The author of the critically-acclaimed Binding the Strong Man exposes the social and spiritual "stones" that impede us in our development and growth as Christians. "In every age", writes Myers, "disciples despair that the story has ended, only to discover that the stone 'has been rolled away, ' reopening the possibility - and imperative - of following the Way of Jesus". As a sequel to Binding the Strong Man, Who Will Roll Away the Stone? brings Myers' study of the gospel of Mark full circle. The first book provided a compelling reading of Mark's gospel as a manual of radical discipleship in the ancient Roman empire. Who Will Roll Away the Stone? picks up and extends the gospel's challenge specifically to those living in the contemporary imperial context. Each chapter opens with classic questions from within the gospel itself. Beginning with Peter's denial of Jesus, Who Will Roll Away the Stone? shows how and why first-world Christians - politically free, socially mobile, and resource-rich - seem typically unable or unwilling to struggle for social change. Myers uses three of the most troubling and problematic of recent events - the Los Angeles riots, the Gulf War, the Columbus quincentennial - to demonstrate how the subtle complexities of a culture of technological wizardy, information overload, and short-term memory can be recognized as blocking the first step on the journey of discipleship. Myers then turns to the second stage of discipleship which is conversion, literally a call to change direction both as individuals and as a society. He continues with a "deconstruction" of the modus vivendi of U.S. culture, using experiments in other ways of living, including social relocation andnonviolent politics. He then moves into the third stage of the call to discipleship, to reconstruct the church and the world through positive action: building solidarity with one another and with the poor, accepting and celebrating diversity and its gifts, and reclaiming the discourse of the reign of God from those who use it to defend the status quo.

A "team-authored", popular-level version of Ched Myers' monumental study of Mark, Binding the Strong Man, which adapts its socio-literary method of reading to a work ideal for study and reflection by groups or individuals with limited background in biblical scholarship. Walter Wink called the best-selling Binding the Strong Man "quite simply the most important commentary on a book of scripture since Barth's Romans". Now, "Say to this Mountain" makes the powerful insights of that challenging commentary accessible and at the same time explores the connections between Mark's "handbook of discipleship" and the demands of our contemporary world. In "Say to this Mountain" Myers is joined by a team of authors, Catholic and Protestant, committed to the work of justice and peace, the renewal of the church, and to Christian discipleship. With Myers they share in the conviction that Mark's story has transforming power only as it intersects with our own life-stories and the broader story of the times in which we live. Together, this team has designed a process for reading the Gospel of Mark in which each of the three circles of story informs the other. Carefully organized in reading units for easy study each section includes two parts: "The Text in Context" looks briefly at the themes raised by each episode in Mark's Gospel. "The Word in Our World" draws out one common thread and reflects upon it in light of our contemporary situation. Throughout the book meditations and practical suggestions emphasize the connections between reflective prayer and concerted action.

Synopsis: Liberating Biblical Study is a unique collaboration of pioneering biblical scholars, social-change activists, and movement-based artists. Well known and unknown, veterans and newcomers, these diverse practitioners of justice engage in a lively and critical conversation at the intersection of seminary, sanctuary, and street. The book is divided into eight sections; in each, a scholar, activist, and artist explore the justice issues related to a biblical text or idea, such as exodus, creation, jubilee, and sanctuary. Beyond the emerging themes (e.g., empire, resistance movements, identity, race, gender, and economics), the book raises essential questions at another level: What is the role of art in social-change movements? How can scholars be accountable beyond the academy, and activists encouraged to study? How are resistance movements nurtured and sustained? This volume is an accessible invitation to action that will appeal to all who love and strive for justice--whatever their discipline, and whatever their familiarity with the Bible, scholarship, art, and activist communities. Endorsements: "Here is another remarkable idea of Norman Gottwald coming to fruition in a combination of biblical vision, creative imagination, and public action. Every section of the book is a provocative juxtaposition of critical analysis by engaged biblical scholars, incisive insights of social activists, and compelling expressions of poets and artists . . . A highly stimulating start, send-off, and celebration for the Center and Library for the Bible and Social Justice." -Richard Horsley author of Jesus and Empire: the Kingdom of God and the New World Disorder "This book teaches you how to use the Bible as a critical tool for social justice on the street and in the academy. I am deeply moved and inspired by the testimonies and bold visions of the scholars, activists, and artists who contributed to this volume. Buy the book, teach it, and begin organizing " -Kwok Pui-lan author of Discovering the Bible in the Non-Biblical World Author Biography: Laurel Dykstra is a community-based Bible and justice educator and activist based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Her publications include Set Them Free: The Other Side of Exodus (2002). Ched Myers is a social-justice educator and activist and biblical animator based in southern California. His publications include Binding the Strong Man: A Political Reading of Mark's Story of Jesus (20th anniversary edition, 2008) and, with Elaine Enns, Ambassadors of Reconciliation (2009).

