Sign-In
Cart
The Phantom Messiah
Hardcover
Please select the version of book you would like to purchase.
ISBN10: 0567025810
ISBN13: 9780567025814
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: Dec 15 2006
Pages: 272
Weight: 1.16
Height: 0.63 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
ISBN13: 9780567025814
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: Dec 15 2006
Pages: 272
Weight: 1.16
Height: 0.63 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
[W]hen they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost (phantasma), and cried out; for they all saw him, and were terrified (Mark 6:49, RSV)
Thereis a growing awareness among biblical scholars and others of the
potential value of modern and postmodern fantasy theory for the study
of biblical texts. Following
theorists such as Roland Barthes, Tzvetan Todorov, and Gilles Deleuze
(among others), we understand the fantastic as the deconstruction of
literary realism. The fantastic arises from the text's resistance to
understanding; the meaning of the fantastic text is not its reference
to the primary world of consensus reality but rather a fundamental
undecidability of reference. The fantastic is also a point at which
ancient and contemporary texts (including books, movies, and TV shows)
resonate with one another, sometimes in surprising ways, and this
resonance plays a large part in my argument. Mark and its afterlives
translate one another, in the sense that Walter Benjamin speaks of
the tangential point at which the original text and its translation
touch one another, not a transfer of understood meaning but rather a
point at which what Benjamin called pure language becomes apparent.
Mark has always
been the most difficult of the canonical gospels, the one that
requires the greatest amount of hermeneutical gymnastics from its
commentators. Its beginning in media res, its disconcerting
ending at 16:8, its multiple endings, the messianic secret, Jesus's
tensions with his disciples and family - these are just some of the
more obvious of the and many troublesome features that distinguish Mark
from the other biblical gospels. If there had not been two other
gospels (Matthew and Luke) that were clearly similar to Mark but also
much more attractive to Christian belief, it seems likely that Mark,
like the gospels of Thomas and Peter, would not have been accepted into
the canon. Reading Mark as fantasy does not solve any of these
problems, but it does place them in a very different context, one in
which they are no longer problems, but in which there are different
problems. A fantastical reading of the gospel of
Mark is not the only correct understanding of this text, but rather one
possibility that may have considerable appeal and value in the
contemporary world. This fantastic
reading is a reading from the outside, inspired by the parable
theory of Isaiah 6:9-10 and Mark 4:11-12: for those outside
everything is in parables; so that they may indeed see but not
perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand. Reading
from the outside counters a widespread belief that only those within
the faith community can properly understand the scriptures. It is the
stupid reading of those who do not share institutionalized
understandings passed down through catechisms and creeds, i.e., through
the dominant ideology of the churches.
theorists such as Roland Barthes, Tzvetan Todorov, and Gilles Deleuze
(among others), we understand the fantastic as the deconstruction of
literary realism. The fantastic arises from the text's resistance to
understanding; the meaning of the fantastic text is not its reference
to the primary world of consensus reality but rather a fundamental
undecidability of reference. The fantastic is also a point at which
ancient and contemporary texts (including books, movies, and TV shows)
resonate with one another, sometimes in surprising ways, and this
resonance plays a large part in my argument. Mark and its afterlives
translate one another, in the sense that Walter Benjamin speaks of
the tangential point at which the original text and its translation
touch one another, not a transfer of understood meaning but rather a
point at which what Benjamin called pure language becomes apparent.
