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Mark by the Book: A New Multidirectional Method for Understanding the Synoptic Gospels

Peter W Smuts
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P. W. Smuts advocates a “multi–directional” hermeneutic to the Synoptic Gospels—downwards, sideways, backwards, and forwards—using the Gospel of Mark to illustrate this approach. The downwards direction focuses on the immediate literary context of the particular text. The sideways direction focuses on parallels to that text in the other Synoptic Gospels. The backwards direction focuses on the Old Testament background to the text. And the forwards direction focuses on relevant passages in the rest of the New Testament. This model compels readers to interpret the gospels against the broader sweep of redemptive history.

Includes a Foreword by Dennis E. Johnson

Specifications
  • Cover Type
    Paperback
  • ISBN
    9781596384408
  • Page Count
    260
  • Weight
    1.0 lb
  • Publisher
    P&R Publishing Company
  • Publication Date
    February 2013
  • Books of the Bible
    Mark

Endorsements (3)

“I commend Mark by the Book for four reasons. First, experience: it is the product of years of teaching. Second, focus: it is crystal clear, insightful, Christ centered. Third, practicality: it works. The author has successfully used it to train students how to interpret Scripture better. Fourth, fruit: the result is better handling of God’s Word, more love for Jesus, and a greater zeal to spread the good news—four very good things!”

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Robert A. Peterson

Professor of Systematic Theology, Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis

“What a wonderful idea—a commentary for redemptive–historical preaching! Here we have a skillful unfolding of the message of Mark, first by close examination of the text, not verse by verse, but by looking intently at the Gospel’s crucial, life–changing stories—stories that reveal to us the character, person, and deeds of JesusDr. Smuts has clearly immersed himself in Mark, not as an isolated text but as part of Gods whole Bible addressed to God’s whole people, and here is the fruit of his study: informed, accessible, enthusiastic, and pastoral.”

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Dan G. McCartney

Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Redeemer Seminary, Dallas

“We are blessed with scholarly commentaries on Mark’s Gospel as well as more popular surveys. Rarer are those that bring out the richness of the text with the research of the former and the pastoral sensitivity of the latter...This approach exposes the meaning in each pericope with powerful effect and remarkable insight. I highly recommend this exploration of Mark.”

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Michael Horton

J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California

About the Author

P. W. Smuts (PhD) teaches hermeneutics, homiletics, and biblical Greek at the Bible Institute of South Africa near Cape Town.

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