[What is this?]

This is a project for a Biblical Interpretation class, a communication event built around Mark 1:1-8. I imagine a pair of Galileeans on their way to get baptized by John. The story is told in a narrative form that interacts directly with the audience (because it's in first-person) because the Gospel of Mark was written, many scholars say, to be read aloud and evoke audience response.

The form makes special use of the blog medium in its comments feature, which allows for sharing in a youth or small group setting. Each entry is based on one or two verses from the Mark selection and is accompanied by a question which readers can choose to answer in the comments section. It might normally involve a new post each week of the group's meeting so people can comment over time and. This sort of interaction is designed to supplement, not replace, actual small group meetings.

The characters are Jewish and interpret the events from a Jewish perspective without the benefit of Mark's narration to the audience in verses like 1:1 (which states the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ). Some scholars say this ignores a key element of the Markan Gospel, the first fifteen verses of prologue which give the reader/audience priveleged information. Other scholars, however, hypothesize that due to the clumsy nature of Mark 1:1 that it was a verse added to the beginning of a manuscript whose true beginning has been broken off and lost in time. Whatever priveleged information the characters of Zeke and Leah have, I think the medium and plot advancement will encourage the reader to imagine herself in the Markan story, which most scholars agree is the literary strength of the Markan gospel.

As conveyed by the title of the Blog, the background imagery, and the title banner, the theme of baptism is important throughout this project. This is because verses 1-8 are focused on John and his physical and spiritual act of baptism, and on Jesus and his Holy Spirit baptism. The stage imagery is meant to evoke cleansing, being washed, and fluidity. Again, this is something that makes the Markan gospel unique--in Luke and Matthew John says Christ's baptism will be of the Spirit and fire. Mark's John sticks with liquid words.

Ideally, this blog should be read from the bottom up.

posted by Jerad @ 12:50 PM Comments: 0