Jesus

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Jesus was an exorcist, which is someone who drives out evil spirits or demons from people or places that have been possessed, most often by invoking the name of God. The author points out that the Gospel of Mark provides many examples depicting Jesus as an exorcist, who expelled demons and warded off evil. Mark understood that the miracles Jesus performed were his combat against the forces of evil. The paper concludes that, as depicted in Mark's gospel, healing people and casting out demonic spirits played an important role in Jesus' ministry, an important action in furthering the kingdom of God on earth.

From the Paper:

"Mark's accounts of all of Jesus' exorcisms did not set him apart or single him out; in fact, it was just the opposite, all the stories Mark tells about the exorcisms make Jesus appear as a real part of the community at the time. There were many stories of men performing all types of wondrous acts. One difference was that Jesus' method of simple command over the demons was very different from the types of exorcisms practiced by other holy men of his time. Most exorcists of that period relied on rituals, chants, signs and artifacts to expel evil spirits. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Achtemeier, Paul J. Mark. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1975.
• Edwards, James R. The Gospel according to Mark. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2002.
• France, R.T. The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary on the Greek Text. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2002.
• Hooker, Morna D. The Gospel According to Saint Mark. 1991. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 2005.
• Keegan, Terence J., O.P. A Commentary On The Gospel of Mark. New York: Paulist Press.

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• Essay # 129302 : "The Ways Jesus Expresses God"
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• Article Review # 97523 : "The Trial of Jesus Christ"--An Article Review"
• Analytical Essay # 46684 : "Jesus: Exorcist or Riddler?"

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