The Gospel of Mark was written for Christian believers living in a tumultuous world: the Roman army was oppressing the people of Palestine, Christians were being persecuted, new people were claiming divine authority to lead, and many people were confused about how to find their way in a changing society. In this latest installment of Dio’s popular series of online non-credit learning, this course introduces students to the background, key themes, and message of the Gospel of Mark. These include Mark’s understanding of Jesus and his significance, the “political Jesus,” the use of parables and miracles, a resurrection story like no other, and much else.
In its directness and pacing, the Gospel of Mark has sometimes been called the “action movie gospel.” This course helps students think about what it means to be faithful followers of Christ in our own changing world.