In "That Holy Anarchist," Mark Van Steenwyk explores the relationship between Christianity and anarchism. The name of Jesus is invoked by those in power as well as those resisting that power. What were the politics of Jesus and how can they continue to inform us as we struggle for justice?

Description: The prophets exhort us to defend the poor; but we lionize the rich. They assure us that chariots and missiles cannot save us; yet we seek refuge under their cold shadow. They urge us to forgo idolatry; but we compulsively fetishize the work of our hands. Above all, the prophetic Word warns us that the way to liberation in a world locked down by the spiral of violence, the way to redemption in a world of enslaving addictions, the way to genuine transformation in a world of deadened conscience and numbing conformity, is the way of nonviolent, sacrificial, creative love. But neither polite religion nor society is remotely interested in this--which is why Jesus had to ""translate"" and ""midwife"" the prophetic insights for his companions in their historical moment. Dan has done the same for us in ours. As this reading of Exodus attests, he has a keen eye for both text and context, and exegetes both with his life. Thus does he help us shed our denial, connect the dots, and move from our pews to the streets. --from the foreword by Ched Myers Endorsements: ""Dan Berrigan has given us a prophetic interpretation of the story of a people's liberation from slavery, contagious violence, and the shocking actions of an ambiguous god. Berrigan has lived out a nonviolent exodus from our own pharaohs. His vision parts the waters of empires past and present. This prophet, like Isaiah, sees a divinely given way from the divisive exodus of our spiritual ancestors to the hope of a promised land for everyone."" --James Douglass, Catholic Worker, Founder of Mary's House and Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action ""The retrieval of the prophetic in Christian faith and practice is an underlying theme of the renewal and revisioning in today's grassroots Catholicism. Perhaps the prophetic voice of our time is that of Daniel Berrigan, SJ, whose insightful writing and courageous vision has now become the blending of activism and mystic wisdom. Berrigan on Exodus--a profound journey back to the very roots of our tradition and a clarion call to let ourselves be freed and chosen for God's work today."" --Robert A. Ludwig, Director of the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago ""In this lyrical, powerful, and dangerous reading of the second book of Moses, Daniel Berrigan does more than explicate or comment upon the text. Instead, he invites us to fulfill the text through our own questions, reverence and, as Berrigan says, indignation. To read Exodus is to truly participate in the mystery of Scripture. A beautiful, challenging, and invigorating work by one of our most fearless and tenacious contemporary prophets."" --Karin Holsinger Sherman, author of A Question of Being: The Integration of Resistance and Contemplation in James Douglass's Theology of Nonviolence About the Contributor(s): Daniel Berrigan is an internationally known voice for peace and disarmament. A Jesuit priest, an award-winning poet, and the author of over fifty books, he has spoken for peace, justice, and nuclear disarmament for nearly fifty years. He spent several years in prison for his part in the 1968 Catonsville Nine antiwar action and later acted with the Plowshares Eight. Nominated many times for the Nobel Peace Prize, he lives and works in New York City.