The Bible as a Historical Document

The Bible as a Historical Document

MARK'S THEOLOGY REFLECTED IN WRITING

Mark and the other evangelists used basically five ways to change,

edit or enhance Jesus' sayings to reflect their own views of Christianity.

According to the Five Gospels Book, plagiarism and changing of writing was

not a crime, but actually very common Mark's time. Besides, Mark never

knew Jesus first-hand, he somehow had to make a 'story' from basically

Hearsay!

Mark groups different parables and sayings of Jesus by topic;

making a false impression that these things happened in order. This may

have little effect on changing the meaning of the lesson, however it

illustrates the fact that Mark was trying to author a "readable" story for

people, rather than a book of facts. The best example would be in Mark

10:17-31 (Jesus Counsel to the Rich) & (Parable of The Camel and the Eye

of a Needle). It is doubtful that these things happened at the same time;

however, they are GREY in The Five Gospels anyway ... and probably didn't

happen as Mark describes. This brings us to Mark's writing style.

Mark seems to "tack-on" sentences to Jesus' teachings to make them

more "Christian." This really changes the meaning more than any other

tactic! Who knows what Mark may have edited-out to accomplish what he

wanted to impress upon his readers? In this, he tries to interpret the

meaning of Jesus' actions ... and does this in a misleading way. For

example: Mark 2:19, Jesus regarding Fasting. Jesus makes a strong

statement against importance to fasting, but Mark (in 2:20) tags on:

"But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away

from them, and they will fast in those days."

This blatantly shows that Mark held higher regard for the Old

Traditions of Fasting rather than Jesus' new teachings! This is also an

example of "Christianizing Jesus" according to traditions that have

already earned respect from Jews in their tradition. (Wow, this is

starting to sound like a fight between Today's Political Parties, isn't

it? [Jesus = Liberal Politics / Judaism = Conservative Politics]).

Finally, Mark likes to "soften the blow" of Jesus' Hard sayings.

He does this for probably the same reason Paul preached that Circumcision

was not required for Christians.