The Gospels and Homer Imitations of Greek Epic in Mark and Luke-Acts [Hardcover]

This first volume in MacDonalds magnum opus brings together and advances decades of MacDonalds scholarly arguments.... At this point in his career (MacDonald recently retired), MacDonald is well aware of his critics objections. His most significant response to those objections is the addition of a seventh criterion for detection the Biblical writers imitation of the classics: the recognition of such memesis by Greek readers of the Mark and Luke-Acts before 1000 BC. MacDonalds work and the manifold criticisms of it are now so widely known that this meticulously crafted volume is unlikely to change many minds. The book does, however, mark a major milestone in Gospels scholarship. Scholars interested in memesis and the forms of criticism developed from it should make perusal of this volume a high priority.In this magnum opus, MacDonald brings together and?expands upon his earlier work on the imitation of Homer in early Christian literature, responding to critique with a refinement of his methodology and a mountain of new parallels for consideration.? MacDonald's primary thesisthat Homer's epics loomed incredibly large on the ancient literary scene, and that imitation of Homer was a basic element in Greco-Roman literary compositionis undeniable.? That early Christian authors participated in Homeric imitation is confirmed by MacDonald's analyses.? As always, reading New Testament texts with MacDonald and Homer is exciting and provocative.These two volumes are the magnum opus of biblical scholar Dennis R. MacDonald, outlining the profound connections between the New Testament and classical Greek poetry. MacDonald argues that the Gospel writers borrowed from established literary sources to create stories about Jesus that readers of the day would find convincing.These two volumes of The New Testament and Greek Literature are the magnum opus of biblical scholar Dennis R. MacDonald, outlining the profound connections between the New Testament and classical Greek poetrylƒj