in Mark Gospel important concern is the Word of God. The term of `The Gospel of God according to Mark' indicates this proposal well.
In case of a determination of time, a determinative point is a accident 'Jerusalem Temple Destruction'(A.D 70). Mark Gospel might be written in increasing crisis situation(A.D 70 before) or temple destruction situation(A.D 70 after). In analysis of Ch. 13, we can find variant conclusion rather. After all, the problem of time induces to infer through intention and prospect of whole the Gospel.
Place is divided from two axes, Rome and Galilee. Linking of John Mark and usage of Latin term proposes Rome, but attraction of Galilee in Mark propose Galilee. Differentiation of place moves redaction place to story telling place, namely place in which the Gospel is proclaimed. The problem of place isn't in geographical mean, but in theological ground.
Strictly speaking, a' study on author, time. place may be unsuccessful. But this failure makes us concentrate on the situation of Mark which is extended from time and place. And this failure moves our aims of problem of author to aims of Markan community.
Situation of Mark is divided into Political Situation, Socio-Economical Situation, Religious Situation, and Theological Situation.
Political situation of Rome and Galilee are similar. That is a situation of hopelessness and frustration and oppression and suffering of the oppressed. Socio-Economical situation is a situation of the people who are poor, and are oppressed, are distressed by tyranny of the authority.
Religious situation is a situation which differ from other religious tradition in Palestine, and a situation of miserable group who doesn't anticipates hospitality from Jews and Gentiles. Theological situation is a response in eschatological situation in means of supplementation of Pauline theology.
The Gospel is not a introspection of person(a author). If the Gospel would open to community, and would be for community, it is introspection of community. In this phase, the concern of Mark the author extends to community. Markan community is a disciple community above all, and new community intend to Galilee. That is a apocalyptic community which adhere to eschatological hope in situation of poverty, oppression, desperation, discouragement. This community might bring forth Mark Gospel.
Now, what kind of prospect is in Markan community? The frame of understanding of this prospect is through analysis of Mkl,14-15 that could be the basis of Markan theology. This analysis shows that the situation of 1,14 has hermeneutic mean as a 'Context', and the situation of 1,15 has hermeneutic mean as a 'Kerygma'.
In terms of geographical demarcation, it is said that Galilee and Jerusalem has theological meaning respectively. In terms of christological demarcation, Mark unfolds his christology in keep in distance and appropriate tension with Pauline christology which had already existed.
Finally, Mark understands his situation as a eschatological situation. In this situation Mark Gospel is read with eschatological viewpoint by his community. So to speak, Mark made Galilee which Jesus proclaimed in as a his theological place in his eschatological crisis situation, and suggested hope through Gospel ultimately. This hope is real meaning of faith.