This Seminar on Markan Literary Sources will explore Mark’s literary dependence on extant literature, especially Jewish, Christian, and Greco-Roman—a topic that has long been neglected. The method will include awareness of: (a) ancient methods of reshaping texts; (b) recently-developed criteria for judging literary dependence.
For those who have followed my blog – and to Robert who constantly has to hear about mimesis – you can see why I would love this section.
Anyway, as I am preparing my paper, I am discussing five scholars and their take on Mark 5.1-20. While Dr. Adam Winn doesn’t necessarily discuss Mark 5.1-20 (he does somewhat, just not like the others), his second work, pictured above (could you do me two favors? 1.) Order the book and 2.) request it on Kindle), provides me with something to set my mind at ease. After noting the problem with source and redactional critics and their use of strict criteria, Winn notes that this criteria for literary dependence “need(s) to be significantly revised in light of ancient writing practices – in particular the practice of mimesis or imitatio.” He notes that the lack of “strong verbal agreement and specific similarity in detail” are not the only criteria for a literary dependence. Other sources, in concludes, should be considered.
Okay, so that’s how far I’ve got into this book… but it is enough to convince me that my thesis is allowable. Woot.
Did the Jews create Gnosticism?
Adam and I were both at Fuller. He finished a few years before I did, but we were in at least one seminar together. He is a really great guy!
I love his take on Mark. His second book is a great one and I hipe that he continues forward with it. My thesis – and my SBL paper – is sorta built on his work.