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Join Fr. John R. Donahue, S.J., one of Catholicism’s leading Mark experts in exploring this remarkable Gospel.

Christianity was at a crossroads. The great apostles Peter and Paul had died. Members of the original Christian communities had passed. Jesus’ word might also soon be buried and forgotten. But it was Mark’s good news—not Matthew’s—that saved the faith.

Did you know that Matthew’s Gospel includes over 90 percent of Mark’s material? The Church has long revered both as divinely inspired. But for centuries, it was thought that Mark was the “orphan gospel,” mostly just a briefer version of Matthew. Most scholars now believe Mark was written first.

Did you know that Mark is the only Gospel in which the word that translates to “good news” actually appears? Although the shortest and most plainspoken of all the Gospels, it is also a crucial independent source on Jesus, His life and His ministry.

With award-winning New Testament scholar and Catholic priest Father John Donahue you will come to know the Gospel of Mark, the exciting stories it tells, and the history of its composition.

Fr. Donahue, with his 30 years of Mark scholarship, tells Jesus’ story through Mark’s eyes as Jesus faces evil, heals the sick and urges us to take a hard look at how we live our own lives. Most importantly, you will see Jesus as not only divine, but as a man who died for the world’s sins.

These 12 talks will prove to be invaluable companions for anyone seeking a deeper and fuller understanding of this simple, but fulfilling, Gospel.

With this order you will receive, free of charge, a detailed Electronic Study Guide. With your confirmation email, you will receive a link that will take you to this Electronic Study Guide, which includes outlines for each topic, review questions and suggested readings for further study. The link to access this Electronic Study Guide will also be included on the case of your CDs or DVDs. You are allowed to print up to 7 copies of your guide. Simply click on the link, or type it into your browser, to access the file.

About Your Presenter

Fr. John R. Donahue, S.J., S.T.L. , Ph.D. is the Raymond E. Brown, Distinguished Professor of New Testament Studies (Emeritus) St. Mary's Seminary and University, Baltimore, MD, and is presently Research Professor in Theology at Loyola University Maryland. Fr. Donahue is past President of the Catholic Biblical Association of America, and has served on national and international ecumenical dialogues. He earned his Ph.L and MA degrees at Fordham University and studied theology at Woodstock College in Maryland, where he received the S.T.L. He earned a Ph.D. in New Testament from the University of Chicago, with a doctoral thesis on the Gospel of Mark. Fr. Donahue published three volumes of commentaries on the Sunday Readings one of which won First Place in Professional Books from The Catholic Press Association. Other books include The Gospel of Mark, Are You the Christ: The Trial Narrative in the Gospel of Mark, Theology and Setting of Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark, What Does the Lord Require: A Bibliographical Essay on the Bible and Social Justice, The Gospel in Parable: Metaphor, Narrative and Theology in the Gospel of Mark. From 1998-2001, he wrote the weekly "Word" column for America Magazine.

Topic Titles

• The Beginning of the Good News of Jesus, Messiah, Son of God
• Let the Reader Take Note: Literary Characteristics of Mark
• Who Do People Say That I Am?: Naming Jesus in the Gospel of Mark
• The Vocation of the Son of Man
• Prologue and Program of the Good News
• Powerful in Word and Deed: Miracles in Mark
• To You Has Been Given the Secret of the Kingdom of God: Parables and Kingdom in Mark
• Can You Drink the Cup I Shall Drink: The Challenge of Discipleship in Mark
• Teaching on the Way and Guideposts for Discipleship
• Entering the Crucible of Suffering
• A Death in the Afternoon
• The Gospel Begins Anew: Resurrection and Enduring Message