tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689838439428844486.post7997325803103188003..comments2024-03-15T20:15:34.428+13:00Comments on ξενος: A Preexistent Christ in Mark?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689838439428844486.post-33503765680882689262017-05-08T11:55:43.266+12:002017-05-08T11:55:43.266+12:00Thanks James, interesting thoughts! You're cer...Thanks James, interesting thoughts! You're certainly right that if son-of-God is meant purely as a royal term that could comfortably have a multi-staged aspect to it. <br /><br />However, Mark's narrative would seem to contradict that as Jesus' coronation is also the place of his desertion by God, he is least "son" (why have you forsaken me?) when he is most "king of the Jews". If only we had Mark's last chapter to see where he was going with it all! ;-)Jonathan Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18295840754661890186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689838439428844486.post-48353362436029057372017-05-05T02:35:11.234+12:002017-05-05T02:35:11.234+12:00Son of God is an important term in Mark, but I was...Son of God is an important term in Mark, but I was of course using what seems to be a pre-Pauline phrase embedded in Romans, which is definitely earlier than Mark. <br /><br />I think that "son of God," especially if understood royally, can have the same multi-staged aspect that kingship has. At what point did David become king? When God chose him? When Samuel anointed him? When he actually took the throne and ruled over all Israel after the death of Saul? <br /><br />It would indeed be interesting to explore a radical Protestant "Jesus was elected by grace and not because of works" Christology and see what happens to our understanding of Jesus in the Gospels, and then also in turn of Paul's letters! :-) James F. McGrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02561146722461747647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689838439428844486.post-11323889667745027342017-05-04T15:43:14.192+12:002017-05-04T15:43:14.192+12:00Hi James, thanks. I must admit I enjoyed the quote...Hi James, thanks. I must admit I enjoyed the quote because it was so surprising and unexpected! I don't think it is convincing, but it does point out some pertinent textual features that are worth a second look.<br /><br />"Son of God with power" isn't a Markan term though is it? In Mark Jesus is the son of God at least from the baptism, if not before. His exaltation to power and glory is as the son of man 13:26, 14:62. Would be an interesting study to juxtapose that with Rom 1 and Acts 7:56, etc.<br /><br />Does anyone advocate for "Unmerited election" in print? I'd love to follow that one up. :-)Jonathan Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18295840754661890186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689838439428844486.post-12118062368075760682017-05-03T19:05:40.795+12:002017-05-03T19:05:40.795+12:00Why would "preexistence" be the best con...Why would "preexistence" be the best conclusion to draw based on this narrative logic, rather than "unmerited election"?<br /><br />But arguably the still more natural option to consider is that Jesus' exaltation to the status of "son of God with power" is granted based on his obedience unto death. It has been argued that adoptionism based on the baptism is already part of the process of shifting Jesus' exalted status earlier than his exaltation to sit at the right hand of God. Then again, it would be wrong to drive a wedge between "chosen king" and "enthroned and crowned king."James F. McGrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02561146722461747647noreply@blogger.com