Christian Beginnings, Friday 4/12/02
~Comparison of the books of Mark and John~
Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the synoptic gospels ~ meaning same seeing, view (share material).

MARK:
* Jesus teaches in parables
- Mark 4:11 (purpose).
- Keep outsiders/enemies, casual listeners in the dark.
- Fulfill prophecy in Isaiah.
- To convey truth to the spiritually open.
- To keep His ministry from ending too soon.

*Messianic Secret
- Jesus doesn't openly proclaim that He is the Christ (Messiah) or Son of God in His ministry (tells people to be quiet about it).
- Liberals say: The sign Jesus didn't claim these things-they were late beliefs of Church.
- Conservatives say: Jesus keeps His identity a secret for the same reasons He taught in parables-to avoid His ministry coming to an end prematurely
-Crowd control

* Emphasis on Jesus' deeds: Healing, exorcism.

*Primary theme: The Kingdom of God
-The church on earth (i.e. His followers, His family of believers). (Mention of mustard seed parable).
- The Kingdom come ~ after judgement of the World.

*Low Christology

*Strong Escatology ~ meaning doctrine of "last things."
- End of World immanent
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JOHN:
*Jesus teaches openly about His ministry, including His identity (no messianic secret).

*Centers around Jesus' last days in Jerusalem.

*Emphasis on teaching.
- Long metaphysical discourses on the nature of Jesus and His relationship to the Father.

*Primary Theme: Eternal life through faith in Jesus.

*High Christology

*Weak Escatology
- End of World in indefinite future.
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Questions were brought up about who really wrote the gospels?