The Gospel According to Thomas is found in the second manuscript of codex II of a set of texts found in Nag Hammadi, Egypt, collectively referred to today as the Coptic Gnostic Library. This gospel was readily identified as Thomas due to fragments of a Greek version of the text having already been discovered and identified in the 1890s at Oxyrhynchus, Egypt. However, the discovery near Nag Hammadi in 1945 C.E. was not of fragments, but it actually contained the entire text of Thomas. Thus, the finding of the entire text in Nag Hammadi brought about a set of questions that had not yet surfaced from the fragments of Thomas previously found at Oxyrhynchus, Egypt. For example, was Thomas actually written by Didymus Jude Thomas? If Thomas did not write it, then by whom was it written, and why did the actual author claim it to be written by Thomas?

Many Christians, including Christian leaders, are spiritually blind. They do not understand the purpose and implication of Jesus' Coming for each of His followers. So often Christians seek self-interest and their own honour and are not in the least concerned about their fellow believers and fellow man. They do not live up to God's purpose with them. The main research problem of this study is: "What is the implication of the ? of Jesus in word and deed proclamation in the Gospel of Mark?" The main objective of this study is to determine what the implication is of the ? of Jesus in word- and deed proclamation in the Gospel of Mark. The specific question posed. in Chapter 2 is the following: "What research has been done with reference to the implication of the ? of Jesus in word and deed proclamation in the Gospel of Mark?" Research has shown that the disciples are portrayed negatively in the Gospel of Mark. Researchers offer different explanations for this negative portrayal of the disciples. There is concensus among researchers that this specific portrayal of the disciples should be explained from the angle of Christology and discipleship. This study examines the negative portrayal of the disciples focusing on the ? of Jesus and the discipleship of His followers. The intention is to propose an answer to the calling of each follower in the missionary church. Research has further shown that discipleship is not limited to the twelve disciples only, but includes all followers of Jesus. The specific question posed in Chapter 3 is the following: "What is the relevance of the socio-historic and literary context of the Gospel of Mark for this study regarding the implication of the ? of Jesus in word and deed proclamation in the Gospel of Mark?" The socio-historic context indicates that the adressees of the Gospel of Mark probably suffered persecution. The relevance of the socio-historic context can be read from the fact that the author of the Gospel of Mark encourages the adressees in their unique situation(s) en guides them on their response as followers. This corresponds with Jesus' discipleship calling to bear one's own cross. From the literary context it becomes clear that the central discipleship section in Mark 8:27-10:52 forms a structural unit in the Gospel of Mark. Christology and discipleship are central themes in Mark 8:27- 10:52. These two themes are directly related to the implication of the ? of Jesus in word- and deed proclamation in the Gospel of Mark?" The literary context also shows that the Gospel of Mark is a dramatic, apocalyptic, eschatologic narrative that is also a biography. As a biography of Jesus, the Gospel of Mark focuses on Jesus as Subject who serves, but also on his disciples who must deny themselves and serve God. The specific question posed in Chapter 4 is the following: "What is the relevance of the revelation-historic context of the "Son of man" enunciations in Mark 8:27-10:52 for the implication of the ? of Jesus in word and deed proclamation in the Gospel of Mark? In Chapter 4 it is shown that the "Son of man" enunciations should be understood within the revelation-historical relation between the Old and the New Testament. Jesus proclaims Himself, amongst other titles in the Gospel of Mark as the Son of man. The Son of man is a glorious and kingly figure (cf Dan 7:13 & 14), .but also a humble figure who suffers (cf Isaiah Jes 40-55; Sagaria; the Psalms). It is further more important to realize that there is a relationship between the Messiah and His servants in the Old Testament and the Son of man and his followers in the Gospel of Mark. The specific question, posed in Chapter 5 is the following: "What is the implication of the ? of Jesus in word and deed proclamation in the Gospel of Mark?" It is shown from Mark 8:27-9:1 that the ? of Jesus has redemptive, discipleship, as well as judgemental implication. Following Jesus means to serve Him as believer and saved person. Following Jesus is to serve Jesus and God with the same attitude as Jesus served His Father and people. It is shown from Mark 9:30-37 that humble and loving service is necessary between leaders and all followers. This service should be specifically aimed at the least ones in the community of faith. Humble service towards one another and the least ones is not degraded. It is extremely important work because it is at the same time service towards Jesus and God. At the feet of the least in church and society we receive the most humble Servant and our Supreme God, the most important of all. It is shown from Mark 10:32-45 that selfish behaviour and pride among leaders must be replaced with a humble attitude and submission to God, fellow believers and fellow man." This discipleship has its origin in the reconciliatory work of Jesus. It is shown from Mark 10:46-52 that Jesus sent people to the outsiders and sufferers along the road to call them to Him. His aim is to save them that they may join and serve Him and others. In Chapter 6 this study reaches its conclusion. God had according to the Gospel of Mark a specific purpose with the ? of Jesus in word and deed proclamation. Through His word proclamation Jesus reveals the will of His Father who sent Him to earth. This message of the Kingdom of God is a message of hope. Through His deed proclamation Jesus brings salvation to many people. The life of Jesus was a life of humble, sacrificing and loving service. His service makes their service possible. He calls all His followers to serve God until! He comes again. Every believer is a follower of Jesus and part of the missionary church as fishers of men. Each believer is sent out in the world with the sacrificing love of Jesus to serve God, fellow believers, his fellow man especially the least ones and those who suffer. Leaders and followers should live according to the same principle: Follow Jesus by serving God and your fellow man. Every follower is a servant not only at the feet of the least ones and those who suffer, but also at the feet of the greatest Servant and our Supreme God. / Thesis (Ph.D. (New Testament))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010

