The Power of the Rule of God in the Gospel of Mark: A Non-Representational Reading Through Deleuze and Guattari's Three Abstract Lines (Library of New Testament Studies")

Ko Woon Lee examines the ways in which the rule, or kingdom, of God is manifested and operates in the narrative of the Gospel of Mark. Lee presents an innovative approach by applying Deleuze and Guattari’s philosophy, particularly their three abstract lines, to biblical hermeneutics. While traditional Markan scholarship has focused on secrecy and narrative structure, Lee argues that the rule of God should be understood as a dynamic force that operates across various planes of intensity, shaping the experiences of Markan characters. Building on the contributions of narrative criticism, Lee examines the Markan narrative through the lens of non-representational philosophy; specifically applying Deleuze and Guattari’s three abstract lines—molar lines, supple lines, and lines of flight—to the ways that the rule of God functions in the Gospel of Mark as a virtual power. She concludes that the rule of God is not a hidden truth or a static concept that can be objectified through linguistic representation, but rather a dynamic power that mysteriously pervades the Markan narrative with varying intensities, transforming the lives of the characters who encounter it and giving rise to various types of new becomings.