Mark (2)

by Timothy G. Gombis, Scot McKnight (Editor)

A new commentary for today's world , The Story of God Bible Commentary explains and illuminates each passage of Scripture in light of the Bible's grand story. The first commentary series to do so, SGBC offers a clear and compelling exposition of biblical texts, guiding everyday readers in how to creatively and faithfully live out the Bible in their own contexts. Its story-centric approach is ideal for pastors, students, Sunday school teachers, and laypeople alike. Each volume employs three main, easy-to-use sections designed to help readers live out God's story: —Mark— Mark's Gospel is highly subversive and challenges disciples in ways that are unique from the other three accounts of Jesus' ministry. His narrative addresses Christian audiences who know Jesus' teaching and who have made a Christian confession but who are failing to grasp the character of the gospel as thoroughly shaped be the cross of Christ. Edited by Scot McKnight and Tremper Longman III, and written by a number of top-notch theologians, The Story of God Bible Commentary series will bring relevant, balanced, and clear-minded theological insight to any biblical education or ministry.

Genres: Theology, Christianity

640 pages, Hardcover

Published March 9, 2021

Reviews

[Hkunes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Bible study.

[Samuel Youngblood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timothy Gombis posits Mark's intention in his gospel account as confronting his early listeners' understanding of what kind of Messiah Jesus is and the unfortunate complacency cultivated by their lacking perception. Central to Mark's gospel then is the parable of the sower in Gombis' view, with different soils being played out in Mark's narrative through the disciples and outsiders. Those who truly hear and see Jesus can perceive the secret of the kingdom of which Jesus is a cross-shaped king. Overall, Gombis continually draws from the gospel that Jesus desires for his followers to also denies themselves and take up a cross shaped life, which Gombis describes as service to the poor and hospitality to the marginalized.
The commentary has some technical details, but is mainly pastoral. Each chapter is ended with a "live the story" section that brings current issues into conversation with the content of Mark's gospel. For a 21st century American evangelical context, these sections are very potent, challenging, and practical.
Working through this commentary was smooth and even fun to read, which isn't always the case in books such as this.
Will be keeping on the shelf nearby to refer back to!

[Josh Head · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent work of biblical commentary.

Gombis impressively keeps the whole story of Scripture in view as he focuses in on very specific traits of Mark's narrative. He traces the themes of the disciples' consistent failure (which climaxes at the final verse of Mark), the motif of seeing and hearing (or lack thereof), the ways that specific words in the greek are repeated for powerful implication, and several more. Gombis' writing is very strong as he continuously points to these themes and motifs throughout the text. This book has really changed the way I read this subversive, surprising, disturbing gospel. I'm grateful for all of that, because it's caused me to cherish the person of Jesus in ways I hadn't before.

[Amy Jacobsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great edition from one of my favorite commentary series

[Austin Kuhn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely wanted to like this commentary more. I did think the “listen to the story” and “explain the story” aspects of it were overall okay and helpful to understand the passage(s) and appreciated the author’s personality coming through. Though many of the “apply the story” (application) sections were theologically and/or politically questionable (view of the Trinity, men’s and women’s roles, white flight, white guilt and communion as examples) and at times seemed only loosely related to the passage. Some of the application was definitely good and true (caring for people, ministry being Christ centred, not looking for eschatological signs and true discipleship). But the negative aspects soured much of it for me.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dense as you would expect from most commentaries (hence why I took a year to read it) but quite profound. A convicting interpretation of the book of Mark that challenges many widely accepted beliefs and cultural characteristics of modern Christianity, especially that of Westernized American churches that seek to defend worldly institutions and political views rather than sacrifice and serve the underprivileged and marginalized in our communities. I will take a lot of this with me into my discipleship and revisit this book in the future since it is hard to soak it all in after just one read.

[Jon Anderson]

Sermon prep for Fall 2021. I am finding this new commentary series to be extremely helpful in connecting individual passages to the overall Biblical narrative as well as drawing out thoughtful and relevant application for the current day.

[Megan Mac]

Read for an IV series I did spring of '24