Best Review on Mark St Andrews Expositional Commentary
In the realm of teaching RC Sproul is at the top of the list. His Renewing Your Mind radio broadcast is a favorite of mine because of the clarity with which he teaches as well as the broad range of topics discussed. But does teaching ability translate into a good commentary writer. The answer in this case is a resounding YES! I have loved reading Sproul's work since becoming a Christian and I am happy to say that this commentary on Mark is a treat to read.
First off I do want to discuss the look of the commentary. I am reviewing a PDF, but have hard copies of others in this series. As a book lover I always enjoy a "good looking" book. This one does not disappoint. The dust jacket has a wonderful look to it and coordinates well with the rest of the series that's available. The layout is great too. Each chapter covers a passage of Scripture. The passage reference is right below the chapter number and title and followed by the entire passage that will be discussed. The passage is offset by using a different font so it is clear to see where Scripture stops and Sproul starts. In the chapter itself, any time Sproul references the text it is offset in bold. This is a great tool, especially if you just want to scan through real quick to find out what the author has to say about a verse or too and are not concerned with the entire context.
Next is the content. Sproul lays out each chapter in a straightforward and easy to read format. There is typically a small introduction, but sometimes he jumps right into the text. He typically gives a brief explanation of the text followed by some practical application of an example to help the idea behind the passage sink in. The chapter break down is handled nicely and makes it easy to read straight through if one would choose to do so.
This is the fourth of this series that I have and I am pleased to say that they have not disappointed me. One important note to mention is that is you are looking for a commentary that is highly technical and focusing on the languages and grammar. If you are searching for an expository sermon commentary, this is not it. Sproul carries the reader through the text step by step to better grasp the content and does a wonderful job for an expositional commentary. Reformation Trust Publishing will be sending me a free hard copy for this review, but in no way has that shaped my opinion. GO GET YOURSELF A SPROUL COMMENTARY!!!!!
BalasHapusGreat expository coverage of the book of Mark. Very readable and enjoyable. Great picture of the person of Jesus and His ministry.
BalasHapus"He Taught Them As One Who Had Authority" is classic R C Sproul writing at his best. Theologian, Bible teacher, Pastor and the founder of Ligonier Ministries Dr. Sproul has enriched the lives of countless people worldwide as a result of his preaching, teaching and writing ministry. Being true to form, the brilliant Dr. Sproul who could talk theology with the brightest of the brightest and the best of the best in the world of theologians and theology is able to write and teach in such a way as anyone can understand him...and I like and admire that about him. And his Commentary concerning Mark's Gospel is no exception.
BalasHapusAs one of the books from the St. Andrew's Expositional Commentary Series, Dr. Sproul's book concerning the Gospel of Mark is as good as it gets when it comes to a commentary. There are many fine commentary sets out there to be sure and they all have their advantages and disadvantages; however, with this commentary I find no fault. In this particular commentary on the Gospel of Mark Dr. Sproul opens the door to the world of the Apostle Mark and Jesus Christ in such a way as we the reader can understand not only the Gospel itself in a clearer way, but we also get a real up close and personal glimpse of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ as the Son of Man. He enables us to get to know our Savior better...and to "know, know, know him is to love, love, love him," and this commentary will help you do just that.
There are what I will call 58 Chapters in this commentary beginning in Chapter 1 with the beginning of the Gospel of Mark which author Sproul has titled, "The Coming of Christ." In this Chapter Dr. Sproul provides a running commentary on Mark 1 and verses 1-8 revealing important information about John the Baptist for us. He then leads us onward in the other 57 Chapters revealing Christ and the significant people and events in his life. For example, in Chapter 2 titled, "Empowerment and Testing," Dr. Sproul gives us a look at the temptation of Christ and his victorious response to his tempter and enemy, the Devil. Chapter 3 needs mentioning as it is titled simply, "Follow Me." It is in this Chapter that author Sproul shares with us the important beginning of Jesus' Galilean ministry proclaiming the breaking through of the Kingdom of God in this world as well as the calling of four of his Apostles: Simon and Andrew and James and John.
