1
Part A
(I) With the tile of the course being “The Bible & Its Interpretations”, I completely
expected for the course to focus almost exclusively on the distinctions between the different
translations and interpretations of the Bible. I felt this way primarily because I read the title of
the course much too literally. Ironically, this was also the way I was reading the Bible prior to
this course.
(II) My understanding of the Bible has undergone a complete reform as a result of this
course. My family and I are active members and servants of our church. As a result, I have been
raised to look towards the Bible as a source of guidance. After taking this course, it seemed to me
that my lack of knowledge of the history and context of scripture was preventing me from
reading the Bible in the way it was intended to be read. I was never explicitly taught to read the
Bible and take it’s meaning literally, but this seemed to be the general consensus among my
peers and it was rarely discouraged. This course, Br. Mark, and the College Study Bible have
provided me with the resources to do more than just read the Bible, instead it has taught me to
appreciate the symbolic nature and historical significance of scripture.
(III) The three most important things I’ve learned through this semester were discovering
the different authors of The Pentateuch, the significance of the judges as a precursor to the
Davidic dynasty, and the historical significance of the book of Mark. Each of these aspects of the
Bible were once completely foreign to me, but all are invaluable pieces of information that shape
the way I interpret most of the Bible. I definitely see the value in my newfound understanding of
the Bible. Where I previously found myself reading of the stories of the creation of man,
knowing that these were praises to the Lord allow me to reaffirm my faith and dispel any doubts
I once held.
Part B: Baptismal Symbolizm
References to baptism in the Bible typically symbolize the shedding of past sins and the
beginning of a new walk with Jesus. Although this is still true in the book of Mark, baptism is
also seen here as a symbolic acceptance of martyrdom, in the name of Christianity. This reflects
the widespread persecution of Christians that was occurring during the time Saint Mark was
writing his gospel. The baptismal symbols in the gospel of Mark each bear a symbolic
Final Exam Essay, 2
a testament to God’s power over the afflictions of life, reminding his readers to have faith that
God can perform miracles.
Consistently demonstrating the power to bring life from death, health from sickness, and
satisfaction from hunger, Jesus establishes his presence as a healer of soles. After being
interrupted on his way to heal Jairus’s daughter, Jesus arrives to perform a healing, only to find
that she had died and her father had lost hope. In spite of her father’s lack of faith, Jesus “took
the child by the hand and said to her… ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise!’” (Mark 5:41). Then the
child rose and was food. The imagery of this scene, of a child physically dying and rising to
celebrate a new life, is very similar to a baptismal scene literally and metaphorically. Literally,
again we see someone dying and immediately rising with Jesus. His determination to bring life,
despite Jarius’s lack of faith, also stands out as a testament to God’s relentless desire to have us
come to walk with Jesus. It is this relentlessness that Mark wishes to instill in his audience,
whom the preservation of Christianity depends on. This rebirth of a child is even reminiscent of
the resurrection of Jesus himself.
We see further examples of a baptismal formula in the spoken work of Jesus, as he gives
his conditions for discipleship. Jesus tells his disciples, “For whoever wishes to save his life will
lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it… What profit is
there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Mark 8:35-35). With this, we see
baptism being conveyed through the imagery of sacrificing life to the gospel in order to save it.
Here we see a reflection of the glory of the kingdom of God, his promise fulfilled, as a means to
inspire his disciples to follow him wholeheartedly. For the audience, the victims of persecution,
this promise offers hope to the people who have given up their and is meant to encourage
martyrdom for the sake of the gospel.
Final Exam Essay, 3
Through his gospel, Saint Mark frequently draws parallels between the imagery of the
baptism to works and teachings of Jesus Christ. As we’ve seen, each of the symbols of baptism
in the book of Mark surround the end of a past life and the start into a new one, absent of the fear
of death. With this in mind, we view the book of Mark primarily as a work of encouragement for
the martyrs of the early Christian church.
Final Exam Essay, 4