Message from the Bishop on the Promised Bible Study of the Gospel of Mark
I am still preparing the Bible study on the Gospel of Mark and hope to begin it in the new year. Frankly, two things have slowed me down.
First, the Gospel is an organic whole, and I don’t want to just divide into disconnected sections. M. Eugene Boring begins his excellent commentary on the Gospel with this explanation (Mark: A Commentary, Westminster/John Knox Press, 2006, page 1): “The Gospel of Mark is a written text composed to be read aloud, all at once, in the context of a worshiping congregation. Mark’s potent story cannot be summarized; it must be experienced.” I am still pondering how best to present lessons on this Gospel while maintaining the flow and intent of the story.
Second, I have to admit that I am taking some days off throughout December. Bea and I had planned on an extended vacation connected to the Lambeth Conference (now postponed) and time in Estonia with our grandchildren at out our daughter-in-law’s family home. With the pandemic, all of that had to be canceled. Like so many, we hoped to be able to make new arrangements as the year progressed. Come November, the staff – really Denise and Rae – suggested that I take additional days off in December. I am following their advice.
Taken together, that means the Bible study will have to wait until 2021.
Thank you for understanding.
