This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Sankey, P.J. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Promise and Fulfilment: Reader-Response To Mark 1.1-15

11 Osborne Road, Southville, Bristol BS3 1PR

This study considers how the dynamic of promise and fulfilment affects the reader's response to Mk 1.1-15. The opening of Mark's Gospel makes a number of statements bearing on the future which stimulate contrasting expectations of judgment and salvation. These expectations influence the reader's understanding of the text but are at the same time constantly under review. First, expectations are constantly subject to change, being reinforced, modified or undermined. Secondly, fulfilment is never quite as expected. In particular, Jesus' coming is anti-climatic and enigmatic. The result is a tendency to reinterpret past expectations. Thirdly, fulfilment is ultimately deferred to the future, casting the reader's mind ever forward. The effect is a highly creative tension which engages readers, forcing them to assume an active role in interpreting and participating in the mysterious presence of God's reign.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?