What’s up? … random views and opinion from Sui

If you used to read my blog before, and were wondering what I’ve been up to, let me just update you that I’m studying again, in Moore Theological College. And here’s one reason why I’ve been busy lately, namely my assignment. Thankfully this one is not part of the assessments, and was just an exercise for us to get used to writing essays. I still haven’t got the feedback, so not sure how well it was, but you can read and see whether you are convinced by what I wrote :]

Compare and contrast the pictures of Pilate presented by Mark’s Gospel and Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Bk 18, 55-62.

When one reads Mark’s Gospel, it can easily be classified as a biographical account on a person called Jesus Christ. It is full of stories of what Jesus did and said, especially in His last few years, leading to His death. Yet, there is a big gap on Jesus’ life that is missing from this biography of Jesus, for instance the birth of Jesus and His childhood. It can be classified as a theology book, given the many teaching and saying one can find about God. Yet, there is a lot more about God that is not said in this book. It can be classified as an historical account, given that the events in this story did happen in a particular place at a particular time in history. Yet, this story is only regarding one person who lived in history, and not about a group of people or a culture that has shaped the world as we know it today.

It can be said that Mark’s Gospel has its own genre, with biography, theology, and history, all mixed into a story regarding this person who is called Jesus Christ. It is certainly an historical account of the life (and death) of Jesus, written with a theological agenda behind it. Having said that, how should one approach Mark’s Gospel from the historical point of view? Does the theological agenda behind Mark’s Gospel change or distort the historical accounts of the events? And how would historical account in Mark’s Gospel (which is driven by a theological agenda) be different or similar with other historical account, like Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews?

This essay seeks to compare and contrast particularly the pictures of Pilate presented by Mark’s Gospel and Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews, and secondly to draw a conclusion of what can be learned from such comparison.

In both Mark’s Gospel and Antiquities of the Jews, Pilate is presented as a ruler of the people in Judea. Pilate is said to be the procurator of Judea in Antiquities of the Jews (AJ 18.55). In Mark’s Gospel this is less clear , but one can see that Jesus was brought by the elders, the scribes, and the whole Council to Pilate in order for him to pass the death sentence (Mk 15:1). At that time the Jews were under the Roman Empire, therefore the Jewish leaders couldn’t pass the death sentence themselves after they condemned Jesus as deserving death, and needed to ask Pilate (as the leader of the people in Judea) to pass the death sentence to Jesus. There are also more details in Mark’s Gospel regarding the innocence of Pilate in passing the death sentence to Jesus (Mk 15:10, 14), while Josephus was very brief in saying that Pilate condemned Jesus to the cross at the suggestion of the Jewish leaders (AJ 18.63).

Another similarity that one can find regarding Pilate in both historical accounts is his relationship with the Jews. This similarity is more subtle than the previous one, but one can still see a similarity coming up in the way Pilate treated the Jews in both accounts. When he was faced with a possibility of rebellion and sedition, Pilate was always ready to put an end to it, as Josephus mentioned in the story of Pilate bringing a current of water to Jerusalem, and how he silenced the Jews who didn’t agree with his decision (AJ 18.60-1). In Mark’s Gospel, Mark made a mention of Barabbas who was put to prison because of his involvement in the insurrection (Mk 15:7).

It is also interesting to note that in his relationship with the Jews, Pilate respected their religion, as Josephus mentioned that he was deeply affected by their firm resolution not to violate their laws (AJ 18.59). And one can also see this idea in Mark’s Gospel when Pilate was willing to crucify Jesus at the suggestion of the Jewish leaders and the crowds, even when he himself was convinced that Jesus didn’t do anything evil in regards to the Roman laws (Mk 15:3, 11-15). Although his willingness to crucify Jesus could also be explained by the fact that he was always ready to put an end to the possibility of the rebellion of the Jews, and the easiest way of doing this was to satisfy the crowds (Mk 15:15), even though it means he has to crucify Jesus.

One subtle difference between Mark’s Gospel and Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews in regards to the writing about Pilate, is that Pilate is less prominent in Mark’s Gospel, and was mentioned only at the time of Jesus’ death. Yet, in his writing regarding Jesus’ death, Mark mentioned more details regarding Pilate’s understanding of Jesus as being innocent, while Josephus was very brief. Probably this is in line with Mark’s theological agenda that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and He died as an innocent man, as a ransom for the sins of many. While Josephus agenda was to write the history of the Jews, in which Pilate as the ruler of Judea would be quite prominent compared to Mark’s Gospel. And yet, Josephus was not interested in much details regarding Pilate’s involvement in Jesus’ death.

