sermon: Mark: Stupid, Unbelieving Disciples
God Calls the Weak and Foolish
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Given 14-May-11; Sermon #1047; 80 minutes
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Richard Ritenbaugh, acknowledging that we have always assumed the hermeneutic principle that the Bible interprets the Bible and that everything should harmonize or blend (even though the accounts may contain totally different information), suggests that we use amalgamation and blending to form a composite whole. The Gospel of Mark (one of the Synoptic Gospels) has some characteristics which distinguish it from the others. Scholars believe that Mark was the first gospel which the other gospel writers lifted from and added things to, focusing on different audiences and different purposes. The text of Mark is the shortest of all the gospels, with the emphasis on action more than narrative or long discourses of the others. Mark is the spine for the other synoptic gospels. The apostle Peter had a kind of paternal relationship with Mark, who perhaps had knowledge of Aramaic, Greek, Hebrew, and Latin. Papius writes that Mark served as Peter’s interpreter. Clement of Alexandria states that the early church commissioned Mark to provide a permanent record before memories would grow dim. Mark as the spokesman for Peter, wrote bluntly and forcefully, addressing a Gentile audience, providing them with a primer for new Christians who had rudimentary or no knowledge of Jesus Christ, completed probably before the Council of Jerusalem. Mark describes the miraculous transformation of crude ‘unwashed’ disciples (who nevertheless responded enthusiastically) to develop (under Christ’s meticulous tutelage) into mature converted teachers and fishers of men. Mark emphasizes that Jesus hand-picked 12 individuals from the marginally accepted groups of society, those who had a felt need for Jesus, an aggregate who would become a brand new family, united by righteous action. Mark demonstrated Jesus’ exasperation and frustration with His disciples for their slow comprehension and their rudimentary development of faith and spirituality. Nevertheless, at the conclusion of this gospel, they are ready for marching orders.
Topics: (show)
Acts1-2; 12:11-12 Agape Alacrity Alexander Alpheus Andrew Babylon Birth of Christ Blood and status Calling sinners to repentance Clement of Alexandria Feeding of five thousand I Corinthians 1:26 I Peter 5:12 Follow me Genesthai Greek Harmony of the Gospels Hearts were hardened (stupefied, blinded) Internal narrative James 1:9; 2:5 John Mark Hardness of heart Here a little; there a little Latin Leaven of the Pharisees Mark 2:13-17; 3:1-35; 6:45-46; 8:13-14; 14:13, 51-52; 15:16; 16:14 Markonspine Mark (my son) John 6:44 Mark’s relationship with Peter Martyrdom Matthew Nativity of Christ Permanent record Peter Papius Parable of the Sower Preaching to posterity Roman congregation Romans 16:13 Rufus Sayings of Christ Silas Silvanus Simon Peter Synoptic Gospels Stupidity Tax collector Topical themes Trusting memory Upper room Vessels of clay
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