"Say to This Mountain" Mark's Story of Discipleship

by Ched Myers, Stuart Taylor, Marie Dennis

A "team-authored," popular-level version of Ched Myers' monumental study of Mark, Binding the Strong Man, which adapts its socio-literary method of reading to a work ideal for study and reflection by groups or individuals with limited background in biblical scholarship. Walter Wink called the best-selling Binding the Strong Man "quite simply the most important commentary on a book of scripture since Barth's Romans." Now, "Say to this Mountain" makes the powerful insights of that challenging commentary accessible and at the same time explores the connections between Mark's "handbook of discipleship" and the demands of our contemporary world. In "Say to this Mountain" Myers is joined by a team of authors, Catholic and Protestant, committed to the work of justice and peace, the renewal of the church, and to Christian discipleship. With Myers they share in the conviction that Mark's story has transforming power only as it intersects with our own life-stories and the broader story of the times in which we live. Together, this team has designed a process for reading the Gospel of Mark in which each of the three circles of story informs the other. Carefully organized in reading units for easy study each section includes two parts: "The Text in Context" looks briefly at the themes raised by each episode in Mark's Gospel. "The Word in Our World" draws out one common thread and reflects upon it in light of our contemporary situation. Throughout the book meditations and practical suggestions emphasize the connections between reflective prayer and concerted action.

Genres: Theology, Spirituality, New Testament

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1996

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Say To This Mountain is a more accessible version of his masterful 'Binding The Strong Man'. Both are a valuable and challenging perspective to the New Testament. Anyone wanting a 'radical discipleship' telling of the gospel of Mark would be well served by reading this book.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great popular level remix of Myers' classic work "Binding the Strong Man: A Political Reading of Mark's Story of Jesus" with a more devotional flavor to it. It was designed with the thought that it could be used in a small group setting. Myers' works on the gospel of Mark are quite literally a radical re-visioning (or to use a Markan motif "to see again") of this incredibly well loved story. His commentary and socio-literary-historical insight helps one to see Mark from its first century social location and provides the reader with numerous "a-ha" moments. While I may not agree with all of Myers conclusions, I highly commend his studies for those who want to think seriously (especially if one wishes to engage in the work of social justice/transformation) what discipleship might mean in the 21st century.

[Tom Pepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely the best biblical commentary I’ve ever read (I do read them often). Great for use with group, but even reading it alone is inspiring. It will dramatically challenge all your ideas about Christianity. Very accessible and well written, but profound.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easily digestible and perfect for a small group context. Some of the life application sections were a bit wack though.

[Finn · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent read as far as the "Text in Context" pieces go---Myers lays out the structural workings of Mark in very powerful ways. I think often about his detailing of Jesus' hiding of his mission from the Jews and sharing with the Gentiles, with the final reveal before the Sanhedrin quoting Daniel: "'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" Jesus replied, "I AM. And you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Father and coming on the clouds of heaven." As much as conservatives hate to admit it, Jesus' Kingdom work on Earth had distinctly liberal aspects: his embrace of the margins of society is something that this book revealed to me in a life-changing way, especially the first "Discipleship Journey."

Unfortunately, the "Word in our World" sections work against much of the good laid forth in the first halves of the chapters. There is too much anti-capitalist soapboxing, too little acknowledgment of the shared sin of humanity, center-living and marginalized alike. The explanation of the Syrophoenician woman's situation in Chapter 9 is downright ridiculous. I am glad I read this book and I can also see gaping holes in it.

[Dragan Radović · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you will ever read a commentary on any of the Gospels, please make it this one.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work is insightful and extremely thought provoking, although I didn't always agree with the leaps the authors made. I feel it requires another look, and it is going on my list of books to re-read.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is Ched Myers, et al.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! Study of Mark in New Testament by Ched Myers -foremost Markian scholar. Examines the texts in context and I learned So Much!!!