Many Christians, including Christian leaders, are spiritually blind. They do not understand the purpose and implication of Jesus' Coming for each of His followers. So often Christians seek self-interest and their own honour and are not in the least concerned about their fellow believers and fellow man. They do not live up to God's purpose with them. The main research problem of this study is: "What is the implication of the ? of Jesus in word and deed proclamation in the Gospel of Mark?" The main objective of this study is to determine what the implication is of the ? of Jesus in word- and deed proclamation in the Gospel of Mark. The specific question posed. in Chapter 2 is the following: "What research has been done with reference to the implication of the ? of Jesus in word and deed proclamation in the Gospel of Mark?" Research has shown that the disciples are portrayed negatively in the Gospel of Mark. Researchers offer different explanations for this negative portrayal of the disciples. There is concensus among researchers that this specific portrayal of the disciples should be explained from the angle of Christology and discipleship. This study examines the negative portrayal of the disciples focusing on the ? of Jesus and the discipleship of His followers. The intention is to propose an answer to the calling of each follower in the missionary church. Research has further shown that discipleship is not limited to the twelve disciples only, but includes all followers of Jesus. The specific question posed in Chapter 3 is the following: "What is the relevance of the socio-historic and literary context of the Gospel of Mark for this study regarding the implication of the ? of Jesus in word and deed proclamation in the Gospel of Mark?" The socio-historic context indicates that the adressees of the Gospel of Mark probably suffered persecution. The relevance of the socio-historic context can be read from the fact that the author of the Gospel of Mark encourages the adressees in their unique situation(s) en guides them on their response as followers. This corresponds with Jesus' discipleship calling to bear one's own cross. From the literary context it becomes clear that the central discipleship section in Mark 8:27-10:52 forms a structural unit in the Gospel of Mark. Christology and discipleship are central themes in Mark 8:27- 10:52. These two themes are directly related to the implication of the ? of Jesus in word- and deed proclamation in the Gospel of Mark?" The literary context also shows that the Gospel of Mark is a dramatic, apocalyptic, eschatologic narrative that is also a biography. As a biography of Jesus, the Gospel of Mark focuses on Jesus as Subject who serves, but also on his disciples who must deny themselves and serve God. The specific question posed in Chapter 4 is the following: "What is the relevance of the revelation-historic context of the "Son of man" enunciations in Mark 8:27-10:52 for the implication of the ? of Jesus in word and deed proclamation in the Gospel of Mark? In Chapter 4 it is shown that the "Son of man" enunciations should be understood within the revelation-historical relation between the Old and the New Testament. Jesus proclaims Himself, amongst other titles in the Gospel of Mark as the Son of man. The Son of man is a glorious and kingly figure (cf Dan 7:13 & 14), .but also a humble figure who suffers (cf Isaiah Jes 40-55; Sagaria; the Psalms). It is further more important to realize that there is a relationship between the Messiah and His servants in the Old Testament and the Son of man and his followers in the Gospel of Mark. The specific question, posed in Chapter 5 is the following: "What is the implication of the ? of Jesus in word and deed proclamation in the Gospel of Mark?" It is shown from Mark 8:27-9:1 that the ? of Jesus has redemptive, discipleship, as well as judgemental implication. Following Jesus means to serve Him as believer and saved person. Following Jesus is to serve Jesus and God with the same attitude as Jesus served His Father and people. It is shown from Mark 9:30-37 that humble and loving service is necessary between leaders and all followers. This service should be specifically aimed at the least ones in the community of faith. Humble service towards one another and the least ones is not degraded. It is extremely important work because it is at the same time service towards Jesus and God. At the feet of the least in church and society we receive the most humble Servant and our Supreme God, the most important of all. It is shown from Mark 10:32-45 that selfish behaviour and pride among leaders must be replaced with a humble attitude and submission to God, fellow believers and fellow man." This discipleship has its origin in the reconciliatory work of Jesus. It is shown from Mark 10:46-52 that Jesus sent people to the outsiders and sufferers along the road to call them to Him. His aim is to save them that they may join and serve Him and others. In Chapter 6 this study reaches its conclusion. God had according to the Gospel of Mark a specific purpose with the ? of Jesus in word and deed proclamation. Through His word proclamation Jesus reveals the will of His Father who sent Him to earth. This message of the Kingdom of God is a message of hope. Through His deed proclamation Jesus brings salvation to many people. The life of Jesus was a life of humble, sacrificing and loving service. His service makes their service possible. He calls all His followers to serve God until! He comes again. Every believer is a follower of Jesus and part of the missionary church as fishers of men. Each believer is sent out in the world with the sacrificing love of Jesus to serve God, fellow believers, his fellow man especially the least ones and those who suffer. Leaders and followers should live according to the same principle: Follow Jesus by serving God and your fellow man. Every follower is a servant not only at the feet of the least ones and those who suffer, but also at the feet of the greatest Servant and our Supreme God. / Thesis (Ph.D. (New Testament))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010