Mark has always
been the most difficult of the canonical gospels, the one that
requires the greatest amount of hermeneutical gymnastics from its
commentators. Its beginning in media res, its disconcerting
ending at 16:8, its multiple endings, the messianic secret, Jesus's
tensions with his disciples and family - these are just some of the
more obvious of the and many troublesome features that distinguish Mark
from the other biblical gospels. If there had not been two other
gospels (Matthew and Luke) that were clearly similar to Mark but also
much more attractive to Christian belief, it seems likely that Mark,
like the gospels of Thomas and Peter, would not have been accepted into
the canon. Reading Mark as fantasy does not solve any of these
problems, but it does place them in a very different context, one in
which they are no longer problems, but in which there are different
problems. A fantastical reading of the gospel of
Mark is not the only correct understanding of this text, but rather one
possibility that may have considerable appeal and value in the
contemporary world. This fantastic
reading is a reading from the outside, inspired by the parable
theory of Isaiah 6:9-10 and Mark 4:11-12: for those outside
everything is in parables; so that they may indeed see but not
perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand. Reading
from the outside counters a widespread belief that only those within
the faith community can properly understand the scriptures. It is the
stupid reading of those who do not share institutionalized
understandings passed down through catechisms and creeds, i.e., through
the dominant ideology of the churches.
Also in
Bible Studies
The Early Versions of the New Testament: Their Origin, Transmission, and Limitations
Metzger, Bruce M.
Hardcover
$311.75
The Apostle and the Empire: Paul's Implicit and Explicit Criticism of Rome
Heilig, Christoph
Hardcover
$28.49
The Kabbalistic Mirror of Genesis: Commentary on the First Three Chapters
Smith, David Chaim
Paperback
$18.95
Praying the Names of God for 52 Weeks, Expanded Edition: A Year-Long Bible Study
Spangler, Ann
Paperback
$20.89
Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
$18.99
The King Is Coming Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: It's Time to Prepare for the Return of Christ
Bevere, John
Paperback
$21.84
Becoming Like Jesus Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: A Bible Study on the Beatitudes
Chandler, Matt
Paperback
$21.84
Where to Find It in the Bible: The Ultimate Resource for Quick-And-Easy Biblical Reference
Anderson, Ken
Paperback
$18.99
Experiencing the Heart of Jesus for 52 Weeks Revised and Updated: A Year-Long Bible Study
Lucado, Max
Paperback
$23.74
The Jesus Discoveries: 10 Historic Finds That Bring Us Face-To-Face with Jesus
Johnston, Jeremiah J.
Paperback
$17.09
Every Thought Captive Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: How Renewing Your Mind Can Change Your Life
Idleman, Kyle
Paperback
$20.89
The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion: With Selected Prayers from the Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska
Michalenko, Seraphim
Paperback
$6.64
The Meaning of Marriage Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video, Updated Edition: A Vision for Married and Single People
Keller, Timothy
Keller, Kathy
Paperback
$18.99
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Large Print Edition: Discovering God's Love for You (Large Print Edition)
Keller, W. Phillip
Paperback
$14.99
The Women of the Bible Speak Workbook: The Wisdom of 16 Women and Their Lessons for Today
Bream, Shannon
Paperback
$20.89
Revelation: An Insightful Chapter-by-Chapter Journey Through the Book of Revelation
Dewaard, Erica
Paperback
$18.75
Twelve Ordinary Men Workbook, Revised and Updated: How Jesus Shaped His Disciples for Greatness and What He Wants to Do with You
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
$20.89
Revelation: An Insightful Chapter-by-Chapter Journey Through the Book of Revelation
Dewaard, Erica
Hardcover
$27.50
Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter: Expanded Second Edition
Freeman, Lindsay Hardin
Paperback
$23.75
Parables Workbook: The Mysteries of God's Kingdom Revealed Through the Stories Jesus Told
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
$20.89
Making Your Case for Christ Bible Study Guide: An Action Plan for Sharing What You Believe and Why
Strobel, Lee
Mittelberg, Mark
Paperback
$14.99
Catholic Book of Prayers: Popular Catholic Prayers Arranged for Everyday Use (Large Print Edition)
Fitzgerald, Maurus
Paperback
$12.30
The Complete Orthodox Ethiopian Bible in English: A Comprehensive Collection of Scriptures and Apocrypha Including the Book of Enoch, Ezras, Jubilees,
Press, Covenant Sacred
Hardcover
$58.74
Liturgies for Resisting Empire: Seeking Community, Belonging, and Peace in a Dehumanizing World
Armas, Kat
Paperback
$18.99
Nothing Is Impossible with God: Eleven Heroes. One God. Endless Lessons in Overcoming.
