Binding the Strong Man: A Political Reading of Mark's Story of Jesus (Paperback)

~ (Author) "During the 1984 U.S. presidential campaign, Ronald Reagan repeated over and over his singular interpretation of the historical moment: "America is back" he extolled, "and..." (more)
Key Phrases: third apocalyptic moment, generative seam, discipleship narrative, New Testament, John the Baptist, Mark's Jesus (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback: 500 pages
• Publisher: Orbis Books (March 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0883446200
• ISBN-13: 978-0883446201
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #784,725 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finest reading of a Christian scripture I've encountered, November 27, 1999

By	Chuck (Ann Arbor, MI) - See all my reviews

At the end of his preface, Ched Myers writes, "I pray that this study might help Mark to speak, and the reader to have 'ears to hear', the good news that promises yet to overthrow the structures of tion in our world." Although he is nobody's seasoned Greek scholar, the author lives up to his end of the bargain. Myers serves up, in this reading of the earliest gospel, a much-needed focus of radical discipleship -- i.e., Jesus as exemplar of nonviolent resistance to the powers-that-be in his day, and ergo in ours. Myers wrote this groundbreaking work not in the effete ivory tower of liberal intellectualism, but while living in seven intentional faith communities over the course of several years ... and yet, it's a remarkable piece of scholarship. Finally: a serious application of the socio-literary approach to a book of scripture, by an author who beckons us not to worship and adore a tall-steeple bourgeois Jesus, but to follow the itinerant rabbi he really was!

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Binding the Strong Man, November 27, 1999

By	Patricia Brown (USA) - See all my reviews

Excellent book - ideas for all who want to understand the Bible from the point of view of Liberation Theology - a gospel for the poor and oppressed. Book is quite technical and very researched but may be difficult for those who do not have Scriptural backgound and higher studies. I was very impressed and felt that many new insights were attainted. I have read the book three times.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rereading the scriptures in there context, June 24, 2008

By	John D. Gaffney (Melbourne Victoria Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Most refreshing theological book I have read - opens ones eyes to Jesus's message by showing the context for each action and words of Jesus. Well worth the read - heavy going at times as it is full of substance. Every christian pastor and teacher should read it and it will revitalise their vision of what is the Lord's work.