God ontmoeten in Marcus

Reflections for the Season of Lent

by Rowan Williams

Rowan Williams God ontmoeten in Marcus Een frisse kijk op de boodschap en de betekenis van het evangelie naar Marcus door een van de grootste theologen ter wereld op dit moment. Rowan Williams onthult de betekenis en het doel van het Evangelie naar Marcus voor complete beginners, maar ook voor wie het evangelie al vele malen heeft gelezen maar weer zoekt naar een nieuwe kijk erop. Het is geschreven op zeer toegankelijk niveau en vol leerzame spirituele inzichten. Daarmee is dit boek een perfect geschenk voor wie erover denkt toe te treden tot de christelijke gemeenschap, en is het tegelijk aantrekkelijk voor mensen die alleen maar nieuwsgierig zijn naar Jezus en de evangeli‘n en wat meer willen leren over de betekenis daarvan. De pers over 'God ontmoeten in Paulus': Populaire theologie op zijn best - Wim Houtman in Nederlands Dagblad Als je geen christen was zou je het er spontaan van worden - Wolter Huttinga, 4 sterren in Trouw Rowan Douglas Williams (1950) is Brits theoloog en schrijver van talrijke boeken waaronder 'God ontmoeten in Paulus' (februari 2017). Hij was jarenlang aartsbisschop van Canterbury en geestelijk leider van de Anglicaanse Kerk.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian, Religion, Biblical Studies, New Testament

88 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Rowan Douglas Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth, is an Anglican bishop, poet, and theologian. He was Archbishop of Canterbury from December 2002-2012, and is now Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge and Chancellor of the University of South Wales.

Reviews

[Zach Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly not a complete expression of what Mark is trying to do, but Williams latches on to a few fascinating themes and powerfully expresses them in our context.

Takeaways:
- Interaction with critical scholarship was discerning and appreciative
- “Regime-change” language
- His discussion of the messianic secret and the connection of people not listening to Jesus’s command to he silent about his miracles with the women’s not listening to the command to speak about the resurrection at the end of the gospel
- Discussion of how our view of the atonement ought to upend egocentricity

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much to dwell on here. What I love about Rowan Williams is that his writing is easy and interesting to read, but full of depth and insight.

[Parker McGoldrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first exposure to Rowan, and I think I’ll try to read just about everything he’s written. Mark truly is “a gospel for us all.”

[Ray LaManna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very profound meditation on the gospel narrative of St. Mark, primarily his Passion narrative. Archbishop Williams is a first-class scripture scholar and also a sensitive scholar.

[Menno Beek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dit kreeg ik twee jaar geleden van de pastoor van de Rotterdamse Paradijskerk, de onnavolgbare City-pastor Hans de Rie, kwam er nu pas aan toe het te lezen, en het was een plezierige verrassing. De ex-aartsbisschop van de Anglicaanse kerk Williams heeft een heldere schrijfstijl, neemt subtiel de recente wetenschappelijke inzichten mee en kan tegelijk zelfs de lezer die het evangelie van Marcus al vrij goed kent toch verrassen met frisse filosofische, religieuze en literaire subtiliteiten die in die oude tekst te beleven zijn. Zijn inclusieve, beschieden en tegelijk geheel lucide stijl maakt hem een plezierige kampioen van modern christendom. Voor iedereen die eens iets anders over de kerk wil lezen dan of achterhoedegevechten of matig geimformeerde schimp.

[Zac Talbott · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent, short reflection on Mark that is fairly shallow...and the reading plan for Lent in no way corresponds to the three sections of the book, leaving the reader somewhat confused as to how the entire Lenten devotion is supposed to fit together.

[Zachary Putera Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

its been a while since i’ve read a book that deals w christian subject matter and even longer since i’ve read anything exegetical. its never really like reading the commentary of a different kind of book because there’s an element of personal involvement in exegesis that the author is both aware of and cognisantly addressing throughout it.

that being said, i got a fair amount out of this tiny book. i didn’t realise that mark was so rarely studied (at least relative to the other gospels), and i felt that williams made a really good argument for paying more attention to it. i think i’m also maybe a little bit biased because i’m a big fan of the more reticent + stoic-adjacent perspective that mark offers: these are the facts; sit down and ruminate. i vibe with it in a weird but good way.

plus, i can’t resist references to my boy peter. he’s the worlds biggest doubter but also the realest of them all. the particular story about peter seeing Jesus on the water and running out to meet him comes to mind; the one where he starts to sink when the excitement of seeing Jesus becomes superseded by the rough conditions of being a water-walker (although when i remember it i remember it as it was portrayed in manga messiah where peter had purple hair). he believes so hard but he also is so bad— and i think that’s ultra mega hype.

