A Profound, Challenging BookMarch 17, 2007 24 out of 25 found this review helpful
Ever since I read "Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time" I have been a huge fan of Marcus Borg. I'm what you might call a progressive Christian, so perhaps I'm just more open to non-traditional ways of thinking about Christian theology, but even then this book stirred me.
Borg not only puts forward a profound, challenging, persuasive, and well-researched book, but he does so in a way that is sincerely Christian, avoiding the across-the-board skepticism that some writers show. And Borg's writing style is as clear and engrossing as ever. I could hardly put it down.
I recommend this book to all Christians and everyone else interested in Jesus of Nazareth.
Wealth of knowledge about God's divine Christ!March 13, 2007 35 out of 38 found this review helpful
I loved this book! I am not a fundamentalist, and I am not a progressive reformer. I am, however, an open minded traditionalist, who thinks for herself and profoundly believes IN Jesus. I must admit, I am guilty of reading the Bible so literally that I was arguing with the facts and not feeling the full weight of it's impact. I kept being very frustrated cuz I knew I was missing some hidden point, and I wasn't being given all of the tools the Bible promises to discern God's message to me. I am responsible for learning all I can about issues I am passionate about, and then meditating on these to try to discern God's individual message to me. We all have a duty to make God's world (the vision He has for us, as His children) a better place.
Marcus' suggestion that the Virgin Birth may only have been a metaphor (with a very divine inspiration and great meaning) is a well thought out, and not over the top, perspective; for which I must meditate on and digest for myself. Whatever I decide about the Virgin Birth, I have no fear that reading about Marcus' perspective regarding the Virgin Birth will ever hurt my relationship with Jesus. On the contrary, testing and probing new ideas in our hearts only strenghens our faith.
Marcus does such a great of sharing his knowledge and perception, that you come away feeling like you know Jesus better. And, if you know someone better, it is easier to build, maintain, and enjoy a solid relationship with them. Regardless of what denomination you subscribe to, or which doctrine(s) make most sense to you, we should not be putting our precious energies into religions and fighting about who's wrong or who's right. In doing so, we are all missing the point of truly loving God because we know Him and like him. Loving God as He loves us.
I am excited to read the Bible all over again; because, now, I have new insight into the characters and the stories. If more people knew more about the Old Testament's and New Testament's history and meaning, they wouldn't be so turned off by it as a result of their limited relationship with God, His passion and His character.
I am not what some would call a "mature" Christian. However, I am a heartfelt, Christian just the same. God gave me the brain I have to probe and learn, as a way of discerning the message He has for me. I'm seeing my journey, at this point, as a bridge constructed of my knowledge and gifts of discernment. But, at some point, this bridge will end for me. I will no longer be able to walk further based on what I learn with my brain, or feel with my heart. The rest of my journey toward God will be, and can only be, lead by God on the wings of my deep faith in Him. It is a risk-free, intelligent, well discerned, leap of faith.
This book, Jesus by Marcus Borg, is definitely one of those boards of knowlege that I patiently build my bridge with. I would hope, Marcus' readers would realize that their bridge is their own, and knowledge and insight can only extend that bridge so far. At one point, we must soar on faith!
This book is great for reaching out to all Christians and, hopefully, bringing us all back together again to REALLY love God's world that we live in, and REALLY love each other, and REALLY love God. Marcus isn't telling us WHO God is (that is for us to meditate on for ourselves), but he is sharing his years of experience and knoweldge with us, so that we can know Jesus better! Thanks, Marcus!
Overrated at one starMarch 4, 2007 6 out of 84 found this review helpful
Amazing that one can write this revisionist nonsense and get an audience. It shows how far the Christian Church has fallen in its educational and apologetic duties. How can our community be so ignorant as to fall for this PRSH (look the Hebrew up)?
My reviewFebruary 21, 2007 7 out of 15 found this review helpful
I like the book so far. It's easy reading and has some interesting concepts. Some may be a little bit harder to buy than others. You better have an open mind and accept that this is just one man's interpretation of the scriptures and Jesus. He does give one things to think about!
The Emerging Paradigm's JesusFebruary 3, 2007 38 out of 38 found this review helpful
In Marcus J. Borg's most recent book, Jesus: Uncovering the Life, Teachings, and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary, we are presented with a through and comprehensive version of Jesus from the emerging paradigm that views the Bible through a historical-metaphorical lens. According to Borg, the story of Jesus is not about the popular notions of sin, salvation, and the afterlife; it is more transforming than this, more revolutionary, and more enlightening. In Jesus, He argues that Jesus was a Jewish mystic who was intoxicated with and close to God. This Jewish mystic did not follow the status quo of conventional practice and thought, but rather used subversive wisdom to teach the way or path which resulted in a new way of being. This path was the way, and it was about centering oneself in God and God's passion. Jesus's passion led him to critique the domination system of his day through non-violent resistance and indictments of injustice.
This book is clear and concise. The chaper layout is well done. Borg examines the historical context in which Jesus lived and then goes on to study the character and sayings attributed to Jesus. Borg's treatment of Jesus's passion for justice, and God's character is wonderful. He assumes nothing and uses evidence to back up claims. He supports his position through exposition of stories and parables attributed to Jesus. This is a great work that will make you think deeper about Jesus.
