Abstract:
This dissertation compares the theology of the Gospel of Mark with that of the
neopentecostal movement. While Markan theology is interpreted as antitriumphalist,
leading faith communities to recognize the Christ of the cross, the
neopentecostal movement takes the opposite path. Its emphasis is on triumph, the
way without the cross. I begin by considering the environment of the first Christian
communities that arose after Jesus passion, death, and resurrection. I then present
several reflections on the intention of the evangelist Mark when he wrote his
Gospel. Finally, I deal with the particular biblico-doctrinal focus of the
neopentecostal movement. The main findings of this research were: a) there is a
fundamental incompatibility between the neopentecostal ideology and the
theological approach of the Gospel of Mark; and b) the triumphalist
perspective/ideology is not inherent only to the neopentecostal movement. Even at
the time when Mark was writing his Gospel, the faith community for which he
intended his work had also adopted a triumphalist view of the figure of Jesus.
