Need some Weekly Wisdom? Here are my favorite resources of the week.
VERSE OF THE WEEK
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me [2 Cor. 12:9].
BOOK OF THE WEEK
The Gospel of Mark (The New International Greek Testament Commentary) by R.T. France
“Drawing on many years of Marcan studies, world-class scholar R. T. France has produced an exegetical commentary on the Greek text of Mark that does what the best of recent Greek commentaries have done but in France’s own inimitable, reader-friendly way.
This work is a commentary on Mark itself, not a commentary on commentaries of Mark…
France sees the structure of Mark’s Gospel as an effective “drama in three acts.” Act 1 takes up Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee. Act 2 covers Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem with his disciples. Act 3 focuses on Jesus’ public ministry in Jerusalem, including his confrontation with the Jewish leaders, his explanatory discourse on the future, and his passion, death, and resurrection. France carefully unpacks for modern readers the two central themes of this powerful narrative of Jesus’ life — the nature of Christ and the role of discipleship.”
- As a result, the plot of the gospel (after the opening declarations in the ‘prologue’, usually defined as either Mark 1:1-13 or Mark 1:1-15) is often understood as consisting of three main stages, focused on three geographical locations, stage 1 in and around Galilee (up to roughly Mark 8:21), stage 2 on the road to Jerusalem (roughly Mark 8:22-10:52) and stage 3 in the capital itself (from Mark 11:1 on) [11].
- It is in their discovery of and response to who Jesus is that the disciples occupy our attention; discipleship is the proper outcome of a healthy Christology (28).
- Mark’s book is intended, therefore, to pass on the good news about Jesus (52).
PODCAST OF THE WEEK
How to Disagree by The Gospel Coalition
Before the widespread accessibility of the internet, most theological debate moved at the speed of journal publishing, which is to say, slowly. There was a time when perhaps two years would pass before an author would see critical reviews of his or her work. Today, controversial books will be dissected by bloggers and Amazon reviewers before most readers even know the book has been released.
This is just one way the terms of theological debate have changed, according to Michael Horton, who talks in this podcast with Tim Keller and Matt Chandler about how Christians ought to disagree among ourselves and with other theological opponents. You’ll hear them offer several nuggets of wisdom that all Christians would be wise to follow as they call on us to criticize when possible in the context of relationship and state our opponents’ arguments in a way they would recognize and own.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Speaking of William Wilberforce, friends noted that “he lacked time for half the good works in his mind.”
SONG OF THE WEEK
I had the privilege to minister this week at NGU Fuge with Jarod Espy and his worship band. It was our first time to work together or even meet even though we have many mutual friends. Jarod and his band did a great job leading worship at camp!
POST OF THE WEEK
Let’s Give the Gospel of Mark to the Hunsrik People by Rocky Creek
3 million Hunsrik people of Brazil do not have the Gospel of Mark in their language. We need to do something about it.
As we studied, I really wanted to help other people around the world be able to study the Bible as well. I inquired from the Wycliffe Bible translators of a good project to support, and I was informed that the translators for the Hunsrik people have a goal for this year – to translate the Gospel of Mark in their language. It appears as if God is up to something.
TIP OF THE WEEK
Select a Bible Reading Plan. So many people don’t stay consistent in Bible reading because they never choose a direction. They don’t know where the starting line is or the finishing line. Some of us are running just to run but don’t have a finish line to which we can point. If we commit our work to the LORD, our plans will be established (Prov. 16:3). As we plan our way, the LORD establishes our steps (Prov. 16:9). Don’t approach the Bible without some Bible reading plan. Know where you are going. The Bible is a book. That means it has sections and a flow to it. Respect that as you approach it and make a plan.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
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