Bream, Shannon
Hardcover
$30.40
The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: Philippians: Even When Things Go Wrong, You Can Have Joy
Wiersbe, Warren W.
Paperback
$12.34
The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
Strobel, Lee
Paperback
$18.99
The Beginner's Bible Study Guide: An Introduction to All 66 Books of the Bible
Trimble, Cameron
Paperback
$12.34
Brain Games - Large Print Bible Word Search: The Words of Jesus
Brain Games
Publications International Ltd
Paperback
$12.98
Evidence That Demands a Verdict Bible Study Guide: Jesus and the Gospels
McDowell, Sean
McDowell, Josh
Paperback
$16.14
The Complete Ethiopian Bible in English: The 88 Books Canon Including The Book of Enoch, Jubilees, Meqabyan, Ancient Biblical Apocrypha and More Ortho
Various Ancient Authors
Hardcover
$66.49
The Westminster Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition with the Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal Books
John Knox Press, Westminster
Hardcover
$52.25
No More Boring Bible Study: Why Taking Scripture Seriously Is Easier and More Exciting Than You Think
Womack, Faith
Paperback
$18.99
Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs: How the People of the Bible Really Lived
Vos, Howard
Paperback
$39.99
30 Life Principles Bible Study: An Action Plan for Living the Principles Each Day
Stanley, Charles F.
Paperback
$18.99
The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible
Cobble, Tara-Leigh
Hardcover
$31.34
Considering Sparrows: What Birds Teach Us about Who We Are, Where We're Going, and the Joy of Following Jesus
Burrell, Kevin
Hardcover
$20.90
El Poder de la Kabbalah: 13 principios para superar los desafíos y alcanzar la realización
Berg, Rav
Paperback
$16.10
My Utmost for His Highest: Updated Language Paperback (a Daily Devotional with 366 Bible-Based Readings)
Chambers, Oswald
Paperback
$9.49
The Book of Signs Bible Study Guide: 31 Undeniable Prophecies of the Apocalypse
Jeremiah, David
Paperback
$20.89
Brain Games - Bible Crossword Puzzles: Prayers, Parables & Prophets - Large Print
Brain Games
Publications International Ltd
Paperback
From $10.99
God, AI and the End of History: Understanding the Book of Revelation in an Age of Intelligent Machines
Lennox, John C.
Hardcover
$39.90
Parables: The Mysteries of God's Kingdom Revealed Through the Stories Jesus Told
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
$18.99
The Bible Says So: What We Get Right (and Wrong) about Scripture's Most Controversial Issues
McClellan, Dan
Hardcover
$28.50
Grace Bible Study Participant's Guide: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine
Lucado, Max
Paperback
$14.99
Resilient Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times
Eldredge, John
Paperback
$20.89
The Promise of Heaven Bible Study Guide: Why You Can Get Excited about Your Eternal Home
Jeremiah, David
Paperback
$16.14
Morning and Evening - Matt Black: Daily Readings by C. H. Spurgeon
Spurgeon, Charles Haddon
Hardcover
$21.84
The Daily 5-Minute Bible Study for Women: 365 Focused, Encouraging Readings
Compiled by Barbour Staff
Paperback
$18.99
Reversing Hermon: Enoch, the Watchers, and the Forgotten Mission of Jesus Christ
Heiser, Michael S.
Paperback
$18.95
The Last Book: What You Need to Know About Revelation, the Rapture, and the End Times
Kaddis, James
Hardcover
$41.24
Believing Jesus: Are You Willing to Risk Everything? a Journey Through the Book of Acts
Harper, Lisa
Paperback
$19.99
When God's People Pray Bible Study Participant's Guide: Six Sessions on the Transforming Power of Prayer
Cymbala, Jim
Paperback
$14.99
Talks to Farmers: Inspiring, Uplifting, Faith-Building Meditations (a Collection of Charles Spurgeon's Best-Known Sermons)
Spurgeon, Charles H.
Paperback
$18.99