The Date of Mark's Gospel: Insight from the Law in Earliest Christianity [Paperback]

This book argues that Mark's gospel was not written as late as c. 65-75 CE, but dates from sometime between the late 30s and early 40s CE. It challenges the use of the external evidence (such as Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria) often used for dating Mark, relying instead on internal evidence from the gospel itself. James Crossley also questions the view that Mark 13 reflects the Jewish war, arguing that there are other plausible historical settings.

Crossley argues that Mark's gospel takes for granted that Jesus fully observed biblical law and that Mark could only make such an assumption at a time when Christianity was largely law observant: and this could not have been later than the mid-40s, from which point on certain Jewish and gentile Christians were no longer observing some biblical laws (e.g. food, Sabbath).

 Crossley offers interesting and potentially valuable discussion on the interpretation of the legal passages in the Synoptic Gospels William R. Telford, Biblica Vol. 88 Fasc. 1, 2007 William R. Telford

'interesting and potentially valuable discussion on the interpretation of legal passages in the Synoptic Gospel' - William R. Telford, Biblica William R. Telford

 Crossley's thesis is tightly argued and convincing in many respects. His critique of the traditional means of dating Mark is particularly compelling, confirming the uncertainties of traditional arguments and the danger of insisting in a particular Sitz im Leben. -Mark Strauss, Bulletin for Biblical Research, 18.1 Mark Strauss

 Crossley has demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of the many problems concerning the date of Mark. -The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2005 Catholic Biblical Quarterly

...The author's critical examination of the individual arguments for dating Mark around 70 CE deserves serious consideration, and his treatment of early Christian attitudes toward the Torah often displays fascinating detective work.l'