The People's Bible Commentary: A Bible commentary for every day - Mark

The People's Bible Commentary: A Bible commentary for every day - Mark

Author : Dick France
£9.99

A BRF Centenary Classic

Mark’s gospel is the shortest of the four first-century books which share the story of  Jesus of Nazareth, and the most vividly told. Mark shows the disconcerting influence of Jesus on his often bewildered disciples, and how their world was turned upside down by the revolutionary values of the kingdom of God. He writes of eager crowds and impressive miracles, of dramatic confrontation with opponents both human and demonic, building towards the final showdown in Jerusalem, where the cosmic drama of death and resurrection is played out.

Title The People's Bible Commentary: A Bible commentary for every day - Mark
Author Dick France
Description

Mark’s gospel is the shortest of the four first-century books which share the story of  Jesus of Nazareth, and the most vividly told. Mark shows the disconcerting influence of Jesus on his often bewildered disciples, and how their world was turned upside down by the revolutionary values of the kingdom of God. He writes of eager crowds and impressive miracles, of dramatic confrontation with opponents both human and demonic, building towards the final showdown in Jerusalem, where the cosmic drama of death and resurrection is played out.

Details
  • Product code: 9781800391581
  • Published: 20 May 2022
  • Format: EPUB

Mark’s gospel is the shortest of the four first-century books which share the story of  Jesus of Nazareth, and the most vividly told. Mark shows the disconcerting influence of Jesus on his often bewildered disciples, and how their world was turned upside down by the revolutionary values of the kingdom of God. He writes of eager crowds and impressive miracles, of dramatic confrontation with opponents both human and demonic, building towards the final showdown in Jerusalem, where the cosmic drama of death and resurrection is played out.

The late Revd Dick France was an Anglican clergyman and a New Testament scholar and writer. He taught at the London School of Theology before becoming principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.

The People's Bible Commentary covers the whole Bible with an approach that presents scholarly insights in straightforward terms, aiming to instruct the head but also to warm the heart, and pointing to how the truths received can be applied personally. It is a valuable resource for all who regularly preach scripture, for those wanting to venture deeper into personal Bible reading, and for study group leaders.

Transforming Ministry Spring 2023. Review by Diana Barsham

With its excellent introduction, this reissue of Dick France’s 1996 commentary on Mark’s Gospel still provides a valuable resource for Bible study. Insisting that the gospel should be read as a literary work, not just a collection of extracts, France anticipates Rowan Williams’ view that Mark delivers a unique encounter with the living presence of Christ. France’s Jesus is a divine action man from the beginning, his story a drama in three acts. Miraculous days in Galilee are swiftly followed by Jesus’ failed attempts to prepare his disciples for what lies ahead in Jerusalem. As antagonisms deepen, France anatomises the growing tensions around Jesus’ identity as the Messiah, emphasising the geopolitical implications of each stage of his journey. Five thousand Jewish men follow Jesus expecting military leadership only to receive a miraculous picnic. As his mission expands, four thousand Gentiles are given the heavenly crumbs from under their table. In Jerusalem, pilgrims from Galilee hail Jesus as the Messiah; a local crowd calls for his crucifixion. The commentary’s strength derives from France’s exhaustive knowledge of Old Testament sources, that net of meanings that shaped the life of Jesus and scripted his self-understanding. As the disciples struggle to understand poetic parables of the new Kingdom, France seems equally bemused. His action driven Jesus has no time to be loveable. Mary Magdalene does not even get a name check!

Reviewed by Diana Barsham