In conclusion, after reading and comparing Mark’s Gospel and Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews, one can see the similarities of the historical accounts in both documents, and yet also see the subtle differences in the details that both authors chose to include or leave out in their writings, in this essay regarding the pictures of Pilate that was presented in both documents. The similarities and the subtle differences suggest that both documents are historical accounts, but written with certain emphasis that helps the readers to see the different purposes of the writings. Their agenda and purpose of the writings didn’t result in the distortion of the historical accounts, but resulted in the different emphasis and historical details that they chose to include or leave out in their writings. Comparing both historical documents can challenge the readers to carefully investigate the reason for the different emphasis in Mark’s Gospel, and therefore adds to one’s understanding of the message Mark wanted to communicate in his writings. This exercise of comparing Mark’s Gospel and Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews can be repeated with different historical persons or events that are found in both documents, and one can assume that the findings will be similar to the conclusion of this essay.

References
Josephus, Flavius. The Works of Josephus (William Whiston, trans.; Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1987 [updated edition]), pp. 479–80

Victorian Pemier John Brumby, in his support of a controversial legislation expanding fertility treatment (IVF) to single women and lesbian couples, argued that “the bill modernised Victoria’s law in a way that focused on the best interests of the child”. He also said that “good parenting was about giving children unconditional love, not necessarily the family structures into which they were born” (as reported in The Age).

Sounds very good, isn’t it? According to him, he supported the bill because it focuses on the best interest of the child, and good parenting is about giving children unconditional love.

But, wait a minute, isn’t this the John Brumby who also supported the abortion bill? Which is about killing children who are not yet born? And now he is talking about the best interest of the child and giving children unconditional love? What a great inconsistency, if not hypocrisy.

And all the talk about giving the parliament a conscience vote is just rubbish. If the parliament is full of people who are sinful, and their consciences are marred by sins, nothing good can come out from them.

On thursday and friday I came home pretty late, so decided not to blog. Actually on friday it wasn’t that late, but I had to pack up so got no time to blog. Now I’m in the airport, waiting for the boarding time and making the most of the free wireless internet that I won’t get anymore in Sydney.

Now, I can’t remember much what has happened in the last 2 days, all I remember was lots of traveling from one place to another, to meet lots of people and buy lots of things. I guess one of the things that I’ve learned while I’m here is the meaning of redeeming the time. Since I didn’t have much time, I had to redeem the time and tried to make the most of the time that I had here.

Another thing that was interesting to observe is that since the weather is warmer here, the girls are wearing more revealing clothes, and therefore it must be harder for the guys who are struggling with sexual temptations. Or maybe the guys are used to it already.

I’m having mixed feelings of going back to Sydney. I’m sad that I have to leave Singapore so soon, I’ll surely miss the people and the life here. But I’m also happy that I will meet the people in Sydney soon, and I’m looking forward to the cold weather and sleeping on my bed again! :]

Will keep this entry short. Today slept in and woke up at 10. Then had lunch with 2 friends at suntec. Bought some stuffs for people in Sydney who asked for them. Then went to library at esplanade. The seating place at the library has such a nice water-front view. Then went back home. My dinner plan was canceled because my friend had some unforeseen circumstances. Made another plan to have dinner with Felix. At home, took shower and got online to chat with a few people. Then went out for dinner at Plaza Sing. Managed to give “Guidance and the voice of God” book to my other friend who was nice enough to come to meet us at Plaza Sing. And just when we were about to come home, Ivonne called us. She should have called us earlier during the day, but somehow didn’t. Anyway, it was too late for us to go out with her, so she will have to wait until tomorrow to go shopping :]

Today I finally feel really tired, just before dinner time. Could be the combination of meeting lots of people, walking around a lot, and a few days of sleeping late but wake up early. But its still a fruitful day for me (except at suntec).

Had another breakfast meeting at 9.15 with another friend from church. Had a good catch up and listen to their plan for the future. Was really encouraged by him, its the meeting like this that makes me want to keep meeting up with people :] Then went to get my sis’ camera before having lunch with another 2 of my friends from church. One of them had to leave earlier straight after lunch, but the conversation with the other guy really encouraged me again. And btw, these are the people who are supporting me, whether in prayer or financially, so in some ways they are involved with the ministry at Pelita too :]

After that went to suntec city to try to look for things that I need to buy. Didn’t really find the stuffs, and even got slightly lost there. It was quite a waste of time, and quite a waste of energy too, since I had to walk around a lot, both in suntec itself and from the nearest mrt station to suntec and vice versa. But I guess it was a good exercise for me, especially since some of my friends here commented that I have gained weight!

Then rushed from suntec to meet another friend at Toa Payoh hub. She did 1 year MTS in Taiwan, but now is back here for a year, before going off again next year to Taiwan for another few years with OMF. Again, another good conversation and encouraging time. But by the end of this meeting, I was feeling quite tired already. Then went to Bishan for dinner, before attending the Bible study with my group here. Oh, managed to get Death note 1 at Bishan :] We had good number for the BS, with a couple of new people that I don’t know. And good discussions from Romans 8. Was reminded that we are heirs of God, and fellow heirs with Christ. Fellow heirs with Christ! That means whatever Christ gets from the Father -whether throne, rule over creation, glory- will also be given to us! What an amazing truth! Isn’t that fantastic? :] And there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus! Which is one of my favourite verses of all time :]