Question MARK Stefan Smart

Truly the very last (and 69th) episode of our podcast. In this pod we discuss the alternative endings to the story, found in most bibles. Should they be ignored or do they bring something of genuine value to the table? Question MARK veterans and expert theologians, Ted Trost and Helen Bond, help us decide.

We’d like to thank all our contributors without whom this show would have been a lot less enjoyable to do, and certainly a lot less insightful. Thank you for all you did. We know your contributions made a big difference to many of our listeners’ lives and we’re thrilled that they are now out there for even more people to enjoy in the future. PS Helen Bond hosts the Biblical Time Machine Podcast (with the amazing Dave Roos). Listen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/biblical-time-machine/id1648738323 Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7cNljZzhe4w3zL9t0MaOZH?si=9G0vB9NVRDe5XZZVDfOGVg

Today we welcome acclaimed biblical storyteller, Tracy Radosevic, to explore together one of the most puzzling episodes of Mark’s Gospel - the ending. How to explain this startling, even disturbing cliffhanger?

Tracy Radosevic is Professor at St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute in Baltimore and Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, as well as dean of the Academy for Biblical Storytelling (ABS). She’s an internationally recognised storyteller, educator, retreat facilitator, and coach. Since 1991 she has traveled all over the United States, as well as to several foreign countries, bringing her special brand of humor, insight, and faith to audiences of all ages and denominations through the power of embodied performance.

You can find more on Tracy here: https://tracyrad.com

‘The Burial of Jesus’. This week we were excited to host our first Bible translator on Question MARK: The Podcast. Father Nick King SJ is currently Lecturer in Biblical Studies at Heythrop College, University of London, having recently published a translation of the entire Greek Bible. Nick is also the author of an excellent book on Mark, called ‘The Strangest Gospel’. It was fascinating to talk with someone so familiar with the original text about this little commented on, but significant episode in the greatest story ever told.

‘The Strangest Gospel’ can be found here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strangest-Gospel-Mark-N-King/dp/1844176967

‘The Death of Jesus’. As a Professor, pastor and performer of biblical stories, Phil Ruge-Jones definitely knows his Mark! His understanding of Jesus’ death on the cross is particularly acute. If you’ve ever wondered why Jesus cries out on the cross, why the earth is covered in darkness for three hours and why the curtain in the Temple is torn from top to bottom, this episode will both expand your understanding and inspire you.

You can see some of Phil’s performances here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyGqSCYR2c6oQEKwtxK6_Ms3FZ2w94yoK

For more on the meaning of the sponge filled with wine vinegar mentioned at the end of the podcast visit John Burnett’s Gospel of Mark Workshop here: https://gospelofmarkworkshop.com/bathroom-humor-at-the-cross/.

Mark 15:21-32: The Crucifixion of Jesus. On this pod we were pleased to welcome Dr Lucy Peppiatt, the director of the hugely popular WTC Theology, to talk about this climatic episode in Mark’s story. As it turns out, there’s a lot more going on between the lines and beyond the words than is at first apparent….

Some facts about Lucy’s work with WTC can be found here: https://wtctheology.org.uk/study-with-us/

Lucy is also the author of ‘The Disciple: On Becoming Truly Human’ and ‘Imago Dei’, both of which can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Lucy-Peppiatt/author/B00A4LNCS2?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

The soldiers’ torture and mockery of Jesus in Mark 15:16-20 must count as one of the more shocking episodes in all of Scripture. But is there more going on than a simple description of gratuitous violence?

Andre and Mary-Anne Rabe have been passionate communicators of the good news of Jesus Christ since 1990. Their message has taken them to some of the most obscure corners of the earth as well as to some of the most well known cities. For Andre and Mary-Anne, faith is more than dogmatic statements. It is an encounter with beauty that leaves us in breathless astonishment. They believe that no matter what we may believe, we are intrinsically valuable and loved. And nowhere has this love been demonstrated more clearly than in the person of Jesus Christ.

Find out more about Andre and Mary-Anne’s ministry here: https://alwaysloved.net/intention/