Easter is the most significant time of the year for the Christian community. While some Christians herald Christmas because without a birth, there could not have been a death, nothing makes the emotional roller coaster as much as the remorse over the death on Good Friday to the celebration of life on Sunday with the resurrection.
We read and blog about business books, but I have long believed that we should be consumers of all types of books, including novels, biographies, autobiographies, essays, anthologies – in all types of arenas: sports, politics, news, health, religion, and so forth.
So, I want to call your attention to a new book by Marcus Borg, who is a retired religion professor at Oregon State University, and who has authored numerous works, including The God We Never Knew and Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time. I like him because he is forthcoming, non-pretentious, provocative, and simply honest.
The book that I am reading is called Meeting Jesus in Mark (SPCK Publishing, 2011). It is a short, highly readable, and very different study of this gospel than you will find other places. If you want to purchase it, this is the link: http://www.spckpublishing.co.uk/shop/meeting-jesus-in-mark/
For those who are interested, are you aware that in Mark: (1) the context is the year 70 – the time just before the highly unsuccessful Jewish revolt against the Roman Empire? (2) the story does not begin with Jesus’ birth, but rather, as an adult? (3) that the story of Jesus’ temptations with the devil last a full two passages? And, on and on – the book is full of interesting revelations.
No, it is not for everyone. But, if you want an interesting read on a topic that you may have long forgotten or never studied, it is well worth your time.
What do you think? Let’s talk about it soon!
First Friday Book Synopsis 