[Valour · Rating 5 out of 5]

The great theologian Rowan Williams, has two modes - deeply accessible, simply written, public theology designed for the Non-scholar, OR text so deep, so scholarly that one has to sit with it, take notes and spend a lot of time chewing it thoroughly.

Meeting God in Mark, is thankfully, in the former category. I read it quite quickly as a course I am on is examine the New Testament, and it offers a very good introduction to the Gospel of Mark, to the differences with Mark and the other Gospels and takes one right to the heart of the message. I won't say that it is easy, because biblical study, however accessible is never simple. Grappling with the fundamental truths of humanity, the universe and God is always a complex exercise. You think you've got it, and then something else catches you're eye and your back to confusion. Luckily, Williams offers us a map in this book. The text is suitable for both enthusiastic bible scholars and for Lent groups, and for the latter there is an excellent set of questions at the back, which relate to the individual chapters.

A short but punchy text, this is one I am likely to keep coming back too.

[David C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but helpful book

I'm trying to read devotionally through Mark this Lent, and had hoped that this would be formatted in a pretty one-stop-shopping format from Ash Wednesday to Easter with Scripture, Devotional, Prayer, Questions for reflection on a daily or weekly schedule. Instead there's a separate commentary/summary, followed by some questions, followed by a reading plan (NRSV or NIV or whatever English translation you prefer sold separately). So the content is all here, but not quite in the format I was expecting.

And if the fact that I'm writing this a good two weeks away from Easter is any indication for you, this was simultaneously so succinct and so interesting to read that I finished it early.

[Harry Wilde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tough to review.

Included a fascinating reflection on why Mark’s gospel has such an abrupt, almost incomplete, ending - with Rowan’s sense that this was Mark’s design (rather than us having an incomplete manuscript).

But apart from that, it felt like not a huge amount was said in 70 pages, which is what I’ve felt about other RW books too. Perhaps it is more in the category of mediation than explanation.

[Kyle Mervau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but powerful! Rowan doesn’t spend much time working towards big ideas, he just gets right into it. I’m not sure I’ve read something this short that was packed with so many paradigm shifts of a Gospel. Mark will be different for me going forward.

[Clive Bevitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought provoking book giving the former ABC's reflections on the Gospel of St Mark.

[Kelly Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking

Interesting perspective on the method behind the writing style of Mark. I enjoyed reading and using the questions to reflect on the passages.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is brilliant. It has really made me think and opened up the book of Mark in a new and exciting way. I thoroughly recommend it.

[Mamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, easy read that i enjoyed. It has a lovely reading guide of Mark for Lent that I wish I had noticed before now... It's not a long, detailed scholarly work.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Concise and informative.

[Sean Stillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very accessible, practical and also profound meditation on Mark’s Gospel. A helpful aid for any individual or group study use.

[Rodie King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with my bible study group during Lent.
Although I have finished the book, I need to continue reading Mark's gospel.
with the URC reflection netes

[Bobbie Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group from our church, Emmanuel, Canterbury, UK, has just performed The Mark Drama - 16 actors, no costumes, no props - nothing but the Gospel of Mark in 90 minutes. This short book seems the ideal way to go even deeper into this deceptively basic and simple Gospel.
Rowan Williams' thesis is that Mark has shown us, through his account of what Jesus did at the cross (which occupies 20% of Mark's Gospel vs. no more than 7% in the others), a picture our own powerlessness, the futility of living by the goals of the world - money, status, power - when death, our sure and certain end, strips all that away.
Yet the hope Jesus has given us is in the Resurrection.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looking for a book to read during Lent this year? You might consider reading Rowan Williams' Meeting God in Mark. In his book, he urges readers to read Mark slowly and thoughtfully, to resist the urge to rush through it. Yes, Mark has a compressed feel to it, a fast-pace, if you will. But it is a substantive book with much to say theologically.

Meeting God in Mark is a quick read. The book includes a schedule for daily/weekly reading in Mark for Lent. The schedule has six days a week for reading the gospel of Mark, and one day a week for reading the reflection in the book. There are also discussion questions for each chapter in Meeting God in Mark.

The book is what it is. The book spends much time--perhaps wastes much time--in introducing the basics of the gospel of Mark. In an effort to be fair to all scholarship, it over-presents and doesn't quite conclude anything. If you accept the Bible for what it is--the very Word of God--and if you accept what the Bible has to say about itself, and what tradition has to say about the Bible, then much of the book is a waste of time. In other words, it is all: who wrote the gospel of Mark? was it written by one person or more than one person? was it a collection of folklore or stories? is it the work of a community, expressing more about the community's needs and interests and wants, or is it factual? are the contents factual and historical? what century was it written in? where was it written? why was it written? should smart readers question all the miracles in Mark? Who was this "Mark"? And should readers believe there was a person named Mark who actually wrote the book? Did this "Mark" actually work closely with Peter? A good study Bible can do a good job of establishing everything readers need to know. Emphasis on GOOD study Bible. The author presents multiple sides of the scholarly debate without really clearly concluding anything at all.

