Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: The Gospel of Mark

Ignatius Catholic Study Bible

by Dennis Walters, Curtis Mitch, R. Dennis Walters

Based on the Revised Standard Version ? Catholic Edition, this volume leads readers through a penetrating study of the Gospel of Mark, using the biblical text itself and the Church's own guidelines for understanding the Bible. Ample notes accompany each page, providing fresh insights and commentary by renowned Bible teachers Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch, as well as time-tested interpretations from the Fathers of the Church. These helpful study notes make explicit what St. Mark often assumes. Or they provide rich historical, cultural, geographical or theological information pertinent to the Gospel ? information that bridges the distance between the biblical world and our own. The Ignatius Study Bible also includes Topical Essays, Word Studies and Charts. The Topical Essays explore the major themes of Mark's Gospel, often relating them to the doctrines of the Church. The Word Studies explain the background to important Bible terms, while the Charts summarize crucial biblical information ""at a glance"".

Each page also includes an easy-to-use Cross-Reference Section that runs between the biblical text at the top of the page and the annotations at the bottom. Study Questions are provided for each chapter of the Gospel that can deepen your personal study of God's Holy Word. There is also an introductory essay covering questions of authorship, date, destination, structure and themes. An outline of Mark's Gospel and several maps are also included.

Genres: Religion, Catholic, Nonfiction, Theology, Prayer, Christian, Faith

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2001

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

As this is the year of St. Mark (Year B) in the Church’s Liturgical A,B,C cycle, dh and I wanted to learn a little more about this dynamic Gospel. Dr. Hahn has long been one of our favorite exegetes because he not only brings a tremendous theological background to all of his scripture studies, but he also carefully delineates what he used to believe and teach in his days as a Protestant minister. I never fail to learn from him, but more importantly, he teaches to inspire his students/listeners to live out what they glean rather than use Scripture as a weapon to prove or reprove.

He introduced the 2nd lesson with a personal story about looking for a hospital in a strange city (undoubtedly in the days before GPS, smart phones, etc.) when you had to rely on maps and/or asking for directions. After driving around and thinking he must be getting close to his destination, he rolled down the window and asked a man, “Which way to Mercy Hospital?” The man answered, “O, you're almost there. Just turn down Pride and you’ll find Mercy.” Dr. Hahn immediately recognized the SIGN given him and shared the story with the patient he was visiting. He also added that the wisdom works in reverse, ”Turn down Mercy and you will find Pride!” He encourages us to read Sacred Scripture for more than our 'holy fix', for our own comfort and consolation. We need to read it to be challenged (and changed) by Jesus as were all those who encountered Jesus in St. Mark’s Gospel. The question always being, will we allow Jesus to change us, or will we ignore/reject Him?

This is an excellent study which left me wanting to know more about St. Mark’s Gospel as well as the evangelist who wrote it. If I can make the teensiest criticism it would be that Dr. Hahn sometimes circles back to reemphasize his moral point more than twice, when once would do. As I know my children would accuse me of the same tendency/habit I feel hypocritical even mentioning this, and yet I can see (in someone else, if not myself) how frustrating this can be from the perspective of the audience, not to mention in this particular setting, when the time could have been devoted to covering more material. And yet, which is more important, the moral lessons contained in the Gospel or all the contextual, exegetical, historical, and other information about it? Therefore, I feel forced to qualify my own objection.

Each lesson is over an hour long and packed with information. The entire course is also free on-line here from the St. Paul Center. There are other free studies as well.

