{"title":"Dennis R. MacDonald","description":"\u003cp\u003eDennis R. MacDonald explores the intersections of ancient literature and early Christian texts, offering readers thought-provoking analyses within the field of \u003cem\u003eReligion \u0026amp; Spirituality\u003c\/em\u003e. His works delve deeply into the ways classical epics, such as those by Homer, have influenced the narratives found in the Gospels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith a scholarly approach that challenges conventional interpretations, MacDonald’s books invite readers to consider the cultural and literary contexts behind biblical stories. His studies illuminate the rich dialogue between myth, history, and faith, appealing to those interested in theology and literary criticism alike.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-homeric-epics-and-the-gospel-of-mark-by-dennis-r-macdonald-9780300172614","title":"The Homeric Epics and the Gospel of Mark","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this groundbreaking book, Dennis R. MacDonald offers an entirely new view of the New Testament gospel of Mark. The author of the earliest gospel was not writing history, nor was he merely recording tradition, MacDonald argues. Close reading and careful analysis show that Mark borrowed extensively from the \u003ci\u003eOdyssey\u003c\/i\u003e and the \u003ci\u003eIliad\u003c\/i\u003e and that he wanted his readers to recognize the Homeric antecedents in Mark's story of Jesus. Mark was composing a prose anti-epic, MacDonald says, presenting Jesus as a suffering hero modelled after but far superior to traditional Greek heroes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMuch like Odysseus, Mark's Jesus sails the seas with uncomprehending companions, encounters preternatural opponents, and suffers many things before confronting rivals who have made his house a den of thieves. In his death and burial, Jesus emulates Hector, although unlike Hector Jesus leaves his tomb empty. Mark's minor characters, too, recall Homeric predecessors: Bartimaeus emulates Tiresias; Joseph of Arimathea, Priam; and the women at the tomb, Helen, Hecuba, and Andromache. Entire episodes in Mark mirror Homeric episodes, including stilling the sea, walking on water, feeding the multitudes, the Triumphal Entry, and Gethsemane.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book concludes with a discussion of the profound significance of this new reading of Mark for understanding the gospels and early Christianity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47464357003500,"sku":"9780300172614","price":59.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780300172614-the-homeric-epics-and-the-gospel-of-mark.jpg?v=1775048059"},{"product_id":"mythologizing-jesus-by-dennis-r-macdonald-9780742558915","title":"Mythologizing Jesus","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur culture is well-populated with superheroes: Superman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, and more. Superheroes are not a modern invention; in fact, they are prehistoric. The gods and goddesses of the Greeks, for example, walked on water, flew, visited the land of the dead, and lived forever.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAncient Christians told similar stories about Jesus, their primary superhero—he possessed incredible powers of healing, walked on water, rose from the dead, and more. Dennis R. MacDonald shows how the stories told in the Gospels parallel many in Greek and Roman epics with the aim of compelling their readers into life-changing decisions to follow Jesus. MacDonald doesn’t call into question the existence of Jesus but rather asks readers to examine the biblical stories about him through a new, mythological lens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMythologizing Jesus\u003c\/em\u003e invites readers to explore this perspective, focusing on the mythical elements within the biblical narratives and their cultural significance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Bloomsbury Publishing PTY Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47597289079020,"sku":"9780742558915","price":121.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/f246d67c2cc617bb6a609fcf9dbb1565.jpg?v=1777954426"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/dennis-r-macdonald.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}