Abingdon New Testament Commentaries: Mark

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Bible & Bible Studies, New Testament, Commentaries
Cover of the book Abingdon New Testament Commentaries: Mark by C. Clifton Black, Abingdon Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: C. Clifton Black ISBN: 9781426750199
Publisher: Abingdon Press Publication: September 1, 2011
Imprint: Abingdon Press Language: English
Author: C. Clifton Black
ISBN: 9781426750199
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Publication: September 1, 2011
Imprint: Abingdon Press
Language: English

Mark’s genius lies, not in telling a story about Jesus, but in creating conditions under which the reader may experience the peculiar quality of God’s good news. The Evangelist hurries one along breathlessly, “immediately,” making sure that the reader lurches with the characters into one pothole after another. “What is this new teaching” that consorts with the flagrantly sinful, turning the pious homicidal, intimates into strangers, and mustard seeds into “the greatest of all … shrubs”?

Jesus’ closest adherents, the Twelve, are among the most muddled. Who can blame them? They ask for an obscure parable’s interpretation and receive an answer even more confounding. They are told to feed thousands with next to nothing. Their boat almost capsizes while their teacher sleeps. As they oar in rough waters, the teacher strides the waves intending to bypass them. Putting the reader in the same boat, Mark structures conversations with Jesus that make little sense, if any. The Twelve are craven, stupid, self-serving, and disobedient: meet the average Christian. Besides, “their hearts were hardened.” Who hardens hearts? God. Should not God’s Messiah lift the burdens of those following him? What kind of Christ heads to a cross, handing his disciples another for themselves. “Do you not yet understand?”  from the Introduction

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Mark’s genius lies, not in telling a story about Jesus, but in creating conditions under which the reader may experience the peculiar quality of God’s good news. The Evangelist hurries one along breathlessly, “immediately,” making sure that the reader lurches with the characters into one pothole after another. “What is this new teaching” that consorts with the flagrantly sinful, turning the pious homicidal, intimates into strangers, and mustard seeds into “the greatest of all … shrubs”?

Jesus’ closest adherents, the Twelve, are among the most muddled. Who can blame them? They ask for an obscure parable’s interpretation and receive an answer even more confounding. They are told to feed thousands with next to nothing. Their boat almost capsizes while their teacher sleeps. As they oar in rough waters, the teacher strides the waves intending to bypass them. Putting the reader in the same boat, Mark structures conversations with Jesus that make little sense, if any. The Twelve are craven, stupid, self-serving, and disobedient: meet the average Christian. Besides, “their hearts were hardened.” Who hardens hearts? God. Should not God’s Messiah lift the burdens of those following him? What kind of Christ heads to a cross, handing his disciples another for themselves. “Do you not yet understand?”  from the Introduction

More books from Abingdon Press

Cover of the book Upside Down Daily Readings by C. Clifton Black
Cover of the book A Crazy, Holy Grace Participant Guide by C. Clifton Black
Cover of the book Right Here Right Now by C. Clifton Black
Cover of the book A Way Through the Wilderness by C. Clifton Black
Cover of the book Just in Time! Advent Services by C. Clifton Black
Cover of the book The Grace-Filled Life by C. Clifton Black
Cover of the book Beyond the Yellow Ribbon by C. Clifton Black
Cover of the book The Church Money Manual by C. Clifton Black
Cover of the book The Stronghold by C. Clifton Black
Cover of the book REdesigning Churches by C. Clifton Black
Cover of the book Genesis to Revelation: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs Leader Guide by C. Clifton Black
Cover of the book Permission to Believe by C. Clifton Black
Cover of the book She by C. Clifton Black
Cover of the book Christianity and World Religions Leader Guide Revised Edition by C. Clifton Black
Cover of the book The Best of J. Ellsworth Kalas by C. Clifton Black
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy