Measuring Our Success: Sunday Mornings in Plains: Bible Study with Jimmy Carter

The second release of former president Carter's Sunday Mornings in Plains audio series presents five lessons in which Carter explores the early ministry of Jesus as portrayed by the Gospel of Mark. These sessions were recorded at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga., during the spring of 2003, as the U.S. began the invasion of Iraq. Carter sheds light on the radical essence of Christ as one who overturned centuries of religious and political assumptions of what constituted success in the eyes of God. The highlighted scripture passages emphasize a mission for embracing the most marginalized members of society and challenging entrenched authorities. Carter's personal anecdotes, especially when he recounts the monumental spiritual journey that followed a devastating defeat in his first bid for the Georgia governorship, provide highly valuable perspective. Taken as a whole, these recordings lack the smooth glide of Leading a Worthy Life , the first Sunday Mornings in Plains title. Yet the many kernels of learned biblical scholarship, sage wisdom and inspiring insight still provide worthwhile listening. (May)