“The Son of God” in Mark’s Gospel; with special reference to 15:39
LE3 .A278 2011
2011
Evans, Craig
Acadia University
Masters of Arts
Masters
Theology
Acadia Divinity College
The New Testament stresses the reality that Jesus was the Son of God. However, when studying the Roman Empire of the first century, during which Jesus lived and the New Testament was written, one finds many individuals who were also designated as sons of god. This thesis examines the Roman background of the term “son of God” and seeks to demonstrate that Mark’s Gospel was written with a high degree of sensitivity to this cultural framework. The thesis argues that Mark deliberately shaped his narrative in such a way as to reach a Christological climax in 15:39. This he does for rhetorical purposes, in order to teach and instruct his Roman audience concerning the true Son of God: Jesus Christ.
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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:187