But the book goes beyond that, and that's a good thing. The book examines the theological messages and themes of Mark paying attention to the miracles, the parables, and passion week. It focuses on the unexpectedness of the "good news" message of Mark, focusing on how in Mark God is revealed as a God who doesn't rescue from the sky but endures pain and suffering and ridicule.

Meeting God in Mark is ALL about God in relationship. Mark, he argues, is about revealing God in relationship: showing story by story, verse by verse, Jesus in relationship with many, many people. How the gospel focuses on people's reactions to Jesus, if they take the relationship further, deeper coming to TRUST and FAITH, or if they reject him. How the gospel can be read as offering readers the same invitation of relationship or fellowship.

I liked some of what I read. I definitely found it thought-provoking in places. I didn't like everything I read, however.

[Robert D. Cornwall · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gospel of Mark is the briefest of the four canonical Gospels. It begins suddenly with the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus' Baptism and ends suddenly with the visit to the Empty Tomb. There is neither infancy narrative nor Resurrection appearances. Despite its brevity it offers a compelling witness to the life and ministry of Jesus, including the passion narrative, which takes up a larger percentage of the story than in any other Gospel.

In this small book written by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, we are introduced to Mark's story. While he acknowledges that scholarship has raised questions about whether the author of this Gospel is sharing Peter's story, there is something compelling about the linkage. Williams notes too that the author seems to have intimate knowledge of the players -- consider that he writes that Simon of Cyrene is father of Alexander and Rufus.

The book is only three chapters long, focusing setting the context of the story -- delving into questions of the nature of a gospel (good news), Mark's focus on sharing secrets, and a chapter focusing on the passion. The book includes a three session set of questions and then a reading schedule for moving through the Gospel during the Lenten Season.

The book is based on talks given during Holy Week (2010) at Canterbury. They now provide the foundation for an exploration of this story. In closing the book, he returns to the tradition that Peter stands behind this Gospel. He notes:

"Peter stands for all the human characters whom Jesus confronts, the apostles, the witnesses, the Church, ourselves. He is us; brought to nothing by his inability to hear and receive the transfirguing presence of God in the helpless and condemned Jesus, but called afresh out of his own chaos to the task of finding words for the mystery. Perhaps it really is after all the Gospel of Peter; and if it is the Gospel of Peter, we can be sure it is the gospel for all of us." (pp. 73-74).

For a longer indepth review -- http://www.bobcornwall.com/2015/01/me...

[Roy Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rowan Williams is a brilliant theologian, careful Biblical scholar and compassionate priest, with the additional rare skill of writing about profound matters in an accessible manner. He travels between academia and the parish with apparent ease. This introduction to Mark’s gospel is another example of his gift. While Archbishop of Canterbury, he regularly gave talks during the Lenten season open to all seekers. These meditations on Mark were first offered during Lent and are designed for reading the entire gospel during the season. While Williams provide erudite background on the origins and authorship of Mark, he stays focused on the purpose of the gospel to draw readers into a relation with the central figure of Mark’s gospel and the regime change announced in the beginning. One comes away with a deeper understanding of the shortest of the gospels, and yet, according to Williams, arguably the most profound of them all. He is clear of his attempt, “to help us read Mark slowly … to listen to the various ways in which Mark is challenging us not simply to read but to expose ourselves to a new and transforming relationship with the figure at the heart of his story.” This is an excellent resource for pastors and teachers leading parishioners into Mark during Year B. Williams also includes a selected list of other books essential to under the gospel.

[Mike Beranek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know he's not to everyone's taste but after hearing him speak in public I have become a little entranced by this holy Welsh poet, priest and theologian. This little book brings a welcome admission of the deliberate difficulties and challenges of the diminutive Mark's Gospel. The punchy, economic, sub-cultural narrative is and always was going to be met with bafflement in key places and Rowan encourages us, obliquely, to read, re-read, and read again, continually really. He points out it's not just the reader but the eye-witnesses that are baffled, and we hear the gospel is widely believed to be an account of Peter penned by Mark, and Peter is of course the archetypal perplexed in Mark's brutally honest telling of the story. I like Rowan's Jesus as 'constantly taking us in and out of silence', and his reminder of the gospel's subversive reversal of everything we might think we knew about power and authority. The book is more of a primer than an exhaustive commentary, in fact a lot like Mark is itself, Rowan explains, its a foundation, a beginning of the gospels. Mark's abrupt ending is described as intentional, as challenging us to carry on and say something of what the women at the empty tomb are to dumbstruck to remark upon.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short book, but packed with helpful information in getting the most from reading the Gospel According to Mark. Rowan Williams does a masterful job of providing various theories that explain some of the conundrums that a reader encounters while reading the gospel text.

