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Editorial:
Thinking about the common good? From
the director: Untold stories Faith
and Politics After Christendom Comment:
Doing the Right Thing Give
Generously and Change the World? Economics
and the Common Good Interview
with Jim Wells (MLA): Polishing our Cars Review:
No Longer Strangers Division
and Diversity: Churches in a plural society Buying
in - Opting out Interview
with Fr Mariusz Dabrowski: Meet the neighbours Questions
& Answers: Reader survey responses Review:
Mark: Gospel of Action Bible
Study: The Common Good Difficult
Conversations: Let's talk about tax... |
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edited by John Vincent Published by SPCK: London, 2006 |
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IN RECENT YEARS there has been something of a revolution going on in the world of New Testament studies, not least with regard to the Gospels. Of particular note is that Mark, which for centuries tended to be neglected in comparison to say the more “systematic” Matthew, has now emerged as an especially well-worked field for scholars to labour upon. The near unanimous scholarly consensus is that Mark’s account of Jesus of Nazareth is far more important for contemporary ecclesial existence than was previously thought. The fact that Mark is almost certainly the earliest of the Gospels, and probably, also, the “template” for Matthew’s and Luke’s later accounts, is reason enough to explain such renewed interest. In addition, further numerous critical studies have unearthed the various contextual dynamics that constitute Mark’s distinctive theology. Furthermore, recent research has also led to a re-evaluation of Mark whereby it is no longer regarded as a rather plain or coarse account of the “Christ-event” but rather, a tightly structured work of quite sophisticated artistic insight. Mark: Gospel of Action continues this recent explosion of interest in the shortest of the four canonical Gospels. Its sub-title is “Personal and Community Responses”, a qualification or emphasis worth bearing in mind. It comprises a collection of seventeen essays from an eclectic company of authors, all of whom have given sustained attention and energy to Mark’s relevance for their own contemporary expressions of Christian discipleship. A very definite strength of the book is its opening up of all sorts of fascinating and stimulating perspectives as the authors engage in a fresh discernment of Markan themes that they feel called to explore and embody in refreshingly down-toearth ways. The essayists display what I would call “responsible subjectivity” in seeking to nurture forms of gospel praxis that try to meaningfully connect the biblical text with the situational needs of local communities with real intent. This is far more desirable than what passes for Bible study in many (most?) church settings, mired as this often is in the reductionisms and distortions of self-absorbed subjectivity. The book’s primary value may therefore occur if it could make its way into the hands of congregational study groups willing to be stretched beyond the safe and stereotypical. Its weaknesses, however, are, I think, at least twofold. First, like any collection of essays, the quality of the various contributors is rather patchy and uneven, despite the book’s ostensible coherent subject matter. Second, for those who wish to learn more about the more creative gains of recent Markan scholarship, several other works by some of the contributors would be more beneficial. For further reading I would suggest Ched Myers’ Binding the Strong Man, Say to This Mountain and Who Will Roll Away the Stone? The editor, John Vincent, another “activist sage” also merits attention on recurrent and prophetic Markan themes. |
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MARK:
GOSPEL OF ACTION |
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