Slave of All ― The Paradox of Authority and Servanthood in the Gospel of Mark

The Gospel is considered paradoxical in general, and Santos contends that its paradoxical and puzzling character is most clearly visible in the christological motif of authority and the discipleship motif of servanthood. After developing a literary method to study paradox, he applies that to the two areas in Mark to discuss the key contributions of the paradox to the Gospel's three issues of the disciple's role in the Gospel, the Messianic Secret, and a profile of the Markan community. He focuses on the passages 1.1-82, 8.22-52, and 11.1-16. The study is updated and revised from his May 1994 doctoral dissertation for the Dallas Theological Seminary. There is no subject index. Annotation c2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Narry Santos is New Testament Professor at the International School of Theology-Asia and Resident Pastor of Greenhills Christian Fellowship South Metro, Philippines.