Highly recommended! 4.5 stars

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very helpful book in better understanding the Gospel of Mark. Citations, definitions, explanations and other Bible passages were all on the bottom of the page, so there was no flipping back and forth to try and figure out what what being explained where. And, there were additional maps and word definitions in appropriate places to further aid in the comprehesion of Mark.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

AN APOLOGETICAL COMMENTARY TO MARK'S GOSPEL

The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible (also available in the complete edition) is intended to "lead the reader through Scripture according to the Church's guidelines---faithful to the canon, to the tradition, and to the creeds. The Church's interpretive principles have thus shaped the component parts of this book, and they are designed to make the reader's study as effective and rewarding as possible." (Pg. 10)

Authors Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch note, "The content of Mark's story revolves primarily around the identity of Jesus. Two aspects figure prominently: Jesus' secret and his divine Sonship. (1) Secret: In Mark, Jesus often attempts to conceal his identity as the Messiah because of the great possibility that his contemporaries will misunderstand his mission... Far from embracing the role of a political leader, Jesus labors to reconfigure messianic expectations through his example of servanthood and suffering... Only at the Crucifixion is the Sonship of Jesus fully recognized as he surrenders his life with love to the Father. It is here that a single Gospel character (Roman centurion) confesses Jesus as 'the Son of God.'" (Pg. 14)

Later, they add in a comment about 1:44, "The 'messianic secret' is a leading theme in Mark... Several considerations account for this strategy. (1) Jesus wanted to avoid a sensationalist reputation of being no more than a wonder-worker. Publicizing his deeds by word of mouth comes with the danger that rumors will begin to disconnect his miracles from his saving message. (2) He wanted to sidestep popular expectations that the Messiah would be a political and military leader. (3) He did not want to ignite the wrath of his enemies before the appointed time of his Passion." (Pg. 19)

They observe about 3:29, "The scribes utter blasphemy by attributing to Satan what is actually the work of the Holy Spirit (3:22, 30). Their sin is not unforgivable in principle since no sin can place us beyond the reach of God's mercy. However, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a form of rebellion that is particularly grievous because it blinds people to their own need for forgiveness; in this case, sins are unpardonable when they are not confessed with contrition." (Pg. 23-24)

Hahn's/Mitch's commentaries will be of great use to conservative Catholics---particularly those with an apologetic interest.

[Chemteacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine bible study on the book of Mark. This is suited especially for Catholics who are somewhat unfamiliar with scripture. I have used it in that context to do a bible study, and am retaining it in my library for further use of that type.

The introduction on reading scripture is one of the finest I have seen for Catholics. I recommend it whole-heartedly. That alone is a good enough reason to use this book for a bible study with Catholics.

The text is the RSV-CE book of Mark.

There are 4 to 5 object-level questions at the end of the booklet for each chapter of the text. Most of the responses can be found in the footnotes at the bottom of the pages--however--I recommend that you not allow people to give answers copied from the footnotes, but get them to take a full-text bible and look up the other passages that are usually given. Get them to think!

There are also 4 to 5 personal reflection questions at the end of the booklet for each chapter of the text. These are generally good, and time should be spent on them in a good bible study.

Overall, a good resource.

[Kirsten]

The Ignatius series covers all the books of the Bible. This book is the Gospel of Mark. Hahn and Mitch offer a comprehensive commentary to that Gospel. “They provide rich historical, cultural, geographical and theological information pertinent to the Gospel”. The commentary includes, interpretation, word definitions, topical essays, word studies, map, chart and study questions at the end of the book. The book is shaped with the Gospel covering the first third and the commentary the remaining two thirds of each page. It is useful having them side by side because you can refer back the Gospel if you have a question or need revision of a certain section. Hahn and Mitch use their own interpretative powers and those of the early Church Fathers to flesh out the commentary. Overall, Mark spends considerable amount of the text on the events leading up to the Crucifixion and is useful to read for that reason. Hahn and Mitch offer a commentary that is easy to read and easy to digest for the novice through to the experienced theologian

[Michael]

My review? The Bible is a really good book, I give it 4 1/2 stars.

[Goodthelife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read with Peace of Heart group

[awesome.nerd.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

“For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage , but are like angels in heaven.” 12:25. One of the best books of the Bible. It has so much meaning. At the foot of His cross only three stuck it out unafraid of what would happen. God’s other close friends left him, denied him but later redeemed themselves. I read this book for one of my Bible studies. I like how you don’t have to do any homework for this book. We just read one chapter during the beginning of each study and reviewed questions and responses.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

great 😃

[Jannette Kazlauskas · Rating 4 out of 5]

End of Bible study!