After some digging... It looks like this command might do the trick:

 SPI.setDataMode(SPI_MODE2);

It looks like the MAX7219 wants to transfer data bits on the rising edge of the clock cycles.  If I'm using a AD9833, the data sheet indicates the data transfer needs to happen on the falling edges.  I guess I need to set the CPOL bit in the SPCR register.   Not sure if there is an easy way to do this other than a brute force write to the register?

I'm interested in this as well.  It looks like there are some SPI setups to take care of. e.g. Clock divider, bit order, etc.  Does anyone know what it defaults to if the bits in the SPCR register are not set up?

Thanks,
-Ryan

Maybe you could post your bit bang code?