We don't know the intent of whoever the author of "mark" was. This fellow is suggesting a fictitious tale on the order of the Homeric epics but the obvious difference is that Odysseus does not get his sorry ass nailed to a cross. Bad form for a hero.
Doherty looks upon it as Midrashic.
"Mark" may have been trying to tell a story and it is not his fault that later readers took him seriously.
Ehrman, of course, sees this stuff as hopelessly compromised by scribal miscues and deliberate edits for later doctrinal purposes.
We'll see how it turns out.
Doherty looks upon it as Midrashic.
Quote:Midrash is a method of interpreting biblical stories that goes beyond simple distillation of religious, legal, or moral teachings. It fills in gaps left in the biblical narrative regarding events and personalities that are only hinted at
"Mark" may have been trying to tell a story and it is not his fault that later readers took him seriously.
Ehrman, of course, sees this stuff as hopelessly compromised by scribal miscues and deliberate edits for later doctrinal purposes.
We'll see how it turns out.
