Paul L. Danove is Professor of New Testament Studies, Villanova University, USA.

• PrefaceAbbreviationsPart 1: The Methodological Study: The Semantic, Narrative, and Rhetorical Methods of Analysis and DescriptionChapter 1: The Method of Semantic Analysis and DescriptionChapter 2: The Method of Narrative Analysis and DescriptionChapter 3: The Method of Rhetorical Analysis and Description and the Theological StudyPart 2: The Exegetical Study: The Semantic and Narrative Analysis of the Content of Rhetorical Contexts Chapter 4: Rhetorical Contexts in Mark 1-9Chapter 5: Rhetorical Contexts in Mark 10-15Part 3: The Theological Study: The Repeated Actions and Attributes of God Chapter 6: God as AgentChapter 7: God as Agentive Benefactive Chapter 8: God as Innate and Originating Benefactive Chapter 9: God as Recipient and Reciprocal Benefactive Chapter 10: God as Content, Experiencer, Goal, and Instrument Chapter 11: God as Patient, Source, Theme, and Topic AppendicesIndex of Authors

Danove’s virtually exhaustive study of the Gospel of Mark supplies a most basic and thorough level of textual analysis that is both quantitative and hermeneutical. The author operates with the precision of an analytic philosopher as he maintains a keen awareness of his role as a researcher and interpreter within a larger theological enterprise. By focusing on the character, attributes, and activity of God, the work addresses issues that are of central importance to communities of religious believers. The study both affirms much existing scholarship and offers new insights, with conclusions that are relevant not only for biblical scholars but also for systematic theologians who can build on its findings.