Miracle and Mission
The Authentication of Missionaries and Their Message in the Longer Ending of Mark
by James A. Kelhoffer
The Longer Ending of the Gospel of Mark (Mark 16:9-20) was appended to the Gospel of Mark in the first half of the second century. James A. Kelhoffer explores this passage’s distinct witness to the use of gospel traditions and the development of Christian thought. Concerning the origin of this passage, he argues that a single author made use of the New Testament Gospels in forging a more satisfactory ending to Mark. He studies the passage’s sometimes innovative literary forms as well. Also of interest is the passage’s claim that the ascended Lord will help those who believe to perform miraculous signs – casting out demons, speaking in new languages, picking up snakes, drinking poison with impunity and healing the sick – when they preach the gospel (verses 17-18, 20). This expectation is compared with portraits of miracles, especially in the context of mission, in the New Testament, various apocryphal acts and Christian apologists of the second and third centuries. In the two final chapters the author interprets the signs of picking up snakes (verse 18a) and drinking a deadly substance with impunity (verse 18b) in their history of religions contexts. An Epilogue summarizes the findings of this study and explores what can be ascertained about the otherwise unknown Christian author of Mark 16:9-20.
- By (author) James A Kelhoffer
Other Titles in this Series
Hellenisten in der Apostelgeschichte
Historische und exegetische Untersuchungen zu Apg 6,1; 9,29; 11,20
Volume 264
The Therapeutae as the Best Paradigm for the Contemplative Life
A Contextual Reading of Philo of Alexandria's De Vita Contemplativa
Peacemaking through Blood in Colossians
An Analysis of the Imagery in Its Graeco-Roman and Jewish Context
Volume 615
Jesus as the Way to the Father in the Gospel of John
A Study of the Way Motif and John 14,6 in Its Context
Volume 584
Creation and Christ
An Exploration of the Topic of Creation in the Epistle to the Hebrews
Volume 527
The High Priest and the Temple
Metaphorical Depictions of Jesus in the Letters of Ignatius of Antioch
Volume 473
Ein Jesusbild im Horizont des Nationalsozialismus
Studien zum Neuen Testament des 'Instituts zur Erforschung und Beseitigung des judischen Einflusses auf das deutsche kirchliche Leben'
Volume 440
Paul’s Koinonia with the Philippians
A Socio-Historical Investigation of a Pauline Economic Partnership
Volume 377
God and the Faithfulness of Paul
A Critical Examination of the Pauline Theology of N.T. Wright
Volume 413
Moral Language in the New Testament
The Interrelatedness of Language and Ethics in Early Christian Writings. Kontexte und Normen neutestamentlicher Ethik / Contexts and Norms of New Testament Ethics. Volume II
Volume 296
“Make Disciples of All Nations”
The Appeal and Authority of Christian Faith in Hellenistic-Roman Times
Moral Transformation in Greco-Roman Philosophy of Mind
Mapping the Moral Milieu of the Apostle Paul and his Diaspora Jewish Contemporaries
Volume 515
Paul’s Teaching on the Pneumatika in 1 Corinthians 12-14
Prophecy as the Paradigm of ta Charismata ta Meizona for the Future-Oriented Ekklesia
Volume 455
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