Kim Huat Tan – författare

A commentary on the epistles with contextual examples and explanations aimed to facilitate the reflections of differing church traditions throughout the world. It provides background information and textual interpretation, raises interpretative questions and makes suggestions for further discussion.

This 1997 book provides an exciting re-interpretation of the sayings and actions of Jesus. Setting him firmly in the context of first-century Judaism, it asks how important the city of Jerusalem and the theological traditions centred on it were to Jesus. At this time, Zion had become 'the symbol of the life, beliefs and hopes of all Jews'. Those Jews who expected the coming of a messianic Davidic king assumed that he would reign from Zion. Dr Tan argues that, as a prophet, Jesus was attracted inevitably to the city of Zion. Skilfully integrating what Jesus is recorded to have said with what he is recorded to have done in the last weeks of his life, Dr Tan suggests that an understanding of the importance to Jesus of the Zion traditions not only helps us to understand the unifying aim behind Jesus's ministry, but also provides us with the key to the riddle of who Jesus thought he was.

This 1997 book provides an exciting re-interpretation of the sayings and actions of Jesus. Setting him firmly in the context of first-century Judaism, it asks how important the city of Jerusalem and the theological traditions centred on it were to Jesus. At this time, Zion had become 'the symbol of the life, beliefs and hopes of all Jews'. Those Jews who expected the coming of a messianic Davidic king assumed that he would reign from Zion. Dr Tan argues that, as a prophet, Jesus was attracted inevitably to the city of Zion. Skilfully integrating what Jesus is recorded to have said with what he is recorded to have done in the last weeks of his life, Dr Tan suggests that an understanding of the importance to Jesus of the Zion traditions not only helps us to understand the unifying aim behind Jesus's ministry, but also provides us with the key to the riddle of who Jesus thought he was.

Believing that the needs of beleaguered Christian communities in turbulent times would be best met by resourcing the life of Jesus, Mark wrote a Gospel that was at once plain and subtle, fast-paced and yet profound. The essence of being a follower of Jesus was therefore clarified, so that such communities might differentiate the essential from the trivial and be fortified in their testimony to the one, true gospel. This commentary attempts to expound the artistry of Mark in achieving all this in its original setting, by focusing on the larger picture of themes and thrusts, paragraphs and plot, but without dodging important issues of interpretation. Following in the footsteps of this groundbreaking Gospel, this commentary also attempts to bridge the horizons of the then and the now, and show how it may still be a powerful resource for being a disciple of Jesus today. Sermonic suggestions are offered where appropriate, so that harried pastors may find a quick and effective way of sharing Mark with their congregations.