Rowan Williams explores the essential meaning and purpose of St Mark's Gospel for complete beginners - as well as for those who've read the Gospel many times before and want to see it in a fresh light.
Written at a highly accessible level and packed with illuminating spiritual insights, this book would make a perfect gift for anyone thinking about confirmation, while also appealing to people who may simply be curious about Jesus and the Gospels and want to learn more about his significance.
Includes discussion questions and a Lenten reading guide.
Introduction vii
1 The beginning of the Gospel 1
2 Telling secrets 27
3 A lifelong passion 51
Questions for reflection or group discussion 75
Lenten reading guide 78
Notes 84
Suggestions for further reading 85
Rowan Williams is Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge. His most recent books include Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer (SPCK 2014), A Silent Action: Engagements with Thomas Merton (SPCK 2013), The Lion's World: A journey into the heart of Narnia (SPCK 2012) and Faith in the Public Square (Bloomsbury 2012).
I thought I knew Mark's Gospel but Rowan Williams has opened my eyes to see what I had not seen, and to no longer see what I believed I had seen. The Gospel of Mark is a fascinating text, inviting readers to understand Jesus in relation to themselves and themselves in relation to God. This book is a convincing interpretation and a deep meditation. * Jurgen Moltmann, Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology University of Tubingen * In this short and very readable book, Rowan Williams has succeeded in conveying the essence of Mark's Gospel. While he deals with the technical questions of origin and authorship, his main concern is with the way in which the Evangelist invites his readers into a relationship of trust with one who brings us into the transfiguring presence of God. There could be no better introduction to this enigmatic but profound Gospel. * Morna D. Hooker, Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity Emerita University of Cambridge * This wonderful book shows how Mark's beautiful and subtle gospel still challenges our understanding of God, and of how God works in our lives. It is an original work and so will be of interest to scholars, but it is written in a clear and vivid style that makes it accessible to everyone. I could not put it down. * Timothy Radcliffe, OP, Director of the Las Casas Institute Blackfriars, Oxford *