Mark is one of the most daring figures of the early church, but at the same time he is not easily labeled. He is the first to assemble the oral traditions about Jesus, thereby showing his fidelity and devotion to the past. But he is equally forceful in challenging his own church's accumulated traditions, especially those he does not see as authentically representative of the events of Jesus's life and ministry. He respectfully documents the authority of church leaders, and still feels free to challenge them. At times, it is difficult to know what to make of Mark. One point is clear: no Christian of any time can read this gospel without being challenged by it. ""Clearly written . . . excellent resource for pastoral leaders . . . lively, solid, and insightful . . . deserves a hearty welcome among both students and teachers in adult education courses . . . should have a wide appeal . . . thoroughly documented, and yet written in a style that will appeal to the ordinary Christian as well as to biblical scholars and theologians."" Dr. Leonard Doohan is Professor Emeritus at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington. He has written twenty-four books and many articles and has given hundreds of workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Far East. Dr. Doohan has written six books on various aspects of the New Testament, and six books on the spirituality and roles of laity in the contemporary church. Doohan's recent books include Spiritual Leadership: The Quest for Integrity (2007), Enjoying Retirement: Living Life to the Fullest (2010), Courageous Hope: The Call of Leadership (2011), The One Thing Necessary: The Transforming Power of Christian Love (2012), Spiritual Leadership: How to Become a Great Spiritual Leader--Ten Steps and a Hundred Suggestions (2014), Ten Strategies to Nurture Our Spiritual Lives (2014), and Rediscovering Jesus' Priorities (2014).