It is difficult in a short review to do this commentary concerning the Gospel of Mark justice as all 58 Chapters of Dr. Sproul's memorable commentary are pleasurable and easy to read as well as to understand and has something of great value to offer the disciple of Christ and reader. Any serious student of the Word of God who has an interest in learning about the Gospel of Mark and the life and Ministry of Christ will want Dr. Sproul's Commentary to be an essential part of their library and will find it to be most helpful in their study of the Gospel and the life and ministry of Christ as revealed in Mark. I highly recommend this Commentary on Mark and look forward to hopefully reading and reviewing other commentaries in the series in the future.
I received a complementary copy of the book By Reformation Trust Publishing and Ligonier Ministries for reviewing the book.
In the realm of teaching RC Sproul is at the top of the list. His Renewing Your Mind radio broadcast is a favorite of mine because of the clarity with which he teaches as well as the broad range of topics discussed. But does teaching ability translate into a good commentary writer. The answer in this case is a resounding YES! I have loved reading Sproul's work since becoming a Christian and I am happy to say that this commentary on Mark is a treat to read.
BalasHapusFirst off I do want to discuss the look of the commentary. I am reviewing a PDF, but have hard copies of others in this series. As a book lover I always enjoy a "good looking" book. This one does not disappoint. The dust jacket has a wonderful look to it and coordinates well with the rest of the series that's available. The layout is great too. Each chapter covers a passage of Scripture. The passage reference is right below the chapter number and title and followed by the entire passage that will be discussed. The passage is offset by using a different font so it is clear to see where Scripture stops and Sproul starts. In the chapter itself, any time Sproul references the text it is offset in bold. This is a great tool, especially if you just want to scan through real quick to find out what the author has to say about a verse or too and are not concerned with the entire context.
Next is the content. Sproul lays out each chapter in a straightforward and easy to read format. There is typically a small introduction, but sometimes he jumps right into the text. He typically gives a brief explanation of the text followed by some practical application of an example to help the idea behind the passage sink in. The chapter break down is handled nicely and makes it easy to read straight through if one would choose to do so.
This is the fourth of this series that I have and I am pleased to say that they have not disappointed me. One important note to mention is that is you are looking for a commentary that is highly technical and focusing on the languages and grammar. If you are searching for an expository sermon commentary, this is not it. Sproul carries the reader through the text step by step to better grasp the content and does a wonderful job for an expositional commentary. Reformation Trust Publishing will be sending me a free hard copy for this review, but in no way has that shaped my opinion. GO GET YOURSELF A SPROUL COMMENTARY!!!!!
Dr. R.C. Sproul's Commentary on Mark is a 430 Page devotional style commentary that seeks to expound each section of the Gospel of Mark. The commentary doesn't go through and discuss each verse individually but rather comments on chunks or sections of the text.
BalasHapusDr. Sproul has a style of teaching and preaching that at times can be scholarly and technical and at other times easy to understand and accessible for the layman. His commentary on Mark: Saint Andrews Expositional Commentary is not a technical commentary bogged down with lots of theological jargon, text critical notes, or discussions of theological debates but instead is written in a clear and easy to understand style with lots of illustrations that anyone can read and understand.
The style of the commentary is due to the fact that it's based on his sermons that he preached at St. Andrew's.
"What you hold in your hand, then, is a written record of my preaching
labors amid my beloved Sanford congregation. The dear saints who sit
under my preaching encouraged me to give my sermons a broader hearing.
To that end, the chapters that follow were adapted from a sermon series I
preached at St. Andrew's."(Taken from the series Preface)
Dr. Sproul is a Reformed theologian and so some of his interpretations and conclusions are focused in that direction so you may find times in the commentary where you disagree with his theology as I did but on the whole this is a great devotional commentary that has wonderful insights.
If you are the type of person who enjoys reading technical commentaries only this one isn't for you. I should also mention that just because it's easy and not overly technical to read doesn't mean Dr. Sproul makes wild assertions or that this is simply a commentary full of fluff and no substance. Quite the opposite is true.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a simple devotional commentary on the Gospel of Mark.
Disclosure of Material: I received this book free from Reformed Trust Publishing's book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's CFR Title 16, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."