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Citation
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APA
Plett, C (2023). Purity and Exorcism in the Gospel of Mark .
MLA
Plett, CharlesPurity and Exorcism in the Gospel of Mark . , 2023
Chicago
Plett, CharlesPurity and Exorcism in the Gospel of Mark . , 2023
Turabian
Plett, CharlesPurity and Exorcism in the Gospel of Mark . , 2023
Description / Abstract
There is a connection between purity and the exorcism of unclean spirits in the Gospel of Mark. They are juxtaposed to reinforce the Gospel’s theme of Jesus’ authority over impurity and ultimately, death. It has been recognized that the Levitical purity code pertains to both ritual and moral forms of impurity. The ritual code, according to Jacob Milgrom, symbolizes death, while the moral code deals with grave sins. According to this paradigm demons in Mark denote moral as well as ritual impurity because they personify both sin and death. This is also supported by various texts within Second Temple literature (e.g., 1 Enoch, Jubilees, 1QM, 11Q5) which associate demons with impurity and death. These observations are confirmed in this thesis’s exegetical analysis of the exorcism pericopae in Mark’s Gospel (1:21-28; 5:1-20; 7:24-30; 9:14-29), as well as the Beelzebul controversy (3:20-35). The Gospel of Mark frames Jesus’ ministry as a conflict between holiness and impurity: Jesus, “the Holy One of God,” defeats impure spirits. Imbued with the Holy Spirit, Jesus has the power and authority to overcome Satan, the ruler of the demons, and free those held in bondage to death, the greatest impurity. Ultimately, Jesus is both the embodiment and the source of purity, and this legitimizes his authority to exorcize unclean spirits. Furthermore, demonic possession in Mark’s Gospel reflects not only bondage to Satan, but also portrays human bondage to sin. The liberation of exorcism also foreshadows Jesus’ resurrection and the freedom it brings to those under the power sin and death. In the context of exorcism, purity points to a deeper reality, a spiritual battle between the forces of life and death. Exorcism is a kind of purification rite that moves people from death to life.
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Awarding InstitutionAmbrose University
Peer Reviewed?No
Original LanguageEnglish
Collections With This Resource
MABTS / MTS Student Theses
5 Resources
- Education
- Religion - Christianity
- English