James N. Neumann, "The Gospel of the Son of God: Psalm 2 and Mark's Narrative Christology" (T&T Clark, 2023)
Apr 20, 2024
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James Neumann discusses how the Gospel of Mark portrays Jesus as the Son of God and the fulfillment of Psalm 2. They explore the significance of Psalm 2 in Mark's narrative Christology, focusing on Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection. The podcast also delves into the connections between Psalm 2 and Jesus' baptism, transfiguration, and the Centurion's recognition of Jesus as the Son of God at the crucifixion.
Mark portrays Jesus' life as the fulfillment of Psalm 2, emphasizing narrative aims.
Psalm 2's presence at key moments underscores Jesus' eschatological enthronement in Mark's portrayal.
Deep dives
Mark's Gospel Portrays Jesus as the Actualization of Psalm 2
James Newman discusses how Mark portrays Jesus' life as the fulfillment of Psalm 2, a coronation hymn. Highlighting parallels between Jesus' baptism and crucifixion, Newman emphasizes Mark's large-scale narrative aims. By examining the inclusio in Mark, Newman shows the significance of narrative in communicating Christology through literary devices.
The Significance of Psalm 2 in Mark's Presentation of Christ's Transfiguration
Psalm 2's presence at key moments like Jesus' baptism and transfiguration underscores its importance in Mark's portrayal of Jesus. Despite being overshadowed by other elements in the transfiguration scene, Psalm 2, 7 serves as a climax hinting at Jesus' eschatological enthronement. The transfiguration scene, filled with enthronement motifs, aligns with the portrayal of Jesus as the Messiah, Son of God.
The Crucial Interpretation of Psalm 2 in Mark's Culminating Moment
The centurion's proclamation of Jesus as the Son of God during the crucifixion is a pivotal moment challenging historical norms and enhancing narrative depth. Mark strategically embeds references to Psalm 2 to signify Jesus' victorious inheritance as God's Son. By interpreting the centurion's declaration as ironic fulfillment of Psalm 2, Mark unveils the cross as the moment of Jesus' triumph and world inheritance.
What does it mean for the Gospel of Mark to portray Jesus as Son of God? Apparently far more than what past scholarship has recognized! James Neumann argues that Mark presents Jesus’ life from beginning to end as the actualization of Psalm 2, a coronation hymn describing the Davidic king as God’s “son.”