The Gospel According to Thomas is found in the second manuscript of codex II of a set of texts found in Nag Hammadi, Egypt, collectively referred to today as the Coptic Gnostic Library. This gospel was readily identified as Thomas due to fragments of a Greek version of the text having already been discovered and identified in the 1890s at Oxyrhynchus, Egypt. However, the discovery near Nag Hammadi in 1945 C.E. was not of fragments, but it actually contained the entire text of Thomas. Thus, the finding of the entire text in Nag Hammadi brought about a set of questions that had not yet surfaced from the fragments of Thomas previously found at Oxyrhynchus, Egypt. For example, was Thomas actually written by Didymus Jude Thomas? If Thomas did not write it, then by whom was it written, and why did the actual author claim it to be written by Thomas?

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo comparar a teologia do evangelho de Marcos com a neopentecostal. Enquanto a teologia marcana é interpretada como antitriunfalista, conduzindo as comunidades a perceberem o Cristo da cruz, o movimento neopentecostal faz o caminho oposto. Sua ênfase é o caminho triunfalista/sem cruz. Num primeiro momento, será abordado o ambiente das primeiras comunidades cristãs, que surgiram após a paixão, morte e ressurreição de Jesus. Posteriormente, serão apresentadas algumas considerações sobre a intenção do evangelista Marcos ao escrever seu evangelho. Por fim, será tratado ainda o tipo de enfoque bíblico-doutrinário do movimento neopentecostal. Já os principais resultados da pesquisa foram: a) incompatibilidade entre a ideologia neopentecostal com a abordagem teológica do evangelho de Marcos; e b) a perspectiva/ideologia triunfalista não é inerente apenas ao movimento neopentecostal. Já na época em que Marcos escreveu seu evangelho, a comunidade para quem ele destina sua obra também adotou essa postura triunfante sobre a figura de Jesus. / This dissertation compares the theology of the Gospel of Mark with that of the neopentecostal movement. While Markan theology is interpreted as antitriumphalist, leading faith communities to recognize the Christ of the cross, the neopentecostal movement takes the opposite path. Its emphasis is on triumph, the way without the cross. I begin by considering the environment of the first Christian communities that arose after Jesus passion, death, and resurrection. I then present several reflections on the intention of the evangelist Mark when he wrote his Gospel. Finally, I deal with the particular biblico-doctrinal focus of the neopentecostal movement. The main findings of this research were: a) there is a fundamental incompatibility between the neopentecostal ideology and the theological approach of the Gospel of Mark; and b) the triumphalist perspective/ideology is not inherent only to the neopentecostal movement. Even at the time when Mark was writing his Gospel, the faith community for which he intended his work had also adopted a triumphalist view of the figure of Jesus.

