The current issue of the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society (Vol. 50, No. 3, Sept. 2007) includes an article by Herbert W. Bateman IV entitled “Defining the Titles ‘Christ’ and ‘Son of God’ in Mark’s Narrative” (pp. 537-59). Although Bateman affirms the deity of Christ, he argues in this article that the title “Son of God” in Mark does not connote deity or refer to Jesus as divine. Rather, he argues, “Son of God” in Mark is synonymous with “Christ” and identifies Jesus as the Messiah, the “son of David.”

I have completed a first draft of a paper on this topic that offers a counterpoint to Bateman’s argument. In my view, the title “Son of God” in Mark connotes something beyond, and greater than, Jesus’ role as the Davidic Messiah–and does, in fact, connote deity. As soon as the paper is available, I will make that known here.