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Donald L. Gelpi, S.J. The Firstborn of Many A Christology for Converting Christians Volume 2 SYNOPTIC NARRATIVE CHRISTOLOGY Marquette Studies in Theology No. 21 Andrew Tallon, Series Editor Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Gelpi, Donald L., 1934The firstborn of many : a christology for converting Christians / Donald L. Gelpi. p. cm. — (Marquette studies in theology ; no. 20, 21, 22) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-87462-644-7 (pbk. : alk. paper), Volume 1: To hope in Jesus Christ; ISBN 0-87462-645-5 (pbk. : alk. paper), Volume 2: Synoptic narrative Christology; ISBN 0-87462-646-3 (pbk. : alk. paper). Volume 3: Doctrinal and practical Christology. 1. Jesus Christ—Person and offices. 2. Conversion—Christianity. 3. Catholic Church—Doctrines. I. Title. II. Marquette studies in theology ; #20, #21, #22. BT205 .G37 2001 232—dc21 00-012328 Cover image compliments of St. Isaac of Syria Skete. We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of The New Orleans Province of the Society of Jesus, also known as The Southern Province, in making possible the publication of these three volumes. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher. For My Mother, Alice, Who Died As She Lived with Great Hope, Faith, Love, Courage, and Dignity Volume 2 Table of Contents Preface to Volume 2 ............................................................................ 7 Part 1: Mark’s Narrative Christology .................................................. 9 Chapter 1: Understanding Gospel As Narrative .................................. 9 Chapter 2: Positive Dramatic Linkages in Mark ............................... 24 Chapter 3: Negative Dramatic Linkages in Mark .............................. 53 Chapter 4: Ambiguous Dramatic Linkages in Mark ......................... 82 Chapter 5: Thematic and Allusive Linkages in Mark ...................... 125 Part 2: Matthew’s Narrative Christology ......................................... 148 Chapter 6: Matthew’s Infancy Narrative ......................................... 148 Chapter 7: Positive Dramatic Linkages in Matthew ........................ 160 Chapter 8: Negative Dramatic Linkages in Matthew ...................... 194 Chapter 9: Ambivalent Dramatic Linkages In Matthew ................. 237 Chapter 10: Jesus’ Teachings in Matthew ........................................ 276 Chapter 11: Miracles, Fulfillment, and Allusion in Matthew .......... 306 Part 3: Luke’s Narrative Christology ............................................... 327 Chapter 12: Luke’s Prologues and Infancy Narrative ....................... 327 Chapter 13: Positive Dramatic Linkages in Luke ............................ 349 Chapter 14: Negative Dramatic Linkages in Luke .......................... 397 Chapter 15: Ambiguous Dramatic Linkages in Luke ...................... 434 Chapter 16: Thematic and Allusive Linkages in Luke ..................... 498 Chapter 17: Jesus Christ Proclaimed: The Christology of Acts ....... 517 Part 4: The Pragmatic Meaning of Christological Knowing........... 545 Chapter 18: Imagination and the Christian Conscience: The Practice of Christological Knowing ...................................... 545 Glossary .......................................................................................... 581 Indices ............................................................................................ 602 Preface to Volume 2 The second volume of The Firstborn of Many deals with synoptic narrative Christology. The intuitive mind expresses itself in a variety of artistic and literary forms. The synoptic evangelists chose to express their graced,