THE SHORT COURSE SERIES

Edited by Rev. John Adams, B.D.


The Son of Man

STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MARK

By Andrew C. Zenos, D.D., LL.D

Appendix

 

The phrase which constitutes the title of this book has a history both in its broader and in its narrower sense. The latter is limited to the Biblical and associated apocryphal and apocalyptic writings. For a minuter study of this history Dr. Driver's article ("Son of Man") in Hastings' Bible Dictionary may be taken as the most comprehensive guide. It contains not only an analytic survey of the ancient usage of the phrase, but also a summary of all the principal interpretations of it to the date of publication (1902). Kindred in aim, but neither hampered by the limitations nor helped by the special requirements of a dictionary or encyclopedia article, is Edwin A. Abbott's The Message of the Son of Man (London, Adam and Charles Black, 1909). Somewhat narrower in its scope, but very keen and, from the philological point of view, invaluable, is Dalman's discussion in the Words of Jesus (Eng. tr., Edinburgh, T. & T. Clark, 1902). Other more condensed treatments of the subject from the same point of view will be found in the standard works on the Biblical Theology of the New Testament (Beyschlag, Eng. tr., T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh, 1895) ( v °l" i" chap, iii.); B. Weiss, Eng. tr., T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh, 1888 (part i. chap, ii.); G. B. Stevens, International Theological Library, Scribner's Sons, 1899 (P art "• chap. iv.).

Geo. P. Gould's article in Hastings' Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels is an answer to the questions, Whence, when and why did Jesus adopt the title? and why His followers did not apply it to Him? and leaves little to be desired.

Works on the Teaching of Jesus also include sections discussing the use of the phrase by Jesus as applied to Himself (cf. H. H. Wendt, Teaching of Jesus (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1892 (vol. ii. chap, i.); Stalker, Christology of Jesus (Hodder & Stoughton, 1900 (chap. ii.). Here must be mentioned Dr. A. B. Bruce's Kingdom of God (T. & T. Clark, 1891), a scholarly but untechnical discussion of the whole Teaching of Jesus.

In addition to the above, a class of works representing a broader effort to reach fundamental ideas underlying all expository treatment have great value in the study. (1) Foremost in this class stands Professor Ernest F. Scott's The Kingdom and the Messiah (T. & T. Clark, 1911). It is characterised by special scholarly insight into the thought of the period in which the title was used. (2) W. L. Walker's The Cross and the Kingdom (second edition, 1911, T. & T. Clark) stands out for the sane theological deductions based upon recent critical research of the less radical type. (3) The late Dr. W. N. Clarke's The Ideal of Jesus (N.Y., Scribner's, 1911) is a free interpretation in modern terms of the mind of Jesus, but not the result of an original study of the words of Jesus reported in the Gospel. It is based rather on the general results harvested in this field by New Testament specialists.

A third class of works which may prove valuable in organising courses kindred to that of the subject of this book would include the larger discussions of the life and work of Jesus. We can only mention here, however, those that are concerned with the portraiture of His personality and character. Those that give an account of His work in its chronological, geographical, and antiquarian interest are numerous and most of them familiar. Of the first-named type the following will be found the most helpful: (1) David Smith, In the Days of His Flesh (London, Hodder & Stoughton); (2) A. E. Garvie, Studies in the Inner Life of Jesus (London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1907); and (3) W. A. Grist, The Historic Christ in the Faith of To-day (N.Y. & London, Fleming H. Revell Co., 1911).