The Beginning of the Gospel: A Theology of Mark (Peter Orr)

“This is maybe the best short theology of Mark I’ve read. Unique to Orr’s book is how he places Mark in conversation with both Peter and Paul. When Mark composed his work, Peter and Paul were already preaching aspects of Mark’s Gospel. Mark more fully narrates the story of this great hero who is more than the Jewish Messiah. He is the divine Son.”
Patrick Schreiner, Associate Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; author, The Kingdom of God and the Glory of the Cross and The Visual Word

“Peter Orr offers readers a rich biblical-theological treatment of the Gospel of Mark, which summons us to follow Christ, the Son of God and servant King. Orr insightfully calls Mark ‘the beginning of the gospel,’ drawing historical and theological links between this foundational narrative of Jesus’s life and the apostolic preaching of Paul and Peter. This is essential reading for all who study and teach Mark’s Gospel.”
Brian J. Tabb, Academic Dean and Professor of Biblical Studies, Bethlehem College and Seminary

“Peter Orr offers a brief, accessible, and insightful survey of the theology of Mark’s Gospel. Orr emphasizes in The Beginning of the Gospel what Mark emphasizes—the gospel of Jesus Christ—and invites readers to see connections between this Gospel and the epistles of the apostle Paul. This book will equip both specialists and general readers to read and reread Mark’s Gospel with deeper understanding and appreciation.”
Guy Prentiss Waters, James M. Baird, Jr. Professor of New Testament and Academic Dean, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson