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

Binding the Strongman is a review of the Gospel of Mark from a socio-literary approach. I am not a trained theologian and got through the book with some difficulties. My second time reading the book made understanding the concepts and teaching easier to understand. Most of Myers work is very good and insightful. Every so often, Myers interpretations of Jesus teaching lacks foundation in the other gospels; however, the vast majority of work seems accurate and thought provoking. A wonderful work in getting to the heart of what Jesus is teaching in Mark. This book is for people with a good overall understanding of the new and old testament and a strong reading ability. The insight that Ched Myers bring to Mark's Gospel will make you think about the role of women in the church, Money in God's kingdom, and Jewish temple practices. This book should be read by all Christians to get a better understanding of what Jesus was truly teaching in the new testament. After reading this book, you will see Christianity in a different light. Jesus - the radical Son of God.

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.

Binding the Strong Man has become an essential text for people of faith who are asking important questions about how the Bible relates to our own age. This is a challenging read but well worth it. Ched Myers' public teachings are wonderfully engaging and challenging as well. Also look for his articles in Sojourners Magazine on biblical stewardship/Sabbath economics.

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!