Imitations of Homer in the gospel of Mark and Luke - Dr. Dennis R. MacDonald

The Homeric Epics and the Gospel of Mark: In this groundbreaking book, Dennis R. MacDonald offers an entirely new view of the New Testament gospel of Mark. The author of the earliest gospel was not writing history, nor was he merely recording tradition, MacDonald argues. Close reading and careful analysis show that Mark borrowed extensively from the Odyssey and the Iliad and that he wanted his readers to recognize the Homeric antecedents in Mark’s story of Jesus. Mark was composing a prose anti-epic, MacDonald says, presenting Jesus as a suffering hero modeled after but far superior to traditional Greek heroes.

Dr. Macdonald has written extensively on this subject matter and is a pioneer in the field. His method is called mimesis Criticism. He has found a strong genetic connection between Greek epics and the gospels of the New Testament. Why have scholars ignored these connections? How will this change New Testament scholarship if what Dr. MacDonald says is true? Imitations of Homer in the gospel of Mark and Luke.

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[mushypeasplease]

I've specifically saved this episode for Christmas week as a special gift to myself. Listening with a glass of something distilled, and some decidedly unhealthy food. Sometimes you've just got to treat yourself.

[VesnaVK]

"I'm guessing most of your listeners haven't read the Iliad..."
<gets excited, starts to raise 🖐️hand >
"...in the past six months. "
<puts hand back down>

[Erin__D]

I savored every minute of this episode (and the last with Dr. MacDonald!). I absolutely love his take on the gospels. I have been wanting to purchase his books for the last year but right now they are still so freaking expensive on Amazon. His materials needs to get out there!!

[VesnaVK]

I read one of Dr. McDonald's books years ago and it was one of the most mind-blowing books I've ever read! Homer ftw.

[philseida]

Most of Academia do not want to lose their positions. That imho is why they stay clear of Dr. MacDonald and either abruptly dismiss him or delve deeper into unchartered waters if you know what I mean. I really like this Guest Derrick and Thank You for having him on. I literally cannot wait for him again to discuss Homer’s The Odyssey next. The Iliad and Mark comparisons and basically Plagiarism type similarities are undeniable and very accurate. I hope Dr. Price is well and I equally await his return with you on more Mythvision Topics of discussion. Thank You 🙏 once again.

[chrismarsh]

Dr. MacDonald is a genius. Undeniable parallels. Awesome show.

[JogoShugh]

I am glad you are doing this popular exposure approach, Dr. MacDonald. You're book The Homeric Epics and the Gospel of Mark absolutely blew my mind in the mid 2000s and changed the way I think about Christianity. I want to thank you for that! I can never look at this religion again as something with books written depicting actual historical events.

[hiddendragon]

Does anyone have time to create a meme out of the parallels shown at 34:00, including the verse number from both books?

Maybe include the channel and researcher!

[nursingthetruth]

The Bible is so full of Sumerian and Egyptian sources as well.

[lmarodrigues]

it seems to me that it was unequivocally demonstrated by MacDonald that a large part of Mark's account was exhaustively copied from Homer, it is too much the same to be a coincidence.

[Yeobebes]

Wow, I saw a guy did this parallel comparison on YouTube some 10 years ago but this one is on another level and even better. Awesome job Derek and Dr Macdonald

[matthewsmolinsky]

the fact that his students have trouble getting placed in the field is sad and frankly disgusting. It is a sign of the state of academia today, unfortunately, especially when it comes to religious studies. Follow the money, it's all about who pays for those chairs and who controls publishing. The churches have a lot of power, and even more money.

[cpnlsn]

This was a good episode. I found this more accessible than the previous episode and reckon I might do better in reverse order!

PS books are v expensive. We do need to get these concepts out there. Anyway this is a much welcome start.

It's not a bad idea to read Homer. He was after all essential to the ancient Greek speaking world. If there are resonances in the gospels it's good we talk about them.

[fly_]

I'm really warming to this Dennis guy! A really interesting discussion and hope to be here for the next installment!

[Satans_lil_helper]

What a great show! You've made a connection that I've long forgotten about. Good stuff, gentlemen!

[stridedeck]

Luke, he knows "something else" is the key! Luke having primitive sections, Matthew has primitive sections, and Luke has it in different order than Matthew, etc. all suggest this "something else"! This "something else" is the reference point and the source for their understandings and writings! This "something else" must then be a school of thought with deep and mystical personal transformation. A profound inner discovery and change, so profound that it is not simply another intellectual exercise, but a fundamental and psychological shift of the human psyche! It is primitive at the beginning as it is just developing and making its way through the blockages created from cultural and religious teachings and conditioning!

[seanstrozyk]

I tried following along, my NIV is missing some of those passages. Which version of mark were you pulling from? Or is it Dr. macs translation from the Greek? Really curious!

[sebolddaniel]

I am happy that Derek is happy interviewing Dennis

[stridedeck]

What is causing Dr. MacDonald's voice to cut off for a few seconds?

[redapol]

34:00 that’s impressive, but it’s comparing English translations of both texts. It would be much more effective if the comparison was between the original Greek