Mark

I found this commentary an excellent breath of fresh air. Prof. Black writes from a threefold position: What We Cannot Know, What We Can Infer, and What We May Judge. In the first category is authorship and provenance. On authorship he simply states: "The book's interpretation should not be governed by speculation either about an author who never identifies himself or about Peter's preaching, to which we have no firsthand access. If the gospel's author (...) was not preoccupied with his identity, then neither need we be. (28)" On Provenance he offers 5 options but concludes, "...if irrefutable proof emerged that Mark originated in Syria, Galilee, or someplace else, it would not alter the interpretation that this commentary offers. (30)". What we may infer are the priority of Mark, the date, and use of traditional sources. On the genre of Mark, Black writes, "Forcing the Second Gospel into a single pigeon hole is as unwise as dismissing the generic question altogether. Comprising--occasionally twisting--many literary conventions, Mark is, at bottom, a religious proclamation based on historical events. Experienced aurally, the Gospel exerts extraordinary power... (34). Finally, What We May Judge includes Mark's influence in the Church and its reception to a Church in travail. "...unresolved tension pulsates throughout Mark... How can the time have been fulfilled, yet God's sovereignty be only near, not yet arrived? (37)". Lastly is Living with Jesus in the Kingdom's Mystery. The Second Gospel presents a genuine mystery. Do we ever have the whole story? Witness accounts remain subjective and suspect. The Truth is in the puzzling, not in the solution because 'puzzling' has its value. "It is to Mark's everlasting credit that he never "explains" the mystery of the kingdom of God... Genuine mystery, which penetrates and upends this world, is given and withheld, concealed and revealed by God alone. (40)" Fear and Faith. Mystery and Explanation. Puzzle and Solution. These are signposts along the Way of this commentary. Prof. Black doesn't concern the reader with what we cannot know, only what we can infer or judge. This makes for a surprisingly rich and rewarding read that I have returned to multiple times. It is certainly proof that a commentary need not be 'big' or overly technical (which I also enjoy) to mine the riches of a biblical text. I found this commentary enlightening and thought provoking. I hope others do too. The physical book is of medium quality with a cover that will peel and dogear quickly with use. In case it is important to anyone: I have denominational standpoint. I am not a scholar or student.

Excellent literary and theological approach to Mark that is readable and concise. Not as in-depth and technical as larger volumes, but an excellent resource nonetheless.