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Maverick Mark: The Untamed First Gospel
Somewhere along the way, says Bonnie Thurston, the wild unlikelihood of the Christian message has been reined in and made to fit more conventional categories of thought. That it is good and moral to be Christian we understand. That it is feral and almost uncontrollably countercultural is something that has been largely forgotten or suppressed. This taming has been especially effective in the case of the first gospel. In Maverick Mark, Thurston sets out to rediscover the radicalism of Mark's original message.
Thurston focuses on Mark's conception of discipleship, economic justice, and personal lifestyle. She demonstrates that this gospel raises fundamental questions about some common contemporary Christian assumptions. This is an accessible introduction to Mark, ideal for interested adult readers of all kinds, which incorporates the most reliable and up-to-date Scripture scholarship.
Bonnie B. Thurston, after years as a university and seminary professor, lives quietly in her home state of West Virginia. She is the author of many books of scripture and theology, including The Spiritual Landscape of Mark and Philippians in the Sacra Pagina series. Her poetry appears frequently in religious periodicals and among her published collections is Belonging to A Sojourn in the Celtic Tradition.
Thurston focuses on Mark's conception of discipleship, economic justice, and personal lifestyle. She demonstrates that this gospel raises fundamental questions about some common contemporary Christian assumptions. This is an accessible introduction to Mark, ideal for interested adult readers of all kinds, which incorporates the most reliable and up-to-date Scripture scholarship.
Bonnie B. Thurston, after years as a university and seminary professor, lives quietly in her home state of West Virginia. She is the author of many books of scripture and theology, including The Spiritual Landscape of Mark and Philippians in the Sacra Pagina series. Her poetry appears frequently in religious periodicals and among her published collections is Belonging to A Sojourn in the Celtic Tradition.
121 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 28, 2022
More like 3.5...
Thurston had a few interesting points about the emphases in Mark's Gospel; I appreciated the way she explained the all-encompassing nature of a life laid down for Christ. However, while her ideas may be revolutionary for some, they were not new to me. Therefore, the impact she was going for was somehwat lost on me. I did glean from her knowledge, however, and found some of her points about the Kingdom economy and abundance to be fascinating. I don't think I'll read it again, but I may recommend it to someone else who was interested in more detailed study of the themes in Mark.
Thurston had a few interesting points about the emphases in Mark's Gospel; I appreciated the way she explained the all-encompassing nature of a life laid down for Christ. However, while her ideas may be revolutionary for some, they were not new to me. Therefore, the impact she was going for was somehwat lost on me. I did glean from her knowledge, however, and found some of her points about the Kingdom economy and abundance to be fascinating. I don't think I'll read it again, but I may recommend it to someone else who was interested in more detailed study of the themes in Mark.
March 29, 2015
I have studied the Gospel of Mark intently for nearly 15 years, preaching and teaching from it often and annually putting off my own large writing project because of how intimidating this gospel can be.
I am finally get an opportunity to teach a college-level course on Mark this fall, so it was time to find a good textbook. Each book on my shelf has its pros and cons. Yet I decided to read Thurston's book because one of my colleagues uses it when he teaches from Mark. Since I greatly respect this colleague (and I am familiar with Thurston's ability as a writer and scholar), I decided to give it a go.
Do NOT underestimate this short book. Yes, it is only 80 pages. However they are a theologically thick 80 pages. Essentially, Thurston focuses on four themes in Mark: suffering, discipleship, Christology and economics. I think she stretches a couple of her conclusions (especially on equating asceticism and discipleship), however I enjoyed the book.
I am finally get an opportunity to teach a college-level course on Mark this fall, so it was time to find a good textbook. Each book on my shelf has its pros and cons. Yet I decided to read Thurston's book because one of my colleagues uses it when he teaches from Mark. Since I greatly respect this colleague (and I am familiar with Thurston's ability as a writer and scholar), I decided to give it a go.
Do NOT underestimate this short book. Yes, it is only 80 pages. However they are a theologically thick 80 pages. Essentially, Thurston focuses on four themes in Mark: suffering, discipleship, Christology and economics. I think she stretches a couple of her conclusions (especially on equating asceticism and discipleship), however I enjoyed the book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews