This book presents the reader with a comprehensive view of the theology underlying the first narrative account of the life of Jesus. In Chapter 1 Dr Telford introduces the background of the text and its general message, attempting briefly to place the Gospel (and therefore its theology) in its historical setting. In the second chapter, he describes and analyses the Gospel's theology, again from an historical perspective and with particular regard to its original context. In the third chapter, Telford goes on to examine the Gospel in relation to other relevant writings of the New Testament. Briefly reviewing this larger corpus and highlighting parallels and contrasts, where appropriate, he seeks to locate the Gospel's theology in its wider canonical context. The fourth and final chapter ranges even further afield, commenting on the Gospel's history of interpretation and on its significance in the contemporary context.

A scholarly yet easy to read account of the theology underlying the first narrative account of the life of Jesus
• Places the Gospel of Mark in its historical context as well as exploring how it fits into the theology of the New Testament
• Discusses Mark’s theology in relation to the theological, ethical, political, gender, and ethnic issues it raises in the modern wo