This research has the objective to explore the concept of faith in the Gospel of Mark. An exegetical investigation of the faith terminology (pist-word group) in the Gospel is required for that. An analysis of the model passages with occurrences of the motword group shows the variety of possible connotations of the term. The most paradigmatic of them are in the sense of trust in God [which means to be open towards the highest reality]. Comparison of the results of the analysis with the concept of faith in the Old Testament, Classical Greek, and Hellenistic Greek is helpful to understand the etymology of the Markan use of the pist-word group and to make clear the conceptual meaning of faith in the Gospel which is closer to the Old Testament idea of an active commitment to God expressed in a continuous existence in the presence of Him. / New Testament / M. Th. (New Testament)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T12:19:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Regina Cardoso.pdf: 1785744 bytes, checksum: e238c246422fe179f1c279977e8620f4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-04-13 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The ancient thought had interpreted all harmful events or personal and psychological illnesses as satanic influence. Regarding this background the purpose of this work is to analyze the imagery of Markan community concerning the demonic and how this reading would have impacted the lives of people in that context. In order to carry this out we shall seek to identify, in the passage of Mark 3.20-35, demonic mechanisms of that society and how this imaginary was reflected in the community quotidian. In addition we shall verify the reason why the practices of Jesus involving exorcism caused such a disconfort, leading to his identification as a demon. We regard as necessary to evaluate the thaumaturgical activity of Jesus and its representativeness at the time, as well as the social effect it produced and its reception by Markan community. / O pensamento antigo interpretava todas as manifestações danosas ou enfermidades pessoais e psíquicas como influência satânica. Considerando esse pano de fundo, a proposta deste trabalho é analisar o imaginário da comunidade marcana em relação ao demoníaco e como esse tipo de leitura impactava a vida das pessoas naquela conjuntura. Para tanto, buscaremos identificar na perícope de Mc 3,20-35 os mecanismos demoníacos daquela sociedade e como esse imaginário se refletia no cotidiano da comunidade. Além disso, verificaremos por que as práticas de Jesus envolvendo o exorcismo incomodavam, levando à sua identificação como demônio. Entendemos ser necessário avaliar a atividade taumatúrgica de Jesus e a representatividade que ela tinha em seu contexto, bem como o efeito social que produzia e a sua recepção pela comunidade marcana

This project exhaustively examines the first element (theme) of each clause in Mark and in samples from other roughly contemporaneous Jewish writings. The comparative documents are divided into two categories, referential and non-referential narratives. Then statistical analyses ( 2 and t-test) are used to determine with which category of comparative documents Mark more closely aligns. The raw results of these hypothesis tests were equivocal, but their corresponding effect sizes (Cramer's V and Cohen's d, respectively) clearly demonstrate that Mark more closely resembles referential narrative, although the difference is small.

Jesus as portrayed in the Gospel of Mark is someone who would resonate with readers of Harry Potter because of his words and acts of resistance and justice. However, for many of them there are obstacles to even reading the Markan Gospel. Some of them are unfavourable perceptions of Christianity and the Bible. Others are merely uninterested or are unfamiliar with what the Markan story really is. The purpose of this study is to explore how Mark can be read using a popular culture reading lens, like the Harry Potter literature, to expand the horizons of the Harry Potter audience. An examination of the social and historical background will provide a first-century context of resistance to oppression. Using the Harry Potter lens, I will juxtapose that text with the Gospel of Mark as a whole to show that there is a pattern of resistance enacted by Jesus throughout. I will then carry out an exegetical analysis of Mark 10:32 45, again juxtaposing it with the Harry Potter text. The intertextual connections drawn from this analysis will be considered in terms of how they can impact the Harry Potter audience and provide them with new horizons. This project will therefore be given a reading strategy to help them read Mark 10:32 45 through the lens of the Harry Potter novels. This lens allows the reader to both transform and be transformed by the Markan text and will highlight how Jesus acts to resist and subvert the role of tyrannical rule in the lives of his followers, much like the resistance and subversion seen in the story of Harry Potter.

The purpose of this master's thesis is to explore how priests interpret the parables in the fourth chapter of the Gospel of Mark using a hermeneutic qualitative approach and semi-structured interviews. The aim is to shed light on a selected group of priests in their roles within the context of the Church of Sweden, where interpretation is a part of their work, primarily focusing on the parables in the fourth chapter of Mark's Gospel and how this is done in interpretation, both in encounters with individuals and in preaching. An inductive approach has influenced the study, which also permeates the qualitative method with a focus on creating understanding to gain knowledge about the nature of these various phenomena among four priests. Generalization is not possible due to the small number of informants for making overall generalizations. Nor is it what has been sought. The aim of qualitative research is to gain a deeper understanding of a phenomenon and to illuminate how individuals experience it in their context. The study aims to understand how a specifically selected group of individuals, namely priests who have worked for an extended period within the Swedish Church, interpret the parables in Gospel of Mark.