He takes extensive space in the book to discuss two of the main questions that are raised in the gospel. The first is the "Messianic Secret," or why does Mark portray Jesus so frequently commanding people to keep his identity a secret. The second is in regards to the abrupt ending of the gospel: is it an accident or is it intentional, and if intentional, why?

The three chapters are a very broad overview of the gospel structure and how it was likely perceived and used by its original audience. It provides context in which the text should be read and interpreted, and how we might find application in the 21st century.

Because this book is meant for the Season of Lent, the end of the book contains a discussion guide for each of the chapters as well as a reading plan for the Gospel of Mark during Lent.

All in all I found it to be a worthwhile read and can see using it during Lent.

[An Te · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a little gem of a book. It offers a thoughtful account of the oft-neglected 'Gospel according to Mark.' Rowan opens up Mark to those who know and who are not well acquainted with Mark's account. I particularly like his approach to Mark's punchiness and developing it as a strength of Mark. Its brevity and starkness make it more challenging as an account; it is unashamedly a veritable account of Jesus' actions but the way Mark is weaved is carefully done to heighten suspense; there are persistent reminders of themes throughout. They are not achieved in a certain section but are interwoven and the 'warp' rear themselves at 'untimely' moments to allow the reader to wrestle with the denouement of the narrative; the Cross.

I also like how little details in Mark (i.e. the children of Simon of Cyrene - Mark 15:21) point to Mark having come from the Eastern Levant. Other details are discussed in a compelling manner. Reading this book has given me a more enriched and contextualised understanding of Mark. A worthy read considering its brevity and easy-to-read delivery. I'll be sure to explore his others works.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rowan William's Meeting God in Mark provides insight and discussion points about the Gospel of Mark. Rather than discussing the text chapter by chapter, Williams covers topics that are relevant to this gospel or issues that are worth comparing to one of the other gospels.


There is a good overview of why some scholars question the simplicity of this gospel and why Williams (and others) think that is the wrong conclusion. He covers themes including the importance of miracles for a greater purpose than just the obvious problem solved; parables; the apostles struggle with Jesus' message and highlights how Christians in some countries are still facing similar scrutiny and struggles today.


This book is a good Lenten practice and includes a reading guide with question and study broken up day-by-day.


Review based on copy provided by the publisher.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is very short, but considering it is dealing with two short things (the shortest Gospel and only a 40 day space of time), it makes sense. The author doesn’t make it wordy or drag it out to get a bigger word count in, which I certainly appreciate.
In this book, the author truly delves deeply into two big issues of the gospel. One is the fact that throughout this gospel, Jesus in trying to keep people hushed up about the idea he is a Messiah. The other one is the cliffhanger ending to the gospel. Was it intentional? The author seems to think so, given the brevity of the gospel.
Overall, I found it to be an interesting book about a gospel that is often overlooked.

[Jaime K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway

Williams describes Mark's past and his Gospel well. I like the devotional at the back where each day in Lent is prescribed a reading or reflection. I wish it had been more obvious such a devotional was there; it was two weeks into Lent before I saw it while flipping through.

- Mark's Gospel is more of a biography of that time.
-It was meant to show that a lot of people were confused, so it's perfectly okay if we are.
- It's of the story of the truth of Jesus. Miracles are not what makes Him awesome; forgiveness and eternal life do.

Some of the wording was odd and there were some grammatical errors from my point of view, but I was reading in snippets. I hope to read it in one sitting next year as a preparation for Lent.

[Jimena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short book, written by the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. It is a great book to read for the Season of Lent but of course you can read it any time of the year. I didn't read it through the whole Season of Lent, I started before it began and at the beginning of Lent. The book gives spiritual insights and background information about Mark's Gospel. It made me read and re-read Mark's Gospel and made me think about what I read. This book also contains a reading guide, reflection, and prayer for each of the seven weeks of Lent.

Thanks to Netgalley and Westminster John Knox Press for providing an free copy.

[Omar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent devotional booklet, which includes a great introduction to the gospel of Mark, an overview of the book, and touches on key theological themes and recent scholarship. There is a reading guide that can be used for daily reading of the book of Mark during Lent, and includes discussion questions for small group of Bible studies. This book has a great deal of heart, and is very spiritually uplifting as well as opening up new vistas to the Gospel of Mark. It is an amazingly relevant read that is surprisingly honest with this Gospel. Whether you are new to the study of this gospel or have read widely, this book is a must read.